Fried Chicken Stock Rises Thanks to Nvidia
Three of South Korea’s most powerful business figures sat down for a relaxed evening meal with fried chicken and beer on the table and cameras waiting outside. This seemingly regular catch-up among friends quickly sent shockwaves through the stock market. Within hours, Korean fried chicken companies saw their shares skyrocket, and investors called it another case of “Jensanity.”
A Dinner Worth Billions
@channelnewsasia Fans in South Korea gathered outside Kkanbu Chicken restaurant in Seoul’s Gangnam district as Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang met Samsung Electronics chairman Jay Y Lee and Hyundai Motor Group executive chair Euisun Chung on Thursday (Oct 30) over “chimaek” (fried chicken and beer) and a “love shot” toast. Huang, who is in South Korea for an official visit, was also seen handing out gifts to fans waiting outside. #nvidia#southkorea#seoul #chimaek ♬ original sound – CNA
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang met Samsung Chairman Jay Y. Lee and Hyundai Executive Chair Chung Euisun at a small Kkanbu Chicken restaurant. The trio shared Korea’s beloved “chimaek,” the popular mix of chicken and beer. Photos and clips of the meeting spread fast on social media, showing Huang laughing and chatting casually with the country’s top executives. By the next morning, traders were in a frenzy.
Kyochon F&B, a rival fried chicken chain, jumped more than 20%. Poultry processor Cherrybro hit the daily limit of 30%. Even Neuromeka, a small company that builds chicken-frying robots, saw trading volumes surge more than 200 times above average. It was a textbook case of market hype colliding with celebrity culture, where a single public appearance can inflate entire industries.
The Jensen Huang Effect
This was not the first time Huang’s presence reshaped markets. In 2024, several AI firms saw their valuations spike after he mentioned them during a conference. Investors now follow his moves like sports fans tracking their favorite player. When he visits a factory or gives a talk, the relevant equities are likely to rally.
The timing only added fuel. Huang was in Seoul for the APEC CEO Summit, where he announced Nvidia’s new AI chip supply deals with Samsung and Hyundai. Reports later revealed that he gifted his hosts high-powered Nvidia DGX systems along with a note celebrating their partnership. So while investors were focused on fried chicken stocks, the dinner also marked deeper industrial cooperation between the companies.
Cultural Craze Meets Market Mania
Image via Wikimedia Commons/KOREA.NET
South Korea’s retail traders have a reputation for chasing trends that go viral. Earlier in 2025, the shares of a pen manufacturer spiked after former U.S. President Donald Trump complimented its product. So when footage of Huang sharing chicken with bystanders and signing bills surfaced online, investors took it as a cue.
Korea’s “chimaek” tradition already holds cultural significance for being relaxed, communal, and proudly local. Adding Huang to that mix turned that into a global headline. His simple joke to reporters—“This is very good for your health, right?”—captured the casual charm that fuels his public appeal.
Truly, sentiment sometimes drives numbers as much as strategy.