Your Local Presents Mat Nam: Korea's Culinary Class Wars Pop-Up at The Balmori Suites Chef's Table

Now on its third run at The Balmori Suites Chef's Table in Rockwell Center, Chef Patrick Go and Your Local presents Mat Nam which means "where the flavor meets" showcasing acclaimed Korean chefs from the popular worldwide reality show Culinary Class Wars for its pop-up series. Who's hungry for Korean flavors?

Running from April 6 to June 1, 2025, Your Local Presents Mat Nam features a rotating line-up of guest chefs from reality show sensation Culinary Class Wars at The Balmori Suites Chef's Table for a unique take on authentic Korean flavors with a modern and creatively inventive spin. Each guest chef will share their own signature culinary styles for a limited time experience at the celebrated pop-up series. My visit showcased the exquisite renditions of traditional Korean flavors by Michelin starred Chef Kisu Bang from late April. Read on for a tasty peek with that cool Culinary Class Wars vibe...

The successful runs of Your Local helmed by Chef Patrick Go at The Balmori Suites Chef's Table pop-up series explored and pushed culinary boundaries allowing diners to experience comfortingly familiar flavors in inspired and even unexpected renditions for a memorable dining experience (for more on Your Local at The Balmori Suites Chef's Table, see my post Chef Patrick Go Spins Local and Asian Flavors at the Your Local Pop-Up in The Balmori Suites from two year back). This year, Your Local draws inspiration from Korea's Culinary Class Wars for its third and latest edition at The Balmori Suites Chef's Table. 

Inside The Balmori Suites, the dramatic high ceiling and spacious layout became the stage once more for yet another culinary performance by Chef Patrick Go of Your Local and featured Korean guest Chef Kisu Bang. Locals have had a long-running love affair with anything and everything Korean with the pervasive presence of Korean culture and cuisine, K-Pop and telenovelas in the cultural mainstream and I was definitely curious as to how this would play out on the table at The Balmori Suites. 

Chef Patrick Go (L), Chef Kisu Bang (second from left) and his team shared a light moment before the lunch service...

...as more guests arrived for the latest iteration of Your Local at The Balmori Suites Chef's Table and almost immediately the semi open kitchen became a frenzied blur of activity. The unique collaboration was initiated by the founder and owner of Tasteless Food Group, Charles Paw. It was an idea that interested Chef Patrick. "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," shared Your Local's innovative chef. 

And the excitement is well warranted. After all, Chef Kisu Bang is the first head chef in Korea to earn the coveted Michelin Star. Chef Kisu Bang is the owner-chef of Gitdeun and also gained widespread attention as a "white spoon" contestant on the Netflix series Culinary Class Wars. Chef Bang is celebrated for his mastery of Korean BBQ as well as combining modern and precision techniques with the bold and unrestrained flavors of traditional Korean cuisine. The tables were now filled as the first dish was served...

...with the Shrimp & Corn Gangjeong (P 850) with its delectable play on contrasting textures and flavors. Imagine deep-fried shrimp balls with sweet corn, intricately glazed with an intensely sweet and spicy gochujang sauce infused with traditional Korean rice wine. That first bite announced by an audible crunch is soon followed by a bold medley of contrasting yet delicately balanced notes. If this is just a preview of what's to come, then I absolutely can't wait for the next dishes to be served. 

Back at the kitchen, Chef Bang orchestrated the various components for his next dish...

In between bites of bold Korean flavors, a soothing sip of the Strawberry Basil Fizz (P 250) with lemon and ginger ale cleanses the palate for the next round of savory dishes by Chefs Patrick and Bang. 

Your Local also served some of their featured dishes from the Balmori 3.0 Menu like the simply named Tuna (P 590) with succulent Yellowfin tuna, preserved Korean pear, peanuts, crisp rice and papadum chips. And no, there's just nothing simple about this dish. Chef Patrick weaves his own Asian-inspired rendition in that signature Your Local flair with a clean, fresh and uncluttered blend of flavors. 

Then, Chef Patrick presented his Grilled Pork Tostada (P 580) with tender and lightly charred pork belly draped in creamy scallion aioli topped with black lumpfish roe and radish on crispy molo. 

The unique notes of each ingredient comes through in a tightly woven blend with each tasty bite, and this one's gone in no time. "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 flavors with subtle Filipino and Korean ingredients, while still adding our own fun little twists." I'll have to agree, crisping up that molo was genius. 

Chef Patrick heads back to the kitchen to assist Chef Bang with his next round of dishes...

...starting with the savory Beef & Mushroom Bulgogi (P 1,450). The dish is highlighted by tender beef sirloin marinated in rich signature soy blend then grilled with mushrooms for an elegant take on a traditional Korean staple. The juicy and tender beef bursts with a lingering savory richness after each bite followed by the deep nutty and earthy notes of the mushrooms. Grab a crisp, garden-fresh piece of lettuce and top with a spoonful of grilled beef and mushrooms. And don't forget to add a generous dab of chili paste for that soothing spicy kick. 

Chef Bang has even more inventive twists on traditional Korean cuisine like the Yukhoe Bibimbap (P 790) with fresh and richly seasoned beef tartare over warm rice with crisp vegetables paired with a house-made gochujang sauce. 

And don't hold back on the gochujang. Simply mix everything on the bowl...

...and enjoy a heaping spoonful as the distinct flavors of each ingredient comes together with each bite. Chef Bang's elegant and even elevated reinterpretation of classic Korean flavors doesn't stray off course from tradition yet each dish served so far has been a refreshed and even delightfully pleasing experience with his well-balanced and even nuanced play on flavor contrasts. 

Chef Bang then rounds up his team for the next dish...

...with the Grilled Pork Belly with Saeujeot (P 1,150), an intricately plated rendition with grilled juicy pork belly paired with a pungent fermented shrimp sauce and served with garlic and a tasty duo of kimchi. The subtle nutty sweetness of the grilled pork is perfectly complemented by the pronounced sharp notes of the saeujeot for that balanced finish. A bite of the fresh and the fermented kimchi prepares the palate for another savory bite. 

Chef Patrick also served his Drunken Chicken (P 870), a delicately poached chicken slathered in a light and fragrant sauce with Soju, burnt sesame and pine nuts. The flavors are rich yet elegantly nuanced lingering long on the palate. 

But Chef Patrick had one more surprise with the Palabok Rice (P 380) with smoked fish, chicharon, Korean seaweed and dashi palabok sauce. It's an inventive and even unexpected twist on the usual fried rice with comforting local flavors. And yes, you'll want this bowl all to yourself. 

The third edition of Your Local at The Balmori Suites Chef's Table is a festive celebration of Asian flavors with masterfully executed representations of the featured chefs' art. The inclusion of acclaimed Korean chefs from Culinary Class Wars makes this run even more special for a memorable taste of traditional Korean cuisine with an exquisite contemporary twist. This is, indeed, where the flavor meets. 

The perfect way to cap a lavish feast at The Balmori Suites? Why, a cocktail of course...

The G&T hits the spot. And just the libation you need to beat the summer heat. 

For dessert, Chef Patrick shared his indulgent Choco na Gatas v2 (P 450) with burnt milk ice cream, toasted rice, chocolate mousse and rice crispies...

...and the YuzuMansi Cake (P 450) with Citron Calamansi Cake, salted cream, banana chips, and local cinnamon for the perfect sweet ending...

...best paired with the Iced Spanish Latte (P 180/P 190). 

Chef Bang and his team visited each table to close another successful lunch service for the third and latest edition of the Your Local pop-up at The Balmori Suites. Truly a one-of-a-kind event, the Your Local series at The Balmori Suites Chef's Table takes pop-ups up a notch with the added element of Korea's Culinary Class Wars. 

Have you booked your reservations yet? Better hurry. The Your Local Presents Mat Nam at The Balmori Suites runs only until June 1. Tradition and contemporary twists come together "where the flavor meets" at the Your Local Presents Mat Nam pop-up in The Balmori Suites Chef's Table...

The Your Local Presents Mat Nam Pop-Up is located at the Ground Floor of The Balmori Suites, Hidalgo Drive, Rockwell Center, Makati. Call 0977 487 9236 for table reservations or visit their FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/Yourlocalph/ for updates.

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