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Paju Sekyung High School: Unveiling Korea’s Legendary ‘Emperor’s Meal’ Experience

Paju Sekyung High School’s cafeteria isn’t just a place for students to eat; it’s a culinary legend that has captured the imagination of many across South Korea. Located in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, this institution has earned national acclaim for its extraordinary school lunches, affectionately dubbed the “Emperor’s Meal.” Its reputation for serving dishes unheard of in typical educational settings makes it a standout.

The Legend of Sekyung High’s “Emperor’s Meal”

Known primarily for its iconic “Lobster School Meal,” Sekyung High’s menu extends far beyond crustacean delights. Students regularly enjoy gourmet items like red snow crab, eel, and abalone. The sheer luxury of these offerings is a stark contrast to conventional school cafeterias. The reviewer, a content creator, candidly shared that he only experienced eating red snow crab and lobster well into his thirties, highlighting the incredible privilege and unique dining experience of Sekyung students. This consistent delivery of high-quality, lavish food has solidified its reputation as the nation’s best school cafeteria, making it a coveted destination for food enthusiasts and content creators alike.

A Special Invitation: Beyond the Lobster

The journey to review Sekyung High’s famous school meal was not straightforward for our creator. He revealed a persistent effort over 10 months, with multiple requests for filming permission being declined, even as other channels gained access. Perseverance paid off when an invitation finally arrived: a “Mokbang Sharing Event.” This unique initiative saw 100 skincare products donated to the students for every meal consumed by a guest creator. This noble cause, coupled with the long-awaited opportunity to experience the legendary meal, imbued the visit with even greater meaning. While this particular visit’s menu did not feature the iconic lobster, it still promised a spread equally luxurious and befitting the school’s prestigious reputation for top-tier school food.

Exploring the Vibrant Campus Life

Arriving early at the school, the creator embarked on a nostalgic tour. He observed how the traditional school tuck shop had evolved into a modern convenience store, a sign of changing times. Watching students vigorously engaged in physical education, he was struck by the vibrant, energetic atmosphere – a stark contrast to his own high school days. He openly shared his past as a “loner,” often eating alone and struggling socially. This visit, he admitted, offered a rare, almost surrogate experience of feeling “inssa” (popular) and truly connected to a school community, a feeling he cherished after 17 years since graduation. The highlight of his tour included joining the automotive department students for a game of hockey. With a humorous nod to his filming, the students generously allowed him to score a goal, despite his self-admitted lack of skill, creating a memorable moment of camaraderie.

The Meal Experience: A Taste Test and Charity Drive

The menu for the day was impressively diverse and luxurious: Jambalaya Fried Rice, Broccoli Cream Soup, Tanghulu for dessert, and the undisputed star of the show – Donmahawk (pork tomahawk cutlet). The creator, typically a light eater, initially aimed to consume two plates to maximize the skincare product donations.

• Donmahawk: This main dish was a revelation. While its visual appearance suggested it might be dry, it was surprisingly tender and incredibly juicy – a quality far surpassing what he remembered from his own school meals, truly a restaurant-level experience in a school cafeteria.
• Jambalaya Fried Rice: The accompanying fried rice, while adequate, was described as somewhat bland compared to a restaurant’s version, fitting a typical school meal standard.
• Tanghulu: The trendy candied fruit dessert, highly popular among students, was personally not to the creator’s taste (he humorously claimed he wouldn’t eat it even if offered for free). However, for the donation event, finishing the dessert was a crucial part of a plate counting towards the donation total.

Despite his best efforts and the delicious food, the creator found one plate to be surprisingly filling and couldn’t manage a second. To uphold the spirit of the sharing event and ensure maximum donations, the organizers offered a creative solution: answering quizzes. By successfully tackling three quizzes, he, along with a staff member who finished a second plate, collectively contributed to an impressive total of 500 skincare product donations (equivalent to 5 plates).

Verdict: More Than Just Food

Paju Sekyung High School truly lives up to its “Emperor’s Meal” title, delivering a remarkable dining experience that profoundly transcends the typical school cafeteria. The school’s cafeteria, located in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, holds an informal rating as the “nation’s best school meal” provider. Beyond the high-quality, lavish food, the creator highlighted the truly heartwarming aspect of his visit: the vibrant energy of the students, their friendly interactions, and the precious opportunity to briefly relive a more joyful and connected version of high school life. It was a day filled with delicious food, meaningful donations, and a profound sense of happiness and connection. The creator expressed deep gratitude to the students for their hospitality and for “playing along” in making his visit so memorable and impactful.