The Secret Behind Monk Sunjae's Culinary Skills Revealed on 'Black and White Chef 2'

Monk Sunjae's unexpected culinary prowess has become a hot topic following revelations on 'Black and White Chef 2'.

Recently, Monk Sunjae's comments from his appearance on MBC's 'Discovery of the Dining Table' have resurfaced on online communities and social media.

During the show, host Jang Keun-suk asked Monk Sunjae if he was naturally gifted with culinary skills. Monk Sunjae responded by revealing his family background, suggesting it might be genetic.

The episode, themed 'A Table for Emptying Oneself', featured actor Jang Keun-suk and chefs Yoon Nam-no, Fabri, and David Lee learning to cook dishes like tofu kimbap, lotus root sujebi, and gochujang mushroom salad from Monk Sunjae.

Monk Sunjae disclosed, "I am a descendant of the Jeonju Yi clan, specifically from Prince Hyoryeong."

He further surprised everyone by revealing, "Both my paternal and maternal grandmothers were court ladies in the royal kitchen. They married and became in-laws."

The cast expressed their amazement, saying, "It's no wonder culinary skills run in your blood."

Comments on online communities include surprise at Monk Sunjae's age, with remarks like, "It's more shocking that the monk is in his 70s than his family background," and "Isn't this a miraculous occurrence statistically?" One comment, "It makes me realize that the Joseon era isn't as far away as it seems," resonated with many.

Amidst the 'Black and White Chef 2' craze, Monk Sunjae's story is gaining renewed attention, showcasing not just his cooking skills but also the deep-rooted narrative of Korean traditional culinary culture, sparking public curiosity.

Na-yeon Jo, Ten Asia Reporter nybluebook@tenasia.co.kr