When Three Billionaires Walk Into a Fried Chicken Joint: Nvidia, Samsung, and Hyundai Chiefs Surprise Seoul Diners

It’s not every day that the world’s most powerful tech leaders sit down for fried chicken and beer with the public — but that’s exactly what happened in Seoul this week.

Before heading to the APEC Summit in Gyeongju, three of the most influential business figures — Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia; Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics; and Chung Eui-sun, Executive Chair of Hyundai Motor Group — made an unexpected stop at Kkanbu Chicken, one of South Korea’s most popular fried chicken and beer joints.

And yes — they even paid for everyone’s meal.

When Three Billionaires Walk Into a Fried Chicken Joint: Nvidia, Samsung, and Hyundai Chiefs Surprise Seoul Diners

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A Billionaire Night Out in Seoul

Diners at Kkanbu Chicken couldn’t believe their eyes when the three titans of technology and industry casually walked in. The group, whose combined net worth is estimated at around $195 billion, sat down like old friends for a casual evening of “chimaek” — the iconic Korean combination of fried chicken and cold draft beer.

“I love fried chicken and beer with my friends, so Kkanbu is a perfect place, right?” joked Jensen Huang, who was seen smiling and waving at live-stream viewers who had gathered outside. The restaurant’s name “Kkanbu” fittingly means “close friend” in Korean slang — and that friendly energy was on full display.

According to reports from Yonhap News Agency, the trio indulged in cheese balls, cheese sticks, boneless chicken, and fried chicken — accompanied by Terra beer and soju, Korea’s beloved rice spirit.

Fried Chicken, Soju, and Friendship

As cameras rolled, the billionaires shared not just food but also the warmth of Korean culture. They were seen linking arms in the traditional “cheers” gesture, symbolizing friendship — a moment that quickly went viral on Korean social media.

The evening took a heartwarming turn when Huang rang the restaurant’s “golden bell”, a signal that the person who rings it will pay everyone’s bill. The crowd erupted in applause, but in a surprising twist, it was actually Samsung’s Lee Jae-yong who covered the dinner. Not to be outdone, Hyundai’s Chung Eui-sun picked up the tab for a second round.

Huang, known for his charismatic and down-to-earth personality, stepped outside holding a basket of chicken wings and cheerfully offered, “The chicken wings were so good! Have you been here before? It’s incredible, right? Anyone? Fried chicken?”

Needless to say, the crowd went wild.

A Light Moment Before Serious Talks

While the evening looked like a spontaneous night out, it also carried deeper significance. The gathering took place just hours before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju — where key discussions around AI technologies, trade, and semiconductor supply chains were expected.

China’s President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump were both attending the summit, and AI chip access remains one of the most sensitive issues in ongoing U.S.–China trade negotiations.

The casual meet-up between Nvidia, Samsung, and Hyundai leaders — all key players in global technology and manufacturing — subtly hinted at growing collaboration in the AI and semiconductor sectors within South Korea.

Nvidia’s Next Big Move in South Korea

Just a day after his dinner outing, Jensen Huang met with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the APEC summit. During their discussion, Huang announced that Nvidia will supply over 260,000 GPUs (graphics processing units) to major South Korean companies, including Samsung, Hyundai, Naver, and SK.

According to the presidential office, Nvidia also plans to partner with these companies to develop “physical AI” technologies — innovations that merge artificial intelligence with the real world, such as autonomous vehicles, robotics, and AI-enhanced manufacturing.

This collaboration could significantly strengthen South Korea’s standing as a global hub for AI and semiconductor innovation — and the casual night out at Kkanbu Chicken may just be the friendliest prelude to a transformative business alliance.

More Than Just Chicken and Beer

What made this story truly viral wasn’t just the image of billionaires eating fried chicken — it was the authenticity of the moment. In a world often defined by corporate formality and luxury, seeing three industry giants share laughter, soju, and camaraderie over crispy wings reminded everyone that even the most powerful people crave simple pleasures.

For many South Koreans, the scene symbolized friendship, respect, and the country’s growing leadership in global innovation. It also offered a glimpse into how tech diplomacy — the informal bonds between industry leaders — can complement high-stakes political summits like APEC.

And perhaps most importantly, it showed that even billionaires sometimes just need a good plate of fried chicken and a cold beer.