Three tech billionaires surprised diners at a popular Seoul fried chicken restaurant on Thursday, picking up the bill for everyone inside.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang visited Kkanbu Chicken with Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Eui-sun, ahead of the APEC summit in Gyeongju. Fried chicken and beer, or “chimaek,” is a local favorite in South Korea, and the trio indulged in cheese balls, cheese sticks, boneless chicken, and fried chicken paired with Korean beer Terra and the local rice spirit soju, according to national news agency Yonhap.
“I love fried chicken and beer with my friends, so Kkanbu is a perfect place, right?” Huang said to livestreaming passersby as he arrived at the restaurant. The name “Kkanbu” is also slang for a very close friend, a fitting choice for the gathering.
Video footage from local media showed the billionaires — whose combined net worth totals around $195 billion — linking arms for a shot of beer, a traditional South Korean gesture that cements friendship while drinking. The three also walked among diners, handing out chicken and cheese sticks.
“The chicken wings was so good. Have you been here before? It’s incredible, right?” Huang asked when fans inquired about his favorite items. He added, “Anyone? Fried chicken?” while holding baskets of food.
Huang then rang the restaurant’s “golden bell,” a ceremonial gesture to pay the bill for all customers. The crowd erupted in cheers, though Yonhap reported that Lee covered the first round and Chung paid for a second.
The visit comes as Huang, Lee, and Chung attend the APEC summit, which has attracted leaders from across Asia, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, who recently concluded trade talks with U.S. President Donald Trump. Access to advanced AI chips, like those produced by Nvidia, is among the pressing topics discussed between the U.S., China, and South Korea.
On Friday, Huang met South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and announced that Nvidia would provide more than 260,000 graphics processing units to South Korean companies, including Samsung and Hyundai. Huang emphasized that the collaboration would also extend to local tech giants such as Naver and chipmaker SK, focusing on AI-driven innovations like autonomous vehicles.
The lighthearted dinner at Kkanbu Chicken, combining fried food, beer, and generosity, highlighted a more personal side of these tech leaders, showing that even in the midst of high-stakes international summits and multibillion-dollar business deals, they still enjoy sharing a meal with friends — and strangers.
