Your Local is excited to present Mat Nam (“Where the Flavor Meets”), a limited-time collaboration featuring four renowned Korean chefs from the hit show Culinary Class Wars. Running from April 6 to June 1, 2025, the event will showcase a rotating lineup of guest chefs, each bringing their unique culinary expertise to Manila. This collaboration, initiated by Charles Paw of Tasteless Food Group, aims to create an unforgettable dining experience and foster potential long-term partnerships.
Finally, I had the chance to try the second run of Matnam with Chef Kisu Bang. While the first run received mixed reviews on the ‘simple’ heritage recipes of the featured Korean chefs, everyone agreed that Chef Patrick Go’s dishes truly stood out. Many commented on the bolder flavors of Your Local’s offerings, with more people raving about them compared to the Culinary Class Wars chefs.
Here’s what I think about Matnam by Your Local with Chef Kisu Bang:
ABOUT CHEF KISU BANG
Chef Kisu Bang is the first Korean head chef in the country to earn a Michelin Star. He is the owner-chef of Gitdeun and gained widespread attention as a “white spoon” contestant on the Netflix series Culinary Class Wars. Known for his mastery of Korean BBQ, Chef Bang is celebrated for combining precision techniques with bold, traditional flavors.
Mat Nam by Your Local
The Balmori Suites Chef’s Table
April 6 – 23: Young Sook Lee x Jihyung Choi
April 26 – May 14: Kisu Bang
May 17 – June 1: Byung Mook Kim
+63 945-427 0054.
SMALL PLATES
Shrimp & Corn Gangjeong 850 by Chef Kisu Bang
Deep fried shrimp balls with sweet corn, glazed in a sweet-spicy gochujang sauce infused with traditional Korean rice wine.
Gangjeong is traditionally made with chicken, but this version features shrimp and sweet corn, served with a gochujang sauce spiked with alcohol. Think of it as a spicy twist on okoy balls—made with corn and perfectly bite-sized for an appetizer.
Grilled Pork Tostada 580 by Chef Patrick Go
Pork Belly, Scallion Aioli, Crispy Molo, Black Lumpfish Roe, Radish
A grilled tostada made with a crisp molo wrapper, topped with grilled pork belly, radish kimchi, and scallion aioli, finished with black lumpfish roe for an extra hit of umami.
Tuna 590 by Chef Patrick Go
Yellowfin Tuna, Preserved Korean Pear, Rice and Papadum Chips, Peanuts
Raw tuna paired with the natural sweetness of Korean pear, a touch of peanuts, and a mix of papadum and rice chips for added texture—a light and refreshing appetizer.
Lychee Fizz 495
Gin, Lemon, Lychee, Kaffir, Ginger Ale
Whiskey Sour 495
Suntory Whiskey, Lemon, Orange Bitters
The Lychee Fizz is a better choice than the Sour—bubbly, not too sweet, and perfect for keeping your palate refreshed.
MAIN PLATES + RICE
Beef & Mushroom Bulgogi 1,450 by Chef Kisu Bang
Tender beef sirloin marinated in a signature soy blend, grilled with mushrooms. Rich, savory, and indulgent-an elevated take on Korea’s most beloved dish.
Strips of sirloin marinated in the chef’s signature soy blend, wrapped in lettuce with fresh greens and house-made ssamjang crafted from fermented soybean paste.
Grilled Pork Belly with Saeujeot 1,150
Juicy pork belly, grilled and finished with saeujeot— a pungent, fermented shrimp sauce. A bold dish that showcases the depth and complexity of traditional Korean fermentation.
Thick slices of grilled pork belly, seasoned with fermented shrimp sauce, served over a bed of mild white kimchi, cucumbers, and garlic — paired with bibimbap.
Yukhoe Bibimbap 790 by Chef Kisu Bang
A refined take on the Korean classic. Fresh, seasoned beef tartare layered over warm rice with crisp vegetables and a house-made gochujang sauce.
This bibimbap is elevated with raw, seasoned sirloin beef, gochujang chili paste, warm rice, and crisp greens.
Drunken Chicken 870 by Chef Patrick Go
Poached Chicken, Fragrant Sauce with Soju, Burnt Sesame, Pine Nuts
This was so good — poached chicken in soju with fragrant oil made from Szechuan chili (without the spiciness), roasted pine nuts and spring onions.
Palabok Rice 380 by Chef Patrick Go
Salted fish fried rice, chicharon, Korean seaweed, dashi palabok sauce.
I love this innovative take on Palabok—it’s a rice version featuring salted fish fried rice, chicharron, Korean nori, and Korean fish sauce. So delish!
DESSERT
Choco na Gatas v2 450 by Chef Patrick Go
Burnt Milk Ice Cream, Toasted Rice, Chocolate Mousse, Rice Crispies
YuzuMansi Cake 450 by Chef Patrick Go
Citron Calamansi Cake, Salted Cream, Banana Chips,
The Choco na Gatas brings back childhood memories with the familiar flavors of toasted Bear Brand ice cream, toasted rice crispies, and chocolate mousse. The Yuzu-Calamansi tres leches cake offers a delightful contrast, complemented by salted cream, fresh orange slices, and a hint of local cinnamon.
Mocha 200
Sea Salt Coconut Americano 220
Espresso, Gula Melaka, Lightly Salted Coconut Mousse
The Sea Salt Coconut Americano is a unique blend, offering a creamy texture paired with a rich, flavorful coffee.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Overall, I love this celebration of Korean flavors and Your Local vs. Culinary Class War Chefs concept. Chef Patrick Go’s dishes—like the Grilled Pork Tostada, Drunken Chicken paired with Palabok Fried Rice, and Choco na Gatas dessert—are bold, flavorful, and perfectly tuned to the Filipino palate. Chef Kisu Bang’s offerings were also impressive, particularly the Grilled Pork Belly with Saeujeot and Beef & Mushroom Bulgogi, enhanced by gochujang or ssamjang for added depth. His cooking shows finesse, with sauces that complement rather than overpower the meats, and a thoughtful layering of textures and flavors.
While the portions are designed for sharing—ideally for two—we only got to sample small portions of each dish and were still a bit hungry afterward. The menu is à la carte, so you can mix and match to suit your cravings. Be sure to order the crowd favorites and don’t miss the drinks—the Lychee Fizz is refreshing, and the Sea Salt Coconut Americano is a unique, creamy twist for coffee lovers.
Live an Awesome Life with Christ,
Founder & Digital Creator, Our Awesome Planet
Disclosure: This article was written entirely by 100% human, with my own biases, opinions, and insights. Thank you for our friends from Your Local for the experience.
Your Local presents Mat Nam:
The first Southeast Asian ‘Culinary Class Wars’ Chefs Pop-Up
Savor exclusive dishes at Your Local’s third run at The Balmori Suites Chef’s Table
Manila, April 2025 – Your Local proudly presents Mat Nam (“Where the Flavor Meets”), an exclusive chef collaboration featuring four acclaimed Korean chefs from the worldwide reality show sensation Culinary Class Wars.
Running from April 6 to June 1, 2025, this event will introduce a rotating lineup of guest chefs, each bringing their signature culinary styles to Manila for a limited-time experience.
“This is a truly exciting moment for us,” shares Chef Patrick Go, Executive Chef of Your Local. “I’ve always admired the chefs from Culinary Class Wars — each of them brings a unique approach to Korean and Japanese cuisine. We’re eager to see how their dishes will resonate with the Filipino palate and, hopefully, spark a long-term collaboration with them.”
The collaboration was initiated by Charles Paw, founder and owner of Tasteless Food Group, who connected Your Local with his Korean partners to explore the idea of a pop-up.
“Since I’m a fan of the show as well, it was a no-brainer to bring these talented chefs in for a series of exclusive dining experiences,” adds Chef Patrick.
Guests can also expect an all-exclusive Balmori 3.0 menu from Your Local, which features new dishes yet to be seen at the main restaurant or at their two previous Balmori stints.
“As seen on Culinary Class Wars, each of these chefs has a distinct signature style,” explains Chef Patrick. “Expect bold, authentic Korean and Japanese flavors, blended seamlessly with our signature Your Local Balmori menu.”
Now on its third iteration, Your Local at The Balmori Suites Chef’s Table continues to push the boundaries of modern Asian cuisine.
“Everyone knows we love infusing Asian flavors into our dishes,” says Chef Patrick. “On our third Balmori run, expect Your Local to have a lot of familiar Asian flavours with subtle Filipino and Korean ingredients, while still adding our own fun little twists.”
Meet Our Guest Chefs
Each guest chef will personally visit the pop-up for two days and have four signature dishes featured on the Your Local menu for one “episode”, which lasts approximately two weeks. Diners can enjoy dishes from the contestants of Netflix’s hit show Culinary Class Wars:
- April 6 – 23: Young Sook Lee x Jihyung Choi
- April 26 – May 14: Kisu Bang
- May 17 – June 1: Byung Mook Kim
Young Sook Lee
Chef Young Sook Lee is a master of traditional and regional Korean cuisine and the owner of the beloved restaurant Nakyung. Crowned winner of Korean Food Battle Season 2, she also appeared as a “white spoon” chef on Culinary Class Wars. Her cooking is rooted in heritage, offering deeply authentic flavors passed down through generations.
Jihyung Choi
Chef Jihyung Choi is the visionary behind Leebukbang, a Michelin Guide-recognized restaurant known for offering the world’s first North Korean course menu. A “white spoon” contestant on Culinary Class Wars, Chef Choi bridges the culinary divide between North and South Korea, crafting nuanced dishes that honor the traditions of both regions.
Kisu Bang
Chef Kisu Bang is the first Korean head chef in the country to earn a Michelin Star. He is the owner-chef of Gitdeun and gained widespread attention as a “white spoon” contestant on the Netflix series Culinary Class Wars. Known for his mastery of Korean BBQ, Chef Bang is celebrated for combining precision techniques with bold, traditional flavors.
Byung Mook Kim
Known as the “Yakitori King,” Chef Byung Mook Kim is the owner-chef of Yakitori Mook, a Michelin Guide-rated restaurant. A “black spoon” chef on Culinary Class Wars, he brings a bold, street-rooted sensibility to his refined takes on chicken and Korean cuisine. His signature style blends Japanese yakitori with Korean culinary heritage.
Catch Mat Nam by Your Local at The Balmori Suites Chef’s Table from April 6 to June 1, 2025. For reservations, contact 0945 427 0054.
The post MATNAM by Your Local: Chef Patrick Go X Chef Kisu Bang appeared first on Awesome! – Our Awesome Planet.
