Two All-Beef Patties on a Sesame Seed Bun
I headed straight to the Inner Dining Hall kitchen and asked the servant who had been waiting there the entire time, "Do we have any mak?"
"We have a few saved for ourselves, but..."
"How big are they?"
"A bit larger than a fist."
"Perfect. Let's use those for Her Highness's late-night snack tonight."
"Wh-what? For Her Highness?"
"A princess's mouth is no different from ours."
"The—the Eastern Depot will hear us!"
"Let them."
What are they going to do about it? If they complain, that's when I truly unleash the Hundred Medicine Fist Secrets. It wasn't like I hadn't let a few things slide already.
"..."
Still, just in case, I extended my sensory perception to scan the area. There was no one around except for the kitchen servants. Since the concept of universal human rights was still a distant dream in the Central Plains, it paid to be careful. *Ahem.*
Seeing the servant fidgeting anxiously, I reached into my robes, pulled out my purse, and handed him a silver tael.
"Oh, why this money all of a sudden...?"
"I'm taking your late-night snack, so it's only fair I compensate you. Just bring me the mak, and I'll handle the rest myself. Go on to the tavern and grab a drink."
Bowing repeatedly with a look of overwhelming gratitude, the servant hurried off to fetch the flatbreads.
The mak was essentially the same as the flower buns we commonly knew. It had a plain, simple taste, so people usually dipped it in sauce or stuffed meat inside. It would pair beautifully with the dish I was planning to make tonight.
First, I retrieved a pound of beef from the pantry, placed it on the cutting board, and...
"..."
I picked up my newly delivered Black Iron kitchen knife. The character for my surname, Yoon, was elegantly engraved on the side of the blade. It felt paradoxically light yet heavy in my hand.
With a flutter of anticipation, I brought the Black Iron knife down toward the beef.
"...?"
What in the world?
I barely felt any resistance. It was like slicing through soft tofu. I had to focus intensely just to register that the blade was actually cutting through the meat.
This Black Iron was truly a divine tool. It felt as if the blade was permanently wrapped in *sword qi*. With a newfound sense of awe, I began mincing the beef. Even without putting any real strength into it, the meat minced beautifully. I guess having top-tier gear really did make a difference. They say a master calligrapher doesn't blame his brush, but honestly, wouldn't anyone prefer a high-quality pen over a cheap, leaky ballpoint? In that regard, this Black Iron knife was absolutely perfect. Ah, now this is what I call a kitchen knife.
Once the beef was minced to a point where it still retained a nice, chewy texture, I added a pinch of salt and five-spice powder, then kneaded it thoroughly. After that, I portioned the meat into balls roughly the size of Gongson Yeongji's fist and flattened them. The beef patties were complete.
Next was the sauce... but what kind of sauce would fit best? There wasn't enough time to make ketchup from scratch, so... hm.
Should I just go with a bulgogi sauce? Since the patties already contained five-spice powder, a sweet and savory bulgogi sauce would actually pair much better.
I immediately tossed dark soy sauce, minced garlic, honey, a bit of starch powder, water, and finely chopped onions into an iron pan. I added a splash of *baijiu* and vinegar, then let it simmer down. Tasting a small dab of it, the sweet and tangy flavor instantly brought back fond, distant memories of the bulgogi burgers I used to eat as a kid.
Now, all that was left was to fry the patties and whip up some mayonnaise. Mayonnaise was incredibly simple to make, even if whisking it was a tedious chore. All it took was soybean oil, an egg, a pinch of salt, a splash of vinegar, and an ungodly amount of vigorous whisking.
While I was working up a sweat beating the mayonnaise-to-be in a bowl, the servant returned carrying a large tray.
"Chief Chef, I have brought the mak."
"Just leave it over there for a moment."
Examining the flatbreads the servant had brought, I found they weren't stale at all. They were soft but retained a pleasant firmness. Not bad for having been baked earlier this evening.
Finally, I pan-fried the patties to a beautiful, golden-brown sear, ensuring a perfect Maillard reaction. With that, the preparations were complete.
All that was left was the assembly. I estimated I had about five minutes left, so I got straight to it.
I sliced the mak in half, toasted the cut sides in the pan until they took on a light golden hue, and then slathered them with the sweet bulgogi sauce. Next, I placed the fragrant, brown patty on top. Then, I added raw lettuce, chopped onions, and a generous spoonful of my homemade mayonnaise. Finally, I crowned it with the top half of the flatbread.
"At last."
A Hamburg steak sandwich—a hamburger—boasting a visual so striking it made me want to take a bite right then and there, was complete.
"..."
"Your Highness, you must speak to me so I can understand."
"..."
"Your Highneeeess."
"..."
Aigoo.
Ha Migwa shook his head and pressed his hand to his forehead.
Princess Bohee had declared that she would not utter a single word until she was provided with a delicious and convenient meal. And true to her reputation as the daughter of the notoriously stubborn Emperor, she remained absolutely motionless, refusing to budge.
Watching her, Ha Migwa felt a throbbing headache coming on. Her only actual duty here was to stamp the documents he had prepared, but she wouldn't even pretend to look at them unless she was fed. Since she refused to do anything without food, Ha Migwa had no choice but to wait anxiously for the chef's arrival.
And finally...
"Associate Director, the Inner and Outer Hall Master has arrived with the food."
"O-oh! Let him in at once."
Yoon Gomyung was the only one in the vicinity capable of fulfilling Princess Bohee's demands. Even if Ha Migwa despised him, Gomyung's culinary skills and speed were undeniable, easily rivaling the chefs of the Imperial Kitchen.
To think he accepted a task that even Her Highness's personal chef rejected... I truly cannot comprehend why the Jade Emperor bestowed such culinary talent upon such an insolent fellow.
While Ha Migwa was busy grumbling to himself, Yoon Gomyung entered the Four Seas Hall with a casual grin. He carried a tray covered by a large wooden lid.
"My, working so hard even at this late hour. You must be exhausted."
Ha Migwa's lips twitched at the sarcastic tone. "...Just serve it and leave."
"Shouldn't I at least explain the dish to Her Highness?"
"That is why I am telling you to serve it quickly and leave."
"Associate Director Ha, what a rude thing to say to someone serving Her Highness a late-night snack. I will handle this, so please mind your own business."
As Ha Migwa ground his teeth in frustration, Yoon Gomyung extended his hand out of Princess Bohee's line of sight. It wasn't just a simple fist. He slipped his thumb between his index and middle fingers, wiggling it slightly. It was a universal gesture of defiance, perfectly understood even here in the Central Plains, and it made Ha Migwa flinch.
That arrogant bastard!
If Gomyung were an ordinary chef, Ha Migwa would have had his entire family line executed. But he couldn't easily touch Gomyung, who was highly skilled in martial arts and possessed powerful backing.
Knowing full well that he was practically untouchable, Gomyung gave Ha Migwa a subtle smirk, then knelt slightly before Princess Bohee, lifting the tray with practiced grace.
Ha Migwa watched Gomyung's movements like a hawk, hoping to catch even the slightest breach of etiquette so he could tear him apart. But Gomyung's manners were flawless—excessively polite, even. Since this wasn't the imperial palace, strict imperial court etiquette wasn't required, and Gomyung's behavior was perfectly acceptable. There was nothing to find fault with.
That slippery snake!
"This humble servant is Yoon Gomyung, the Inner and Outer Hall Master. May I present the dish to Your Highness?"
"...Very well."
"Thank you."
Gomyung lifted the lid and placed a plate on Princess Bohee's table.
"The dish I have prepared for Your Highness today is called Rougamo. However, it may differ from the Rougamo you are familiar with."
Princess Bohee tilted her head at his words and asked in a quiet voice, "Different from the Rougamo I know?"
"To be precise, it is a Yoon Gomyung-style Rougamo. Rather than me explaining it, I believe tasting it first will make it much easier to understand."
With those words, Gomyung casually tossed another plate onto Ha Migwa's table, causing the Associate Director's face to scowl.
"You insolent..."
"My, calling me insolent in front of Her Highness. As the Associate Director of the Eastern Depot, shouldn't you watch your language?"
If Gomyung were just a bad talker, Ha Migwa wouldn't hate him this much. But because the chef was so silver-tongued, it only made him more infuriating. To make matters worse...
"Associate Director Ha."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Watch your mouth."
"What? Ah, yes... My apologies."
I swear, one of these days I will rip that tongue right out of his mouth.
Ha Migwa ground his teeth, having suddenly been painted as the villain in front of the princess. As Gomyung stepped back, Princess Bohee and Ha Migwa picked up their respective sandwiches.
"Hall Master Yoon, can I eat this with my hands?"
"Yes. It is best eaten with your hands."
"How vulgar to eat with bare hands. You should have prepared utensils so Her Highness could eat comfortably."
"Associate Director Ha, do you eat mak by stabbing it with chopsticks?"
When Gomyung shot back, Ha Migwa was left speechless. Mak was naturally split open and stuffed, so eating it with one's hands was the standard method.
"Hold it with both hands and take a big bite like this—chomp!"
"Chomp?"
"Yes, chomp!"
Gomyung smiled warmly as the princess cutely mimicked his explanation. Following his example, Princess Bohee took a large bite of the Rougamo.
She chewed elegantly, her expression thoughtful, before swallowing. Slowly, the corners of her usually expressionless mouth curled upward.
"...It's delicious."
The rich mayonnaise and sweet bulgogi sauce met the savory beef patty, creating a festival of flavors in her mouth. While the meat and mayonnaise could have been greasy, the five-spice powder in the patty, along with the crisp lettuce and onions, cut through the richness perfectly. It was a combination she had never experienced before.
Nodding in approval, Princess Bohee began devouring the sandwich.
This brown sauce... it tastes familiar, yet completely new.
To think a simple flatbread could taste this incredible. While Princess Bohee was lost in her thoughts, Ha Migwa was experiencing a similar revelation.
How can something so simple possess such a complex flavor?
Judging by the appearance, the recipe didn't seem overly complicated. After all, Gomyung had prepared this dish in just half an hour. It was merely finely minced beef and two types of vegetables stuffed inside a white flatbread. Yet, the taste was extraordinary. Ha Migwa begrudgingly took another bite, his face a mix of defeat and delight.
Watching the two of them enjoy the hamburgers, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. Well, of course. Who could possibly hate a hamburger? It was a menu beloved by people of all ages. Some might think the elderly wouldn't care for them, but in reality, they loved them when offered—especially familiar flavors like bulgogi or cheese burgers.
Despite her young age, Princess Bohee finished the large hamburger without leaving a single crumb. Wiping her mouth, she asked in a quiet voice, "How did you think of making this kind of Rougamo?"
"I chose Rougamo so that Your Highness could eat easily while working. As for the seasonings, I figured you rarely get to experience such bold flavors in the imperial palace, so I used a rich sauce of my own creation."
"...Can I ask for this again next time?"
"If Your Highness lets me know in advance, I can bring you new snacks and late-night meals anytime."
"...I'll look forward to it."
"I am honored."
If Princess Bohee was this pleased, it meant the dish was a resounding success. Excellent.
"Then, this servant shall take his leave."
Just as I was about to slip away...
"Wait."
"Ah, yes, Your Highness?"
"Can I visit the kitchen later?"
"I would welcome it anytime, but that is a decision for Associate Director Ha to make."
"Why are you bringing me into this?"
"Aigoo, how could a mere commoner like me decide the movements of Her Highness? That would be utterly presumptuous. Isn't that right, Associate Director?"
Ha Migwa, read the room. A person of her noble status shouldn't be wandering into a kitchen. You need to handle this and reject her politely.
As I stared at him with that silent message, Ha Migwa flinched and whispered to the princess, "Your Highness, Hall Master Yoon is in charge of his own domain. It would be inappropriate to enter his workplace unannounced."
Yes, exactly. Keep going like that.
But despite Ha Migwa's attempt, Princess Bohee had no intention of backing down.
"Why not?"
"Well, if His Majesty entered your palace unannounced, you wouldn't feel very pleased, would you?"
"...I actually like it when Father visits. Don't you think so, Associate Director Ha?"
"Oh, it's not that..."
"...So you dislike His Majesty's visits."
"N-no! Of course not!"
I couldn't help but be impressed as Ha Migwa broke into a sweat, waving his hands in panic. Wow, Princess Bohee was incredibly sharp. She completely dominated the Eastern Depot official in verbal sparring.
"So, can I go to Hall Master Yoon's kitchen?"
"D-do as you wish..."
"You are welcome to my kitchen anytime, Your Highness. Of course, if you could send word slightly in advance, I would appreciate it."
"Then I'll let Associate Director Ha know later."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Well, if you can't avoid it, you might as well enjoy it. I'd just have to treat it as a minor natural disaster.
"Your Highness, may this servant be excused?"
"You may go."
"Then, I wish you a peaceful night."
Giving Ha Migwa one last silent taunt, I slipped out of the Four Seas Hall. Still, Princess Bohee had really surprised me. When I first met her, I thought she was just a childish foodie, but seeing her completely outmaneuver Ha Migwa today, she was clearly not someone to be underestimated. I'd have to be careful around her.
After sending the remaining kitchen staff home, I made my way back to my room at the West Blue Bird Hall.
Ah, finally, I can lie down and get some sleep... or so I thought.
"You're already back?"
"Ah, Chief Chef!"
"Oh, Chef Yoon!"
What was going on now?
Seonwoo Seol, Woo Ji-yang, and unexpectedly, Wijiak were all waiting in front of my room. And they were holding bundles of stuff.