At Mandu, a pop-up reunion of two chefs who helped shape Korean food's rise

State of play: The "Fami-Lee Reunion" pairs the longtime friends who will explore Korean traditions through both chefs' personal lenses.

• Mandu's matriarch, chef "Mama Lee" — Danny's mother, who just turned 80 — will make specialty banchan.
• Tickets sold out quickly, but bar seats will be first-come, first-serve for a la carte dishes from the menu.

The intrigue: Edward Lee first built a national following through "Top Chef" and "Iron Chef America" over 15 years ago. But his celebrity has reached another level since appearing on Netflix's "Culinary Class Wars," where he became an unlikely star in Korea.

• In D.C., Lee keeps a lower profile outside his fine dining Korean restaurant and Succotash. In Korea, he's greeted by screaming fans, has launched influencer-approved K-foods, and impresses pop singers.
• Danny says going with him now feels "like traveling with the Beatles."

But the appeal runs deeper than fame.

What they're saying: "He single-handedly changed the narrative in Korea about how they view Korean Americans," Danny says.

• On the show, Lee cooked Korean food throughout the competition while others leaned French or Italian. "That struck an emotional nerve," Danny says. "He just wanted to showcase Korean food through his lens as a Korean American."

What's next: The anniversary series continues on August 27 with chefs Tim Flores and Genie Kwon of Chicago's Michelin-starred Filipino spot, Kasama, with additional dinners still in the works.

• Watch for a late July ticket release and book fast — Mandu is hosting some of the hottest pop-ups in town.