From Now On, I Shall Call It Gocho
"Master Chef, please put these in the mortar and grind them up."
"Yes, young master."
After the chaotic ordeal finally settled, we all headed to the royal kitchen. When you want to break the awkward atmosphere of a company, a staff dinner is the best remedy. Even though we had been dragged to the Uigeumbu (State Tribunal) at the crack of dawn like dried pollack, none of our family members had a single scratch on them. King Seonjo had ordered our arrest because it was a case of treason, but with things turning out this way, he must feel quite awkward himself. Heo Jun and the Uigeumbu Chief had merely answered the questions asked based on their knowledge, yet they had inadvertently become snitches. Kim Deoksu, who had taken a few beatings, was a bit pitiful, but that was force majeure—nothing could be done about it. It’s a relief he wasn't seriously hurt. Besides, we’re going to make a lot of money with this. Drink up.
Regardless, it was a bit unfair for us, but there wasn't anyone specific to blame, and Seonjo couldn't just send us back like this given the stature of our family and the Hanyang merchant guild. Sensing the floating, unsettled atmosphere, I spoke up.
"Your Majesty, why don't we go have a meal? I will prepare the dish that appeared in The Food Wars of Jang-geum."
"Shall we? Is that so?"
And so, we were all preparing lunch together. Since it was a dish I was making for the first time, it was more labor-intensive than I thought, but with the experts of the royal kitchen who understood everything at a glance, the work went smoother than expected.
"Young master, so this white powder contains five ingredients: dried anchovies, kelp, green onions, garlic, and mushrooms?"
"Yes, dry them thoroughly, grind them in a mortar, and mix them. Since anchovies have a bitter taste if the head and guts are left in, it’s best to remove them if possible."
"I see. But is there a reason you insist on using only low-grade ingredients for things like mushrooms, green onion roots, and garlic? Wouldn't it be better to use high-quality ingredients?"
"Hey, we have to meet the unit cost. The merchant guild needs to make a profit, too. Honestly, there won't be much difference in taste, right? We’ll only be putting in a pinch at most."
"Ah, what a brilliant thought."
Scribble, scribble. Kim Deoksu, who had been treated by Heo Jun and survived death, was glued to my side, recording the recipe for the stir-fried pork we would be selling in the future.
"Little one, what is that red powder? It’s so fine."
"You know the vegetable I ate earlier? If you grind that in a mortar, it becomes like that. I’ll make you tteok-bokki later."
"What is tteok-bokki? Is it delicious?"
"It’s incredibly delicious. My sister will probably swoon the moment she eats it."
My sister, as if she hadn't been crying just a moment ago, had become bright and cheerful again, poking around the royal kitchen. By the way, to make tteok-bokki, I need to make gochujang (red chili paste), but how did that work again? Hmm, since we’re in an era where doenjang (soybean paste) exists, if I just drop a hint, wouldn't the experts figure it out on their own? Anyway, I’m planning to go a step further this time and introduce gochujang as well. If you set your mind to it, chili powder and gochujang can have hundreds of variations, so if I have those two, couldn't I rest for at least a few years? Ah, the "rest life" I’ve dreamed of is not far off now. During my break, I’ll learn how to ride a horse, try shooting arrows, and go on a hot spring trip.
Imagining the honey-like rest that would soon come, I rolled up my sleeves. A short while later, all preparations were finished.
"Young master, we have finished grinding all of that Mi-won."
"*Cough, cough*, we’re finished here, too. Oh, it’s so spicy."
"Thank you for your hard work. Everyone, please gather here."
The adults, who had been huddled together in the distance clearing up their lingering misunderstandings, approached. I began to explain the dish, pointing to the ingredients neatly laid out on the cutting board one by one.
"This white powder is the Mi-won that appeared in the book. It is not addictive like in the book, but the taste will be almost identical."
"Hmm... This is that delicious? Should I eat it by the spoonful?"
"Ah, that is not an ingredient you eat like that."
That would be a disaster. To the question of Seonjo, who knew absolutely nothing about cooking, I invited one of the experts.
"Master Chef, please taste it and explain. Just a light touch of the tongue."
"Understood. The origin of gastronomy. I am curious what it tastes like. Since you said just a touch of the tongue, this much should be... No!! This taste is!!"
Oh, great reaction. Indeed, an expert’s tongue is different. To instantly recognize the true value of a seasoning that only tastes greasy if you just eat it straight.
"What on earth does it taste like to make such a fuss?"
"Your Majesty, this is an ingredient with a similar profile to the broth made by boiling beef bones, brisket, shank, and shiitake mushrooms before serving the royal meal. The dishes it suits may differ, but if we are talking about the depth of flavor, this Mi-won has an umami that dares to be served in a royal meal."
"... Umami?"
"Yes, it is the taste felt when the sweetness, bitterness, sourness, and saltiness perceived by the tongue are stimulated all at once. I cannot believe it even after tasting it. How can such a taste..."
"Hmm... Is that so? A taste similar to what is served in the royal meal...?"
On the other hand, Seonjo’s reaction was flat. I guess he gets served a royal table every day. I had high expectations, but the disappointment was dripping from his voice because it was a taste he already knew. What a fool. That’s not the true value of Mi-won. And fortunately, there seemed to be one person among the group who knew the true value of Mi-won. Kim Deoksu, who had been tucked away in the furthest corner, spoke with a trembling voice.
"Chef, is that story truly true... that it’s really enough to be served on a royal table?"
Kim Deoksu had smelled the scent of wealth. It was a sharper and stronger scent than anything he had felt before. Even compared to that Food Wars of Jang-geum, this was dozens of times more potent. Anchovies are fish that, once you cast a net, you catch hundreds, and even then, people throw them away as soon as they are caught. There is no cost to begin with. The other ingredients are similar. If you buy them in bulk and beat down the price by questioning their quality, they are cheap scraps you can get for pennies. But the comparison is beef bones, brisket, shank, and shiitake? Beef and shiitake? If you gather those and sell them for half the price of beef, a quarter of the price, no, an eighth of the price, how much could you possibly make? Ten times? Twenty times? A hundred times? Furthermore, the customers for this are not limited to the nobility or gisaeng houses. It’s every citizen living in the eight provinces of Joseon. An item that could fleece the pockets of those people for a lifetime had appeared. So that’s what "eternal ingredient" meant. It meant you could earn money forever.
Intoxicated by the thick scent of wealth that he couldn't possibly handle, Kim Deoksu clutched his forehead and staggered.
"This is... Ah."
"Are you alright? I heard you were interrogated before I arrived. Even if you were treated, shouldn't you go in and rest?"
"... No, Your Majesty. This humble servant was just moved."
"Moved? By looking at that powder?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. I am a lowly merchant, so I have a habit of measuring the value of all things. But that powder... I dare predict it has the value to turn Joseon upside down."
"The value to turn Joseon upside down?"
"Your Majesty, look at the ingredients that went into that powder. They are cheap things that even the most destitute person in the eight provinces of Joseon can find in a single night if they put in the legwork. Since they say that gathering such things creates the taste of a dish served on a royal table, won't the mouths of all the people become joyful before long?"
"That’s right!! Your words are truly correct!! It was an item that helps the tables of our people!!"
To think he only realized it now. What a fool. And Seonjo, who had marveled for a long time after hearing Kim Deoksu’s advice, soon looked at me and asked.
"Then, Heo Gyun, by any chance, you...?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. I prepared it for the people."
"My goodness... Yes, you were that kind of child. It is admirable that you care for the people at such a young age, and you were walking that path without straying. How commendable. Truly commendable!"
"You are too kind, Your Majesty."
"I will certainly reward you for this later as well. Yes, that is enough, so now start the cooking."
"Understood, Your Majesty."
At Seonjo’s command, I and the royal kitchen chefs worked in perfect harmony.
"You just need to make it exactly as I taught you earlier."
"Yes, young master."
"Sisters, please fry the eggs according to the number of people. It’s tastier if they’re only half-cooked."
"Understood."
First, smear some pork fat on the inverted cauldron lid to get some oil going. Add some green onions to make scallion oil together. Toss in the pork cut into bite-sized pieces and the garlic to get rid of the gamey smell. When it looks like it’s sizzling well, sprinkle a generous amount of Mi-won and chili powder, season with salt, and stir-fry. Place the stir-fried pork on top of hot rice, and put the half-cooked egg on top. Kya.
"Please try it, Your Majesty."
"It is certainly a color that is not easy to come by. Now I understand what the content in the book meant."
Ahem, I told you it was delicious. Try it, try it.
"Your Majesty, please eat."
"... Understood."
Unable to shake off my suggestion, Seonjo reluctantly picked up his spoon. On the well-cooked rice with hot steam rising, the pork stir-fried with seasoning and chili powder, and the half-cooked yolk placed on top were all scooped up in one spoonful. It had to be delicious. Having swallowed a mouthful, Seonjo shouted.
"Mi-mi (Beautiful taste)!!"
"*Huhu*, *heo*, *haa*, hot... It’s hot. The moment I put it in my mouth, the pain of my tongue burning and an unidentified stimulating taste rise together, but the moment I endure that and swallow it down my throat, the unique umami makes me want the next spoonful. While I take the next spoonful, the food that went down my throat boils the blood in my vessels, making my whole body hot. I can feel the toxins escaping through my sweat pores. How can such a taste exist!"
The pork DNA that every man on the Korean Peninsula must have had since the Dangun era had awakened a little early. Seonjo, who had scraped the rice bowl clean and even licked the spoon, said solemnly with red seasoning smeared around his mouth.
"Did you say the red powder that produces this is called Nammancho?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. That is what I heard."
"That name does not suit it. This is the highest (高) among the grasses (草) of the mountains and rivers, so its name is Gocho (高草)! From now on, I shall call it Gocho."
"Your grace is overwhelming, Your Majesty."
"Yes, you all eat as well. It will be a taste you have never experienced in your lives. I will eat more, so Master Chef, prepare another bowl!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!!"
Phew, is it over with this? I read the book, taught them how to make the food, and they ate well, so it seems like it’s done. Ah, come to think of it, there’s still one thing left.
"Receive the Royal Decree!!"
It’s over. My life, our Yusang, will now disappear like dew at the execution ground. Toward Park Cheol-gi, who was sitting on the courtyard floor trembling all over because he had committed a crime, the messenger said.
"Listen, Park Cheol-gi, the head of the Pyongyang Yusang guild! His Majesty says to enter the palace as quickly as possible, so prepare yourself immediately and follow the messenger! It is the Royal Decree of the King!"