Chapter 208
Chapter 208
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 208
Chapter Title: Andreik Goes Independent
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The term "aggro menu" was half a joke, but half serious too.
'Actually, challenge menus targeting mukbang YouTubers were all the rage at one point.'
Before my regression, handmade burgers in this style had been a hot topic.
Time would pass, and this gimmick wouldn't work forever, but for now, in this era, it was a hit.
Sure enough, Choi Min-hyuk—the one closest to playing the customer role out of the four—stared blankly at the man-calorie handmade burger.
"Wow. This is actually good?"
He sliced off a corner with a knife and let out an exclamation.
"It's basically a handmade burger, after all. A bit messy to eat, sure, but the taste itself is solid."
"Yeah. Not sure if you could even call it a handmade burger."
"It is a proper handmade burger. Of course, there are details we still need to refine."
Especially taming the richness—that was the key to the flavor. Few people would tackle a burger this size solo, but simply making it a "huge handmade burger" wouldn't cut it.
It had to taste amazing to earn the title of "signature."
"No way. We just said we'd handle your store's solutions not long ago, and you've already come up with this?"
Choi Min-hyuk looked shocked. Technically, I hadn't invented it, but I'd researched and finalized every specific recipe.
"You're praising me too soon."
I hadn't said a word, but Baek Jae-ha jumped in with a smug tone. Why are you acting so proud?
I shot him an incredulous look, and Baek Jae-ha grinned back.
"It's not like we have a big new menu development team. Saying most of The Song franchise's new menu items are born under our CEO's guidance isn't an exaggeration."
"[Song Kitchen] is your responsibility."
"Even that gets final approval from the CEO."
True, but...
Feeling awkwardly embarrassed, I scratched my cheek, and Choi Min-hyuk's gaze shifted oddly.
"You're a real genius..."
He muttered softly, clearly misunderstanding something big time.
As if I were some prodigy with ideas bubbling up automatically.
Most of it relied on the experience points I'd accumulated from research before my regression. It felt kinda embarrassing.
I turned to Choi Jun-hyuk to change the subject.
"So, how was it? To your taste?"
"Yes. Thank you, it was good."
Unlike Choi Min-hyuk, Choi Jun-hyuk remained composed.
To an artisan who'd elevated handmade burgers to that level of quality with meticulous care, mine probably fell short in polish.
It was expected.
"It's a great idea. I had this bias that handmade burgers should fit in one hand, but you've taught me otherwise."
Choi Jun-hyuk responded with impeccable courtesy, even bowing his head.
"There's still a lot to refine."
"Yes, of course. Starting with patty thickness, cheese and bun types... Less cheese, maybe add pickles or grilled onions. Vary the sauces between layers for different flavors..."
He was already deep in analysis mode, rattling off ideas that matched my own deliberations perfectly. It gave me chills.
'This guy is the real deal.'
At least when it came to handmade burgers, he knew his stuff. And his passion seemed equally intense.
Baek Jae-ha jumped in next, unwilling to be outdone.
"Maybe mix in cheeses other than cheddar. Cheddar's flavor and aroma are so strong, it might get overwhelming fast. And with the thickness, upping the lean meat ratio could work."
He was fired up too, seeing new food. His words tumbled out fast, eyes sparkling.
"There's more meat in the fridge, right? Let me try making some. Vary the ratios and test them..."
"Then I'll experiment with different cheeses. There should be leftovers from before in here."
Choi Jun-hyuk and Baek Jae-ha seamlessly divided roles, as if they'd planned it.
From there, things progressed smoothly.
I couldn't just stand around, so I rolled up my sleeves and joined in.
"Wait, hold on. What about me?"
As everyone bustled about, Choi Min-hyuk wailed, left alone.
I assigned him a simple role.
"You're on tasting duty."
"Ah."
With Choi Min-hyuk quieted, Choi Jun-hyuk practically bounced.
"Uh, boss?"
"Yeah."
"You're frying all of these?"
"That's the plan."
I eyed the roughly fifty patties lined up.
"What's different about them?"
"Slight variations in meat ratios."
"How slight?"
"This one's 49:51, this is 48:52, like that."
"..."
"It's essential to find the optimal ratio."
Fine. I take it back. This guy isn't just "real deal."
'He's a total patty fanatic?!'
Who fries dozens of patties with tiny ratio tweaks to test?
Most people couldn't distinguish between 49:51 and 48:52. This was fine-dining level detail.
Unheard of, but his passion shone through—no hate.
I chuckled instead.
"Sounds good. Let's do it."
For the first time in a while, I felt fired up too.
How long since I'd poured body and soul into crafting delicious food, that pure goal?
The buoyant high lifted my spirits.
"Until we perfect the man-calorie handmade burger recipe!"
"Oh ho."
Bong Kang-min looked down at me, arms crossed.
"So that's why you were late?"
"Haha... Sorry."
I bowed deeply again.
"I got so absorbed, time flew by. I didn't forget our meeting—it just hit me that I was already late."
I grinned sheepishly with my excuse, and Bong Kang-min grumbled dramatically.
"These kids these days, totally immersed and forgetting everything! Back in my day, if a senior like heaven itself was waiting, I'd run out with toothbrush in mouth mid-brush!"
Not sincere—just him gleefully ribbing me since I rarely gave him openings.
I played along vaguely. "Yes, yes, sorry, Senior. I've committed a grave sin."
"Bong Chef, cut it out. I'm too embarrassed to even look at Woo-yeon."
Jeong Ha-neul finally intervened. Even as a joke, griping "back in my day" to someone so much younger felt cringy, apparently.
"You too, Bong Chef—you bailed on us once when a cooking idea hit you."
"Ahem. Why bring that up now?"
"We gathered busy folks—save the lectures."
With Jeong Ha-neul firm, Bong Kang-min clicked his tongue regretfully but sat back down.
I snuck a grateful glance at Jeong Ha-neul.
"Now that everyone's off Naengteol, we barely see each other."
"True. This group's even still going is a miracle."
It started with Naengteol, but as chefs cycled out, only Anderik remained from the show.
Meeting at Jeong Ha-neul's place had become the unspoken rule—we all made time, no matter what.
"Gotta come for Chef Jeong's handmade snacks. Opportunities like this don't come often."
"Oh, you. Eating your food's harder to snag than stars from the sky now."
I teased, and Jeong Ha-neul laughed merrily, not hating it.
"Right. Our Song Chef ditches us for a new show? What was it, Alley Secrets?"
"Yeah, that's it."
"That was fun! Latest episode was that pasta place charging absurd prices."
Bong Kang-min was apparently watching live. Park Man-soo's pasta joint must've aired recently.
"The preview looked brutal~ Right?"
"Haha."
"So, what happened? Gave up on the solution?"
"No spoilers~. Watch the next episode live if you're curious."
"Ugh. So strict!"
As I let Bong Kang-min's boos go in one ear and out the other...
'Huh?'
I noticed something off.
Glancing at Anderik, quietly holding his spot...
"And Chef Anderik, why casual clothes today?"
He usually came straight from working with Jeong Ha-neul, often in chef whites.
But today, civilian wear? Even Jeong Ha-neul was in uniform.
The table chilled instantly at my question.
"?"
What? No clue, so I puzzled—then...
"Oh. Chef Anderik."
Jeong Ha-neul poked his side. Like giving a hint.
"What? You didn't tell him?"
Bong Kang-min chimed in scoldingly. Everyone but me knew, it seemed.
I stared at the source of the fuss, Anderik. He set down his glass and met my eyes.
"...I went independent."
"Pardon?"
The out-of-nowhere line made me blurt a repeat. Independent? What independence? Got his own place nearby?
Living with parents till now? I knew he was single, but it didn't fit.
But the follow-up shattered my guesses.
"Opening a shop with your own name—every chef's dream."
Hm?
True, but why bring it up suddenly...
It took time to fully click what Anderik meant.
"...Wh-what?!"
I shot up from my seat.
"You opened your own restaurant?!"
Anderik nodded calmly at my outburst.
No way—that's not something to drop casually!