Yummy Yummy Yummy Episode 10 Recap
> Yummy Yummy Yummy Recap
Shen's Diner opened to a full house, prompting Shen Jianshe to proudly credit himself in the kitchen for creating popular modern dishes like Liangpi, instant noodles, and chicken cutlets. Li Fengxia quickly reminded him that his daughter, Shen Shaoguang, was responsible for all the diner's design, staff uniforms, and even taught him the cooking techniques. Shen Jianshe, however, insisted it was all thanks to his good genes, as Shen Shaoguang was his daughter.
Their son, Shen Shaojie, interrupted their bickering, urging them to focus on serving the many waiting customers. As the diner buzzed, two customers, Manager Zhao from the fabric business and Manager Liu from the bed business, started a loud argument, exchanging personal insults. A Yuan, serving tables, was visibly frightened and unsure how to intervene. Shen Shaoguang calmly stepped in, complimenting the men's "plump" figures, which were currently in fashion.
She then presented them with a business opportunity, offering them the blueprints for her diner's popular and comfortable "chairs." She suggested they manufacture and sell these chairs, offering a 20% share of the profits. To ensure everyone benefited, she also stipulated that they source fabric for the chair cushions from Manager Zhang and Lady Xu, who were also present. Emphasizing that making money together was more productive than quarreling, Shen Shaoguang successfully mediated the dispute.
Both managers, impressed by her business acumen, shook hands and reconciled, with Manager Zhao even offering to pay for their meals. A Yuan expressed her amazement at Shen Shaoguang's clever solution. Meanwhile, Shen Shaojie had become a local celebrity, captivating noblewomen from Yong'an City who flocked to the diner daily for his emotional advice. He sported unique "sunglasses" from his hometown, enhancing his dashing image.
When Widow Li of Liuyun Alley sought his counsel on remarrying, despite society labeling her unlucky after three deceased husbands, Shen Shaojie encouraged her to boldly pursue happiness, dismissing societal prejudices. He advised her to live her life for herself and not to fear, as she was not the one dying. Witnessing her brother's rare moment of glory, Shen Shaoguang chose not to interrupt, grateful for A Yuan's help with the diner's operations.
A few days later, while Shen Shaoguang and A Yuan were shopping in the West Market, Shen Shaoguang bought A Yuan an expensive hairpin. A Yuan was deeply moved, confiding that Shen Shaoguang was the kindest person to her since her parents passed away, and she vowed to repay her. As they passed Yunlai Tavern, they discovered it had posted a menu identical to Shen's Diner.
Manager Feng, standing outside, boasted that Yunlai's new dishes, though copied from Shen's Diner, were superior due to richer ingredients and more elaborate preparations. He then dramatically announced that Yunlai's prices were half of Shen's Diner's, immediately drawing a large crowd. Manager Feng then provocatively taunted Shen Shaoguang, suggesting her diner was doomed. Upon returning, Shen Shaojie reported Yunlai's predatory tactics to the family. Shen Jianshe declared it a "moment of life and death" and called a family meeting.
He passionately vowed to win this "cruel business war," despite Li Fengxia's reminder that his "modern dishes" were simple and easily copied. Shen Shaojie proposed a "fight fire with fire" strategy, suggesting they copy Yunlai's famous dishes. Shen Jianshe proudly presented his replicated versions of Yunlai's four signature dishes: Fish Fermented in Milk, Chopstick-tip Spring, Changshan Congee, and Brocade-Wrapped Big Turtle. However, the family members struggled to stomach his creations.
Shen Shaojie, after reluctantly tasting them, frankly told his father that his cooking was consistently "unbearable" without extensive practice. Shen Jianshe, feeling insulted, complained about the waste of expensive ingredients, but Li Fengxia urged them to find a different solution. It was then that Shen Shaoguang and A Yuan revealed their "big weapon": half a pig and a specially crafted iron pot. Shen Shaoguang explained that a direct price war was unwinnable.
Their strategy was to focus on "good value for money and constant innovation." Pork, being very cheap in the current dynasty, offered a significantly lower cost basis. A Yuan added that the unique iron pot was painstakingly made by the West Market's Blacksmith Wang after Shen Shaoguang's persistent persuasion. Shen Shaoguang further explained that the iron pot, used with stir-frying and spices, could effectively remove the pork's strong odor, making it delicious and affordable for the common people.
Shen Jianshe finally grasped the genius of her plan, realizing this innovative approach to cooking pork would create a distinct advantage that Yunlai Tavern could not easily copy. He enthusiastically declared their diner would become renowned throughout Yong'an. Soon after, Shen's Diner launched "Agate Meat." Shen Shaojie enthusiastically promoted it, offering free samples and highlighting its tempting aroma.
However, customers quickly identified the main ingredient as pork, reacting with widespread disgust due to the prevailing belief that pork was unclean and smelly. Despite Shen Shaojie's detailed explanations of their meticulous preparation methods, including marinating, stewing, and unique stir-frying techniques to remove any unpleasant odor, most people were unwilling to try. Only one customer, persuaded by Shen Shaojie's earnestness, cautiously tasted it and was genuinely surprised by its deliciousness and lack of smell.
However, this was not enough to overcome deep-seated prejudices, and most onlookers eventually dispersed. Observing from a distance, Manager Feng wore a smug expression, convinced that Shen's Diner's reliance on "lowly" pork was a foolish endeavor destined for failure. During a subsequent family meeting, Li Fengxia worried about their declining business and the neighbors' mockery of their "madness" for serving pork.
Shen Shaoguang explained that the disdain for pork was a deep-rooted social prejudice, originating from the upper class who deemed it cheap and unclean, with commoners simply following suit. To break this, she proposed a "top-down" approach, requiring influential figures to personally endorse it. When her family members questioned how this could be achieved, Shen Shaoguang confidently pointed to Shen Shaojie, declaring him their "ready-made opinion leader."
Shen Shaojie then convened a gathering of several noblewomen, charming them with his intellect and dashing persona. He introduced them to "Agate Meat," but they instantly recoiled upon recognizing it as pork, reiterating common beliefs about its uncleanliness. Shen Shaojie, drawing upon his philosophy of equality, argued that prejudice against animals was as illogical as judging people by wealth. He urged them to set aside preconceived notions and personally taste the dish.
One noblewoman, clearly captivated by him, cautiously took a bite. To her astonishment, she found the Agate Meat fragrant, tender, and juicy, proclaiming it superior to mutton. Her enthusiasm convinced the other noblewomen, who eagerly sampled the dish and showered it with praise, declaring their newfound love for pork. Outside, commoners, witnessing the noblewomen's positive reactions, began to reconsider their own prejudices and were drawn into the diner.
The success of "Agate Meat" led Shen's Diner to rapidly introduce a variety of pork-based dishes like "Brocade Loin" and "Everyman's Joy," which became immensely popular. A grateful customer even presented Shen Jianshe with a plaque honoring him as the "Best Chef in Juxian." This fueled Shen Jianshe's ego, making him boastful and self-important. He proudly accepted the plaque, claiming he didn't care for titles but couldn't refuse the customers' enthusiasm, and envisioned winning future cooking competitions.
He gave Shen Shaojie a string of coins but dismissed his son's concerns about how promoting pork might tarnish his "Handsome Shen" image, asserting his own authority as the "Best Chef in Juxian." Shen Jianshe continued to gloat, reminding Shen Shaojie of his past disdain for his cooking and attributing his current mastery of pork to "500 times of practice and years of refinement."
When Shen Shaojie jokingly asked if his father now disregarded Li Fengxia's authority, Shen Jianshe arrogantly declared that no one, not even his wife, could control him. At that precise moment, Li Fengxia appeared, furious at his arrogance. She physically brought him back to reality, forcing him to pick up the dropped plaque and clean the tables, effectively humbling the "Best Chef in Juxian."
After days of intense work, Shen Shaoguang, unable to meet Lin Yan, visited him at night after the diner closed. She presented him with a new and special dish: braised pork trotters, explaining she hadn't dared to send such a dish directly to his office. Lin Yan, trying pork for the first time, ate it with unexpected elegance, meticulously deboning it.
Shen Shaoguang praised his lack of prejudice and graceful eating, remarking that any woman married to him would be "blessed." Lin Yan then made a lighthearted reference to a past engagement dissolution, which prompted an awkward moment when a piece of meat fell, and Shen Shaoguang leaned in to wipe his clothes, causing both to realize their close proximity and instinctively pull away. Lin Yan teased her about praising him yet avoiding him.
He inquired about her decision to introduce pork dishes, to which she explained it was a strategy to compete with Yunlai Tavern by offering affordable options. Lin Yan commended her for this "meritorious deed," enabling common folk to enjoy good meat. However, he also revealed that their business rivalry with Yunlai Tavern had attracted the attention of influential figures.
These individuals were distorting the situation, claiming that allowing nobles to eat "lowly" food could lead to commoners overstepping their bounds and destabilizing society. Shen Shaoguang dismissed this as "pork talk" (nonsense), a sentiment Lin Yan agreed with. He further disclosed that many powerful families had vested interests in Yunlai Tavern, meaning its profits extended beyond its direct owner. When Shen Shaoguang directly asked whose victory he supported, Lin Yan unequivocally declared, "I bet on you winning."
