The masters of cooking visited our cafeteria.
Lee Yeonbok, Shim Youngsoon,
Sam Kim, and Lee Wookjeong.
(Summer Special)
(Late Night Cafeteria)
(40 years of experience!)
(Charisma spreads through the kitchen!)
(Master of Chinese cuisine)
(Lee Yeonbok)
Don't steal our jobs.
I'm coming after your job.
- Just wait. / - But...
Inside...
(He has more anger than Myungsoo?)
- Then... / - You're out.
He dropped out so soon.
I hit you because you deserve it.
Who stacked the pans like this? Huh?
(Sam Kim)
I don't yell even when I'm angry.
It may not be flashy,
but everyone likes it for a long time.
(A bright smile!)
(His charisma is almost non-existent)
I'll place the food on the plate.
It's tasty.
(Saintly Chef Sam Kim)
The food is ruined.
You are just terrible.
(Shim Youngsoon)
You are just terrible.
That sounds like...
You all look very funny.
You look like someone who would like that.
I traveled the world through my documentary,
and tasted life by sharing recipes.
(Graduated from Le Cordon Bleu)
I'm on an adventure to find the world's special meal.
I'm Lee Wookjeong, the producer who cooks.
(Lee Wookjeong)
Is this Wookjeong's?
The way you eat makes anything look good.
It has the light taste of gochujang.
What did you prepare for us?
Can you swallow already so we can move on?
It's Sam Kim's manager, Jungyup.
Describe the taste with a song.
'I feel like I'm about to cry'
'You are my lady'
'I...'
You're so corny.
It's our Late Night Cafeteria summer special.
(Late Night Cafeteria)
You're it.
(Let's pick the best!)
(The great chefs!)
(Their simple recipes!)
(Admirable!)
- This is incredible. / - This...
How can something taste like this?
(It begins now!)
When you chefs prepare ingredients to cook,
a knife is a very important tool, isn't it?
Sam, I heard you have an obsession with knives.
You do when you cook Italian food?
At first, I dreamed of becoming a sushi chef.
- Sushi? / - Yes.
They look so cool with their white caps and ties.
The best part is that when they serve customers,
the feedback is immediate.
- Oh, right away? / - From the counter,
you can see the customers' face as they eat.
Some people smile slightly and compliment the food.
So you collected knives?
Yes, that's when I started my collection.
- How many do you have? / - I have about 120.
I have about 120.
- 120? / - 120 knives?
(Sam's collection)
When I spread them all out to clean them,
they cover around five meters.
- Because you have over 100. / - Yes.
Where do you keep them?
Some of them are in the dressing room.
I have a young son.
They're in a special bag in a box wrapped with tape.
- 120 knives? / - That many?
Warn prospective thieves. Don't rob Sam's house.
How much is the most expensive one?
I'm curious.
The best one costs 5,000 dollars.
For one of them?
I saved up to get that knife.
There's a master knife maker in Japan.
- Was it handmade? / - Yes, it was.
- How is it different? / - Knives have handles.
If you use an old knife, sometimes the handle snaps.
But this master, when tempering the iron,
he shapes the blade and handle out of one iron slab.
He actually calls me once a year.
He asks where I am,
and he flies over to check the knife he made.
- Does he come to see you from Japan? / - Yes, he does.
He visits other clients, too,
and checks their knives.
It's like a movie.
He looks at the knife
and comments on how I used it.
He even scolds me.
Which knife means the most to you?
- It's... / - Which one do you treasure?
It was the knife my mentor gave me.
He was originally a sushi chef.
He's Korean, but he's really famous.
You won't see him on TV.
He's known for being mean,
but oddly enough he was really nice to me.
Was he?
- "Oddly enough"? / - He said he liked my eyes.
So he...
He liked the slightly puffy look.
A lot of his students had their eyes on that knife.
Because that knife was special.
My mentor opened a few restaurants.
This knife was the first one he used in each location.
It was very symbolic,
so we all liked it and it was very expensive, too.
Your mentor taught you all about sushi.
Wasn't he upset you shifted to Italian?
He still demands his knife back.
- He's upset. / - Of course he is.
He sent you off to sell sushi, not...
Sushi kitchens are different from Western kitchens.
Sushi kitchens are very still
and very detail-oriented.
One touch of a knife
makes a very big difference.
After a while,
I realized I need to use a lot of fire.
I like something that requires and exudes energy.
But it was so delicate.
Sam, do you want something back, too?
Me? This is a totally different topic.
I have a few special and favorite frying pans.
I loved them so much that
when the pan is ruined and the handle falls off,
I have the handle welded back on.
That pan served me for years,
and I just don't want to let go of those memories.
It's like we want to keep our favorite pair of jeans.
Lee Seongyun and Gong Hyojin practiced at home
for their roles in "Pasta".
So I gave them my favorite frying pans.
If they don't use them anymore,
I'd like them to return them to me, please.
In that case
let's tape a message.
He might get the wrong idea.
"Why does he want some old pans back?"
- They mean a lot to me. / - You have to say that.
Seongyun, you know,
if you aren't using those pans, can I have them back?
(Shy, as if it's a confession of love)
- What if he threw them out? / - Poor you.
- Did you bring a knife? / - Did you?
- It's my everyday knife. / - Is it your treasure?
No, that knife...
- I don't use it anymore. / - Of course not.
- Chef Lee. / - It's a Chinese knife.
This is the one used in Western cuisine.
- It looks pretty average. / - It's just a knife.
(The knife that gives life to his food)
How much was that?
This cost about 400-500 dollars.
That's expensive.
400-500 dollars for an everyday knife? My best knife
costs about 380 dollars.
Your special knife costs 380 dollars?
(Looks simple and rough)
(Engraved with his name)
When Kim Poong was on our show,
- he told us you gave him one. / - Yes.
Chef Lee gives a knife only to those he mentors.
He actually gave me one.
- Your name is on it. / - Yes, it's engraved.
You can see it on the side.
"Kim Poong."
I don't give out that many.
- No? / - He gave me one.
I see. It seems
quite a few people claim you gave them a knife.
The marked ones mean I accept them as a mentee.
- There are only three. / - I see.
You said on TV that you own a 1,000-dollar knife.
It wasn't really worth 1,000 dollars.
I was joking around on a TV show.
Whoever was watching failed to see it was a joke.
People took it too seriously.
Why do you joke around?
I'm good at joking around.
(Upset)
- Those two... / - They never get along.
- They're enemies. / - Yeonbok and Myungsoo...
I don't fear him yet.
I don't fear him yet because he isn't holding a knife.
I brought something long to reach Myungsoo.
It's his ladle.
It's my own ladle, one that I like very much.
It's all warped.
- I used this for ten years. / - Ten years?
(It looks aged)
It's made of stain.
- "Stain"? / - It's "stainless steel."
Yes, that, so it never rusts.
- I can see its age. / - It's all worn.
- See the handle where his hand left a mark? / - Wow.
He held this for years.
- I pressed down. / - I see it.
You need to use utensils that feel familiar.
Chinese cuisine doesn't follow exact recipes.
We just feel the weight as we scoop up ingredients.
Familiar utensils guarantee the same taste.
When I buy a new knife,
what I think is important is the feel of the handle.
I cover up the blade so it's secure and...
We call it the grip.
I held the knife in my sleep to get used to it.
- Goodness. / - You did?
I was safe.
You must have scared others.
I lived alone then.
If you're familiar with your knife, it's easier to use.
That's when you can chat or look away as you work.
If the knife feels unfamiliar, you can cut yourself.
Madam Shim, do you have any occupational habits?
I don't think about anything other than food.
Thoughts of tofu float around in my head.
Sometimes it's a pumpkin.
We know how passionate you're about food,
but doesn't it upset your family sometimes?
There's something my mother always said,
"If you want to earn your family's love and respect,"
"feed them well."
Even when my children were small,
we never celebrated their birthday anywhere else.
- There were bakeries. / - Yes.
Or we could have gone to eat spaghetti.
Instead, I invited everyone over.
I brought out the huge buffet-sized plates
and cooked mushrooms and rice, anything they'd like
and I stacked it in front of them.
Children do love their mother's cooking,
but they also crave fast food.
- What about your children? / - That was banned.
Because they said they were going out to a party,
but then started dating.
(No secret dates)
- So... / - Did you not let them date?
I was afraid they'd marry some fool.
(Concerned for her daughters)
How many knives do you own, Madam Shim?
My favorite knife is
one made by a traditional blacksmith in Folk Village.
- A cast iron knife? / - Yes, cast iron.
- Do you buy them at Korean Folk Village? / - Yes.
There still are blacksmiths who make those.
- There are. / - The knives are tempered by hand.
When I'm chopping vegetables or making kimchi,
any other knife is too light so after a while
my arm aches.
But when I use a cast iron knife,
because it's slightly weighted
it just falls, cutting everything as it goes.
So when preparing Korean foods, that knife...
- Cast iron? / - Yes, it's the best.
Madam Shim was a judge on one of my other shows.
- She scolded me. / - Why?
I was chopping something up.
I had to hold the thing like this, but I did this.
- That's dangerous. / - Oh dear.
This hand looks fine.
This is wrong.
What should I do?
Don't move with it.
- Do you mean like this? / - Okay.
- You'll do fine with some practice. / - Okay.
I slapped his hand out of fright.
- I was afraid he'd cut himself. / - Yes.
I heard that some viewers had complained
that I'd hit him the way I did.
- Goodness. / - Why is that a concern?
Did you check the comments?
You were looking out for me.
Why is that an issue?
We might have lost him if it hadn't been for you.
- Not really. / - What?
- Why are you so morbid? / - It's not that.
I was looking out for him as well,
but also for the viewers who cook.
I felt the need to show them what is right.
I didn't really know how famous Jaeseok was.
- I don't watch TV. / - That's right.
He just looks like a dragonfly.
I was told that he makes a lot of money.
Grasshopper.
People mistake me for such insects like
dragonfly, praying mantis, grasshopper, and locust.
- He looks like those. / - It could be a katydid.
Did you ever cut yourself?
Of course I did. It's inevitable.
Cutting yourself is part of the process of improving.
When someone asks me what my hobby is,
I say, "I cut my fingers."
You can't cook if you fear knives.
The first thing I teach in my cooking classes
is how to use a knife.
I was told that in Oksu-dong
you're the most famous teacher of Korean cuisine.
- Is that true? / - She taught the daughter-in-law
of Chung Juyung, who established Hyundai,
Ko Hyunjung, and Samsung's Lee Boojin.
You taught all those famous rich women,
but you never mention that on television.
Why would I?
I was trying to do you a favor.
- Misun. / - Ma'am.
- That was just terrible. / - I did it for you.
That was a terrible move.
Why did you bring that up?
I'm not at all that special or famous.
They wanted to learn privately,
just the daughters and daughters-in-law.
So they set up a small private group,
and they asked me to teach.
I actually learned much more from them,
like their lifestyles.
- They're incredibly frugal. / - Are they?
- Could you give an example? / - I can.
Whole red chili peppers are expensive in the winter.
But I buy them even if they cost 20 cents each,
because it's a necessary expenditure to make food.
They were so shocked to hear that.
- Why? / - They thought it was too expensive.
Could they just be clueless about prices?
- 20 cents for a chili pepper... / - It's an example.
- Are you saying they're that frugal? / - Yes.
Maybe that's how they saved up so much.
That's how I realized just how frugal the rich are.
- In comparison? / - Yes.
Even when I dress up in average clothes,
I don't look too...
I looked pretty good in my day.
- Now... / - You still are beautiful.
"I don't just look good in hanbok."
"I look good in other clothes, too."
When I wore an average suit,
they said I looked lovely and asked where I bought it.
I said I got it at a sale for 35 dollars in Myeongdong.
One lady brought out ten five-dollar dresses.
She told me that is what she wore.
I'd like to know which family this is.
What conglomerate is this frugal?
- They're extremely frugal. / - They're very frugal.
Which family is it?
Is it a fake conglomerate?
It's the ramen company's president.
Really?
You visited the house of
- Hyundai's President Chung Juyung. / - In Bukin-dong.
I heard that they're frugal as well.
What shocked me at that home was
their large table.
It's just an iron frame on top of which
they put a large piece of plywood.
All they did after that was
spread a large colorful tablecloth.
Then it became a perfect table for a party.
Back in those days...
Are you allowed to talk about these families?
It's your choice whether you believe it or not.
If you say that after all those anecdotes,
should we believe you or not?
Do you feel intimidated when you teach those ladies?
- They're from powerful families. / - I always think
- that when I teach... / - Yes?
They may pay me 500 dollars,
but I believe what I teach is worth ten times that.
I'm the most intimidating person in the room.
- She scolds them. / - You were intimidating then.
"I'm the most intimidating person."
That's another one-liner for the day.
"I'm the most intimidating person."
Is there a story about hot spicy meat stew?
Oh, that story.
It happened at a general's home.
He was Chief of Staff.
It seems he had invited President Park over for dinner.
The president finished two bowls,
saying it was delicious.
- President Park? / - Yes.
Which President Park?
- Which one? / - It was President Park.
- Is it the first one? / - Yes.
The current President was in middle school, then.
What are you talking about?
You should watch out, Wookjeong.
She only stopped at that because you just met.
In movies,
the chef comes out to the guest
and explains what they're eating.
- It's only in movies. / - Is it?
- Is it different in real life? / - You're mean today.
When a famous person comes by,
doesn't the chef come over to talk about the food?
- Myungsoo likes that. / - I require that service.
- I paid for the food. / - Some chefs like to do that.
I'm a bit...
- Do you say hi? / - No.
Why not? Are you shy?
- No... / - You don't dare if they don't ask.
That's true, but no one asks for me.
(Correct)
Madam Shim provides an excellent commentary.
"Why not?" "Because they didn't ask for you."
It's rude to go to just one table.
Whether you order a pasta or the 130-dollar course,
you're all equals.
I won't come out just to greet one table.
Myungsoo heard great things about your restaurant
and took his family there.
"Hey, call Sam Kim for me, will you?"
"Come on out."
- What... / - Sam Kim, come on.
Does he owe you money?
Would you come out to say hi to Myungsoo?
I would if he asked to see me.
- Not if he didn't? / - I wouldn't go if he didn't.
- He won't bother. / - He won't bother.
It looks even worse to come over
when they didn't ask to see you.
- That's just wrong. / - Well done.
I mentored someone for around 20 years,
and she opened a Korean restaurant.
Apparently, the mayor came by with some reporters.
A member of the party said, "Why isn't the owner"
"coming out to greet the mayor?"
I scolded her when I heard it.
"Did you greet him because you were told to?"
"How much do you charge for a meal?"
She said she charges 35 dollars.
"So why do you have to bow to them?"
I yelled.
Other cuisines, like Japanese,
they charge hundreds of dollars for just one dish.
Korean chefs have to serve dozens of side dishes, too.
Why do we have to bow to our customers?
I told her never to let anyone boss her about again.
Ignore anyone who calls unless it's the president.
Ignore them unless it's the president.
It's Madam Shim's philosophy.
I wish I'd met Madam Shim sooner.
I was always greeting the customers.
- You opened a restaurant. / - It closed after a year.
- Yes. / - I shouldn't have done that.
You didn't care about the taste of the food much.
"Hello."
We don't go to restaurants to be greeted politely.
My food wasn't good.
Sam Kim.
Did you leave to study abroad with nothing?
Me, when I first left Korea?
I was preparing to study cooking abroad,
but then my father's business went bankrupt.
I could have given up then,
but my mother borrowed 3,000 from a financial company.
A financial company?
They just thought...
They saw how much I wanted to go
and decided to see just how long I would last.
I said I'd study accounting but studied cooking.
Were your parents against the idea?
Yes, because my mother is a cook.
- Is she? / - Yes.
She was embarrassed that I wanted to cook.
She felt that I'd inherited it from her.
I don't think she liked the idea of being responsible,
and she didn't want to tell our relatives at first.
Why did you go to America and not Italy?
Most people go to Italy or France to learn to cook.
The reason I'd always wanted to go to the U.S. was
when I was young,
I used to watch the WWF wrestling matches on TV.
If you see the grandstand behind the ring,
you can see Asians, whites, and blacks,
and I realized that all sorts of people live there.
I thought that if I went there,
I'd be able to pick up all sorts of different cuisines.
That's why I chose to study in the U.S.
How long did you last?
I was there for about ten years.
- Did you support yourself? / - Yes, I did.
- The 3,000 dollars lasted ten years? / - Yes.
I started working the day after I landed.
Doing what?
I made rice cakes.
- Rice cakes? / - Yes.
Didn't you ask your parents for money after that?
I never did.
The 3,000 dollars was the only monetary support
they offered for ten years.
After that...
Culinary schools cost a fortune, you should know that.
I went to the U.S. branch of the school he went to.
The tuition then was 50,000 for the 18-month course.
That much?
I worked in restaurants for seven years
and saved up 70,000 dollars.
What's funny was
I was the first student in the school's history
to pay in cash.
In cash?
The rumor spread the next day.
- Did they think you're rich? / - "This Korean kid,"
"he paid 70,000 dollars in cash."
- They got the wrong idea. / - But you'd saved up.
- You'd saved up. / - In most cases,
the students take out a loan,
and they pay it back over 20, 30 years.
- But? / - I didn't do that.
He brought 70,000 in cash.
- That's how I paid. / - Did you do well?
- I... / - How were your grades?
I was top of my year.
- Out of three? / - No.
- I attended every single class. / - Did you?
(He dreamed of being a chef like his mom)
(He left home to study in the U.S.)
(Working hard endlessly)
(He becomes a chef in ten years)
Wookjeong, you were a producer,
but you decided to take a break
- to go to culinary school? / - Yes.
- What a huge decision. / - It must've cost a fortune.
I'm still paying it off.
- Did you take out a loan? / - Yes, I did.
I didn't think much of it.
"I won't starve as long as I graduate."
You're cooking with food.
That's what I thought.
Sam said he was top of his year,
but he'll know what I'm going to talk about.
Many students have experience.
Some of them are more skilled than the lecturer.
- Is that true? / - Yes.
I had no hands-on experience.
All I had done was talk about food and cooking.
When I got in, it was...
I was stuffed in a class with these experts.
On the first day,
the gates of hell had opened up for me.
Did you struggle with the knives?
What shocked me the most on my first day
was when they gave me my uniform and bag.
- On your first day? / - Yes, it was my first day.
When I put on the uniform,
I felt great as if I were a real chef.
When I looked into the bag,
it was full of all these knives.
The only knives I knew were the large and small ones.
There was a fish knife,
a knife to cut through meat,
and a knife to cut bread with.
Western cuisine has all these different knives.
- My biggest worry was cutting myself. / - Of course.
I wanted to keep all ten fingers
and that was my biggest concern.
If you're careful... There are some rules.
You're fine if you abide by those rules.
You cut yourself the most when you wash the knives.
You let your guard down and slide your hand like this.
- If you do that... / - Then...
Don't let your guard down.
- Even paper can cut you. / - I survived that.
The class is yet to start,
but this is when most accidents happen.
I don't hurt myself when I cook.
It happens when I'm distracted.
Oh dear.
"Food Odyssey" won a Baeksang Arts Awards this year.
What would you say was the most memorable scene?
The scene that stuck in my mind was
a segment we filmed in the tundra.
It's freezing cold and the land can't be farmed,
so it feels like you're standing on a sheet of paper.
There's nothing but snow and ice,
but even there, people survive.
The reason they can is
because they coexist with reindeers.
It can be disturbing to see them slaughter an animal
and watch as they eat the innards and blood
with a dash of salt and nothing else.
That is how they get their vitamins and minerals.
That was how they survived in the barren land.
What's interesting is that there are no fences
to keep the reindeers in, but they don't wander off.
It's because the people give them salt.
It's rock salt.
They stay near people for the salt.
There aren't any public restrooms out there,
so we relieve ourselves outside.
The reindeers smell the urine and come in droves.
They come to eat the wet snow.
- For the salt? / - For the minerals.
Seeing that in that kind of setting
made me think again about mankind.
We're an amazing species and the fact that we cook
shows how creative we are.
It's great proof.
A chef doesn't just cook.
I want to show that
we can do a lot through this medium called food.
That's why I cook for the underprivileged.
I also want the next generation,
the children to be healthy.
It's a great time to be a chef.
It's the most-preferred job of children nationwide.
- "A chef" topped the list? / - Yes.
It used to be "A comedian". Things have changed.
That was ten years ago.
I want my successors
to be able to cook in a better environment.
That's why I want to
- provide a better workplace. / - I see.
It's the special of specials.
(The masters' cafeteria)
- You're it. / - You're it.
A late-night snack...
(We'll show you what a late-night snack is!)
It's sweet and sour and wonderful.
It's perfect.
One should be able to slice finely without looking.
(It begins now)
It's time for our Late Night Cafeteria summer special.
This is the time we've been waiting for.
We dreamed of this day.
- It's the special of specials. / - You're right.
Raymon Kim and Gang Leo were on the show together,
but we never had four chefs.
- They're true masters. / - They are.
It's a real cook-off.
Only one dish can go on the wall.
Each chef prepared one dish each for us today.
One chef will select who they want to compete against,
and the winner selects the next competitor and so on.
Jaeseok.
Everything they cook will taste good.
Of course. You have to pick a winner
based on your standards.
That's why we decided to bring in another taster.
Please welcome Seunghee.
(Taster Seunghee)
Hello.
(Starting from a girl group singer)
My fan club has over 300 members.
That's true. But how many are paid members?
(Now she's an actress and gourmet)
Seunghee and Jungyup
have a very important role as tasters today.
All four chefs may be experts,
but their goal today is to captivate your taste buds.
We even got Madam Shim to dance today,
so it's a real festival.
(The cafeteria's grand opening)
- I thought it was her party. / - I am
very old now, but my soul
- is like a white cloud in the blue sky. / - Okay.
- That's what we like. / - A white cloud?
First up is
the youngest chef.
Let's bring up Sam Kim.
(With organic ingredients from his garden)
(What will naturalist Sam Kim cook?)
- I'm very excited. / - Wow.
Before you begin, pick your opponent.
- Then we'll let you cook. / - Okay.
- Now... / - Ready?
You have to say "you're it".
Who will Sam Kim decide to go against?
One, two, three.
(The master of Chinese?)
(The godmother of Korean?)
One, two, three.
Lee Wookjeong, you're it.
(Picked as first opponent)
That's great.
- You picked him. / - He thinks he's weak.
Why did you pick Wookjeong?
- Am I a pushover? / - It's not that.
The others are many years my senior in the same field.
I don't dare say "you're it" to them.
Round 1 is Sam Kim against Lee Wookjeong.
What will you make for us?
I need to wear an apron.
(A chef's armor)
Can you do something grand?
This is when chefs look so professional.
This is just a simple one that goes round the neck.
(Like a baby's bib...)
(That's it? Disappointed)
(I'll wear it in a fancier way)
Let's see Sam's tools and ingredients.
This looks very interesting. I see some bread.
What could this be?
We're so blessed.
- We are. / - Do we all get to eat today?
Everything here I grew or made myself.
- Organic? / - Yes.
- Do you have a farm? / - It's a small garden.
Tada.
Hello, I'm Chef Sam Kim.
This is
my garden.
I wanted it all.
But this is my area. It's about 165 square meters.
I work here alone.
I don't use any pesticides,
and I started this plot two years ago.
These are called Roma or Roma tomatoes.
They grow mainly in Italy,
and a fan from Busan sent me some seedlings
and suggested that I grow them.
(What does he grow?)
I grow about 12 different plants.
They're four kinds of tomatoes,
eggplants, zucchini,
beans, corn,
chicory, lettuce, romaine,
arugula, beets, and others. There are about 12 kinds.
I love eggplants.
I pick them...
See?
If you have a look...
Do you see how fresh this is?
The moisture is oozing out.
One reason I have this garden
is that I can save time.
I can ensure that everything is fresh and moist.
(Searching for ingredients for the show)
My father-in-law took everything.
He doesn't care for his grandson.
There's nothing left.
(He found some hidden tomatoes)
Three should be enough.
I think I have enough.
The eggplants and tomatoes are from my garden.
They look so pretty.
I love these, freshly picked from the garden.
I made this tomato sauce.
- I even baked the bread. / - Yourself?
All this talk is making the others nervous.
(Feeling threatened)
What you grew yourself doesn't influence the taste.
Perfect, we love direct comments like that.
It was very nicely said.
- I called this dish... / - What?
"Padeullini."
- "Padeullini"? / - What's that?
I'm going to make a panini,
and I have a four-year-old.
I make him this for dinner sometimes.
- Is it "Father and son"? / - It's "Papa and son."
"Padeullini."
Most people prefer meat sandwiches.
I can create that flavor and texture with eggplants.
Does your son eat eggplants?
He does when cooked like this.
Shall we begin?
- Yes. / - Go!
Well-cooked eggplant is delicious.
It really is.
- I've never seen such a fat eggplant. / - It's pretty.
It's so firm.
How do you pick good ones?
- By price? / - You...
If it's shiny and has a bright green top, it's good.
- Is this fresh? / - Yes.
Home-grown eggplants are sweet.
- Are they? / - Yes.
He ate one like a cucumber.
I realized that big isn't always good.
Eggplants keep growing
and anything larger than these becomes tough.
- Italians call eggplants "crazy apples". / - Why?
Italian eggplants are round, not long like ours.
They look like apples
- with a crazy taste. / - They're different.
Our eggplants are the best-tasting in the world.
- Is this olive oil? / - Yes, it is.
I'll just grill the eggplants.
- Extra virgin? / - Yes, extra... virgin, I think.
You sounded posh.
That looks like rye bread.
You can use rye bread or the usual ciabatta.
Oh, ciabatta.
A panini is an Italian food.
It's a kind of a sandwich.
What's a panini?
- A sandwich. / - It's a sandwich.
- Bread... / - He just explained.
Pay attention, will you?
The tomato is so fresh.
I'm going to grill these, too.
Everything we saw Sam do so far was...
Other than the fact that he grew everything himself,
we can pretty much do what he did.
It helps to use home-grown ingredients.
It's all down to who does what with the ingredients.
(Such lucky ingredients)
- Madam Shim, do you eat Western food? / - Yes.
(A surprisingly short answer)
- Sometimes. / - What do you like to eat?
I like eggplant dishes.
(I'm watching you, Sam)
You can slice the eggplants like this,
or you can peel them if the skin is too chewy.
Season them only with salt and pepper.
- Isn't this good on its own? / - It is like this.
You eat it with steak.
It feels and tastes very healthy.
You spent 15 minutes grilling eggplants.
- It takes too long. / - This is bad.
We're searching for a great late-night snack.
This is taking quite a while.
We can't rely on editing and pretend it's cooked.
We have to wait.
Wookjeong, will your dish take this long?
Mine is quick.
I was told it's Late Night Cafeteria,
so I prepared something very simple.
I should've brought something complicated.
Is your temper boiling up again?
(I'm angry)
(Grill tomato slices)
This is the sound we love.
Grilled tomatoes are more nutritious.
- Yes. / - Right?
It improves absorption.
- Does it? / - It is when cooked in oil.
Everyone knows that.
- It's the same for pasta sauces. / - Is that so?
Why do you add salt to tomatoes?
It's to season them.
(Oh!)
I can't wait to see what Wookjeong will cook for us.
You're wearing a butcher's apron.
- He's layering. / - Layered tomatoes?
It's going up.
(In goes the bread)
Think about it. You have to go to Gimpo to pick these.
- Buy the land first. / - Buy the land.
The traffic gets crazy on weekends.
You have to hire someone to guard your produce.
- People will ask Sam for photos. / - There's that too.
He's joining in.
Grilling the tomatoes enhances the sweetness
and softens them, too.
It's great for children.
Ten minutes have gone already.
Five minutes are left.
I want my child to be healthy.
Are you kind?
Me? Should I say I'm kind?
He's very kind.
What about you, Yeonbok? Are you kind?
- I'm too extreme. / - Are you?
What about your husband, ma'am?
Does he help you around the house?
He used to brag so much about it to the point where
I almost considered leaving him.
- That's what older men were like. / - That's true.
He's so helpful these days.
- Is he good to you? / - I feel so guilty.
Sometimes I even feel this pang of pity.
- What's that? / - It's tomato sauce.
- I wonder how this will taste. / - Sprinkle cheese.
That alone would taste good.
(Mouth begins to water)
You could make this at home.
- You could eat this with spaghetti. / - You can.
- Is that Parmesan? / - No, Cheonggyesan.
- Cheonggyesan? / - That was terrible.
This is basil.
You can add some or forget it if you don't.
We all have three pairs of basil at home.
Three pairs?
- It's almost done. / - It smells Italian.
The cooking is almost done.
(The tomatoes are placed on top of the bread)
It smells of Milan.
- It looks great. / - It looks delicious.
I'd love to cook this, but I can't.
(The eggplants go on top)
It's not too hard.
(It's snowing cheese)
Poor you, Wookjeong.
You can add more basil.
- Kids love this cheese. / - That's perfect.
It may seem like too much, but it's not bad at all.
- Put the bun. / - It goes on top.
This is Sam Kim's Padeullini.
(A dad's love for his son)
(Fresh produce from the garden)
(Sam Kim's Padeullini)
This looks so...
What should we do?
We all have to have a bite.
Do you hear that?
- Yes. / - Hear the crunch.
Look at Seunghee and Jungyup.
They're exchanging niceties.
I heard that Jungyup likes younger women.
- That's a huge age gap. / - Of course he does.
Tell us what you think about the food.
Is this the real taste of Italy?
It's lovely.
The tomato and eggplant are dancing a waltz.
(Everyone tastes the waltz)
What a waste.
(No one is commenting on the taste)
It's so good.
(Next contestant)
Seunghee, speak up.
It's good.
Jungyup, how about you?
I can feel the burst of freshness in my mouth.
I love how the sliced cheese melts on the top.
I think we should let Wookjeong taste a slice.
I'd like more sauce.
Myungsoo was concerned there was too much cheese.
- It's not too much. / - It's not greasy at all.
I could've actually done with more cheese.
The bread is soggy.
Sandwich bread should never be soggy.
The wet sauce...
- He's talking badly about the food. / - I see that.
(Sam Kim vs Lee Wookjeong)
Sam Kim challenged Lee Wookjeong.
(Specialized food show producer)
(I'll beat Sam with my quack cooking skills)
Did you expect this?
- I did. / - Oh, you did?
I thought he'd pick me.
I would have to say that
Sam chose the least threatening chef.
We mentioned earlier that your show "Noodle... Road"...
Were you going to say "Noodle Nude"?
It's "Noodle Road".
The sound "noo" sets him off.
That was so close.
Do you think you can beat Sam?
I chose a completely different strategy.
What strategy is that?
I'll go with your show's concept.
My dish is cheap,
and you have most of the ingredients at home.
You don't have to drive to a garden to forage.
You don't have to buy 165 square meters in Gimpo.
- No. / - Stay at home.
- Is that it? / - Use what you have.
- One more thing. / - What's that?
- I won't use a knife. / - What will you use?
I'll use my bare hands.
He won't say who,
but Wookjeong is talking badly about Sam a lot.
Let's see the ingredients.
- It's ramen. / - There it is.
It's simple ingredients.
- Is that it? / - This is it.
- I love ramen powder. / - This is it.
Seunghee still has the girl group's reaction.
She could just go "wow".
(Meticulously trained)
- It's different. / - It is.
What will you cook for us?
It's a stamina ramen of sorts.
Will this improve our stamina?
Eat this at night and goodness knows what might happen.
Goodness knows what might happen.
Oh my goodness.
- You're too excited. / - This is it.
Stamina!
Our male crew members are rejoicing.
I don't see much here, though.
- How is this good for you? / - It's just ramen.
- No meat... Garlic? / - It's the garlic.
- I made it for the first time last night. / - Did you?
How did you find out it improved your stamina?
Did you have some fun?
Did you experience the effect?
No wonder...
Ma'am, do you think his dish will be good for us?
I don't think so.
(Bye, snake oil merchant)
Without a knife, what will you do with the garlic?
(Yeonbok showed some amazing knife skills)
(Cooking is about fire and blades)
What will you do with the garlic?
(Crushing by hand!)
I do this. This is good enough for...
Can't you just use a knife?
He worked to fit this into our show's concept.
I have to say this does fit perfectly.
I wondered what to do with this and decided...
- Scissors? / - I'll use scissors
- instead of a knife. / - Just use a knife.
I can manage.
Cut the leek into large chunks.
- The water is boiling. / - Noodles?
Cook the noodles.
He needs help.
He's used to ordering people around.
That's his job.
Our producer never does anything himself.
He gives orders.
While filming "Noodle Road,"
I met noodle experts from all over the world.
They all do one thing in common.
They stir the noodles until it's cooked.
We're told to add cold water when the noodles boil.
They said that's wrong.
I think that depends on the noodle.
(This is stressful)
(Stir the noodles well)
(Take out when it's cooked)
(Checking the texture)
- Is it done? / - Yes, it is.
Sometimes even plain noodles taste so good.
I see him really enjoy food.
- I love to eat. / - I could tell from the way you eat.
You're slim for someone to loves to eat.
I'm fat in the secret places.
Really? Good for you. I'm fat in the wrong...
What are you two up to?
What right and wrong places?
It's something people in their 40s worry about.
Chat over tea when we're done.
I think that around fall this year
you two will meet up in one of the palaces.
- Why one of the palaces? / - When the leaves fall.
"How have you been doing?"
The noodles are done.
Look, film this, will you?
Film the noodles.
They're nice and curly.
(Firm and curly noodles)
(Making the sauce)
The flakes in ramen
I'll use those.
I'll add sesame oil and half a tablespoon of sugar.
You're adding sugar?
You can add the ramen powder.
If you don't like that, use chili powder.
- Ramen powder, please. / - Yes, that tastes better.
Sam's panini was fresh and light.
Will your recipe be okay?
We're actually very used to additives.
I compete against others on this cooking show,
and I always lose to a guy who uses readymade products.
You picked a strong contender.
You look like you're panicking.
I did when I saw that.
I feel sorry for ramen powder
as an ingredient you cook with.
So many people love it,
but chefs can't use it openly.
- But you can, is that it? / - Yes, I can.
I'm not an expert.
I can use anything freeze-dried that I want.
He can go back to being a producer.
- This is fascinating. / - How will it taste?
I can't tell what this will turn out to be like.
You aren't done yet?
I'm going to stir-fry everything together.
(A lot of oil!)
You use too much oil.
(Calm disapproval)
Because it comes out of our budget?
It's an oil swamp.
- Is it olive oil? / - Are you going to deep-fry this?
He said it'd be simple and this isn't exactly simple.
Don't stress out too much, we don't have a time limit.
Sam took 17 minutes.
Your timer is currently on 12 minutes.
Sam is smiling now.
- He's grinning. / - Have a look.
- I think that looks tasty. / - Do you?
It does smell lovely.
When cooking the garlic,
it burns if you go for a high heat.
- Cook garlic at low heat. / - Fry it at a low heat.
Cook for longer to get the flavor out.
- Now I'll add... / - Mung bean sprouts.
Mung bean sprouts wilt fast.
- They never turn out this good at home. / - Never.
(As he adds the sauce)
(Jabbed with the hot chopsticks)
(It's so hot)
It's hot.
Be careful.
Film this, will you?
Seriously?
(The noodles are added)
This has to be good.
Turn off the heat, please.
- He stir-fried it. / - This looks good.
- It looks like stir-fried noodles. / - To this...
I need to add a little of this.
- You like fat. / - Add just a little.
- Yakisoba? / - What's the butter for?
Butter goes so well with curry.
You can add butter to a steak, too.
The stove is off.
- Turn the heat on. / - He wanted it off.
What's your problem? Do it all yourself, then.
Gosh, you have a way of infuriating me.
This looks so good. I love things like this.
I'll check the taste.
(Noodleholic is letting go)
- Well? / - Good?
- Happy? / - Good?
- Happy? / - It's good.
(Let's eat right now!)
Divide up the food.
(The aroma of garlic)
(The crunch of mung bean sprouts)
(Lee Wookjeong's Stir-fried Noodles)
Divide up the food.
This is a party.
How long did he take?
It was the same as Sam, 17 minutes.
- Didn't you say it's simple? / - It's the preparation.
- It easy to cook. / - I had to boil the water.
The process wasn't that complicated.
He just talked too much.
- What a great observation. / - Yes.
If only he talked less
- Ten minutes. / - he'd have finished in ten.
This looks delicious.
I have to say it smells fantastic.
You can do this with ramen.
He really did focus on our show's concept.
- This is amazing. / - We love this.
You really did strategize.
Sam, you look worried now that the food is ready.
(Time to eat)
- The sprouts are lovely. / - Does it need more?
I think the hand-crushed garlic was the best part.
It has a lovely flavor, taste and crunch.
I like it.
It doesn't taste like ramen.
I thought I was eating an oil-based pasta.
I liked the sauce a lot. It's not too salty.
That's right.
- It's not too sweet. / - It has a clean taste.
I liked it even more because of the butter.
Considering what's in it, it tastes very healthy.
It's not too overpowering.
It's fascinating to see ramen can taste like this.
What did you think, ma'am?
It's not too bad.
(Praise!)
I really do think this would be good for men.
I think I feel the effects already.
- Do you think you can manage? / - Yes.
- Can you survive the rest of the taping? / - Can he?
Myungsoo, are you not feeling it?
I can eat a sack of garlic and nothing...
A whole sack won't work on me.
This is great.
It's time for you to place your first votes.
Lee Wookjeong.
They both took 17 minutes.
Their five votes decide who goes on to the next round.
Time and ingredients count,
but I think health should come first.
Health comes first.
You don't need a garden.
(A desperate plea)
You can purchase everything from a store.
He's compromising.
Some people are looking for land to start a garden.
They're asking around.
What about you?
A late-night snack
should be cheap and easy to make
with ingredients from your pantry.
Okay, it's down to our panel of five.
- It's garden versus MSG. / - It is.
Take your pick between organic and MSG.
One... two... three!
Everything here I grew or made myself.
(Full of health)
(Eggplant, tomato panini)
Is this the real taste of Italy?
I'll go with your show's concept.
This is the ingredients in ramen.
(Stir-fried MSG ramen)
This has to be good.
I thought I was eating an oil-based pasta.
Okay, one... two... three!
Wookjeong, Wookjeong.
Lee Wookjeong!
(The organic ingredients lost)
MSG won!
The garden has fallen.
The 165 square meters has fallen.
You can't beat MSG.
I'm so sorry.
I already told you
if my opponent brings out MSG, I can never win.
Poor Sam has bad luck with MSG.
Hang on, Sam's friend and manager.
How come... Sam.
They're friends.
It was really creepy.
He did this.
Then he stuck Wookjeong's name on.
He changed sides.
- I was very objective. / - Okay.
He didn't use a knife
and cooked with simple ingredients.
Wookjeong cooked something people can make at home.
- It was easy to eat. / - That's right.
Wookjeong, who will you take on next?
(He beat Sam with MSG)
(Even the masters fear him now)
You're it.
(Lee Yeonbok is it)
This is another big match.
Come on up.
Come on.
- I respect him a lot. / - Chinese cuisine?
His fried food is still crunchy after an hour.
(Ready to fight)
Isn't this a bit too high?
He's wearing a high-waist apron.
You're funny.
He's funny.
What will you cook for us today?
I'll use what most of you have in your fridge.
They're frozen dumplings and canned corn.
For that, I'll make a sweet and sour sauce.
Okay, we'll let you cook.
It's simple ingredients.
Whoa, that's a lot of oil.
I have to deep-fry the dumplings.
Jungyup's dream is to eat your food, Yeonbok.
Is it really?
Then come by my restaurant.
(PR?)
He adds the dumplings.
- Film him in action. / - You do it!
Jeez...
- He moves really fast. / - He's so quick.
(How a master deals with oil)
I'll risk hurting my hand to zoom over the pan.
Have a look.
The oil isn't even hot yet.
- Film him chopping. / - Sure.
He's dicing the corn.
You're left-handed.
Okay.
This sound on the chopping board...
- Isn't it comforting? / - It is.
(The regular beat of the chopping)
(Makes you think about the past)
(Why did I)
(use scissors instead?)
What's this for?
I really can't imagine what it's for.
Having experts and actual chefs on
and having them cook for us is great.
You can't guess what they're cooking.
Look at the excited look on Jungyup's face.
(Slicing the vegetables)
Jaeseok, wake up and get the camera.
You're using sweet and sour pork ingredients.
Yes, they're almost.
We use black mushrooms and green peas as well,
but you don't always have some at home.
(The dumplings are cooking)
(Staring in awe)
It needs vegetables.
I love the chopping sound.
It can be dangerous to chop carrots like this,
so don't copy this at home.
Carrots are hard.
They are.
How can he chop it all up that quickly?
Chinese food has to come out fast.
Customers complain as soon as they order.
- So... / - So you have to work fast?
We also have to lie a lot.
"It's almost done!" but it's not.
- "The guy just left." / - Use the delivery guy.
"He should be there by now."
Look at these.
Fried dumplings are always good.
(Captivating)
(Mouth-watering)
Fried dumplings.
I love the fried dumplings we get for free.
You don't need this much oil
if you're just cooking dumplings,
I used a lot because I have to cook the corn.
Most families have a bag or two of frozen dumplings.
- That's right. / - Mix the corn with flour?
It's so simple. Add some flour.
(If it doesn't clump up, use corn water)
It's the corn water from the can.
Use the water from the can.
Sam, you watch Yeonbok cook every week on another show.
- I do. / - Does he have any characteristics?
He acts and talks like it's all so simple and easy,
- but he has class. / - Of course.
The way he sharpens his knife...
Dealing with and cooking with oil at this temperature
- is not easy at all. / - It isn't.
I can't deep-fry anything.
Is he making corn balls?
- It's hard to get it evenly cooked. / - It is.
- It's all in the temperature. / - Yes.
(The movements of 40 years of experience)
Wookjeong stood up.
(In awe)
Are you feeling antsy?
It smells lovely.
The corn smells nice.
My mom used to fry corn for me when I was young.
- Fried corn? / - Fried it like this.
You're using water, not oil?
Plain water?
- Film this, will you? / - Fine, I will.
Don't you find this fascinating?
Let's see how you do.
Film him cooking the vegetables.
I'll see how much longer you last.
I think you'll last for many more years.
Ow, hot.
Watch what you're doing.
It's not all about you.
- He's like a kid in the way. / - This is so simple.
People think it's hard to make sweet and sour sauce.
That much?
It's called sweet and sour for a reason.
All you need is sugar and vinegar.
- Really? / - Really.
That's a lot of vinegar.
Do you add ketchup?
- Adding ketchup... / - You used water, sugar, vinegar,
- and vegetables. / - He added soy sauce.
- It's easy to make. / - Add just three ingredients.
The soy sauce
helps create a nicer kind of sweetness.
- I smell it. / - I smell it.
(The smell spreads everywhere)
- This is a killer sauce. / - This is incredible.
Can something like this taste bad?
How do you get the sauce to turn sticky?
- It's because of the starch. / - It's starch.
- Yes, this. / - I see.
- Add a little as you go. / - Look at Wookjeong.
It's done.
The sauce is done already.
(Crunchy vegetables)
(The sweet and sour sauce)
- It's done already. / - Wookjeong has given up.
You think too much of this sauce.
It's so simple to make.
- Every Chinese restaurant... / - Film this!
The jimmy jib has it.
Film this with your camera, too.
The camera can manage.
I can't steal the crew's job.
That looks good.
It's sweet and sour pork.
It's done!
(Sauce that anyone can make)
(Crunchy fried corn)
(Lee Yeonbok's Corn and Dumplings)
That was so quick.
Including the time it took to fry everything,
- he only took ten minutes. / - It took ten minutes.
That's all it took to fry the corn and make the sauce.
Yeonbok's dishes are always done fast.
- I should try this at home. / - You're amazing.
(Smell first)
(Full of wonder)
This looks good.
(Eat a piece of carrot)
- How is it? / - I just had a piece of carrot.
It's really good.
It's like I'm living with a chef.
The meat in sweet and sour pork can be chewy.
This is so much softer.
- The corn smells lovely. / - This sauce
can be too sour or too sweet.
- But this is perfect. / - This sauce
is perfect.
How come it's seasoned, too?
Can I ask why you diced up the corn?
If you don't, it won't stick together.
But if you dice it too much there's nothing to chew.
Dice it about halfway through.
See, this is the know-how the real chefs have.
- The sauce is, too. / - It's trade secrets.
How is it?
What's your name? Shinyoung.
You've known me for 12 years.
The food is so good that I forgot your name.
It's the best sweet and sour pork I ever had.
Add any cut of meat
and you won't be able to beat this taste.
The dumplings are great.
The dumplings are delicious.
As you just saw, the sauce is so easy to make.
It feels like your usual sweet and sour pork,
but this is an upgrade.
I love the fried corn.
It's incredible.
I doubt I can make this at home.
(Being critical?)
Wookjeong was victorious.
He beat Sam in the garden versus MSG round.
This time it's oil versus MSG.
It's oil and sugar.
Who will win?
Yeonbok, do you any closing comments?
People like me who cook for a living
feel happy when people enjoy our food.
That makes all the work worthwhile.
I'm so very happy right now.
He feels happy watching us enjoy his food,
and we're happy because we can eat.
Wookjeong, what would you like to say?
I focused on the concept of this show.
It was ten minutes versus 17 minutes.
(No one wants to lose)
Who will win?
It's Lee Yeonbok against Lee Wookjeong.
- I cooked two things. / - What?
- It was dumplings and corn. / - I see.
What a pity you said that.
It's all down to the panel's personal preference.
They can appreciate the skill and taste,
but they don't have to like you personally.
- That's possible. / - It's best to talk less.
One, two, three!
(Wookjeong beat Sam)
MSG won!
(The speed of a master)
(A simple recipe)
(Dumplings and corn)
One, two, three!
Yeonbok, Yeonbok.
Lee Wookjeong wins again!
What just happened?
- Chef Lee. / - How did this happen?
Chef Lee is out.
How come...
I changed my mind when he said "concept".
Yeonbok's food was so good.
Seunghee voted for Yeonbok.
Chef Lee's cooking...
It was so different.
Come by my store.
I'll cook you something extra.
- That's unfair. / - Wookjeong.
You three,
get a job at his department.
Don't you dare think of coming back here.
Let me explain.
- His food tasted the best. / - But?
Wookjeong mentioned our show's concept,
and I thought deep-fried food is not easy to cook.
It's delicious but only he can make it taste this good.
- It's tough. / - We're helpless.
Now it's time for our third and final round.
Wookjeong, it's time to name your final opponent.
Say the name.
I bet he never imagined he'd get this far.
He beat Sam Kim and Lee Yeonbok.
A producer beat two chefs.
It's a news flash.
I'm glad I lost. I don't have to challenge her.
How dare you say "you're it" to her?
Say it whenever you're ready.
(Will Wookjeong)
(Yell "You're it")
(To the godmother of Korean cuisine)
Please cook.
Madam Shim, please join us.
Shim Youngsoon versus Lee Wookjeong.
The godmother of food is here at last.
- She's the big momma. / - She's the big momma.
(You can't discuss Korean food without her)
(40 years of experience)
You are just terrible.
I can't wait to see what she'll cook for us.
I've never seen her cook.
Madam Shim in our cafeteria set...
I think our studio is a little too shabby.
It's very shabby.
Do we even deserve to work with her?
- She's so great. / - She is.
We've seen her judge other people's cooking,
- but watching her cook... / - It's a first.
Don't you feel tense or nervous?
I never consented to cooking for any TV show.
'I'm too old to show off in public."
"Let the younger chefs have a go."
- I refused. / - This is an honor.
Ma'am, what will you cook for us?
It seems people would love to see what I cook,
so I'll make "Shimshim Susu".
I'll use watermelon.
I have a small family.
- We can never finish a whole watermelon. / - Right.
- You're so right. / - We can't keep it for long.
- We have to eat it up. / - That's true.
It's not just watermelon, but any fruits.
First, I peel them all
and then I make broth with them.
Sometimes I mix some cooked rice into it.
- In a fruit broth? / - Yes.
She called her dish "Shimshim Susu".
This is what it means.
"Watermelon noodles that Shim eats when she's bored."
- That's it? / - "Shimshim Susu."
We all thought it was some Chinese proverb,
but it actually means watermelon noodles
that Shim eats when she's bored.
I thought you were quoting a classic medical journal.
I didn't know you'd made it up.
- I thought it was ancient. / - It's "Shimshim Susu."
Watermelon noodles that Shim eats when she's bored.
- Shall we get the ingredients? / - Would you mind
if you ended up losing the match?
I'll leave it to the panel to be the judge.
What right do I have to tell them to make me win?
Okay.
- This looks just fantastic. / - Grind the watermelon.
- Ma'am. / - What?
- Isn't this your kimchi? / - It is.
Look at the color.
I want some watermelon noodles.
It's a battle between MSG and mom's cooking.
- Is it a fair match? / - Will the producer win?
Or will our godmother win?
This should be exciting.
(The godmother of Korean cuisine)
(This is her summer late-night snack)
(Shim's watermelon noodles)
(This is how to make it)
- Sam Kim was pleased... / - Pour some water.
- He says he's okay. / - Pour much more.
But he looks upset.
He might feel relaxed, though.
- I'm so relaxed. / - Aren't you?
Going up against Madam Shim would be...
Wookjeong is the perfect opponent for Madam Shim.
So what if he loses?
- You never know. / - Who cares?
He has nothing to gain or lose.
If you're too busy at night,
you can't be bothered to cook.
- That's right. / - Go through your fridge
and get the leftover cucumbers.
We finally get to see her cut food.
Thinly slice up some cucumbers.
Slice it as thin as you like it.
If you find it hard to cut round things like cucumbers,
cut a small slice off the side like this.
This way it'll stay still and level as you cut.
If you do that,
it should be easy to cut thin slices of cucumber.
I've never seen Madam Shim cook before.
- It's a first. / - We're lucky.
- I have a question. / - What is it?
You didn't let your girls party in case they met guys.
- Yes. / - Do you like your sons-in-law?
My sons-in-law are the best young men you'll see.
- They met in high school. / - Did they?
They married their friends from high school.
They fell in love at the birthday parties I hosted.
Did you handpick them out for your daughters?
- No, they took their pick. / - Why did you whisper?
- They chose their boyfriends. / - Did they?
- She isn't looking. / - She cut them thinly.
You invited them over and they dated at your place?
I can't stop staring at her chopping.
Her hands move automatically.
She doesn't even look down.
Everything is so thin and even, too.
- She's so calm. / - She's so relaxed.
How do you do that?
(Bright toothy smile)
Is that a melon she's chopping?
Only a real expect can do this.
Korean melons are slippery and round.
They're hard to slice.
If you can't manage, just cut thin strips.
Men prefer the crunchy strips.
I heard that some people
have only seen Madam Shim judge others
and think she knows everything in theory only.
You can see for yourselves that she's this good.
The great scholar Han Seokbong's mother
sewed clothes in the moonlight as he studied.
One should be able to slice finely without looking.
Will you film this already?
- Film the mounds of vegetables. / - I already did.
- You do it yourself. / - Next is the kimchi.
This is kimchi?
- It looks so good. / - Is it this watery?
Is this a watery kimchi?
It's called "hongbek watery kimchi".
It's a light watery kimchi made for sick patients.
- Look at... Film it, okay? / - So...
Will you stop?
I made this kimchi with sun-dried peppers.
That's why it's so red.
- Is it not spicy? / - It's not at all.
- What a lovely color. / - Now I will...
Slice the kimchi?
- It looks so pretty. / - This is amazing.
Everything is so neat.
This must be why foreigners like Korean food.
(A mouthful of kimchi)
Did you feed him because you like him?
(Myungsoo, too)
The kimchi...
- It's... / - Isn't it refreshing?
It's refreshing and sweet and sour.
It's the kind of kimchi I like.
- It has a great aftertaste. / - Does it?
- It's fresh. / - Is it nice?
It tastes deep and rich, not the instant kimchi.
Nothing spilled or flew off the board.
Now take the kimchi water.
The kimchi water?
Can we use any kimchi we have at home?
You can use old fermented kimchi
- or the really sour kind. / - Any kimchi?
- What do you want? / - I need noodles.
- Here it is. / - Hand them over.
Hurry up, Jaeseok.
I should be helping you, not the clueless boys.
You'll never get our job so give up.
Slowly spill some noodles as you cook them.
- Slowly... / - "Spill some noodles."
She said, "Spill some noodles".
- Add a lot of noodles, please. / - If it clumps up...
I think we have more in the back.
Ask your staff to cook some more.
- Place an order. / - Cook some noodles.
- And then... / - Move it.
- Give me cold water, please. / - Here it is.
Wookjeong said not to splash cold water.
You need to when cooking these noodles.
Ma'am, here are the noodles you ordered.
- Here you go. / - Let's see. These look lovely.
I'm scared now.
Like Misun said, all four dishes will taste good.
But if for some reason
- Wookjeong is voted the winner... / - I know.
Is this about one cup?
Add about one cup.
If you have more kimchi water, that's okay, too.
- It doesn't matter. / - Is that watermelon?
Yes, add the blended watermelon.
Mix that together,
and then add some watermelon chunks if you have any.
- Just pour them in. / - On a hot day...
Then add some soy sauce.
- This is a real party dish. / - This soy sauce is what
I made myself.
It's called a Joseon soy sauce.
I use this to season steamed vegetables. Have a taste.
- Me, taste this? / - Yes.
She told him to taste that.
- No, no... / - She poured you that.
- Don't. / - Swallow all of it.
Dip a finger in that and taste it.
We know our manners. Bottoms up, Jaeseok.
- I need salt. / - Pass her the salt.
- Where's the salt? / - Jaeseok.
Is that sugar? I want salt.
(Shudder...)
(Why did you take it all?)
How is it?
(Even then)
- It's lovely. / - It's delicious.
It's fragrant.
- Add red pepper paste. / - Watermelon, kimchi,
red pepper paste and soy sauce.
- What would that taste like? / - Mix it all together.
- Blend it together. / - What are you doing?
Are you stealing the red pepper paste?
If it's all melted, it's perfectly seasoned.
- This is it? / - Yes.
I can't imagine how it'll taste. / - Take some salt and
just add a little bit.
(What a lovely smell)
She's coating the noodles?
She added some salt, too.
If you coat the noodles with sesame oil,
they won't go soggy.
Now it's really time to enjoy.
- Pass me the bowls. / - Give the bowls, please.
Roll them up like so.
The servings are this small?
Put vegetables and fruit on top.
Add a bit of this.
Bring a ladle to scoop the broth.
(Even mean-spirited Jaeseok)
She's the best teacher ever.
I didn't register for a class.
- You have to / - Let me.
get a nice big scoop.
- I'll scoop it with a chunk of watermelon. / - Okay.
How would this taste?
You people are lucky to be here today.
(Topped with love and care)
(A healthy summer snack)
(Shim Youngsoon's Shimshim Susu)
It feels like a real party.
Our ancestors ate these noodles at parties.
It's time for you to taste the noodles.
- Thank you, ma'am. / - Thank you.
It's nice and light enough to eat before bedtime
and full of natural sugars that are good for you.
What do you think?
You know, food
should taste exactly as they look.
How can something taste like this?
(It makes you forget it's a competition)
(It truly shines)
I've never tasted anything like this.
- I want more. / - There's more kimchi.
- Give me more, please. / - More kimchi water?
Give more kimchi, please.
It's a lovely summer dish.
- Is it? / - Yes.
- It's a totally new taste. / - Wookjeong looks grim.
You gave me a grim nod. What did you mean?
- You'll think of your mother. / - I've a bad feeling.
- How is it, Sam? / - It's delicious.
Your bowl is empty.
- Do you want more? / - Yes, please.
I thought the kimchi would be overpowering,
but the kimchi goes well with the sweet watermelon.
(This is it)
The sweetness is not like that of sugar.
Of course. This is different.
It's delicious.
It doesn't taste of sugar, so you won't get sick of it.
- Ma'am. / - Yes?
You should sell this.
Goodness, no.
- I don't know about business. / - Ma'am.
Watermelon noodles in the summer
- would be incredible. / - This is amazing.
- It's unbeatable. / - It's a hit.
Why didn't you interview her?
Why did you go to the tundra?
- For "Noodle Road"? / - That was a grave mistake.
- With watermelon, noodles and kimchi / - It's great.
It's a clean and light and perfect ending.
It's sweet and sour and wonderful.
- It's so good. / - It's just fantastic.
- It looks lovely. / - Does it?
- It's topped with some fruit. / - You're right.
- It looks like a dessert. / - It does.
- It's so simple. / - Thank you.
My mother
lived to be 98 on food like this.
She was never sick.
I see how important it is to eat good food.
Noodles in cold kimchi water are a summer food.
It's a great idea to add watermelon.
Noodles in kimchi water alone is good,
but this is slightly different.
- Don't you feel cool and refreshed? / - I do.
- The winner of today's battle / - Yes?
- goes on the Special Wall of Fame. / - That's right.
It's time for our final vote.
Everything we tasted was delicious.
Not just Madam Shim's noodles,
but the other three dishes as well.
I can still remember how each of them tasted.
They didn't lose for lack of taste.
- That's right. / - I'm too embarrassed to say this.
It's MSG against mom's home cooking.
(Mom's cooking vs MSG)
MSG beat the organic garden.
It even beat fire.
Now it's up against mom's cooking.
Would you like to say something?
Everyone here prepared something lovely,
but Korean food can stand out anywhere in the world.
I'm proud of it because it is our own.
I would like you all
to remember and think about that.
Thank you. On one side, we have "Shimshim Susu".
It was lovely. Wookjeong, do you have any last words?
He's the master of MSG.
It's a miracle that I got this far.
- It was an honor. / - Okay.
Have you given up?
He polished off three bowls.
- Before you vote, though, / - Yes?
consider if it will taste like this with your kimchi.
He refuses to give in to the end.
He has a point.
- He has a point. / - He does.
Madam Shim's kimchi is famously good.
No, no.
You're sorely mistaken.
Go home and bring out the worst kimchi you have.
Wash and chop it like I did and it'll taste the same.
You always judged other people's cooking,
and now you're being judged.
How does it feel?
It feels great.
She sounds so confident.
She feels great.
It's the final round.
It's Shim Youngsoon
versus Lee Wookjeong.
MSG versus mom's cooking.
Who will be the final winner?
- It's stamina ramen. / - Oh my goodness.
This is it.
"Shimshim Susu." Add the blended watermelon.
It's sweet and sour and wonderful.
Only one dish can go on the Special Wall of Fame.
Ready? One...
You never know. Like we said earlier
- you never know. / - The worst heat is over.
- One, two, three. / - Three.
One, two, three.
Congratulations.
(Shim Youngsoon wins)
It was unanimous.
Going up on the Special Wall of Fame
is Madam Shim's noodle recipe.
(Shim Youngsoon's Shimshim Susu)
I got to see your third toothy smile.
She only smiled three times today.
How do you feel? Are you pleased?
I'd like to thank you for acknowledging my recipe.
(Never intimidated)
Thank you for joining us for our summer special.
Can we give a round of applause to our four chefs?
- Thank you. / - Thank you.
Seunghee, thank you for joining us today.
- We hope to see you again. / - Call me.
As a gourmet taster and Sam Kim's manager,
- you did a lot today. / - Wasn't he good?
He did very well.
I was honored to be on my favorite show
and very pleased to get to eat the chefs' great food.
Thank you for joining us.
Myungsoo, see you on next week's special.
Yes, we'll see you again next week.
- See you then. Thank you. / - Thank you.