Yukihira Diner
Sumire Avenue
Dad!
Yukihira Soma Sixth Grade
I'm gonna become a chef who can beat you!
Yukihira Joichiro Owner, Yukihira Diner
Oh, yeah?
Well, good luck with that.
Okay, let's get right to it!
Let's have a cooking face-off!
There've been 490 matches since then...
Until you lose to me again,
don't lose to anyone else.
Disgusting
I can make food even more disgusting than yours, Soma.
Candidate Tadokoro Megumi has scored 88 points!
Group B Rankings Nakiri Alice Arato Hisako Takumi Aldini Tadokoro Megumi Isami Aldini
She's in fourth place!
She's passed the preliminaries!
In third place is Candidate Takumi Aldini with 90 points!
In second place is Candidate Arato Hisako with 92 points!
And in first place is Candidate Nakiri Alice with 95 points!
These are the four proceeding to the main tournament from Group B!
Now, let's see what's happening in Group A!
Hall A
It's a fragrance... bomb!
So this is Hayama's curry!
That dish really packs a punch!
The Banquet of Warriors
I can't believe we can smell it all the way up here!
And it stings and prickles your nose!
It's such a rich smell!
Contained by the "lid"
is a luxurious curry full of umami from the kama!
Even the smell alone makes me happy.
Man, I really want to taste it!
Hayama-kun...
Take some of the naan with curry in your spoon
and take a bite!
No words can do this justice.
Covering soup with pie crust is a technique
devised by Paul Bocuse, one of the preeminent chefs of French cuisine.
Bocuse attributes the inspiration for his dish to the owan dish in kaiseki cuisine.
The fragrance of the dish is concentrated within the lid,
and breaks free in an explosive burst the moment the lid is broken.
Hayama's weapon is fragrance.
He scored a direct hit with the judges, using it to full effect!
I'm detecting the spices fennel, lemon grass, and cinnamon.
Wait!
There's something else that unites them...
What lies at the center of this strong fragrance?
Holy basil...
In fact, it's fresh holy basil!
Holy basil?
A spice that is considered sacred in southern Asia.
One whiff, and a most luscious sensation courses through your body.
In the Ayurveda tradition, a traditional medicine practiced in India,
it's considered the elixir of life.
Ayurveda
Elixir of Life
But fresh, high-quality holy basil is nearly impossible to find in Japan!
Fresh Holy Basil
Oh.
We grow this year-round at our Shiomi lab.
What?
The cultivation method is an industry secret.
Shiomi...
He means Professor Shiomi Jun, an authority on spices.
Shiomi Jun (Age 34) Authority on Spices
Nervous Anxious
It's a strong fragrance that really makes you want more.
But that's not his only trick.
What's making you keep wanting more is...
Yogurt?!
That's right, Yukihira.
With a single misstep, holy basil can overwhelm other spices,
but the yogurt mellows it out.
Not to mention, the curcumin compound in spices
Roland Chapelle Totsuki Academy Lecturer French Cuisine Lead
Curcumin
aid the liver's detox functions.
Lactobacillus
When ingested with lactobacillus, in yogurt for instance,
curcumin is more easily absorbed.
He's even thought the nutritional aspects through!
I knew you could do it, Hayama-kun! You're amazing!
I didn't expect to meet a chef capable of using holy basil in Japan.
Hayama-kun...
Why don't you become mine?
How much would you like?
A hundred million?
Two hundred?
Name your price!
I fight for Jun.
That's all there is to it.
Mm, you're a good man.
I think I want you even more now.
With every bite,
the tingling umami pierces right through my brain!
I've never encountered such a sharp, delicious flavor.
This is perfection in a single dish:
the evolution of modern curry reaching its ultimate form!
W-Well then, judges, scores, please.
Guys!
Hey, how was Group B?
I'll tell you later!
How's it going on this end?
What about Yukihira?
Where'd Yukihira rank?
Kurokiba Ryo Marui Zenji Ibusaki Shun Mito Ikumi Sakaki Ryoko
Calm down, bro.
He doesn't seem to have gone up yet.
What's Candidate Hayama's score?
Here it comes!
Kurokiba Ryo Marui Zenji
Hayama Akira Kurokiba Ryo Marui Zenji
Candidate Hayama has landed in first place with 94 points!
Hayama Akira Kurokiba Ryo Marui Zenji Ibusaki Shun
Hayama Akira 1st Place, 94 points
Thump Thump Thump Thump
Hayama-kun!
Hayama Kurokiba
Second place...
Kurokiba Ryo 2nd Place, 93 points
I think the Miss will be angry.
Well, guess I can just try harder in the main tournament.
Out of the Running Mito Ikumi 5th Place, 86 points
Crap, I'm out.
Nikumi!
You did well!
Out of the Running Sakaki Ryoko 5th Place, 86 points
Well done!
Ryoko-chan.
Hey, look.
Two judges gave a full 20 points!
Hayama Akira's scary good.
Not even Nakiri Alice received 20 points from any judge.
It's an overwhelming victory.
Isshiki-san?!
Why are you here?
What's going on with Group B?!
I just asked the others to finish up.
Well, that was a heated battle, too.
Hey!
This room is only for staff!
Come now, give me some leeway.
Let's call it a seat for the dorm warden.
There's no such thing!
You're here because you're also curious about Soma-kun, aren't you?
What?!
As if I could be—
The arena's still feverish from excitement,
but it's time for Candidate Yukihira Soma to present his dish!
Please serve your dish!
Soma-kun, what did you make?
Here.
This is for you, Hayama.
What's that look on your face?
Until barely a month ago,
you didn't even know of kari patta, a most basic spice.
How can you stand there smiling after tasting my curry?
Oh, I was just thinking how my idea wasn't so bad, after all.
What?!
An omelette?!
Huh?
Wasn't the transfer student making a risotto?
Dig in.
Fragrance bomb...
...take two!
Oh, a risotto's inside the omelette!
The trapped fragrance's been released in an explosive burst!
Right after Hayama's dish...
...another fragrance bomb's making a direct hit!
You had the same idea as me?
Yup, at least up to this point.
It's hot, so be careful!
Curry Risotto Omelette Rice, carefully made by Yukihira!
The rice enclosed by the egg is glistening
like a rice in a don bowl coated with the best sauce.
It's amazing.
What a rich fragrance.
It makes you just smile without thinking.
It makes you expect a flavor just as great as Hayama-kun's curry.
Well, then!
What impact!
Strike after flavorful strike!
Yeah!
A rich bouillon made from chicken bones and beef tendon.
Umami from the ground beef and onions, sauteed in butter, suffuses the rice.
The creamy risotto is in perfect harmony with the perfectly cooked egg...
I don't think I can get up from my seat!
It seems this sauce is the clincher.
Based on oyster sauce, it's accented with honey.
The mild acidity has quite the effect, making it a rich sauce.
The sauce and the risotto create two layers of flavor!
I see.
Hayama-kun's curry was a fragrance bomb exploding out of nowhere,
but this dish is basically an induced fragrance bomb!
The outer and inner fragrances are mingling intermittently
to seduce you!
But that's not the only source of the depth of this dish.
This fragrance and faint bitterness...
...comes from cumin and cardamom.
And cloves, which cause a faint tingle on the tongue.
My nose can detect the edges of this mystery,
but it's only scratching the surface.
What is this depth of flavor that has deep ties to the spices?
I see... it's mango.
Mango chutney.
Mango chutney?!
How can just that create such a deep flavor?
Chutney's that paste, right?
Yeah.
It's a condiment made by mashing up spices with fruits and vegetables,
then simmering the mixture down.
There are many variations across Asia, depending on the combinations used.
Some are sweet or spicy, while others use mint.
This is my house blend mango chutney!
I added it when I simmered the rice.
The mango ties all the spices' individual flavors together,
and provides an even deeper depth of flavor to the dish.
Applied Spicing Technique
You could say it's an applied technique for spicing dishes!
In India, it's served on the side. It's just a condiment.
Adding chutney to the curry itself is a technique unique to Japan.
Huh.
I didn't know.
From a purist's perspective, this with breaks tradition,
but by doing so...
He avoided going overboard with adding more fats and animal products to the dish...
...but still managed to elevate the dish's flavor to another dimension!
In the recent past,
Yukihira-kun made a major error with an egg dish.
His omelette almost cost him his spot during the training camp.
His risotto was a complete defeat before his father's dish.
Omelette
Risotto
And yet he chose to bring those two dishes together in this match...
His father?
He has not wasted a single failure,
not in any of the 490 defeats he's suffered.
Hmph.
It sounds nice and all when you put it like that,
but you could say he doesn't know when to give up.
He isn't one to let a failure stay a failure.
Yukihira may keep his cool,
but he is the ultimate sore loser.
I did learn from experiencing failure.
That's just something a loser'd say to cover up his failure.
Failure is not an option for chefs!
This umami is weighty and rock solid.
Yet the aftertaste is surprisingly light!
Is this again due to the chutney?
But Hayama-kun's dish had richer fragrance.
Well, wait!
When you tangle the sauce into the rice,
the weight of the flavor is magnificent!
If you were to imagine Hayama-kun's curry
as a sharp spear with holy basil as its shaft,
this curry emanates its attack in waves.
Its taste is a series of combo attacks!
The two of them are using their weapons of choice...
Attacking each other in their own way, with all their might!
This is a battle between those who aim for the pinnacle of Totsuki!
Hey, that was no faint praise there.
Will the transfer student actually surpass Hayama Akira?
Well then, judges, scores please!
18!
19!
18!
19! 19!
The total score is...
...93 points!
Candidate Yukihira is in second place with 93 points!
Group A Ranking Hayama Akira Yukihira Soma Kurokiba Ryo Marui Zenji Ibusaki Shun
Man, so close.
Off by just one point?!
93 points...
Yukihira...
Second place, huh.
The same score...
Yukihira... Soma.
Well, I guess a transfer student couldn't have taken the top spot.
Hayama's like curry personified.
Th-Those points...
Of the five judges,
three gave Yukihira more points than Hayama.
Hayama Akira 94 points
Yukihira Soma 93 points
That's three to two.
If this had followed the rules of a Shokugeki...
Shokugeki
Gentlemen, how can you fail to appreciate how incredible a work of art that curry is?
How can you not appreciate the technique that took full advantage of holy basil?
But the topic in question is the curry dish.
It's not just about judging their selection of spices.
It's about how satisfying that one dish can be.
Hayama-kun's curry was superior in that respect, as well!
But it was Candidate Yukihira's dish that I wanted more and more of—
Shut up! You're just an extra!
You're being too emotional.
One who lacks a multidimensional perspective has no right to speak about gourmet food!
Why don't you resign from being a judge?
What did you just say?!
Um, stop! Please calm down!
This is why intellectual poseurs cause nothing but trouble!
Shut up, moustache!
Please! Please calm down!
They seem to be arguing,
but Hayama's in first place, right?
I think so.
He survived for now.
I'm looking forward to the main tournament, Yukihira Soma.
Hayama-kun!
thump thump thump thump
You're amazing, Hayama-kun!
In the main tournament, there can only be two outcomes: win or lose.
If those two end up facing each other,
who will win?
The diamonds in the rough from the 92nd class... It's their era.
So, we'll now celebrate
the conclusion of the Autumn Elections Preliminaries
with a party for a job well done!
So...
Cheers!
Megumi!
Nakiri Alice Arato Hisako Takumi Aldini Tadokoro Megumi Isami Aldini
Megumi!
Congrats on a Good Catch!
Well, now...
That was amazing, Megumi!
Maybe you'll even win!
Wh-What're you talking about?
Tadokoro Megumi.
Hojo-san.
I had you wrong.
I'll be cheering you on at the main tournament.
What?
If you need any help, just give me a holler.
Thank you, Hojo-san.
I knew you were awesome, Megumi!
Yuki-chan.
I'll be your head cheerleader at the main tournament!
Thanks.
Hey, Megumi.
Let's take a group photo.
Hey, they're calling you.
Oh, okay.
Yuki.
Fumio-san!
Thank you for cheering me on!
It's gonna get really busy!
We have to make a banner for Megumi and stuff.
Please help us, Fumio-san!
I'll make your favorite food tonight.
It was a good dish.
You did well.
Whoa!
That's really high-quality duck meat!
Good job!
You could tell just by looking?
Huh.
Rice malt has that effect, too?
That's very interesting.
Isn't it deep?
Still, I didn't know you had a cheerleading squad, Marui.
Yeah, my opinion of you has changed.
But you guys still use my room to have the party.
Here!
Badunk
Dig in, all of you.
O-Okay.
Thank you for inviting us. Isshiki-san.
Here!
Kadunk
There's a naked man wearing nothing but an apron wandering around.
Are we the weird ones for wearing clothes?
Why's no one saying anything?
Hey, where's Ibusaki-kun?
I bet he's holed up in his room.
He won't show it,
but I bet he was really frustrated.
I guess I don't have a choice.
I'll go drag him out.
The main tournament will be two weeks from now.
It'll decide who among the first-years, minus Nakiri Erina,
is the best chef.
Listen up, Yukihira!
I'll never forgive you if you lose before we get to face off!
Sure, fine by me.
Come at me!
Hey, Jun.
Getting all drunk by yourself and passing out...
This is even worse than usual.
Fine.
Hayama-kun, you might change the world...
Jun, I'll win the main tournament, too.
All for you...
...the one who found me.
Hey!
Why can't you come play with me for tonight, at least?
Your own cousin passed the prelims with the highest score!
It's your responsibility to celebrate.
Ryo-kun, don't you agree?
I don't care either way.
Hey!
Slap Slap Slap
You have to back me up, Ryo-kun!
Oh, I'm sorry.
Slap Slap
I still have some paperwork left to do tonight.
I'll have to take a rain check on the celebrations.
Hmph.
Fine, I'll give up for tonight.
I'll come again tomorrow.
Let's go, Ryo-kun.
'Kay.
Congratulations for passing the preliminaries!
Congratulations to you both, Alice and Kurokiba-kun.
Thanks.
My apologies.
I did inform them that you were busy.
There was nothing you could do.
It was Alice, after all.
Hisako, congratulations to you, too.
Of course, I expected you to pass the preliminaries,
but I'm still glad you did.
Do your best in the main tournament, as well.
I will!
I'll hone my skills even further
and win without fail!
Hisako-oneesama...
The fragrance that came wafting from that dish...
Fragrance...
Well, well, well, well? Well, well, well, well?
Don't come any closer!
Doesn't it look tasty?
It's disgusting!
Disgusting
Yukihira Soma...
Soma-kun.
Hey, Tadokoro.
What's up?
Um...
I just thought you didn't look like yourself, that's all.
Yeah?
Anyway, I heard you used local ingredients from your hometown in your curry.
Monk Fish?
Huh? Yeah.
Nicely done.
But it still hasn't really sunk in.
Expulsion
Six months ago, I was about to get expelled.
Oh, that brings back memories.
My first class was when we first paired up, right?
It's all thanks to you, Soma-kun.
I was able to come this far because of you.
Nah, you had it in you from the start.
Your cooking's good.
It warms you up inside, y'know?
I like your cooking.
Thanks. That makes me really happy.
What're they talking about?
Wait, why am I hiding in the shadows?
Oh?
They seem to be having a moment.
When'd you get here?!
Whoa!
Soma-kun, you were amazing, too.
You were Hayama-kun's equal, even though he's a curry specialist.
But I was one point short.
I went in gunning to win.
I wanted to get 20 points from all five of them.
Serious
O-Oh, I see.
Hayama made full use of a spice I didn't even know about,
and made an amazing dish.
I want to learn a lot more about the food world.
I want to experience a lot of different ingredients and cooking techniques.
Experience real cooking, expand my repertoire,
and leverage all of it in my next dishes.
I want to be better!
Hey!
We're starting the second round!
The night's still young!
Boomerang!
Bam!
Isshiki-senpai's third form!
It's a racing swimsuit!
What?!
Drink up, Ibusaki! Rice juice!
You're laying it on real thick.
Yukihira!
I'll defeat you for sure!
He seems to be in a weird mood.
When he's spinning like that, you can just leave him alone.
So cold to your own family!
Wow, this is super high quality meat!
Fumio-san, you went all out!
Thanks for the food!
Wait, assholes!
Using sauce on that wagyu beef
will destroy its delicate umami!
Do you have any respect for meat?!
I... I'm so sorry, Nikumi-san.
Don't call me Nikumi!
The only one who can call me that is...
Hey, look at what you're making me say!
You asshole!
All right, let me make a dish to cheer people up.
The look in his eyes says he's about to make another outlier!
Yukihira, stay put!
You don't have to make anything, Soma-kun.
Well, I've already made it, see.
Dig in!
It's calamari with yogurt.
Oh, God!
No!
Glad You Liked It
Thank you for the food.