MBC's 'National No.1' Showcases Intense Pork Battle with Jeju's Nanchukmatdon Winning the Title

On the 16th, MBC's 'National No.1' aired an intense showdown featuring Jeju's Nanchukmatdon, Gyeonggi's Icheon YBD, and Jeonbuk's Jinan Woori Heukdon. The sizzling sound of grilling pork belly and its juicy visuals filled the studio, captivating viewers and establishing itself as the 'Ultimate Food Showdown' of the Lunar New Year holiday.

True to its unique format of a 'Specialty Champions League,' this competition went beyond a simple food show, delving into the breeds, farming environments, and farmers' philosophies. The evaluation panel grilled the meat themselves, enhancing the live experience, and transforming the studio into a grand pork belly festival.

The gourmet panel, consisting of Professor Moon Jung-hoon, Chef Lee Won-il, Shin Ki-roo, and Announcer Park Ji-min, showcased both expertise and entertainment. Professor Moon explained the breed differences, stating, "The form is similar, but the texture is different," while the blind tasting led to exclamations of "Each chewiness is uniquely chewy."

The MCs also shone brightly. Moon Se-yoon, adopting the 'Director Bong' concept, praised the Jeju site, saying, "The marbling could be mistaken for beef," while Park Ha-sun and Chef Lee Won-il boosted the atmosphere with confidence in "Trustworthy YBD." Kim Dae-ho added charm with an emotional food segment, grilling Jinan Woori Heukdon at a snowy campsite.

Representing Icheon, Chef Lee Won-il stepped in for Park Ha-sun. The YBD dish he prepared from the farmers' fridge drew constant admiration from the cast. Observing this, Moon Se-yoon candidly admitted, "Familiar tastes are daunting, but unknown ones are equally intimidating," while Park Ha-sun, married to Ryu Soo-young, expressed her surprise and gratitude towards Chef Lee with a deep bow, astonishing the studio.

Despite some teams leading in preliminary and mid-round votes, the final blind pork belly evaluation kept the outcome unpredictable. The tension peaked as choices were made based solely on 'taste' without knowing the numbers. Ultimately, Jeju's Nanchukmatdon claimed the 'National No.1' title, highlighting the program's aim to showcase breed diversity and farmers' dedication.

Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr