Chapter 72
Chapter 72
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: Round 1: Fusion Cook-Off
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A massive electronic billboard featured a giant clock. In front of it, the MCs, guests, and remaining chefs sat in two neat rows.
At the far end were two small kitchens, divided left and right.
"Yes! For our first matchup~. It's Chinese cuisine Chef Anderic. And facing him, the creative young blood! Chef Song Woo-yeon!"
I'm not a chef, I muttered under my breath, but it seemed they couldn't hear me from over there. I felt Anderic glancing at me from the side, so I gave an awkward haha laugh.
"The guest, Mr. Huang Wei, is looking on with eager anticipation too. Any words for the two chefs?"
"Ah, yes. As I mentioned earlier, if possible, I'd like something I can easily make for my Korean friends. Something with a Chinese vibe but Korean-style. And something I can learn myself."
"Right~. That was guest Mr. Huang Wei's request. First, it should be fusion cuisine. Second, simple to prepare. Those are the two conditions."
"So that might give Chef Song Woo-yeon the edge? Chinese dishes from a pro chef would be tricky to replicate, right?"
"That makes sense~."
The two MCs bantered back and forth. Anderic didn't seem interested in playing along, so I'd have to chime in appropriately.
"Absolutely. Viewers, lock in to this channel. I'll show you how to make easy, simple, and delicious food."
I flashed a grin at the camera, and the MCs nodded approvingly.
"Whoa~! Chef Song Woo-yeon is brimming with confidence!"
"Looking forward to it. Wonder what dish he'll unveil."
"This isn't easy, folks. We're 100% real-time! You have to cook only with ingredients from the fridge~. That means coming up with a recipe on the spot—huge pressure."
"Both sides are first up, so you probably don't grasp yet how short 15 minutes is. Anyway, shall we wrap up the chit-chat?"
Jang Sung-jun raised his hand, facing forward.
"Alright then~! Begin!"
The timer started counting down right as Jang Sung-jun spoke. Anderic bolted like a shot, pulling ingredients from the fridge first.
"Chef Anderic grabs ingredients right away! Scallions, garlic, ginger, onions... Whoa, what's that sauce?!"
"Doubanjiang," Huang Wei answered.
"It's a Chinese sauce. Delicious."
"Ah~. Looks like he's going for a Chinese sauce. Oh, and the last ingredient he grabs... Tofu! Tofu!"
Once he'd gathered everything, Anderic announced,
"I'm making Mapo Tofu."
"Mapo Tofu is tasty~! Great choice since it's familiar Chinese fare to Koreans too!"
"What do you think of Mapo Tofu, Huang Wei?"
"Good choice. Because if you skip the Sichuan peppercorns, it's fine. Koreans eat it well."
"Sichuan peppercorns? What's that?"
This time, the answer came from Chef Jang Ha-neul.
"It's a common seasoning in Chinese cooking. Gives that numbing spiciness—really polarizing."
"Ah, so that's a thing?"
"Yes. Chef Anderic fires up the stove right away and starts scallion oil! Meanwhile, Chef Song Woo-yeon...?!"
"Ah, he's taking it easy~. Same scallions and onions, minced garlic, soy sauce, sugar, chili powder... Wait, all Korean ingredients?! No doubanjiang or anything?"
"He coolly skipped the Chinese sauce section~!"
"Is that allowed? It's fusion, sure, but it needs to feel Chinese to the eaters, right?"
"Chef Jang Ha-neul, your thoughts?"
"You can get that Chinese flavor plenty with Korean ingredients. It's all about the cooking."
"Got it. Game's not over till it's over. The process is key!"
"The moment you say that, Chef Song Woo-yeon grabs another ingredient! What is that? Am I seeing this right~?!"
I flashed a sly smile at the MCs' fuss. Yeah. Be surprised.
"Knife-cut noodles?! He grabbed knife-cut noodles!"
"What? I can't wrap my head around this~."
"Then ramen and cabbage too?!"
"What on earth is Chef Song Woo-yeon planning?!"
I laughed and waved it off at the question.
"Spoiling it would ruin the fun. Just wait a bit. It'll be done soon."
Remaining time: 13:54.
Plenty.
Now for the real key: showmanship.
"Alright, the dish I'm making today is something you can easily try at home. Just need these ingredients."
I started explaining to the camera. While talking, I didn't forget to heat the frying pan and make scallion oil.
"Wait, Chef Song Woo-yeon. Starting a talk show all of a sudden?!"
"For the meat, I'm using pork belly, but anywhere works. Pork leg is fine too. Or just go to the butcher and ask for the cheapest cut."
As I explained, I finely chopped the pork and tossed it in the pan. Fragrant scallion oil rose up, and I broke up the pork so it wouldn't clump.
"Oh, and definitely add gochujang. That's what brings the Korean flavor. If no doenjang, you could use ttujang, but gochujang and doenjang together is best."
Once the pork browned nicely, I added the rest in order: brown sugar, dark soy sauce, doenjang, gochujang, minced garlic.
"Stir-fry well, then add chili powder, pour in water, and reduce~."
Boil to taste and adjust seasoning—that finishes the sauce.
I set a pot of water boiling right beside it.
"Once it boils, in go the knife-cut noodles."
Bubble bubble.
"Once they're cooked, you're basically done. Easy and simple, right?"
I grinned at the camera. It'd take a bit for the noodles to cook, so I had time to relax.
"Wow~. I was so entranced I zoned out! Chef Song Woo-yeon. How's he so chill? Isn't 15 minutes too long?"
"But look at Chef Anderic next to him—he's really struggling~."
A glance showed Anderic too busy to even speak, moving frantically.
"Chef Anderic, everything okay?!"
"...It's just..."
Anderic started to say something but trailed off and chopped away. He looked totally frazzled.
I jumped in instead.
"Weak flame."
"Weak flame?"
"Chinese cooking often needs high heat. Especially Mapo Tofu—you want to blast it fast without long cooking."
"Ah, is that so?"
"Otherwise, the pork gets tough, and moisture from the tofu dilutes the flavor."
"Chef Jeong Ha-neul, does that sound right?"
Jeong Ha-neul smiled and confirmed for the MC.
"Spot on. This kitchen's flames are weaker than a real restaurant's. Tough conditions for Chinese food."
"Ah~. So the heat's holding him back!"
Couldn't even anticipate that?
If I were a chef, I'd check the burners first thing.
"Time's down to just 5 minutes!"
"About now, I'll head to the kitchen for some on-site inspection!"
Jeong Young-do strode toward the kitchens. Perfect timing—the noodles were done. I quickly drained them, rinsed in cold water.
Then adjusted with hot water, grabbed another pan, oiled it, and heated.
In went onions and scallions to stir-fry, just as Jeong Young-do approached with questions.
"Been wondering—what's this sauce taste like?"
"Try it."
"No holding back~."
Jeong Young-do scooped a bit with a tasting spoon.
"Oh!"
"What’s the flavor?"
"Delicious! It’s got a hint of Chinese vibe, but that... you know, that taste?"
"What taste?!"
"That one! That!"
As Jeong Young-do stomped in frustration, I gave the answer.
"Tastes like jeyuk bokkeum, right?"
"Aah! Jeyuk bokkeum! Yes, exactly jeyuk bokkeum flavor!"
"Wow. Can't possibly taste bad."
Exactly. Jeyuk bokkeum is basically a cheat code.
"And it’s got a subtle Chinese twist! Not sure about the rest, but it hits my taste buds perfect!"
"Ah, now I wanna try too~."
"'Chunghwa Jeyuk Myeon.' That's today's dish."
Great vibe.
As the favorable comments poured in, suddenly flames roared next door.
Whoosh!
"Whoaaa! Fire show!"
He'd used liquor for a quick flame-up.
"Wow. Didn't expect a fire show here!"
"That'll infuse real wok hei~."
Probably a jab. But the MCs' attention snapped his way.
Cute move. No real threat—just effort.
I added the zucchini from the noodle kit and pre-chopped cabbage to the pan.
Then poured the pre-made sauce over and stir-fried gently on medium-low.
I grabbed a fresh spoon to taste the sauce...
Jeong Young-do didn't miss it.
"How is it? The flavor you envisioned?"
"Tasty, but a bit low on umami."
"Then~?!"
I snatched up the ramen packet.
"Beef stock powder would've been ideal, but beggars can't be choosers. Gotta use this. Magic powder."
Ramen seasoning!
"Jeyuk bokkeum with ramen soup mix!"
"Flavor's gotta be off the charts~!"
"Haha. I'm from the unorthodox side, so no qualms about ramen seasoning."
Playing off not being a pro chef cracked up the MCs.
"Right. He's not orthodox anyway~!"
"The other chefs have history and tradition; Chef Song's rogue school? Hahaha!"
"Something like that."
Remaining time: exactly 1 minute.
I plated the noodles, gave the sauce a final taste, and poured it over.
Ding!
"Chef Song Woo-yeon finishes with 40 seconds left!"
Right after, a ding sounded next door too.
"Chef Anderic done with 35 seconds to spare!"
Near simultaneous finishes. Anderic's plate held steaming, appetizing Mapo Tofu.
Smells damn good.
"Wow, both look delicious."
"But sadly, only one winner!"
All eyes turned to Huang Wei.
"Mr. Huang Wei tastes both and picks the tastier side!"
Alright. Let's do this.