If you’ve been anywhere near the internet lately, you know the name Edward Lee. Or maybe you know him as Chef Kyun. After his legendary run on Netflix’s Culinary Class Wars, the man has basically become Korea’s favorite uncle.
But it was his appearance on Yoo Quiz on the Block Edward Lee that really sealed the deal.
Honestly, it wasn't just about the food. It was about seeing a world-class chef—someone who has cooked for presidents at the White House—sitting on a plastic chair in the middle of a Seoul street, joking about "Year of the Rat" friendships with Yoo Jae-suk.
The Tofu Trauma is Real
The biggest takeaway? Edward Lee is officially done with tofu.
During the show, he admitted to Yoo Jae-suk and Jo Se-ho that he basically can’t look at tofu the same way again. If you saw the "Infinite Tofu Hell" episode of his survival show, you get it. He had to churn out six different, high-level dishes using nothing but tofu in a matter of hours.
On Yoo Quiz, he joked that the ingredient still haunts him.
"To be honest, I still can't eat tofu," he said, laughing. You've gotta love the honesty. Most chefs would pretend they love every ingredient, but Lee is just... real. He even thanked the "Bibimbap King" (Kwon Sung-joon) during the segment, showing there’s no bad blood after that intense finale.
"Where’s My Rich Investor?"
One of the funniest moments in the Yoo Quiz on the Block Edward Lee episode happened when they started talking about his business.
Since the Netflix show blew up, Lee has been recognized everywhere. He even mentioned taking the subway in Seoul and having 50 people recognize him at once. But there’s a catch. His restaurants—like 610 Magnolia and Succotash—are all in the United States.
He looked right into the camera and asked for a rich investor.
"It's a bit of a waste after the show," he quipped. "Because there are no customers in the U.S. who saw it!"
Jo Se-ho immediately pointed at Yoo Jae-suk, calling him the "rich investor" Lee was looking for. Since they were both born in 1972 (the Year of the Rat), Lee suggested they open a "Rat Year Restaurant" together.
The Story Behind the Name Kyun
We need to talk about the name. For most of his life in America, he was just Edward. He grew up in Canarsie, Brooklyn, trying to assimilate and fit in.
On Yoo Quiz, he went deeper into his immigrant roots. He studied English Literature at NYU, not culinary arts. His parents, like many first-generation immigrants, wanted him to be a doctor or a businessman. They saw cooking as a "servant's" job.
But food was his language.
He revealed that he hired a Korean tutor for three weeks before filming his survival show just so he could express himself. When he finally shared his Korean name, Lee Kyun, on TV, it wasn't just a label. It was him finally "unpacking" a part of himself he'd kept in his back pocket for decades.
Why This Appearance Mattered
Most people watch Yoo Quiz on the Block for the laughs, but the Edward Lee episode felt different. It felt like a bridge.
He talked about:
- Being "not quite Korean enough" for Korea and "not quite American enough" for the U.S.
- The struggle of growing up poor in Brooklyn.
- How his grandmother's cooking was the only thing that kept him connected to his heritage.
It’s rare to see a celebrity of his stature be so vulnerable about identity. He wasn't there to sell a cookbook (though he has several great ones like Smoke & Pickles). He was there to say, "I'm home."
What’s Next for Chef Edward Lee?
If you're looking for actionable ways to support the chef or see more of his work, here is what you can actually do:
- Check out The LEE Initiative: This is his non-profit. It’s not just some tax write-off; they did massive work during the pandemic to keep restaurant workers fed and employed.
- Read "Buttermilk Graffiti": If you liked his storytelling on the show, his writing is even better. It’s part memoir, part travelogue, and 100% soulful.
- Visit Shia in D.C.: He recently opened a new spot in Washington, D.C., called Shia, where he’s continuing to explore that "Korean-American" identity through food.
- Watch for Season 2: Rumors are already swirling about his involvement in the next season of Culinary Class Wars, possibly in a different role.
Chef Edward Lee didn't win the 300 million won prize on his show, but after his Yoo Quiz appearance, it’s clear he won the public’s heart. He’s the guy who reminds us that it’s never too late to learn your native tongue or reclaim a name you thought you’d forgotten.
Next Steps for You: If you want to try Edward Lee's cooking style at home without a Michelin-star kitchen, start by experimenting with fermented flavors. Grab a jar of high-quality gochujang and try mixing it into a classic Southern base—like a spicy gochujang butter for cornbread. It’s exactly the kind of "cultural collision" he’s spent his career perfecting. Or, if you're in the U.S., plan a trip to Louisville; 610 Magnolia is still the heart of his culinary world.
