I think it's a good idea to put the two of them...
in a competition until I step down
A competition?
Lady Jung, you old snake!
I won't be defeated like this! I surely won't!
So win with your own skills and your attitude towards food
And straighten up the kitchen, as according to my will
So I will appoint you apprentice and teach you my secret skills
I can't do that
The body points concerning taste will be damaged
and it's very hard to cure
So it's incurable?
They will choose their apprentices
Though you will all be helping them out
they can't do all the work involved in preparing the food
So they must choose an apprentice who is compatible with them
Lady Choi, you go first She'll be working very close with you
so you'll have to pick
I'll pick Keum-Young
Lady Han, how about you?
I...
...will pick Jang-Geum
(Episode 13)
Keum-Young doing better than me was enough for me!
Now, Jang-Geum, too?
I know you feel badly, but that's just how it is
She's right
No way. It's probably because Lady Han favors Jang-Geum
You can say that for Keum-Young...
It's different with Jang-Geum
What do you mean?
She was excellent at the competition and she also made...
the cold noodles when you made a mistake with the conch poison
And it's a fact that Jang-Geum's food tastes better
What?
Jo-Bang, don't worry Who'd be the next Highest Lady...
after Lady Han and Lady Choi leaves?
It's me. Then I'll pick you
Madam, you can't do this
Even if you consider me as your own daughter, you can't do this
It's against Lady Jung's will too Please take back what you said
No
If you're doing this because you feel sorry to me then...
Quiet! I know the difference between work and relationships
But I can't taste food anymore
You'll recover soon Even if you don't recover
you have two talents that every cook needs
You need two talents to cook...
One is ability to make tasty food...
It's a natural gift for some people
Some obtain it to a certain degree with much practice...
You practiced a lot and you also have that natural gift
But if I can't taste...
Ability to taste is necessary for the person who's eating the food
Even an old lady who can't taste food can cook tasty soup for her son
Second ability... I don't have it, Lady Choi doesn't have it
Nor does Keum-Young have it But you have it
The most important skill you need as a cook. You have that
What is it?
That's...
That's the ability to draw up a taste
Draw up a taste?
Yes
Think back at the time when you made the cold noodles for the King
and when you made the cabbage dumplings at the competition
Why did you think that mountain spring water would help the taste?
Because I know that water from So-Dang-Ri makes radish kimchi tasty
And the cabbage dumplings?
I thought the texture of the cabbage would match well with the ingredients
Yes, that's right When a new ingredient is added
you know whether it will make good harmony...
to improve the taste, or worsen the taste
That's your ability to draw up a taste
I forgot an important fact
I forgot that I've trained you in a different way...
from how I was trained in order to...
give you new skills that I don't have
Then that's why you told me to find out all kinds of...
salty ingredients and taste all types of water and herbs...
That's right. That's it
I know I make tasty food, but my ability to draw up...
a taste is limited and that's why there has been little progress
Such a skill is obviously good for coming up with a new dish
But you can improve an old dish's taste simply by...
adding one more seasoning or by changing the cooking method
That's why I prevented you from cooking like others do
and made you go through all that hard training
You did well, and it's hard to tell...
whether it's because of your curiosity or training
but you have an ability to find and draw up a taste rather easily
Charcoal in soy sauce, spring water in cold noodles
and cabbage dumplings bear witness to that
But, Madam... that's when I was able to taste the food
Who cares! Did you taste charcoal before putting it...
in the soy sauce? Did you taste the spring water...
before you put it in the radish kimchi water?
Come to your practice ground tomorrow morning
That's the ability to draw up a taste
Charcoal in soy sauce, spring water in cold noodles
and cabbage dumplings bear witness to that
It's hard to tell whether it's because of your curiosity or training
but you have an ability to find and draw up a taste rather easily
Dropwort has a special scent that increases one's appetite
and strengthens the stomach It's used in food...
made with swellfish because it has a detoxifying effect
This is mitsuba It has a unique scent, so it's good
even without much salt It's very good for diabetic patients
This is cedaline You should never eat it
so watch out for it when you gather herbs in the mountains
There is saltiness in beans, chestnuts, pork, seaweed
and even in watermelon So you must be careful when seasoning
Saltiness is easily sensed when it's cold
She can do it... I know she can...
Make a steamed prawn dish with these
But that dish has only been made by the madams
so I've never made it before
That's why I'm telling you to do it
Bring other ingredients that you think might go well with the prawns
Go and bring other ingredients that you think go well with the prawns
This is all
You see? I was right You found the right ingredients
Actually...
I didn't think of it myself, I remembered...
seeing the dish on the table with those ingredients
Madam, this is too much...
How could I make the dish without tasting it?
Make the prawn dish
Though you may have seen the visible ingredients
you probably haven't seen the sauce. Make it
Madam...
Hurry and make it now!
Don't taste it Stop tasting it from now on
But how could...
Your dishes turn out bad because you taste them
Just add the seasoning with the feeling of your fingertips
But...
Jang-Geum, have faith in yourself and do it
If you don't have faith in yourself, then have faith in me
If this doesn't work then I have to abandon you
You think that would only sadden you?
Come, follow me
Make a tofu casserole with this
Madam, how was the dish I made...
Speak no more and make it!
Bring the ingredients for tofu now
I told you not to taste it
You see?
Didn't I say you could do it? Didn't I tell you?
Madam, is it true? Are you sure it's tasty?
Not only is it tasty, but you've found out my method...
of putting in the prawn juice as well
Though Lady Choi puts in beef broth I put in prawn juice
And you've even put seasoned meat into the tofu
No one has come up with that idea before
So how can I possibly abandon you? How can I...
Do you remember the blind fish seller on the way back?
Yes. He was able to tell the difference without seeing them
Yes. That's how I came up with the idea
If he can tell the difference with using only his sense of touch and smell
then I thought one could also do the same with food
And I thought of my own training days and so on...
Is that so?
Yes, but it probably took him years of practice for such skills
I can't do the practice for you You understand?
Yes, I know
And even so, being unable to taste is definitely a drawback
I'll try to find a way for you to recover your sense of taste...
no matter what it takes, so you do that too
Yes, I will I won't give up from now on
What is this?
This is a recipe book that started in the Royal Kitchen...
of old Koryo Kingdom and it has been passed down...
only through the Highest Ladies of the past
In this, you will find cooking methods and also...
the constitution, personality, and illnesses
of previous kings and their likes and dislikes
So with this, you can find out which food goes well with what symptoms
and which type of personality likes which type of dish
And there are other stories about ingredients and food
And this has been kept a secret from everyone else
but the Highest Ladies
Then why do you have it instead of Lady Jung?
Our family has held the position for five generations
How could we give such a thing to a puppet lady?
The previous Highest Lady gave it to me
It means she acknowledged me only No matter what Lady Jung does...
it's a position that only we can fill
I'm going to teach you with this starting tomorrow
so be very focused since you'll have to learn and memorize without any error
Although Lady Jung will have to step down before the competition
it's something you'll have to learn too
so learn it properly while you're at it, OK?
Yes, ma'am
Madam, it's me, Hong
Come in
Madam, the Head Lady wants to see you for a moment
OK
Did you call for me?
Yes. Have a seat
I'm thinking of starting it quietly by talking to the...
attendant ladies in the King's Mother & Queen's palaces
Sure. I will ask my brother and prepare a small gift
You don't need to worry, either
What worries can I have when you're going out of your way to do this?
Though Lady Jung has challenged me, I do acknowledge her upright character
That's why I like her That's the weak point about such people
They don't prepare thinking everyone else is like them
How come I can't even win one game?
It's because you're dumb
Aren't you sleeping yet?
You played mahjong again?
Chang-Yee kept on nagging about it
No, Madam. Why would I nag about it when I lose everyday?
I should be able to afford a trinket...
with the money I've lost to her
Young-Ro, follow me
What? Madam, why only me...?
Who else would do such a thing in this room? Follow me
Madam...
That's correct, Madam
You move to Jang-Geum and Yeun-Seng's room today
What?! I'm sorry, Madam I won't do such a thing again
Madam, please have mercy...
Take it
You know that your relative Yoon Mak-Ke who...
works at the palace runs a dancer bar with my brother's help
Of course, Madam He told me about it many times
Stay in Jang-Geum's room...
and tell me what Jang-Geum and Lady Han do
Sure
What are you doing?
I'll be staying here from now on...
So, Jang-Geum, go to the wallside Yeun-Seng, to the center
I'll be by the window Don't switch places
If you touch me while you sleep again
I'll kill you
Lady Choi found out about it too...
that I was falling into the pit of evil because of Young-Ro
You know that my only interest has been food
so how could I have found out about mahjong
or erotic picturebooks without Young-Ro?
Anyhow, I'm struck with admiration for Lady Choi. She's been aware...
of the things that were going on even though she didn't seem to
Madam, Young-Ro came to our room again
Young-Ro kept making Chang-Yee play games they shouldn't play
so I separated them I disciplined them a few times
but they didn't listen
Madam...
Do you think you're still a little girl?
Why do you always cry over these things?
And besides, today is the day for sacrificial rites
It's almost time. Let's go
Yes, ma'am
You girls, stop what you're doing and come on out
Just what's going on?
The Palace's soy sauce and bean paste taste changed?
Tell me why they have changed
This is an important issue They're the basic ingredients...
of food for over a thousand people
Sauce and paste are the basic ingredients of most dishes
and they're said to determine our fortune as well
That's why we have sacrificial rites
And isn't that why we choose an auspicious day?
Once the tastes change nothing can turn it back
Yes, sir. I'll find out why they have changed
and take the appropriate measures as soon as possible
I'll report this to the main government body
and discuss the matter with the head of Food Services
so try to find the measures to tackle the kitchens, too
Sir, we'll try our best, so please deal with this as you see fit
I can't take care of this on my own
Just what is this about?
Why have the sauces and pastes changed?
Did you let the rain fall in?
Such a thing has never happened
Then you didn't let enough sunshine in?
You've seen me work when you were at the sauce pantry
How could I have been careless?
Then why would they taste worse this year
if we've been following the same methods?
I should be the one asking that...
Why are you asking about that now?
I guess, as you've been concerned with other matters
you weren't able to concentrate on kitchen work
Even people outside of the palace worry about fortunes changing
when the sauces and pastes change, and they go through hardships
I'll tell the superiors about this to rebuke you
What are you doing?! Go and find out the problem right now!
The taste isn't as good as usual You try it, too
Are you sure you didn't allow in any rain...
or forget to let sunshine in?
Such things have never happened
Then what has happened? Weren't all of you present here
when we were making these? Nothing was changed from last year
The bean paste was brought from Blue Dragon Temple as always
Water was brought from the best source, Choongju Dalchun
The salt was the best kind from Merchant Choi Pan-Sul as always
Then what else could be wrong?
Lady Choi and Lady Han, follow me
Right now, the most important task is...
to find out why the sauces have changed
So I think this will be your first assignment
One reason why I asked for the King's permission to put you two
in a competition was to stimulate you to better your skills too
As of now, the most basic ingredients which are...
sauces and pastes have changed for some reason...
Now that we face this unexpected problem
I think you two will have to help
Go find out the reason and the solution
I'll get permission for you to go out of the palace...
from the Head Lady
We have to make a quick trip outside
Because of the bean paste?
Yes, follow me
Is this because of the bean paste?
Yes, so Lady Han and Lady Choi will take Jang-Geum and Keum-Young
respectively, so you have to work without days off
Don't worry. Jang-Geum is really good at finding such things out
Yes, I hope so
Madam, where are we going first?
To Blue Dragon Temple which provides us with fermented soybeans
but we'll stop by somewhere to check something
Yes, ma'am
Is salt somehow connected to Sir Oh Kyum-Ho too?
Yes...
Then is there a problem with the quality of salt...
brought to the palace?
Why? Did that cause a problem? The ones that are delivered...
to the Royal Kitchen is supervised by Park Bu-Kyum
What about the ones that go elsewhere in the palace?
Actually Sir Oh needed a large amount of money asap
so the salt going into other parts of the palace...
Best and moderate quality salt is mixed up
Even so, how could you play with something that goes into the palace?
There's nothing better to make big money with than salt
I received permission from Sir Oh before I did it
You're lucky that I'm in charge of inspecting the quality of food
This could've been bigger trouble
Why? Did something happen?
The palace is in chaos because the bean paste has changed
I was worried if there was a problem with the salt
Really? What now?
Did they figure out that the salt we gave them is a problem?
No, but Lady Han has come out to find out the reason as well
So please take care of the salt in the market storage first
OK. Manager Jang, are you there?
Yes
There's no time. Hurry
Yes, sir!
You're the salt supplier, right?
Yes, ma'am
I'm from the Royal Court I'd like to check the salt
Sure, please come in
This is it
This is best quality salt for the palace
Yes, I see
Jang-Geum!
Duk-Gu!
When I heard that you were even paralyzed to save me...
I didn't know how to repay you, so I brought this pine pollen wine
Pine pollen wine?
Yes. It's very rare because it's made with pine pollen
I'm being generous to you
But I don't... drink...
No, this is different This is one of those medicines...
that King Jinxi drank to live eternally
And it tastes very good because pollen ferments very well
OK
You seem much more cheerful Where are you headed anyway?
Actually, the taste of the bean paste in the palace has changed
and there's big trouble
Taste of the bean paste? It changed? I heard that...
when its taste changes, there will be a big disaster in the nation
Yes, that's why Lady Han and I are out to find the reason
Reason?
Then go on
Actually, we have to get on a boat...
Hurry, Madam...
Go on...
Bye, Jang-Geum
There's an important task for me
What do you mean?
The task to help Jang-Geum who has saved my life
What are you talking about?
As the best chef of this nation...
I now have an important task before me
What are you talking about?!
We forgot to give her this drink!
Oh yeah...
No way. Soybean blocks have to be fermented well
The ones that go to the palace are especially fermented well
We even complimented ourselves for the quality
Are you saying it's no different from last year's?
Of course not. It was a good harvest year for beans
and the temperature and the ventilation were all good
Then what could it be?
How many hours should we boil it?
They said, for 6 hours
OK
Do they have to wash it?
That's the way to get rid of the extraneous smell
Oh, I see
Does it mean, there is no problem?
Yes. Besides, ever since I entered the palace I've seen it get better
but never worse He isn't that kind of a person
Then what could be the problem?
There's one more place to visit before we go back
Where?
Hey!
I'm sorry, Father! I was in a hurry, so...
If you can't make it in time then you just don't sell it!
Get out!
I'm sorry! Please forgive me, Father! Father!
Why were you scolded?
Because I made Chosun coating improperly
Chosun coating?
It's a natural coating made of pine needle powder...
beanchaff ash and fine clay You have to coat the jar with it...
in order to make the jar breathable
And?
You normally wait over 2 months and then take out the dregs
but the gov. Office kept pressing us, so I gave Father...
some which hadn't waited for 2 months and that's why he scolded me
Why did you do it?
My father was flogged last time...
because we couldn't meet the deadline
So your father makes even the ones...
that go to the gov. Office himself?
Yes, of course, he even makes the ones...
that are sold to local peasants himself
Madam, you said you were going to check the jars
Can't you tell already?
Why would such a person send a defective jar to the palace?
I don't think there's any problem...
with the jar or the fermented soybeans
It's a problem... if we don't find the source...
Lady Jung would have a hard time
Keum-Young, they mixed barley because they lacked beans here
and it tastes very good We should suggest this next year
Madam, I think we were wrong
What are you saying?
I don't think the salt was the cause of the change of taste
How come?
In that storage there is salt used to make this bean paste
and the quality is much worse than the ones sold by Uncle
That can't be
It's true
Then what could it be?
It was easily ground
OK
Can you tell if it's good salt by doing that?
It's good when there's no salt left on your hand
And if there's a sweet aftertaste, then it's summer salt which is good
There's no problem with salt in the Royal Kitchen
Then the salt in the other kitchens are bad, aren't they, Madam?
What do you mean?
When we were making cake powder salt was left on my hand...
when I tried to put it in
And it just tasted salty, not sweet
Madam, she even steals salt
When did I do that?
You even steal honey, sesame seeds and soy sauce
The taste changed because of the deposed Queen...
You know the story too...
You must wreak her grudge by tying women's skirts around the jars
If you let the secret out you will die, so remember that
So you're here
The madam spirit responsible for changing the bean paste...
please come and change the taste back to normal...
So you're here... so you're here
Oh, intelligent spirit...
What are you doing at this time of the night?!
If you're a ghost, go away If you're a person...
Are you a person?
You haven't come to your senses
Drag this man away!
Yes, sir!
Sir! Sir!
I did it so the jars wouldn't be cold... Sir!
Lift up your face
Aren't you from that liquor place...?
Sir... you visited my liquor place before...
How are you?
You wretch!
Why did you trespass the palace at night?!
Tell me the truth!
Trespassing!? I know what I was doing and it wasn't trespassing!
Tie him up and put him in jail We'll interrogate him
Yes, sir
Sir! Sir! I'll tell you the truth! I'll tell you everything!
I'm the head chef...
How dare you lie here?!
I'll tell you nothing but the whole truth!
Sir, I wanted to help Jang-Geum and I was told that if I do that
the taste would come back That's why I did it
And not too long ago, I was freed from the police, when Jang-Geum solved...
the issue with the Prince's paralysis and I wanted to repay her
Wait a moment
Then are you talking about Jang-Geum in the Royal Kitchen?
Do you know my daughter, Jang-Geum?
How would you know her?
Sir! Sir!
I deserve to die! Please save me!
Is he the head chef?
Yes, what's this about?
We captured him at the sauce pantry
What? Sauce pantry?
He said he was doing something to bring the taste back, but...
I heard from Jang-Geum that the taste of the bean paste had changed!
I've never seen anyone like you
Madam, I wanted to help Jang-Geum for saving me!
And to help you even more!
And I wanted to do something great as the chef of this nation!
Enough. No matter what the reason, you deserve to die...
for breaking into the palace so deal with him according to the law
Sir! Kill me instead! If you forgive me...
I'll confess all of my sins that I've committed from childhood!
Sir
He's senseless but his motives are good
so why don't you just scare him a little and send him back?
Madam! I risked my life fearing...
that great calamity might hit our nation!
The taste may have come back now Can I go and check?
Madam! Please say something for me!
I'm sorry for that. Please forgive me
Oh, no, not at all You did a good job tonight
Are you truly Lady Suh's father?
Yes, of course People say she takes after me
Her intelligence and brilliance...
I'm asking because I see a big difference
Actually, she only has my kind heart
and her mother's beauty
Anyway, how do you know Jang-Geum?
I met her a few times
Not once, but a few times?
Jars are important as it can determine the taste as well
You saw how the old man was making it, right?
Yes
He used pine powder, beanchaff oil and other natural ingredients...
that are good for the body to coat the clay...
When you put the jar in high temperature fire
Tiny holes are formed for ventilation
That way the jar breathes too, huh?
Yes. It's late Let's spend the night here and
get on the boat early next morning
Yes, ma'am
Let's look for an inn
It must be sacrificial rites
But it's strange
Yes, Madam. Why did everyone bring their jars here?
I know...
Hello? Hello?
Yes!
Do you have a room for tonight?
Yes, we do
I have a question. Today seems to be the day for jar sacrificial rites
Why did everyone in the town bring their jars to one place?
Oh, it's because that's the best spot to make bean paste
From the old days, people have found that...
if you have sacrificial rites with the jars under the tree
the taste turned out great
It became a place of worship for the town god
You know that a year goes smoothly if the bean paste is made right
But why that spot of all places?
I don't know That's just how it's been...
But that's not the only place
Sir Han's place is good too, but people can't put their jars there
since he's a scholar-official
Some people put theirs at Ssangjung's home behind his
Why that place?
I don't know, but when you put the jars at those three places
the taste turns out to be excellent, and they taste similar too
You're already back?
You brought fermented soybean blocks & jars for the palace last year, right?
Yes
Were they both best quality?
Yes. They were both of very good quality...
There was nothing wrong when they were inspected at the palace
That's probably so since there was no problem when I saw it too
Don't worry. We found a better way to make the bean paste, didn't we?
But it's a little sweeter than the original
so it's very good to eat raw or with vegetables
but it may not be right for making stews
I know that. But if we make different kinds of bean paste and mix them
we could make it taste better
He said it's this house, right?
Yes, he said, these three houses...
make really tasty bean paste
But I don't think it's related to the location
It's probably the method
But didn't he say they're all prepared the same way
How can I help you?
I'm sorry, but we're here because we heard...
the bean paste tastes very good May we try them?
Oh, sure!
How is it?
Very similar to the previous bean paste of the palace
It's very good
Then there must be something for sure
Let's go to the town god's place
Madam, how is the taste?
It's similar to the last one, but it's better here
The people here probably didn't use better water, beans or salt
than the ones used in the palace
Same with the jars
And it tastes very good because pollen ferments very well
Madam... Madam... could it be...?
Did you find the reason?
Not yet. Everyone has gone out to find that out
Just what do you think you're doing?! I told the Queen already
And she became very angry and said that she doesn't need...
a Highest Kitchen Lady who can't manage the bean paste
So did you find out what it is?
I went to check if there was any problem with the salt
He gave us the best salt
So what are you going to do?
We'll have to start making the bean paste stew tomorrow
Madam, I went to different places
and found a very tasty bean paste
Really?
I'll serve it for tomorrow's breakfast
OK, do that
And Lady Jung, I've delivered the Queen's will to you
so you go and do what you think is best
Go ahead and speak
The environmental office has advised that we increase...
the number of soldiers in the Fire Prevention Department...
to watch over the frequent fires in mountains around the capital
What? There are frequent fires in the mountains around the capital?
It's probably due to the dry weather
Fires are always a threat regardless of size
so be prepared for it
Yes, Your Majesty
Your Majesty, I'm really sorry that such a thing may be happening
because of the changed taste of bean paste
It's surely not because of that
There's a saying about it, too
They say a disaster comes when the bean paste taste changes
So Lady Choi quickly brought a good one. Please try it
Sure
Yes, it's fine
Then is it better than the last one?
No, the last one tasted better
Madam, look over there This isn't the place either
I'll look for another place, so please go and tell Lady Jung
Sure
It's alright. Just continue working
That's good enough He finished the bowl
I'll look for a better one
Madam... Madam, I think we found the reason
Really? How? What is it?
What did you find?
That...
Madam, I found one!
There's a place where they haven't cut down the trees in the palace
Really? What's going on?
Madam!