For Nvidia's Huang, chicken dinner is a winner during Korea visit

Chip giant Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang is particularly in love with Korea's chicken — both fried and boiled — apparently, as the semiconductor mogul chose fried chicken for the second round of a night out on Friday and traditional boiled ginseng chicken soup, samgyetang, for a meal with his family on Saturday, during his high-profile visit to Seoul.

After a two-hour outing to eat Korea's famed samgyeopsal (pork belly) barbecue in western Seoul's Hongdae neighborhood with SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo and Naver Chairman Lee Hae-jin, Huang left a message on the table of the restaurant, reading "Jensen was here," followed by "Love Love Love" and his autograph.

During the gathering, Lee "rang the restaurant’s golden bell,” a custom where one customer pays for everyone in the establishment. After Huang encouraged applause by saying, “Naver is buying for everybody,” customers responded by chanting, “Naver!”

Then, when he was recommended to the group for a second round at a karaoke venue, Huang reportedly chose a BBQ Chicken place — a choice that even the Genesis BBQ headquarters hadn't been aware of prior to the visit.

At the eatery, Huang and the other attendees ordered Golden Olive Chicken, the chain’s signature menu item, along with beer, soft drinks and whiskey. They continued the festive atmosphere by singing along to songs playing in the restaurant.

Nearby streets became packed with people hoping to catch a glimpse of the group. Huang and the business leaders stepped outside, handed out chicken to members of the public, posed for photographs and signed autographs.

The gathering continued past 10:20 p.m. before ending with Chey shouting, “My golden bell,” to cheers from the crowd. Huang left another autograph at the restaurant, writing “Jensen ♡ BBQ.” Huang, Chey, Koo and Lee exchanged hugs before parting.

Koo and Lee told Huang they would see him again on Monday, when Huang is scheduled to visit the LG Twin Towers in western Seoul's Yeouido, Hyundai Motor Group’s headquarters in southern Seoul's Yangjae and Naver’s 1784 headquarters building in Gyeonggi's Bundang.

The next day, Huang was spotted enjoying samgyetang with his family at the well-known Tosokchon in Jongno District, central Seoul. Huang visited the restaurant in Chebu-dong at around 7:10 p.m. with seven family members, including his wife, Lori Huang, and his eldest daughter, Madison Huang.

The visit was a surprise appearance. Huang reportedly contacted the restaurant only 30 minutes beforehand and arrived without a reservation. The group ordered samgyetang, fried chicken and green onion pancakes. Huang also requested ginseng liquor to accompany the meal.

The group finished all the food they ordered, and Huang repeatedly expressed his satisfaction with the meal, saying, “It’s so delicious.” He also appeared deeply impressed by the restaurant’s traditional hanok (traditional Korean house) atmosphere and repeatedly praised the venue, saying that the building is "so beautiful and wonderful.”

After the meal, Huang personally paid the bill and left tips for employees. He also said that he would like to visit again the next time he comes to Korea.

Huang has consistently expressed his affection for Korean food. He had already told reporters that he "loves" Korean barbecue and plans to eat it during his Seoul visit, when asked about his itinerary upon his arrival at the airport on Friday. He also mentioned chicken and samgyetang as two of his favorites.

Huang’s characteristically approachable schedule has continued from his previous visit to Seoul last year.

During his previous visit to Korea in October of last year, Huang met Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun at a Kkanbu Chicken restaurant in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, for a casual gathering over chicken and beer.

On Sunday, the third day of his visit, Huang visited a PC bang, or internet cafe, in Gangnam, where he met Krafton Chairman Chang Byung-gyu and NCSoft CEO Kim Taek-jin.

Afterward, he was scheduled to travel to Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul to throw out the ceremonial first pitch of a game between the Doosan Bears and Kiwoom Heroes. Huang is expected to wear a jersey bearing the number 93, representing Nvidia’s founding year of 1993, while Doosan Group Chairman Park Jeong-won will wear number 96, representing Doosan’s founding year of 1896, and take a ceremonial first swing.

BY KIM SU-MIN, LEE YOUNG-KEUN, KIM JI-HYE [[email protected]]