Bon Appetit, Your Majesty (2025) s01e05 Episode Script

1
BON APPÉTIT, YOUR MAJESTY
- Miss.
- Ask her what is wrong.
- I have no idea.
- Miss!
- What made you so angry?
- I'll kill you all!
What is this noise?
The palace was quiet for a while.
His Majesty must have
called the performers again.
The palace is full of unrest as it is.
I doubt it is the performers.
We have been here long enough.
It is obviously the performers.
Let us hurry and prepare
His Majesty's chojoban
before he reprimands us
for serving him late.
CHOJOBAN: EARLY MORNING MEAL
THAT USUALLY INCLUDES SOOTHING FOOD
Sure.
What are you doing?
You are scaring me.
Good morning.
I have no idea
why she stayed up all night doing that.
I must go to Saongwon,
Office of Royal Meals.
Then take me with you.
Man-su, it seems we are out of firewood.
Oh no. That is not good news.
What is the matter, miss?
Look at your face.
What happened
that made you look so haggard?
There is no one but us now, so tell me.
- You're so dead!
- My goodness!
Do I have to cook hangover soup
for that punk?
It's such a shame
I don't have gochugaru, chili powder.
Poor dried pollack.
It died twice.
Miss, what are you making
that requires such work?
What?
I was going to cook
dried pollack hangover soup,
but this is an insult to the fish.
- Right?
- Yes.
I am embarrassed to face it. Oh dear.
Take this, Gil-geum.
What for?
I'm going to
turn all this into powder.
I'm going to destroy you!
Miss!
COURSE N° 5 SNOWFLAKE SCHNITZEL
Your Majesty, your chojoban is ready.
Bring it in.
YI HEON
KING OF JOSEON
Your Majesty, are you all right?
You are here.
You had too much to drink last night,
so I prepared a dried pollack consommé
to soothe your hangover.
CONSOMMÉ: A FRENCH-STYLE CLEAR SOUP
A dried pollack consumed in hay?
Yes.
It's a French-style soup
made with dried pollack.
A soup made with dried pollack?
- Taste it.
- Yes, Your Majesty.
CHOI MAL-IM
KING'S SENIOR COURT LADY
Did you not say
this was a dried pollack soup?
Where is the dried pollack?
I crushed the fish into small pieces
to make it easier to eat.
Have some more.
See if you feel anything bothering you.
Though I'm sure you won't feel anything.
Everyone but the chief royal cook
may leave.
- Yes, Your Majesty.
- Yes, Your Majesty.
Tell me.
Did something happen last night?
I was going to ask you.
Do you not remember
what happened last night?
Well, I was drinking.
And then?
One drinks to forget.
So why would I remember anything?
So you're saying
you don't remember anything at all, right?
How dare you?
You are speaking out of line.
Why do you keep asking?
"Stay as you are."
"Just for a while."
You don't remember that?
What was that?
I'd rather not explain any further.
Are you done?
Why are you acting like this?
Tell it to me straight.
Your Majesty.
Let me make one thing very clear.
You're not my style at all, okay?
What? Not your sty?
No. I'm talking about ideal types.
The type that I like.
You're not at all
the kind of man that I like.
Have you forgotten?
You are my chief royal cook.
That means
I do not see you as a woman.
That's perfect.
So what is there to make clear?
I'm so sick and tired of this.
I won't beat around the bush.
Your Majesty.
From now on, watch where you… No.
Watch out
when you drink at night, all right?
Very well.
I will be careful when I drink at night.
- Take the food away.
- Yes, Your Majesty.
My goodness.
Chang-seon.
CHANG-SEON
CHIEF EUNUCH OF ROYAL FOOD
Did you ask for me, Your Majesty?
Did something happen
to the chief royal cook
at Unyeongjeong last night?
Yesterday, she…
What happened to her?
Well…
You laid your lips upon hers,
Your Majesty.
I laid my lips
upon the chief royal cook's own?
I brought your juansang--
Stay still.
Your Majesty…
Stay as you are.
Just for a while.
Do you not remember
what happened last night?
Your Majesty, from now on,
watch out
when you drink at night, all right?
What on earth do I do about this?
It would be better for us both
to ignore what happened.
No. Considering what I did to her,
it would be best to soothe her anger.
Wait.
Why should I
even worry about this?
I am the king of this nation,
and Cook Yeon is just my cook.
The more I think about it,
the less sense it makes.
He doesn't remember, huh?
Man, how ridiculous. That punk.
I understand he blacked out,
but how can he be so shameless?
I didn't even expect an apology.
This is just absurd.
Is something bothering you?
Why are you mumbling to yourself?
Who are you? Do you know me?
GONG-GIL
YEONHUIGUN'S JESTER WITH MANY SECRETS
Do you not recognize me?
I asked because I don't.
Surely you're not a new cook.
What the heck?
You're that jester from the other night.
Gong-gil?
That is right.
I apologize for startling you that night.
Did you
come here to deceive me
and call it another performance?
Let me tell you something.
I got promoted to chief royal cook.
It's a sixth-rank junior position.
The head of the royal kitchen.
That sure is intimidating.
A sixth-rank junior official.
Are you laughing?
I'm warning you right now.
Very well.
I will not mock you again.
By the way, is that maid all right?
Gil-geum, was it?
Someone suddenly hit me and made me fall.
That's when I smacked my head
on the ground.
A man suddenly appeared
and shouted at the culprit.
It was the handsome jester, Gong-gil.
Oh.
Yes. Gil-geum is fine and well.
Did you see who did that to her?
I did not see.
However,
the color of her attire
was that of a court lady.
I saw the hem of her skirt, you see.
A court lady?
Who on earth would do that?
Tell Gil-geum to watch out for a while.
I will.
Gil-geum is grateful for your help.
It was nothing at all.
I only ran into her
while looking for someone.
Who were you looking for?
Sometimes ignorance is bliss.
Okay.
Goodbye then.
I hope to see you again, Chief Royal Cook.
What's wrong with him?
This place is filled with weirdos.
I just can't get used to this.
Who is that?
She was taken to Jahongwon
and returned home dead.
This is all because of that damned king!
You said you would live a comfortable life
in the palace.
Why did you come back dead?
Ok-dan…
If I watch you closely,
I will soon find out.
After all, I have found the owner
of the binyeo that my older sister
held tight even in death.
Are you certain
that Gong-gil did not see you
during the competition?
Yes, Your Grace. Do not concern yourself.
Could it be that the lowly jester
has grown fond of the gwinyeo?
How interesting.
If the jester has secretly developed
feelings for the gwinyeo,
he will get in the way at every turn.
Get someone who can be trusted
to find out all they can about Gong-gil.
I must find out why he suddenly
took a part in the gwinyeo's affairs.
Yes, Your Grace.
Also,
tell the chief eunuch
that I wish to speak with His Majesty
after the morning assembly today.
Yes, Your Grace. I will tell him so.
Your Majesty,
I believe the letters from the ministers
require your immediate attention.
What are these letters of appeal about?
It is a request that you reduce
the amount of ginseng
the Hwanghae Governor renders tribute.
They want the amount to be reduced?
Yes, Your Majesty. Ginseng smuggling
has recently become rampant in Kaesong,
and they are short on supply
to send to the palace.
Moreover, the Ming envoy
who will reach Hanyang in four days
is thought to mention this matter as well.
What?
As if buying Joseon ginseng
in secret is not enough,
they will make it a diplomatic issue?
Does the Ming want all the ginseng
Joseon can grow?
Nothing is for sure yet.
Please calm yourself, Your Majesty.
Tell me.
Who is the chief envoy this time?
The leader of the Imperial Eight,
also known as the eight directors
who seized power
with the Emperor's support…
THE IMPERIAL EIGHT: EIGHT EUNUCHS
(DIRECTORS) FAVORED BY THE MING EMPEROR
…Yu Kun.
Yu Kun?
Is he not the eunuch
who punished the Ming envoy
who returned after agreeing
to no longer take Joseon women as tribute
two years ago?
It is he, Your Majesty.
What is he scheming?
Why would that man
come in person as a chief envoy?
Find out exactly
what his true intent could be.
Yes, Your Majesty.
I will send word
to the reception official and find out.
Your Majesty.
Last night,
while partaking in your juansang,
you and the chief royal…
- Please forget it, Your Majesty.
- Do not stop midway.
Continue.
Is it true that while partaking
in your juansang last night,
you and the chief royal cook…
Is it true that you did that?
What?
Forgive me, Your Majesty.
Let us head to the morning assembly.
No, wait!
Come here.
I had a lot to drink,
and I think I bestowed
the brazen woman with my favor.
However, instead of being grateful,
her already unattractive face
is brimming with spite.
I cannot stand the sight.
How dare you laugh at me?
Your Majesty.
Women, by nature,
are easily swayed by gifts.
Gifts?
Is it not enough that I bestowed my favor?
Must I also give her a gift?
If her unattractive face
were to become even more unattractive,
it would torment you to have to
look at it every day, would it not?
It would indeed.
Then tell me.
What should I give someone like her
to make her feel better?
Silk?
A binyeo, hairpin?
Or a ring?
No, not those things.
You cannot gift a woman just anything,
Your Majesty.
Then what?
What is most important
is that you find out what she likes
and give her that.
How am I to know what she likes?
That is why
women are hard to grasp.
The Grand Royal Queen Dowager
prefers books to jewels,
and Her Grace Consort Kang
prefers jewels to books.
They are both women,
and yet they like different things.
I respectfully advise you
to ponder this carefully, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty.
A group of envoys will arrive in Hanyang
four days from today
with an edict from the Ming Emperor.
So I heard.
How are the preparations going?
A temporary reception office
has been set up,
and Second Minister of Rites
Yoo Hyeong-min left for Yangju
with a retinue to do his duty
as the reception official.
The envoy's route from the entrance
to the capital, Namdaemun,
to Taepyeonggwan, Official Reception Hall,
has been cleaned.
Furthermore, to entertain the envoys,
we summoned a great many jesters
for a grand welcome celebration.
Once the official business is done,
we will float boats on the Han River
where the envoys can write
and exchange poems with our scholars.
What about the preparations
for the farewell ceremony?
We prepared gifts
for them to take on their return,
including 200 pieces of silver bullion.
What?
Two hundred pieces of silver?
Yes, Your Majesty.
That is not all.
The silver must be taken to the border,
and that requires eight men per cart,
a total of around sixty men.
It will reduce
what is in our coffers by half.
Your Majesty.
This is something that must be done
to sustain our amicable relationship
with the Ming.
However, it is true
that 200 pieces of silver are too much.
That is right. The previous envoy
did not return with that much silver.
The previous envoy was a civil official
well-known in the Ming,
and he did not care much
for monetary goods.
However, the envoy
we are expecting this time
is known for being haughty and greedy,
even in his homeland.
An excess can be remedied later on,
but we will not have time
to make up for a deficiency.
It is only right to be well-prepared.
I agree with the Chief State Councilor.
We do not yet know
what the envoy will demand,
and we cannot ignore
their authority and influence.
Would it not be best to host the envoys
- without incident?
- Enough!
That is enough.
Our state coffers
are filled with the blood, sweat,
and hard work of my people.
And yet
you have no plans to secure our resources
and only aim to pander to them
and cower before their whims.
You do not know what he will demand,
so you prepared gifts
and 200 pieces of silver?
And you still claim that you are acting
in the people's interest?
Can you, without shame,
say that you are acting in the interest
of the country and its people?
However, Your Majesty,
we cannot simply demand our wishes
- when it comes to diplomatic issues.
- The taxes paid by the Joseon people
belong to the Joseon royal family.
Prepare only the minimum of gifts
and silver bullion,
and keep the reception of the envoys
in the most modest manner.
- Yes, Your Majesty.
- Yes, Your Majesty.
- We will do as you command.
- We will do as you command.
Your Majesty.
Step back.
- Yes, Your Majesty.
- Yes, Your Majesty.
What is it?
Yi Jang-gyun was found collapsed
at Banchon Village this morning.
- Is he alive?
- Yes, Your Majesty.
He is unconscious
due to the severe injury.
Where is he now?
What about the draft?
I did not find it.
I took him somewhere safe
and had a physician treat him.
And?
He disappeared without a trace.
- He disappeared?
- Yes, Your Majesty.
There were no signs of an intrusion,
so it seems he got away on his own.
Where would an injured man go?
Someone must still be after his life.
I am certain of it.
Who?
Who would do this?
Select a few nimble,
tight-lipped soldiers and find him.
Yes, Your Majesty.
You must hurry.
Your Majesty.
Her Grace Consort Kang
wishes to have an audience with you.
I shall escort you to Jahongwon.
I do not
wish to see anyone today.
But Your Majesty…
Your Majesty.
These are butterfly hairpins.
Yes, I like these.
Leave us.
What is it?
His Majesty left the hall of governance,
but he is headed to his chambers.
What?
Did the chief eunuch inform him
that I wished to see him?
Yes, Your Grace.
So this is how he chooses to act.
Drag the queen out!
Let go of me!
How dare you do this to me?
Your Majesty, how could you--
Enough! Drag her away!
- Let go of me.
- Please stand up, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty!
A king is one who fathoms.
He must fathom his family, the heavens,
and the hearts of others.
What does fathom mean?
You will understand
what that means when you grow up.
Your Majesty.
This is the way to the royal kitchen.
Why did I come here?
Are you going to eat or not? Open up.
I'm glad to see you enjoying it.
I'm sure you had
a lot to think about today.
It's just like how being a king
comes with perks,
but also challenges and hardships.
Why am I thinking of you
when my heart feels heavy?
Someone must still be after his life.
I am certain of it.
Not even I have seen
the draft of the historical record.
So who is chasing Principal Drafter Yi
so viciously and why?
Your Majesty, it is I, Court Lady Choi.
You may enter.
Your Majesty.
- Your seoksura, evening meal--
- Leave it.
Pardon?
- Then--
- Enough.
I do not
wish to eat anything tonight.
Yes, Your Majesty.
His Majesty remains in his chambers
without eating his meal?
Something does not feel right.
Did you hear that last night,
he touched lips with the chief royal cook
who brought his juansang to Unyeongjeong?
Yes, Your Grace.
However, His Majesty was drunk--
It was not purely because he was drunk.
All incidents are preceded by a sign.
Then…
The chief royal cook's presence itself
is a thorn in my side.
What would you like to be done?
If he will not see me,
I have no choice but to go see him myself.
His Majesty's physical examination
is coming up, is it not?
Yes. It is in two days' time.
Grand Prince Jesan
will visit the palace that day.
What if
I served His Majesty a meal that day?
It would be the perfect way
to win back His Majesty's favor.
What should I serve him?
His Majesty will skip his seoksura.
Okay.
Wait, what?
He's skipping his evening meal? Why?
I do not know why,
but His Majesty said not to bring in
any food today.
He won't eat? That's odd.
It sure is.
He rarely misses a meal.
It truly is worrisome.
I'll prepare his meal anyway.
If he refuses to eat, so be it.
Do you have a good idea?
I have to at least try.
Yes, do that.
I shall get going.
- Goodbye.
- Goodbye, Eunuch Yoon.
- Oh dear. What do we do?
- Let's go.
- What was that?
- Le…
- What?
- Lego!
This competition was the chance
to replace the chief royal cook.
I have no excuse for my failure,
Your Grace.
This is your last chance
to become the chief royal cook.
Your Grace. This is…
It is arsenic.
Watch for the right time
and add that to the meal
the gwinyeo makes for His Majesty.
SEOKSURA
CHICKEN FRICASSEE
A FRENCH CREAM STEW WITH CHICKEN
What?
CHOJOBAN
Your Majesty. Your chojoban is ready.
He really should try this though.
NATGEOTSANG
Your Majesty, your natgeotsang,
daytime meal, is ready.
SEOKSURA
What a long day it was.
- You did well today.
- You too, Gil-geum.
Oh, are you not going inside?
No. You go ahead.
- Okay. Do not stay out too long.
- Okay.
How did I end up like this?
It feels like yesterday
that I won La Poêle d'Or.
This feels so unreal.
I wonder how Dad is doing.
I miss him.
I hope he's not skipping meals
like His Majesty is.
Oh my. I must be losing my mind.
What did I just see?
Isn't he hungry at all?
Food is what keeps us going.
What on earth is making him skip meals?
Goodness.
Oh, our dear princess,
is this little bite good enough for you?
Here you go.
This is what we call "tableside service."
Watching and enjoying
the food being prepared before your eyes
stimulates the appetite.
I'll show you.
Open your mouth.
Am I thinking of you because I am hungry,
or am I hungry
because I am thinking of you?
I cannot tell.
Chang-seon.
Yes, Your Majesty.
When will they serve my evening meal?
Pardon?
Did you just ask about your evening meal,
Your Majesty?
Yes.
I am hungry.
Your Majesty, your seoksura is ready.
Bring it in.
It has been a while, Chief Royal Cook.
Yes. It has been a while, Your Majesty.
So, what did you bring me this evening?
You didn't eat at all today,
so I made chicken soup
to soothe your stomach.
CHICKEN SOUP: A CLEAR CHICKEN BROTH
WITH MEAT AND VEGETABLES
"Swoop"?
It's like a rice gruel
flavored with chicken broth.
They call it "soup" in foreign countries.
In case you get an upset stomach,
I only prepared dongchimi,
radish water kimchi,
as an easily-digestible side dish
to spark your appetite.
Taste it.
Yes, Your Majesty.
It is delicious.
What is this feeling?
Why do I feel so proud?
Why does my heart
race so fast
when I see you?
GRAND PRINCE JESAN'S RESIDENCE
Was it not
the anniversary of your younger brother
Kim I-son's death recently?
It was, Your Highness.
He died so suddenly.
Your brother passed so suddenly
during the Muin Literati Purge,
as well as my friends
and the brothers of many officials.
That is why
we got together, did we not?
Yes, Your Highness.
Then why
did you send an assassin
to Salgoji Forest without my permission?
With your family
almost wiped out because of the purge,
I am sure you were ashamed
to have survived by yourself
just because you were
His Majesty's lecturer.
Even so, you should not have
acted out alone
like that.
I thought and believed
that there would be no better opportunity.
I apologize, Your Highness.
You provoked His Majesty,
who had been calm since the purge.
The day you are discovered, all of us…
will have to pay the price.
This is a deed to some land in Yeoju.
You should be able to support your family
for the rest of your life.
Grand Prince Jesan
found out that I was behind
the attack in Salgoji Forest.
You have to live like the dead
from now on.
Get him!
So Grand Prince Jesan
was the one behind Kim Yang-son?
How interesting.
The foul stench spreads wide.
You lost him yet again?
I apologize, Your Highness.
He must be no ordinary guy.
That little rat.
I will kill him at all costs
and eliminate all future threats.
You have lost him already…
and you will never be able to
find him again.
However,
he tried to assassinate His Majesty.
He will surely show himself again.
If you make a mistake again,
it will be your head
that will get cut off.
I will remember that, Your Highness.
His Majesty has started to eat
the meals prepared by the chief royal cook
since last night?
Yes, Your Grace.
I heard it from one of the maids
at His Majesty's quarters.
Send word
to the royal kitchen immediately.
For His Majesty, a gourmet,
I will prepare the natgeotsang
after the physical examination today.
Yes, Your Grace.
Deliver this to Cook Maeng.
Yes, Your Grace.
I will not sit back
and let the chief royal cook be this time.
I will show her myself
that one can burn
if they approach the sun recklessly.
Here it comes.
- Here it is.
- Eunuch Yoon.
Greetings.
- My gosh.
- Here.
- It is beef.
- Beef?
I got the best from Banchon Village.
My word. Look at this precious thing!
It must've been freshly butchered.
It has a nice sheen and lovely marbling.
It's really fresh.
It sure is.
I can smell the distinct,
rich aroma of fresh meat.
We have meat in Saongwon too.
Why did you go all the way
to Banchon Village?
Today is the day
of His Majesty's physical examination,
so Grand Prince Jesan
will visit the palace.
Use this to prepare
a special royal meal for them.
What exactly is a physical examination?
It is a day when Grand Prince Jesan,
the Superintendent of Saongwon,
visits the palace
to examine His Majesty's health in detail
with the royal physician.
Oh, it's like a checkup.
A checkup?
Well, I guess you could call it that.
Then will His Majesty
and Grand Prince Jesan
dine together today?
Yes.
Prepare the natgeotsang
so they can dine together.
Okay, understood.
- Goodbye.
- All right.
- Goodbye.
- Goodbye.
So who is this Grand Prince Jesan?
I believe he is the cousin
of His Majesty's father,
the late king.
Oh, he's a member of the royal family.
Wait.
Grand Prince Jesan?
Doesn't Grand Prince Jinmyeong
take the throne after a revolt?
I'm all confused now.
Since we're expecting a special guest,
the menu…
How about we have a meeting
to discuss the food?
- A meeting?
- Yes.
- I mean--
- Let us hurry up and gather round.
A meeting?
My goodness.
Cook Maeng.
Yes, my lady. What brings you here?
Her Grace will serve
the natgeotsang herself today.
You are to prepare what is written here.
Her Grace will serve it herself?
- But we have a chief royal--
- Do not talk back.
Very well. I understand.
BAEKMAJATANG, HWANGJAGYE HONDONTANG
They are both made with hens.
Can you make this side a little rounder?
Like this?
I think that's good.
All right.
We're expecting a special guest today,
so I'd like to prepare something special.
Where's Cook Maeng?
Oh, well…
Here I am.
Her Grace Consort Kang
will serve today's natgeotsang.
What are you talking about?
I received an order to prepare the meal
for His Majesty and Grand Prince Jesan
to have after the physical examination.
Did you?
Well, this is uncalled for.
Does that mean
you will be in charge of cooking?
Yes. I apologize.
Why would you apologize?
We have no say in these matters.
You can do as she said then.
However, I didn't receive
His Majesty's order saying otherwise,
so I'll prepare my natgeotsang as planned.
Yes, she is right.
If we do not prepare anything
and His Majesty says,
"I did not command such a thing,"
we will be the ones to lose our lives.
I understand.
Cook Min, I need you to assist me.
Yes, I will.
All right then.
Shall I explain the food?
- Gil-geum?
- Yes.
Today's dish is…
schnitzel.
What? What did you say?
Schni…
In other words,
it's a favorite of Koreans,
regardless of their age or gender.
- Pork cutlet.
- "Cutlet"?
I have never heard of it before.
Pound it to spread it thin.
- And cut through the connective tissue.
- Okay.
That's it. Good.
Cut it this long
and then cut it into quarters.
Good.
This is harder than I thought.
Take the meat that you flattened,
season it with salt and pepper,
cover both sides with flour,
and coat it with beaten eggs.
Since we don't have breadcrumbs,
we'll use snowflakes
made with fried loose batter.
Press it down hard so it sticks.
Fry that in oil, and it's game over.
This is what we call
schnitzel.
- Shay…
- Schnitzel.
- Shay…
- No, "sch."
We'll deep-fry burdock to serve as a side
and make a sauce with raspberry jam.
- Do you know this famous saying?
- What is it?
"Even a shoe tastes good when it's fried."
"Even a shoe tastes good when it's fried."
This is amazing, miss.
Good.
It's not ready yet.
- You have to cut it up before eating.
- Oh dear.
You are going to put a knife on the table?
However small it may be,
a knife on His Majesty's table
means every one of us loses our heads.
I do not think we should, miss.
The knife is threatening, huh?
Then we'll do the cutting beforehand.
You use such strange words.
What was it? "Cut tea"?
"Cotty"?
She said "cotton."
That looks good.
Her Grace Consort Kang has arrived.
Oh goodness.
Is it done?
Yes, Your Grace. The tables are set.
That will do. Well done.
How dare you look at Her Grace like that?
Pardon?
- I didn't look at her.
- You dare talk back to me?
Talk back?
No. What I meant was--
Enough.
It is only natural that one cannot
take their eyes off something beautiful.
This place is so crowded and messy.
I will prepare a change of clothes,
Your Grace.
Let us stop by Jahongwon on the way.
- Hurry.
- Yes, Your Grace.
Oh my god.
Damn her.
It was plated so perfectly.
- Let's hurry and plate it again.
- Yes, miss.
So, how is His Majesty's condition?
I examined if his stomach
had weakened from fasting,
but he is in good health.
However, to prevent upsetting his stomach,
he should refrain from having cold food
for a while.
What if he were to take
bellflower root extract
or braised black beans after a meal?
That would be an excellent choice.
What do you think, Your Majesty?
You never visit the royal kitchen, Uncle,
yet you only show concern for my health
at my monthly examination.
As the Superintendent of Saongwon,
it is my duty to monitor your health,
Your Majesty.
You only flaunt your title
at times like this.
I will make sure
to inform those in the royal kitchen.
What are you waiting for?
Announce Her Grace's arrival.
Your Majesty.
- Your natgeotsang is ready.
- Bring it in.
Your Majesty,
I hope you have been in good health.
Your Highness,
it has been a while since we last met.
Consort Kang, what is all this?
I heard about your physical examination
taking place this afternoon
and hurriedly prepared your natgeotsang.
Did you make all this?
I prepared something special
for both you and His Highness
with the assistance of Cook Maeng.
The other natgeotsang
was prepared by the chief royal cook
and the other cooks at the royal kitchen.
Should you not have informed
the royal kitchen
so you could serve just one dish?
I knew you'd get told off.
In your face.
That is what I clearly
instructed them to do,
but when I arrived at the royal kitchen,
the chief royal cook's dish
was already prepared.
She must have thought
my food would not be good enough.
What's this childish move?
She probably prepared a meal
because I did not give a direct order.
Then you should enjoy
your usual natgeotsang
and consider my humble dish
a modest token of my sincerity.
I shall.
Your Majesty, it is truly admirable
how much Her Grace cares for you.
Are you the chief royal cook?
Yes. She is the newly appointed
chief royal cook at the royal kitchen.
You must be the Cook Yeon
I heard many rumors about.
It is a pleasure to meet you.
I heard of your visit,
so I prepared something special.
I hope it's to your taste.
I look forward to it.
She is a great beauty
and speaks without fear.
Taste the food.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Is this chogyetang, cold chicken soup?
It is baekmajatang.
It is a cold chicken soup
made with a broth prepared by simmering
a young hen for an extended time,
then finished with shredded chicken
and ground sesame seeds.
It invigorates the organs
and helps fight the summer heat,
so it is almost medicinal.
I prepared it especially for you,
Your Majesty.
I was told to avoid cold foods.
What is this dish, Your Grace?
That is called hwangjagye hondontang.
The bones of a yellow-feathered hen
called hwangjagye
were boiled for a long time.
A characteristic of the dish
is the seasoned chicken filling
wrapped like dumplings and boiled.
I prepared a soothing meal for you,
Your Highness,
as you are quite the drinker.
It smells delicious.
Both dishes are made with only hen meat.
That is correct.
All things female may look different
on the outside,
but they are the same on the inside.
I prepared the dishes,
hoping you would consider them a lesson
that teaches you to stay away from women
and focus on your duties as a king.
Wait. Is she saying I'm a hen?
How ridiculous.
That is truly commendable.
I will keep that in mind.
What is the dish
that you specially prepared for us,
Chief Royal Cook?
What did you make today?
The dish I prepared today
is a German dish called schnitzel.
"Shiny shell"?
My goodness.
That is not it, Your Majesty.
It is sunchae.
You might not know what it is,
but sunchae is an edible vegetable
very similar to lotus leaf.
Sunchae.
- Oh, sunchae?
- Yes.
What…
What did you say this was called again?
Beef schnitzel.
"Buffed shell"?
BEEF SCHNITZEL
GERMAN HOMESTYLE BEEF CUTLE
Uncle, you said it was sunchae.
To make schnitzel,
you thinly pound a slice of meat,
then coat it in breadcrumbs
and fry it in oil.
Dipping it in the sweet and sour fruit jam
is what makes this dish a banger--
I mean,
that's a characteristic of the dish.
It's full of protein, which aids
the recovery of your body and mind.
As Your Majesty skipped meals for a while,
I prepared something especially tasty
and nutritious with fresh beef.
Yet another strange dish.
But it will not go your way today.
- Taste it.
- Yes, Your Majesty.
It looks as if our native blackberry
has bloomed on top of a buchimgae.
It is truly a work of art.
The white thing on top. Is that milk?
That's tartar sauce.
It's creamy, but also sweet and sour.
If you want to eat it sweeter,
you can dip the meat
in the raspberry jam on the side.
Gleamy taro and dip in jam?
Oh, raspberry…
Blackberry jammy.
Blackberry jammy.
You can dip it like this.
Dip and eat.
Dip and eat?
Stick it in deep. Dip and eat.
Do you mean like this?
Yes, like that.
How can this be?
What is this taste?
It is crunchy on the outside,
but moist and chewy on the inside.
Your Majesty, that's what we call
"crunchy out, chewy in."
"Crunchy out, chewy in"?
I know what that means.
Does it not mean crunchy on the outside
and chewy on the inside?
Yes.
It's a short way of saying
it's crunchy on the outside
and chewy on the inside.
Crunchy out, chewy in.
You shorten all sorts of things.
How unnecessary.
Yes, it's called SAS, Shorten All Sorts.
Why is she picking on me for no reason?
Hey, Mok-ju. I can bite back if I want to.
Your Majesty.
Your Highness.
Why don't you try the vegetables
on the side?
Do you mean this?
Yes. That's burdock.
It'll cut through
the greasiness of the meat.
It is bitter.
Uncle is right. It is bitter.
People tend to eat
the leaves and stems of vegetables
and throw out the roots
because they're bitter.
But the truth is,
the roots contain more nutrients.
It worries me that you might
misjudge someone
based on their appearance
without considering their roots.
How dare you, you wench?
It is bitter,
but as you said,
it did cleanse my palate.
I will always remember
the roots of the vegetable.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Shall we enjoy the food then?
Yes, Uncle.
- Please enjoy.
- I will.
All right.
Gosh, it's bitter.
I will never,
ever let you get away with this.
You're ticked off, aren't you?
So don't cross the line.
You might be the most villainous woman
of your time,
but I'm from the future.
I know more than you do.
That was delicious.
Watching you enjoy your meal
also put me in a good mood, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty,
I believe Her Grace and Cook Yeon
should be rewarded greatly.
Your Grace,
is there anything you wish for?
All I wish for
is His Majesty's health and safety.
You are truly virtuous and wise.
Thank you, Consort Kang.
Cook Yeon, is there anything you wish for?
What I wish for?
My…
I can't mention my handbag
in front of her.
Well…
Your Majesty.
Women, by nature,
are easily swayed by gifts.
What is most important
is that you find out what she likes
and give her that.
Tell me. What is it that you want?
Well, actually…
I get excited and happy
when I see fresh, new ingredients.
All that is at Saongwon, so I'm fine.
I appreciate the thought though.
All you want are some vegetables?
As expected of a chief royal cook.
She seems to want something very big.
You're the one who wants something big.
Is that so?
No, Your Majesty.
- Really, I don't want anything.
- As the Superintendent of Saongwon,
I will send you all the vegetables,
whether big or small.
BEEF
People tend to eat
the leaves and stems of vegetables
and throw out the roots
because they're bitter.
But the truth is,
the roots contain more nutrients.
No matter the situation,
she is cheerful and wise.
Your Majesty! The theme
of the competition was filial piety.
Wouldn't it be unfilial
to cut off the arms of such cooks?
She was benevolent enough
to save the lives
of her competitors.
She is a wise
and thoughtful woman.
TARTAR SAUCE, FRIED BURDOCK, RASPBERRY JAM
CRUNCHY OUT, CHEWY IN
The envoys will arrive soon,
so why are there so many complaints?
You should rest for a short while.
I will read the rest.
You are the most filial son.
- Oh gosh, that hurt.
- Goodness me.
So tell me, son.
Is His Majesty making progress
with the chief royal cook?
I am asking if the new playground
you set up for him is working.
Father.
His Majesty has reached the point
where he is contemplating
what gift to give her.
If he is contemplating
what gift to give a woman,
it means he is besotted with her.
Since that is your specialty,
be sure to tell His Majesty
the ideal gift to give her.
You want me to prepare Cook Yeon's gift…
Did something come to mind?
There is one thing the gwinyeo
is desperately looking for.
What is that?
When we brought her here
from the Gyeonggi Governor's Office,
she lost her bundle in Salgoji Forest.
- I found it and kept it.
- A bundle?
Was there something important inside?
She was so desperate to find it,
so I thought maybe
there was some gold inside.
My goodness.
"Republic of Korea, passport."
"Republic of Korea."
Republic of Korea.
The gwinyeo!
It was full of strange items.
Then it should be fine
returning it to her.
At any rate, if it is something
the gwinyeo is desperately looking for,
you should give it to His Majesty.
I shall. Having you point things out
is certainly helping my mind
become sharp and clear again.
If His Majesty returns
the handybag to Cook Yeon…
That will bring them closer.
"Handybag"?
BONGDEOKGUNG
"Handybag"?
Yes, Your Majesty.
It is what Cook Yeon
is desperately looking for.
It is what she was looking for
when she claimed to be from the future.
It is, Your Majesty.
How did this come into your possession?
The day after you threw it over the cliff,
I sent someone to retrieve it.
I am certain Cook Yeon will appreciate it
if you give this to her.
You are quite silly.
But how did you know I had been
contemplating a gift for Cook Yeon?
One glance and I know.
Thank you.
By the way, Your Majesty,
about the Ming envoys we are expecting.
What about them?
Chief Envoy Yu Kun
is said to have brought
as many as three first-class cooks.
That many?
Has word of my picky taste
reached that far?
It seems they are planning on
captivating you
to get something out of you.
They want something?
I do not know for sure what that is yet,
but he represents the imperial Ming,
so the demand must be quite substantial.
Something that could be hard for us
to either accept or refuse.
Three first-class cooks
and a considerable demand?
BYEOKJEGWAN
Ask if the food is not to his liking.
He does not wish to eat it.
What?
YU KUN
THE MING'S CHIEF ENVOY
TANG BAILONG
MASTER OF SICHUAN CUISINE
Please try it.
What is this?
He says not to be surprised.
The tofu was sliced as thin as a thread
and made to look like a blossoming flower.
This is what we eat in our great country.
Go and tell your king
that I cannot eat Joseon food.
I didn't know there was a place like this.
This is Jangwonseo,
Office of Royal Horticulture.
JANGWONSEO: OFFICE IN CHARGE OF GROWING
PLANTS AND FRUITS IN THE ROYAL GARDENS
This is where we grow the flowers, fruits,
and vegetables we serve the royals.
Take a look.
Oh, Jangwonseo.
I read about it in history books.
The world's first greenhouse.
I don't believe this.
An apple tree.
A mandarin tree too.
This is amazing.
They smell amazing too.
Right?
Come here.
Why are you making a fuss over nothing?
It's because
I've never seen anything like it.
You may feel free to use this place.
Pardon?
You need fresh ingredients
to cook more delicious food.
Is this like a free pass?
Well, I guess you could say so.
It is a gift.
A gift?
Yes.
Take a look around.
This is a pyeondo tree.
It yields wonky peaches.
It was a tribute
offered by a Persian merchant,
but the fruit is inedible.
It is ornamental.
Your Majesty, this is edible.
It is unbearably astringent.
The fruit, yes.
The seeds are the good part.
Where I'm from, we call the seeds
almonds.
"All mend"?
Come this way.
This is where poisonous plants
are studied.
Do not go too close.
POISON
I told you they were poisonous!
Do not touch them.
Your Majesty.
These are gochu, chili peppers!
Gocho?
I can make gochugaru now.
Do not…
Where did you get these?
A few years ago,
we saved a shipwrecked westerner,
and they gave this to us
as a token of gratitude.
However, they were too spicy and potent
that some even died eating them.
They are grown here to use as poison.
I heard they used this as a weapon
a long time ago.
So it was really true.
This is amazing.
Your Majesty, this is a huge windfall!
A windfall?
Are you that pleased?
Totally!
My goodness.
Then,
what about this?
What's this?
I found it on the way here.
What?
What is it?
It is what you have been
desperately looking for.
The handybag.
What? No way.
Is it really?
Thank you!
Thank you so much!
How did you find it?
I told you
I found it on the way here.
I'm…
I'm so happy that I can't believe it.
It is nothing at all.
What do you mean it's nothing?
This means so much to me.
Are you no longer angry then?
About what happened at Unyeongjeong…
I am sorry.
Are you apologizing to me?
Then was this gift
to make me feel better?
Yes.
That is right.
Why?
Why, you ask?
It is because…
Is he…
I have begun to see you as a woman.
It is because I am pleased with the food
you prepare for me.
What?
Why did you turn away from me to say that?
Because I…
Why are you walking away from me?
- Because I…
- Why…
BON APPÉTIT, YOUR MAJESTY
I'm going to go back now.
Just where does she keep saying
she will go?
The taste of true Joseon food.
No!
You can't suddenly tell me to bear
the weight of the country's future.
If you want to return,
win.
Joseon must lose this competition.
They are no ordinary cooks.
- Tell him
- Let's win, royal kitchen!
that I also have
a special chief royal cook.
I'll give you a blazing hot taste.
Subtitle translation by: Jennifer Jean Lim