Binge-Worthy Korean Food Variety Shows for Foodies

Variety shows play a vibrant role in South Korea's entertainment scene by boasting diverse content, including music, travel, games, comedy, and more. They’re captivating and offer a unique experience to viewers like me who sometimes look for alternative ways to spend their time in just a few hours.

As a K-drama fan, I often find myself in a dilemma when faced with the overwhelming selection of drama series on streaming platforms. While aimlessly scrolling through my phone, I stumbled upon food variety shows, which instantly piqued my interest, given my passion for food. Since then, they have become my go-to choice when I crave something different from my usual K-drama fix.

Read through this article to know some of the binge-worthy Korean food variety shows I recommend for food enthusiasts like me:

The Backpacker Chef is an exciting cooking entertainment program featuring the renowned celebrity chef and restaurant owner Baek Jong-won, leading a team that includes actors Oh Dae-hwan and Ahn Bo-hyun and artist DinDin.

The show is packed with challenging missions. The team must improvise and customize dishes under specific preferences and tight time constraints. They embark on their journey with each member having just one backpack filled with various kitchen tools and ingredients. Then, they deliver instant catering solutions in unexpected and unconventional locations, ranging from mountainsides to coastal settings. The catch is that they only know the extremity of the situation once they arrive at the venue, adding an element of surprise and spontaneity to their culinary adventures.

The cast members pour their hearts and souls into cooking and preparing food throughout the series. In fact, over 18 business trips, they have served an impressive 3,078 people and crafted over 100 delectable dishes. Imagine that? Also, knowing Chef Baek's exceptional culinary skills will make you want to have a bite of their mouth-watering creations. Watch the show. It will leave you hungry for more!

Genius Paik is another captivating food variety program with Baek Jong-won. In this show, he uses his skills to introduce the Korean cuisine.

The program assembles a team of well-known celebrities to assist him in launching Korean food businesses in countries where locals have limited exposure to Korean culinary delights. Their adventure kicks off in Morocco, with the participation of GOT7's BamBam, a passionate home cook with impressive marketing skills, and actor Lee Jang-woo, renowned for his cooking skills and restaurant venture.

Continuing their journey, they set their sights on Naples, Italy, accompanied by Jang-woo, a talented singer and food enthusiast with excellent language skills, John Park, and Girls' Generation's Kwon Yu-ri, who also excels in cooking and has a charming personality.

Genius Paik showcases a delectable fusion of cultures and cuisines as these celebrities bring the flavors of Korea to new horizons, making it a must-watch for food enthusiasts like you and me.

Jinny's Kitchen is an exciting spin-off of the beloved reality show Youn's Kitchen.

Lee Seo-jin is a dedicated, business-minded leader who takes the reins as the new boss. Assisting her in this culinary adventure are Jung Yu-mi, the new director, and Park Seo-jun, the executive manager. Choi Woo-shik joined the team, who previously served as an intern on Youn's Stay, along with the ambitious new intern, BTS's V.

The show's primary focus is to introduce the charming world of simple yet delectable Korean street foods, which have captured the hearts of the residents of Bacalar, a picturesque town in Mexico. Additionally, there's plenty of entertainment to anticipate within the cast. 

Throughout the show, you'll witness Boss Lee's journey to earning the title of "Profit King." You may even notice that the depth of his dimples correlates with their restaurant's sales success. Furthermore, you'll enjoy the captivating kitchen clashes between Yu-mi and Seo-jun. The chemistry between the two interns also promises to bring laughter as they playfully compete to prove their skills and importance in the kitchen. 

Feeling excited yet? Tune in and watch the show to experience all these entertaining moments.

If you want to discover some delightful treats featured in Jinny's Kitchen, purchase them from our shop!

Coffee Friends is a variety show that follows the journey of actors Yoo Yeon-seok and Son Ho-jun as they operate a cafe nestled within a tangerine farm on the picturesque Jeju Island. 

This show is special because all their proceeds will go to charitable causes. This venture was inspired by a donation project initiated by both actors in 2018, where they, along with their friends, gave away coffee in exchange for donations of any value.

The main cast includes Yoo Yeon-seok, the head chef known for his delicious food. He also exemplified his cooking skills in Three Meals a Day: Doctors with other Hospital Playlist casts. Son Ho-jun, a certified barista, makes energy-boosting coffee and is responsible for baking fresh bread every day. Alongside them are two other members: actress Choi Ji-woo, the charming hall manager, and actor Yang Se Jong, the versatile all-rounder. What adds to the fun is the daily inclusion of celebrity guest part-timers who lend a hand, particularly in dishwashing.

Remarkably, there are no prices listed on the menu. Instead, customers are encouraged to contribute as they see fit to the food and beverages they get. As I see it, it's a heartwarming show and serves a noble cause since all the profits they gained were donated to a charity.

Whether you're a fellow foodie seeking inspiration or simply searching for an engaging and flavorful escape, these shows will alleviate your boredom and make you crave for something to eat.

Do you have other shows in mind? Share your favorites in the comments section!