Chapter 49

Chapter 49

Lee Yu-han excitedly continued.

"Western food could work too! First, 'Sous Vide Pork Jowl Steak with Truffle Mashed Potatoes'! Pork jowl cooked slowly at low temperature until it's incredibly tender, paired with potato puree full of truffle aroma. What do you think?"

"What's that exactly? Hmm, it sounds pretty good."

"Right? Next is something you'd find at a high-end restaurant! 'Lobster Rosé Pasta'! Plump lobster meat in a spicy and creamy rosé sauce! Women would absolutely love it! And finally, 'Mini Grilled Lamb Chops with Mint Jelly'! Tender lamb without any strong smell, paired with refreshing mint jelly. Perfect with wine too."

Every menu Lee Yu-han suggested sounded glamorous and delicious.

Just as he said, they seemed perfect for attracting younger customers.

Since they had Poming, and Hong Man-gi himself had already gained several cooking-related abilities, practicing all those dishes would not be difficult if they had enough time.

However, after listening to everything, Hong Man-gi quietly shook his head.

"Hmm. They all sound delicious, but... something feels slightly lacking."

"What part, Hunter Hong Man-gi?"

Lee Yu-han asked in confusion.

"Japanese and Western food are both great, but when I think about the nature of Blue and White Cooking King... and the direction Full Moon Restaurant is trying to follow... I feel like a Korean-based fusion dish that's more familiar and enjoyable for people of all ages might be more competitive."

Rather than simply making something flashy or trendy, Hong Man-gi seemed to want food that could move people's hearts and comfort them.

Something with his own personality.

"And instead of something too luxurious, I'd prefer food that carries the warmth and familiarity we had during the food cart days. Something different age groups can understand and enjoy."

Lee Yu-han nodded as though he agreed.

"Hmm, that makes sense. The things I suggested are probably things other people can make too. Especially if they're experienced or trained at Michelin-level restaurants...."

At that moment, Poming, who had quietly listened to both men, suddenly raised one tiny paw.

"Chef! In that case, Poming has three absolutely incredible ideas! Want to hear them?"

"Oh? What are they?"

Hong Man-gi's eyes sparkled.

Poming's ideas could sometimes be strange.

But as a top-class cooking-specialized summoned creature, most of them were creative and attractive.

Poming puffed out her tiny chest and cleared her throat.

Then she announced her first menu in a clear voice.

"Very well! Poming's first ultimate-dish candidate for Blue and White Cooking King! Drumrollllll! Spicy Cream Jeyuk Rice Bowl!"

"Sp, Spicy Cream Jeyuk Rice Bowl?"

Hong Man-gi and Lee Yu-han stared blankly at each other.

Spicy Cream Jeyuk Rice Bowl.

The name alone sounded unfamiliar and slightly strange.

The spiciness of stir-fried pork combined with smooth cream.

It was difficult to imagine the flavor.

"Spicy cream... jeyuk rice bowl?"

Lee Yu-han tilted his head.

"Would that actually taste good? Stir-fried pork and cream don't sound like they fit together."

Poming looked toward Hong Man-gi with sparkling eyes.

"Hehe, does Chef think that too?"

Hong Man-gi crossed his arms and thought.

Poming's ideas were always unpredictable.

But there was usually some unusual charm hidden inside them.

Thinking there was probably something special behind this idea too, Hong Man-gi asked gently,

"I'm not sure. Just from the name, I can't really imagine it. Can you explain it in more detail, Poming?"

Poming proudly raised her shoulders as if she had been waiting for that question.

"The core concept of Spicy Cream Jeyuk Rice Bowl is this! Numbing chili oil and smooth fresh cream, two worlds that could never meet, finally encounter each other on top of one bowl of rice like destiny!"

"The slogan sounds pretty good."

"Right? Hehe... Doesn't it already sound exciting, Chef?"

Poming moved dramatically as though introducing a television drama preview.

"No, I mean, what exactly is it?"

Hong Man-gi asked while holding back laughter.

"Exactly! How do you actually make it?"

Lee Yu-han joined in impatiently.

Poming looked satisfied by their reactions.

She cleared her throat and began explaining the recipe properly.

Her tiny paws sliced through the air as she described the cooking process.

"First, the basic foundation is something all of us know! Korean soul food! Spicy-sweet stir-fried pork using a gochujang and soy sauce base!"

[Sizzle, sizzle]

As Poming spoke, Hong Man-gi and Lee Yu-han imagined pork cooking loudly in a hot pan.

Red-seasoned meat slowly becoming deliciously cooked.

A familiar sight that made saliva gather in their mouths.

"Up to this point, it's ordinary, right? But this is where Poming's recipe truly begins! Just as the stir-fried pork is almost finished, during the final stage, we add two magical ingredients!"

"Magical ingredients?"

Lee Yu-han's eyes sparkled.

"Yes! Smooth fresh cream, the symbol of softness, and milk, the king of rich flavor!"

[Bubble, bubble]

Inside their imagination, white cream and milk flowed over the spicy red pork.

Two colors and textures that seemed as though they should never work together slowly mixed.

It created a strange sense of tension and anticipation.

"Come on, Poming. Wait a second! If we put fresh cream and milk into spicy pork, won't it become too greasy? Wouldn't the flavor get weird?"

Hong Man-gi frowned.

Based on his cooking and eating experience, it was difficult to accept immediately.

"Chef! Nope! Nope!"

Poming firmly shook her head.

"That's exactly the key point! The fresh cream and milk gently wrap around the heaviness of the gochujang and the greasiness of the pork. Meanwhile, the spiciness of the stir-fried pork cuts through the richness of the cream! Each side fixes the other's weakness and makes the strengths even better! It's like... hmm... Ah! Like rosé pasta! But since this uses a Korean base, it'll have an even deeper and richer flavor!"

After hearing Poming's explanation, the combination no longer seemed completely ridiculous.

Rosé sauce itself mixed tomato and cream.

And rosé tteokbokki, which combined spicy sauce and cream, was already widely popular.

"And that's not the end!"

Poming continued excitedly.

"Once the Spicy Cream Jeyuk is finished, we pile it generously over hot rice. Then we finish everything with the three ultimate toppings!"

"Three toppings?"

Lee Yu-han swallowed.

"Yes! First, grilled green onion! The sweetness of the onion and smoky flavor will raise the jeyuk even higher! Second, crispy garlic chips! The sharp garlic aroma and crispy texture will cut through the richness and make every bite more fun! And the grand finale, sprinkle just a little Parmesan cheese powder on top to finish the flavor and improve the appearance! Spicy Korean food meeting rich cheese! How could that possibly taste bad?"

[Sprinkle, crunch]

In their imagination, the toppings appeared one by one over the rice bowl.

The sweet aroma of grilled green onion.

The rich sharpness of garlic chips.

The salty depth of Parmesan cheese.

The red and white sauce mixed over the pork, along with the colorful toppings, looked incredibly appetizing.

"Hmm...."

"Oh... wait. The more I think about it, the better it sounds."

Hong Man-gi and Lee Yu-han swallowed dryly without realizing it.

Just listening to Poming made them feel as if they had already finished an entire bowl.

"Khaa... Poming, are you actually... a genius?"

Hong Man-gi asked with genuine admiration.

"Exactly, Poming! This really sounds amazing! It sounds delicious just hearing about it!"

Lee Yu-han enthusiastically agreed.

Poming proudly puffed out her chest.

"Ahem! That's how strong Poming's cooking instincts are! Now, should we summarize the advantages of Spicy Cream Jeyuk Rice Bowl?"

"Advantages?"

Poming moved one paw like a tiny teacher.

"First! It can strongly appeal to younger customers! Young people these days love spicy and intense flavors mixed with smooth cream, right? Perfect!"

"Yeah, that's true. What's next?"

"Second! It combines the familiar charm of Korean food with the trendy feeling of Western food! Familiar novelty is the strongest weapon!"

"Right."

"Third! And this might be the most important, it can create incredible reactions on television! The judges take one bite and...."

"And?"

"'What is this ridiculous-looking dish?! Why does it taste so good?!' Their eyes widen like this! Isn't that exciting just imagining it?"

Hong Man-gi and Lee Yu-han had no choice but to agree.

Spicy Cream Jeyuk Rice Bowl had flavor, appearance, and enough novelty to attract attention.

It clearly had the potential to capture both judges and viewers on a competitive show like Blue and White Cooking King.

"Good, Poming. The first signature-dish candidate is decided."

Hong Man-gi continued with satisfaction.

"We'll buy the ingredients tomorrow and make it immediately. If it tastes the way your recipe sounds, I have a feeling we'll create something incredible."

"Yes, Chef! Trust Poming!"

The restaurant filled with anticipation over the new menu and fiery excitement about challenging Blue and White Cooking King.

Lee Yu-han smiled happily.

Then he said,

"Considering the format of the program, we'll probably need two or three dishes. Don't you have anything else?"

Poming immediately answered as though she had been waiting.

"Of course! Why wouldn't I? Didn't I say I had three ideas? Hehe."

Hong Man-gi's eyes widened.

"Good. What's the second one?"

"Hmm."

Poming narrowed her eyes dramatically.

"Black Sesame Teriyaki Pork Belly Braise!"