[CHEF 1] And this is the last item.
[ERINA] Hmm...
Mph.
(Relaxed sigh)
(Light laugh)
(Grunt)
Ah?
Waagh!
[ERINA] Disgusting! [CHEF 1] Uwagh! Aahh!
Ow, ow, OW!
[ERINA] Now seriously. I can't believe you've all made it this far
putting out such nauseating slop.
Especially, that oyster porridge.
Ugh! It was...
like taking a bath with a sweaty Western Lowland Gorilla!
[ALL] Huh?
[CHEF 2] That's uh... pretty obscure...
[CHEF 3] Her sense of taste is quite a bit different
from ordinary people.
Start over. It looks like you took a shortcut or two
with the MISE EN PLACE.
Uh! [ERINA] Listen.
I know your group is trying to expand its business,
so you're looking to make things more efficient and everything.
But even so, it does you no good to violate and pollute a person's tongue
with something like THIS?
Ah! I-I, uh... Uh...
[GROUP] We are so very sorry, Miss Erina!
Ah...
It's time for you to go, too, Soma.
Come back once you've learned what you're made of.
(Speechless gasp)
[SOMA] Man, I stick out like a sore thumb.
Jeez. All these other kids have butlers and bodyguards!
[JOICHIRO] And don't forget, son,
you'll be attending one of the best cooking schools
in the country.
It's highly competitive and the graduation rate
is less than 10%.
Which means most of the people you meet won't last a month.
Uh!
[JOICHIRO] Well, good luck, Soma.
That school will- [MCFLEE] Hey, Joe!
[JOICHIRO] I'll be with you just in a moment,sir
So where are you working now, anyway?
(Car horns blaring)
[JOICHIRO] I'm in New York City.
At the Manhattan Royal Hotel, the VIP reception hall.
Huh?!
Not sure how long I'll be here, though.
Man, Joe! I am so glad you came back to old New York!
We have really missed you, my man! (Laughs)
You've got to keep the excitement down, Dr. McFlee.
Y'know, the blood pressure!
(Hearty laugh)
(Heartbeat)
Oh God! Oh yes...!
I had to leave my office in Congress after I'd gotten deathly ill,
So I thought if I could just eat Yukihira's cooking one last time, I'd have no regrets.
(Male Aide whimpers) But now I can't stop and I stuff my face here every chance I get.
(Chuckle)
Sir, I beg you. May we come again?
Mmm... Oh please say yes, Sir!
(Crowd screams) Is this where I can find Yukihira?!
Please let's go back, High Priest!
You're in the middle of fasting.
You need to set an example for the rest-
Shut up, shut up, shut up!
You're saying I can't eat Yukihira's food when it's right in front of me?!
Nay!
I shall abandon my faith!
[ACOLYTES] High Priest!
(High priest laughs)
[JOICHIRO] My buddy and I went to India first,
then Italy and Spain.
I flew in to New York yesterday.
I plan on staying here in America and cooking for a while.
[SOMA] Huh? I can't even keep up with what you're saying.
[JOICHIRO] I'm doing this as a favor to a friend.
So, listen to me, Soma...
The thought of you surviving that school till graduation
and getting better than me, is almost comical!
(Tense inhale)
[SOMA] I'm friggin' doin' it!
Alright. How about I share with you a few secrets
to improving your cooking skills-
(Phone hangs up)
Huh?
He hung up on me, dammit.
[HIGH PRIEST] Where is Yukihira?! (Unintelligible)
[JOICHIRO] Alright! Coming!
[JOICHIRO] Listen, Soma.
The trick to being a good chef...
...is the right woman...
a woman who will make you a better man.
Better at cooking.
Better at everything.
[ERINA] Well? What do I have next?
This, ma'am.
Judging the transfer exams? Hmph.
I didn't know joining the council would mean
doing this kind of menial labor.
I guess I'll head over there after I've changed.
[SOMA] Dammit! He thinks it's "a joke," huh?
Well, I WILL make it to the very end!
(Thud) [SOMA] Agh!
Ah!
I'm sorry! I didn't mean to do that.
[YOSHIAKI] Oh, not to worry.
You're trying to transfer here as well, are you?
Please, have a seat. Thanks.
[YOSHIAKI] Tohtsuki's middle-school division is announcing
their advancement exam results today.
Plus, students from other middle schools, like us,
are here for the transfer exam.
I'm Yoshiaki Nikaido.
My family runs a prominent French restaurant.
Huh, that's crazy, what a coincidence.
We have a family restaurant, too.
Yeah well... It may not be a coincidence.
Huh?
[YOSHIAKI] That boy over there...
he's the heir to a nationwide restaurant chain.
The other is the son of a major wholesaler
that distributes fish throughout Kanto.
Most everyone here works in food.
All on the path to be restauranteurs.
Ooh.
What's the name of your family's restaurant?
Ah, it's called "Yukihira."
Yukihira...
Gourmet, I'm assuming?
(Laughs)
Nah nah, it's nothin' that fancy.
It's just a little diner located in Shitamachi-
Oof! A diner?
Gah!
You wretched, lowly plebian.
You may no longer sit next to ME!
You listen and listen well:
This school is not a place for scrounging Neandertals!
This is sacred ground where only those who live in the world of fine cuisine
may dare to learn and achieve!
[YOSHIAKI] You don't belong here!
Tohtsuki is a Fine Dining Academy!
Simpleton riff-raff like yourself won't even get past the written exam-
[SOMA] Hey!
Don't start looking down your nose at me, pal.
You don't know anything about me, alright!
Ah! [BODYGUARDS] Young sir! Are you okay?!
(Flabbergasted) (Growl)
[SCHOOLBOY 1] Look at that.
Someone from a diner actually thinks he can transfer here.
This should be hilarious.
[SCHOOLBOY 2] What a joke!
That guy needs to learn his place!
I mean seriously.
[SOMA] This could be pretty rough.
If people are like this right off the bat,
how hoity-toity is this judge gonna be?
(Intimidated murmurs)
[SCHOOLBOY 3] Is that...
Is it really her...?!
[SCHOOLBOY 4] Uh... yeah...
Hm?
All potential transfers,
I'll be overseeing your transfer exams today.
My name is Erina Nakiri.
A girl?
And look, she's wearing an Academy uniform.
[SOMA] SHE'S gonna be the judge?
[ERINA] Alright, what is their assignment today?
[HISAKO] I'll read it now.
"First, we will be administering group interviews
so as to review your applications.
After that, you will be asked to prepare three dishes.
Those who proceed-" [ERINA] Hmph!
Uh!
Seriously?
Uh...
Alright then...
[ERINA] Bring the cooking station here.
[HISAKO] Uh, yes, Ma'am!
(Shocked murmers)
[SCHOOLBOY 5] Ingredients?
[SCHOOLBOY 6] What's going on?
[ERINA] Your main ingredient will be eggs.
Make me one proper dish.
Those whose plate impresses me may transfer.
All others will be forever banned from the Academy.
(Nervous reactions) [SCHOOLBOY 7] What? Forever?
[ERINA] Now, all of you...
You have just one minute starting now to decide your fate.
Now's your chance to give up and leave.
Huh? One minute?!
I-I abstain! I'm out!
[SOMA] Huh...?
Hey, wait! Ah!
Why are you running away?
Are you kidding me?
Don't tell me you don't know who she is!
Hm? No clue. Tell me.
[YOSHIAKI] That's Erina Nakiri,
harbinger of the greatest palate known to man...
She's known as the God Tongue!
[SOMA] Huh?
[YOSHIAKI] Children usually start talking
between the ages of one and two,
But not her...
when she was just three months old,
she spoke her very first words:
Hm...
Oh, God. This lacks flavor.
[YOSHIAKI] She quickly developed such talent, that from a very young age,
she was asked to taste-test for famous restaurants all across the country.
All the biggest names in the culinary world are clients of hers!
Any critique she gives will spread throughout the food industry!
If she tastes anything less than perfection,
she will tell you you're a talentless hack!
And your life as a chef will be completely ruined forever!
AHH! Guh!
Ahhh!
[ERINA] As expected, a bunch of dimwits with no promise.
This is a pointless exercise.
These recruits are always a bunch of drooling monkeys.
Is that all we have left on our schedule for today?
Uh, yes.
Then I will be going to go to my room
so I can work on a new dish.
(Gasp)
A new dish by Miss Erina?! (Whimper)
Aw, what is it, Hisako?
Your face says that you want something.
Uh... I uh... I just...
(Whimper)
Are you trying to tell me
you want the right to taste my food?
I... I do! Please!
My, aren't you a greedy little girl.
(Laugh)
Oh no!
I'm so sorry, Miss Erina!
Well okay, but not until we make our report...
zero candidates passed.
Uh-huh!
Excuse me! [BOTH] Ah!
So I can just make whatever I want?
Ah!
What?
[ERINA] Someone is actually... challenging me?
So long as you incorporate the eggs...
you're free to make whatever you like.
But are you really sure you want to do this?
It's still okay to quit and-
Man, I was kinda worried!
I was like, "What if I flunk out without even getting to make anything?!"
GET AWAY FROM HER!
Guh! Do you know who you just touched?
Not really.
[HISAKO] This is none other than the top student
in the Middle-School Division...
and the youngest member in history
ever seated at the table for the Council of Ten...
This is Erina Nakiri!
[SOMA] Dude, I've only seen one of these knives on TV!
[BOTH] You need to pay attention!
Hm?
Look, I will ask you again:
Do you really intend on trying to take my exam?
Uh... Well, uh...
You just have to say it tastes good, right?
(Sheen) Then of course, let's do it.
Who is this guy?
Here's his file.
[ERINA] Soma Yukihira...
Your family runs a diner.
Pedestrian food from a pedestrian chef.
[ERINA] He doesn't appreciate my pedigree, does he?
(Heavy panting) Much like a stray dog doesn't realize the value
of a precious gemstone.
Hm. Well, you will have the honor of me tasting your food...
I'm sure it will be a meal fit for a trucker.
I think I'd like to...
...serve you a little specialty from my family shop!
Coming right up!
[SOMA] Just gimme a few minutes.
(Chopping)
Eggs are a universal staple in Japan, China, and throughout the West.
[HISAKO] Miss Erina tastes egg dishes from high-end restaurants every day.
What sort of dish can he possibly make?
(Hissing and boiling)
(Beating eggs)
It seems like he's scrambling the eggs, but...
I can't see the finished product at all.
[ERINA] Soma Yukihira,
what in God's name are you up to?
Huh?
You've been watching me but STILL can't figure it out? Hoo-hoo-hoo!
I can flunk you right here and now!
Listen to me: I don't have time to spend on some churned up gruel.
Let's be clear, to pass you'll need to make a dish
suitable for MY godly tongue!
'Kay, fine. I'll tell you.
I'm making No. 8 on the Yukihira Japanese Eatery's secret menu!
(Clack)
"Secret menu"?
That won't make it taste any better.
Furikake rice.
(Shake shake)
Uh...
(Wind blowing)
(Slam) [ERINA] Don't play with me!
You can't fake it, you're a glorified fry cook.
I had better things to do today.
[HISAKO] Miss Erina? [SOMA] Of course...
this isn't any normal furikake.
Ah?
What I'm making for you is...
Transforming Furikake Rice!
"Transforming Furikake"?
[SOMA] It should be done just about any second now.
Soma Yukihira...
Just what sort of food cart trick do you intend to make?
Hm...
Please... enjoy!
(Ding)
[BOTH] Uhh...
Yep. As I thought...
He has nothing to offer!
Hm!
Ugh...
Hah...
It just looks like normal furikake.
This is the work of an untrained amateur.
It doesn't even make me hungry.
[ERINA] My palate is such that I'm called the "God Tongue"...
and only experienced, extravagant,
nuanced dishes grace my dining table.
I am accustomed to refined worldly cuisine.
Something you cannot understand...
Demonstrated by you serving me something like THIS.
The exam is over.
Miss Erina!
But, this dish hasn't transformed into its true form yet.
Ah?
And what do you mean by that?
Hm!
(Gasp)
[ERINA] There's something underneath the egg.
(Gasp)
Well, take a look.
The fun of furikake...
is when it's on top of rice, right?
Now then...
Uh!
(Twinkling) [SOMA] It's done.
(Jiggle)
(Astonished gasps)
Ah!
[ERINA] The heat from the rice is melting it!
And as it melts, it coats more and more of the rice!
Uh!
What is this aroma?
Is it chicken?
The delicate scent of slow-simmered chicken is gradually building.
I get it...
Transforming Furikake Rice!
It is completely different than it started!
I have got to find out what it tastes like!
I will grant you this...
I will go ahead and take a bite.
Heh. [ERINA] One.
Shut up and give me that bowl, you idiot!
Order up!
(Sharp gasp)
(Slow piano music)
Om.
Mm.
(Heartbeat) Ah!
(Gasp)
What's going on?
I was just tasting it! I forgot to judge it!
Oh! What is that texture?
[SOMA] Hang on, now...
Are you going in for a second bite?
I thought I heard something about you only needing one.
Mm... What is your problem?!
Do not interrupt the God Tongue while she is at work,
do you understand me?! I'm just kidding.
I need silence! Relax and enjoy.
(Dramatic music)
Nikogori?
We have a winner!
Those little jiggly cubes
are made from chicken wings.
[SOMA] Nikogori is meat or fish broth with lots of gelatin
so it hardens into a kind of jelly when cooled.
I simmered the chicken wings in fish seasoning,
sake, and mild soy sauce.
Chilled the broth to harden it, then sliced it up all nice and fine.
[SOMA] When it goes on top of the hot rice,
the broth from the chicken wings melts,
binding it with the soft-scrambled egg.
[ERINA] So this nikogori is a soup, so to speak...
rich and infused with the flavor from the chicken.
Wait a minute.
The richness and saltiness of the smooth broth
draws out the gentle sweetness of the fluffy egg.
With each bite, fluffiness and velvetiness caress the inside of my mouth!
The melted nikogori dramatically elevates the sumptuousness of the egg.
This is unlike any dish I've ever tasted.
It's a wave of flavors completely unknown to me!
Well, whatcha think, huh? Ah!
Are you glad you didn't leave without trying it?
Ah! Be quiet!
I am not finished judging!
With originality and creativity, Ah!
you can elevate even the most everyday dishes.
THAT is the essence of Yukihira!
[ERINA] No...
I live in the heavenly tower of deliciousness.
I cannot approve this.
(Sly laugh) [ERINA] Food made by the very picture of the common man!
I can't... approve...
I can't... I mustn't... approve!
Ahh...
(Gasp)
(Moan)
Ooh!
This... flavor!
It's as if... It's as if...
I'm being lovingly stroked by buttery angel's wings!
Ahhhh...
(Angels laugh)
Uh! Ahh!
(Laughing continues)
Ah!
Go away!
Get away from me!
Stay away, you little freaks!
AHH!
(Choral music)
[ERINA] I cannot approve this! I can't!
My tongue...
My body...
I can't let them respond to this!
Unh!
(Whimper)
[SOMA] You're right...
I'm just a piddly low-life diner cook.
And you may be the princess of the food world
and possess the "God Tongue"...
But you know,
if you just sit at the table playing the critic,
you'll never grow in the kitchen.
[SOMA] Know what I mean?
(Light grunt)
Miss Erina...
Well, whaddya say?
(Fluttering breath)
[SOMA] Yukihira-style furikake rice:
Is it delicious or not?
Say it!
(Struggling)
Hmm?
(More struggling)
(Light gasp)
It's...
Uh-huh...
...disgusting!
WHA-?!
[ERINA] Who does this guy think he is?!
He is so full of it!
So disrespectful!
Toward ME, Erina Nakiri!
Unforgivable!
Ugh!
(Whine)
Soma Yukihira...
(Cocky laugh) This Academy has no need for people like you!
(Poof)
Hello, this is Erina.
Yes that's right.
Please inform the Academy director,
my grandfather...
That in today's transfer test...
not a single one of the applicants were acceptable.
Gehh...
Hm!
(Laugh)
(Massive laugh)
Hmm!