Saagar Kote
Based on the novel ‘Surviving as Yeonsan-gun’s Chef’ by Park Kook-jae, the Korean romantic drama series ‘Bon Appétit, Your Majesty’ is a beautiful tale of love, time travel, passion for food, and the richness of Korean culture. It chronicles the experiences of a talented young chef named Yeon Ji Yeong (Im Yoon-ah), who inexplicably travels through time and lands in the time of Korea’s Joseon Dynasty, presided over by the king named Lee Heon (Lee Chae-Min).
As the modern protagonist gets stuck in the past, she must use her cooking skills to survive the king’s court and win his approval. What follows is an adventure where the modern sensibilities of the protagonist clash with ancient culture. Created by Chang Tae-you and fGRD, the series explores themes of love, food, cooking, and survival. If you were intrigued by the themes, characters, and vibe of the series, these KDramas, similar to ‘Bon Appétit, Your Majesty,’ will keep you entertained.
10. Heo’s Diner (2025-)
Directed by Oh Hwan-min and Kim Kyung-eun, ‘Heo’s Diner’ or ‘Heo sikdang’ is a South Korean drama series that deals with a time travel scenario. Written by Sung So-hyun, it is based on the eponymous web novel by Jeon Seon-yeong. The narrative follows the adventures of Heo Gyun (Xiumin), a man who shockingly time-travels into 2024 Korea from the country’s Joseon era, which was characterized by monarchy and many social issues. The protagonist escapes certain death by landing in the present and eventually becomes a chef. His adventures in the present, combined with his knowledge of the past, lead to intriguing scenarios around food and culture. Just like ‘Bon Appétit, Your Majesty,’ the show features the elements of time travel combined with commentaries on history and culture. The love for food is a common theme in both stories, as well as the experiences of characters who must face a time and space that they are not familiar with.
9. Tastefully Yours (2025)
Created by Han Jun-hee, Park Dhan-hee, and Jeong Su-yun, ‘Tastefully Yours’ or ‘Dang-sin-eui Mat’ narrates a tale of class division, love, food, and loyalty. It is a heartwarming tale of a rich man named Han Beom-woo (Kang Ha-neul) running a luxurious restaurant in Korea and his unlikely romantic connection with a humble chef named Mo Yeon-Joo (Ko Min-si). Despite the class division that exists between them, the two protagonists are drawn to each other through their shared love for food. Akin to the romantic angle between the king and the protagonist in ‘Bon Appétit, Your Majesty,’ the show has a story of connection between two individuals who come from very different worlds. This establishes a spiritual connection between the two stories and their characters.
8. Eccentric! Chef Moon (2020-)
Directed by Hoi Do-hoon and Jung Hyun-soo, ‘Eccentric! Chef Moon’ or ‘Yubyeolla! Munsyepeu’ is a tale of love, food, and passion. It explores the lives of an elite chef named Moon Seung-mo (Eric Mun) and a fashion designer named Yoo Yoo-jin (Go Won-hee) who forge a romantic connection despite coming from different walks of life. Written by Kim Kyung-soo and Jung Yu-ri, it explores the complexities of relationships and also the passion for food, which brings the lead characters closer, in a way that reflects the themes of ‘Bon Appétit, Your Majesty,’ and its characters. The visual and tonal similarities between the shows also connect them on a greater level.
7. Wok of Love (2018)
‘Wok of Love’ or ‘Gireumjin Mello’ is a South Korean drama series created by Han Jeong-hwan. It chronicles the experiences of Seo Poong (Lee Jun-ho), a chef who battles with his skills to gain revenge against the people responsible for his downward trajectory in his career and his life. The protagonist, who used to be a chef at a popular Chinese restaurant, gets fired wrongfully, and he attempts to redeem himself by starting his own restaurant. The element of redemption and survival through food is a major element in the show, which resembles the world of ‘Bon Appétit, Your Majesty’ and its characters. Both stories explore how cooking skills can lead to human connections rooted in passion. This connects the stories on a metaphysical level, despite the differences in plot elements.
6. Gourmet (2008)
Directed by Choi Jong-soo, ‘Gourmet’ or ‘Shikgaek’ is based on the comic book of the same name by Huh Young-man. Written by Choi Wan-kyu and Park Hoo-jung, it follows the lives of two chefs named Oh Bong-joo (Kwon Oh-jung) and Lee Seong-chan (Kim Rae-won), and the complex relationship between them. Despite being raised almost like siblings, circumstances take them on different paths, wherein they each face different challenges. Akin to ‘Bon Appétit, Your Majesty,’ the show deals with food as a major theme and also highlights the way it leads to deep human connections. Characters in both shows rely on their cooking skills to achieve redemption and find meaning in their lives.
5. Pasta (2010)
Created by Seo Suk-hyang, ‘Pasta’ or ‘Paseuta’ is a South Korean drama series that deals with the trials and tribulations of a woman named Seo Yoo-kyung (Kong Hyo-jin) who pursues her aspirations of becoming a respected chef. Her ambitions take a hit when a new and more accomplished chef is hired at her restaurant. However, the protagonist soon gets into a complex romantic entanglement that tests her skills, while also leading her on a journey of love and self-discovery. On the lines of ‘Bon Appétit, Your Majesty,’ it navigates the passion for food, while also dealing with romantic complications. Characters in both shows forge deeper connections through food.
4. Feast of the Gods (2012)
Directed by Lee Dong-yoon, the drama series ‘Feast of the Gods’ or ‘Sindeului Manchan’ is written by Jo Eun-jung. It follows the stories that revolve around a popular restaurant named Arirang. One of the major conflicts in the story occurs between Sung Do-hee (Jeon In-hwa) and Baek Seol-hee (Kim Bo-yeon), who put their culinary skills to the test while also dealing with their personal lives. The show explores themes of passion, rivalry, and redemption that are narrated through the experiences of the lead characters. Akin to ‘Bon Appétit, Your Majesty,’ the show has food as a primary element of the plot. In the royal drama, food serves as a means of love, but in the restaurant drama, it becomes a weapon to win a culinary battle. Characters in both shows try to redeem themselves through their extraordinary skills in the kitchen.
3. Mr. Queen (2020–2021)
‘Mr. Queen’ or ‘Cheolinwanghoo’ is a South Korean drama series created by Yoon Sung-sik, Jang Yang-ho, and Park Gye-ok, based on the novel ‘Go Princess Go’ by Xian Chen. The series is also adapted from the Chinese show with the same name as the novel. The story is about a chef named Jang Bong-hwan (Choi Jin-hyuk), who fantastically travels into the body of a queen from Korea’s Joseon era. When the modern man lands in the past, he goes on a journey of self-discovery, while also battling to get back to the present. Resembling ‘Bon Appétit, Your Majesty,’ the show has the element of past and present intertwining. Both shows feature the cultural aspects of the Joseon era, while also dealing with characters who are faced with challenges in an unknown time and space. The protagonists’ culinary skills become their means of survival in the stories.
2. Dae Jang Geum Is Watching (2018)
‘Dae Jang Geum Is Watching’ or ‘Daejanggeumi Bogo Itda’ is a unique story that focuses on the lives of three siblings Han Jin-mi (Lee Yul-eum), Han Jeong-sik (Kim Hyun-joon), and Han San-hae (Shin Dong-wook). The three main characters explore their legacy and bloodline, which seemingly connects to a legendary woman named Jang Geum, who lived during the Joseon era of Korean history. In the series directed by Sun Hye-Yoon, the family members go on a journey of culinary passion and also explore the complexities of their relationships with each other. On the lines of ‘Bon Appétit, Your Majesty,’ the narrative has a connection between the past and present. Characters in both shows navigate their love for food, while also hoping to find meaning in their lives.
1. Jewel in the Palace (2003–2004)
‘Jewel in the Palace’ or ‘Dae Jang-geum’ is a South Korean historical drama series written by Kim Young-hyun and directed by Lee Byung-hoon. The show is based on the life of a real woman named Seo Jang-geum (Lee Young-ae), who lived during the Joseon era of Korean history. The narrative chronicles her journey from being a poor girl to her achievements at royal courts in the country. By defying the social norms and conventions of her time, the protagonist emerges as a powerful individual who goes on to become a cook for royalty.
The journey of the legendary figure finds a poignant representation in the show. In ways similar to ‘Bon Appétit, Your Majesty,’ it features a woman as the main subject, while also focusing on her cooking skills. The cultural richness of the Joseon era is an important visual element in both stories. The achievements of women in a patriarchal setting are also an important element in stories that connect them on a spiritual level.
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