Is 강남’s ‘프렌치 파파’ the Ultimate Dining Experience? Unveiling 17 Years of Culinary Excellence!

On Thursday, February 12, MBC’s “Save Me! Homes” (directed by Jeong Da-hee, Nam Yu-jeong, Heo Ja-yoon, and Kim Seong-nyeon) will continue its exploration of the restaurants and homes of chefs featured in Netflix’s hit show “Chef’s Table: Black and White,” following up on last week’s episode.

This week’s installment brings together culinary powerhouses Chef Yoon Nam-no, the “cooking genius” from Season 1, and Chef Park Eun-young, the “Chinese cuisine goddess,” along with entertainment industry food expert Kim Sook. The trio will dive into the heart of what’s been dubbed the “Black and White District,” a culinary hotspot where many of the show’s star chefs have set up shop. After last week’s jaunt through Yongsan, viewers can expect a mouthwatering tour of Gangnam’s Michelin-starred restaurant scene.

As they hit Gangnam’s bustling streets, Chef Yoon drops a bombshell, confessing, “Even after years of working here, I still feel like a fish out of water.” His surprising admission of “Gangnam allergy” raises eyebrows, especially given that Gangnam is the go-to neighborhood for “Chef’s Table” alums. But as the chefs reveal, with popularity comes fierce competition, offering viewers a taste of the pressure-cooker environment these culinary artists face daily.

The group then makes their way to “French Papa,” the brainchild of Chef Tommy Lee, a Cheongdam-dong institution that’s been serving up delights for an impressive 17 years. Stepping inside is like traveling back in time, with the classic interior – lovingly curated by Chef Lee’s wife – remaining unchanged since its opening. Fresh off his “Chef’s Table” appearance, Chef Lee reveals he’s now fully booked, much to the chagrin of comedian Jang Dong-min. Having expressed his eagerness to dine there in the previous episode, Jang hilariously laments, “If it’s booked solid, how am I supposed to get my fix? What’s a guy gotta do to get a table?” His outburst sends the studio into fits of laughter.

Chef Lee treats viewers to a trip down memory lane, recounting how he used to cycle around the city 17 years ago in search of the perfect spot for his restaurant. But it’s the behind-the-scenes peek at his kitchen that really gets pulses racing. Chef Yoon is visibly impressed by the ultra-efficient layout, learning that Chef Lee spent a month perfecting the blueprints to minimize unnecessary movement. As if that weren’t enough, “Save Me! Homes” offers an exclusive first look at additional spaces and the kitchen of Chef Lee’s yet-to-open new venture. The cherry on top? We’ll finally discover the secret ingredient that cured even Chef Yoon’s “Gangnam allergy” – a reveal that’s sure to set tongues wagging.

Catch part two of MBC’s “Save Me! Homes” Black and White District special on Thursday, February 12, at 10 PM. Trust us, you won’t want to miss this delicious deep dive into the world of culinary superstars!