“I could put it on the menu” Lee Yeon-bok’s ‘Uninhabited Island Chinese Course Meal’

‘Thank God I Know’ Lee Yeon-bok presented a ‘deserted island Chinese course meal’ that had never been seen before.

In the 145th episode of MBC's 'It's a Good Thing We Don't Fight' (hereinafter referred to as 'Good thing I Know'), which aired at 9 pm on the 6th, the Chinese restaurant team featured Lee Yeon-bok and his regular customers Myung Se-bin, Choi Kang Chang-min, and Heo Kyung-hwan's 'I'll Hold You With My Hand'. With the second story depicted, it recorded a viewership rating of 5.4% (Nielsen, nationwide), ranking first in its time slot for Monday entertainment programs for 78 consecutive weeks. In addition, the 2049 viewership rating, a key indicator of channel competitiveness, was 2.1%, the highest among all programs broadcast on Monday, and the highest viewership rating per minute soared to 7.1% (metropolitan area).

On this day, Lee Yeon-bok moved to the next island in the morning to present a new Chinese course meal to regular customers. On the new island, a vast field of natural mussels awaited them. Lee Yeon-bok was satisfied with the emergence of mussels, which are widely used in Chinese cuisine. Max Changmin also said, “I was so excited when I heard that wild mussels are more expensive than farmed ones. “Everything in heaven and earth seemed like money,” he said, enjoying ‘Hold My Hand’ in a trance.

First, Lee Yeon-bok presented 'Homemade Spring Rolls' with generous mussels and mint. “There are probably no ‘homemade spring rolls’ in Korea,” he said, drawing everyone’s attention as he turned the thin dough like a yoyo. Everyone was impressed by his skill in baking thin and crispy spring roll skin by putting batter on a heated pan. The ‘homemade spring rolls’, which were filled with stir-fried conches and vegetables, boasted the best taste. Heo Gyeong-hwan praised the ‘soft on the outside’ texture and said, “It’s the best I’ve ever tasted.”

The next dish was ‘Mappa mussel rice bowl’. On a desert island without tofu, they decided to add mussels instead. However, on an uninhabited island, there was no doubanjang, a key seasoning that gives mapo flavor. Accordingly, Lee Yeon-bok made seasoning by adding red pepper paste. It was the first attempt for Chinese food master Lee Yeon-bok, but this time too, a great dish was created. Lee Yeon-bok was satisfied with the taste and said, “I could put this on the menu.”

They went to retrieve crab pots for Jjambbong, which would be the finale of the ‘Uninhabited Island Chinese Course Meal’. After being disappointed with a series of failed traps, an octopus eventually appeared and everyone cheered. In this scene, the viewer rating soared to 7.1%, making it the best minute.

Lee Yeon-bok used this to create a one-of-a-kind jjamppong with mussel-based broth, dosakmyeon (noodles cut with a knife), and octopus topping. In addition, 'Nanjawans', made with potatoes and crab meat instead of meat, was a highlight. There was nothing more to say about the taste. It was a happy time for everyone with the dishes that only Lee Yeon-bok could make on a deserted island. Lee Yeon-bok also said, “It was nice to try cooking something I’ve never tried before and everyone enjoyed it,” adding, “It was a good experience.”

Meanwhile, in the trailer released at the end of the broadcast, actor Lee Sang-woo and his friends Lee Min-woo, Shim Hyung-tak, and Lee Ga-ryeong were portrayed as 'Hands in My Hand', heightening viewers' expectations. MBC's 'Good to Know' airs every Monday at 9 p.m.

Ten Asia Reporter Kim Seo-yoon seogugu@tenasia.co.kr