Savor Chef Choi Hyun-seok’s Signature Dishes from Culinary Class Wars at Solaire Resort

As one of South Korea’s renowned celebrity chefs with over 30 years of culinary experience, Chef Choi brings his signature dishes from the hit cooking series Culinary Class Wars to the Philippines for the ultimate gastronomic journey that brings the heat of competition straight to each plate.

As fans of the show, my husband and I were thrilled to hear that Solaire invited Chef Choi to showcase his signature dishes right here in Manila. We genuinely enjoyed watching Culinary Class Wars on Netflix — while Chef Choi may not be our personal favorite among the competitors, we’ve always admired his serious, no-nonsense approach in the kitchen. He’s not the most charismatic on screen, especially compared to some of the more outgoing chefs on the show, but his passion and dedication to his craft are undeniable. So when we found out we could actually try the very dishes we saw on the series, we didn’t hesitate to book a seat.

Guests were transported to the world of prime dining as Chef Choi and Solaire Resort began their spectacularly delectable collaboration with back-to-back dinners at Finestra, offering tables of indulgent dishes specially curated for Solaire’s guests. A succulent five-course dinner was prepared by Chef Choi himself that enhanced the exquisite flavors of Italian-Korean fusion cuisines, at Solaire Resort Entertainment City and Solaire Resort North. The dinner featured the very same signature dishes by Chef Choi from Culinary Class Wars.

One of the first dishes we tried was the seaweed soup with hairtail fish and radish. While traditionally served on birthdays or after childbirth in Korea, it felt quite special to have it during this experience. It had a delicate warmth and comforting depth that made it memorable despite the occasion not being anything out of the ordinary.

Personally, I absolutely loved the Vongole with garlic—it was aromatic, rich, and perfectly balanced, with briny clams blending beautifully with the garlicky base. The pasta was al dente, and each bite was a harmony of sea and savor. It’s the kind of dish you want to savor slowly, letting every forkful linger.

We capped off the experience with a Korean dessert that was just as thoughtful: shaved ice with mascarpone, white chocolate, red bean paste, and green tea. The textures were silky and light, with just the right amount of sweetness to cleanse the palate. It was indulgent yet refreshing—definitely a satisfying way to end the meal.

Chef Choi’s amazing signature dishes will be available for a limited time from April 14 until July 6, exclusively at Solaire Resort. Try the full menu at Waterside in Solaire Resort Entertainment City, and the donut, Vongole, and three-sauce steak at Finestra in Solaire Resort North to relive the extravagance and luxury of Chef Choi’s prowess once more. Indulge in the exclusive magnificence of a dinner made perfect with Chef Choi’s innovative culinary expertise.

Be it north or south, each guest is sure to experience a mouthful of finessed flavors with each bite of Chef Choi’s dishes. For more details, reservations, and inquiries, visit the Solaire Resort website at https://www.solaireresort.com/chef-choi-hyun-seok/ or contact +632 8888 8888.