Nvidia CEO's dinner outing with billionaire friends sends stock of this Fried Chicken maker zooming

A simple evening of fried chicken and beer has sparked an extraordinary rally in South Korea's food sector, proving once again that Jensen Huang's influence extends far beyond silicon chips.

The Nvidia CEO's Thursday night dinner with Samsung Electronics Chairman Jay Y Lee and Hyundai Motor Executive Chair Chung Euisun at a Seoul eatery sent shockwaves through Korean markets. Kyochon F&B, a competitor to the Kkanbu Chicken restaurant where the billionaires dined, saw shares rocket 20% the following day as images flooded social media, Bloomberg reports.

The Huang effect: When tech royalty drives food stock rallies

The ripple effects proved substantial. Poultry processor Cherrybro maxed out its 30% daily trading limit, while chicken-frying robot manufacturer Neuromeka experienced trading volumes 200 times above normal, according to Bloomberg data.But this wasn't merely a photo opportunity over "chimaek"—Korea's cherished chicken-and-beer combination. Huang presented both executives with Nvidia DGX boxes, high-powered AI systems, accompanied by a handwritten note declaring: "To our partnership and future of the world!" The symbolic gesture, Business Insider notes, signals deepening commercial relationships between these tech powerhouses.

From street food spectacle to billion-dollar chip deals

The dinner's timing raises eyebrows. Bloomberg had reported just days earlier that Nvidia would announce major chip supply contracts with Samsung and Hyundai. The gathering also coincided with the APEC Summit, where President Donald Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping.

What unfolded outside the restaurant resembled a celebrity sighting. Korean national broadcasters livestreamed the meal while fans pressed against windows. Fellow diners documented every moment on their phones. Huang obliged admirers afterward, autographing everything from two-dollar bills to cosmetic shopping bags, even distributing chicken to waiting crowds and a nearby officer, Business Insider observed.Korea's markets have form here—a pen manufacturer's stock previously surged after Trump complimented it. Yet Huang's market-moving power remains unmatched. When he name-dropped AI companies during a 2024 presentation, their valuations soared, cementing his status as tech's most influential figure beyond Nvidia's staggering $5 trillion valuation.