Sam Kim's reverse japchae wins over an Italian kitchen in big bites

"Isn't that Bulgogi?" Kwon Sung-jun jokes about the 'Reverse Japchae'

The tvN variety program 'Undercover Chef - Korea,' which aired on the afternoon of the 16th, showcased chefs going undercover as kitchen juniors at overseas restaurants.

During the episode, Sam Kim was asked by a restaurant owner to prepare a Korean dish for the staff: Japchae. However, his cooking process differed from traditional Japchae. Instead of julienning the zucchini, he sliced it into thick pieces, and he also prepared the mushrooms and beef in large chunks. Observing this, Kwon Sung-jun jokingly remarked, "Isn't that just Bulgogi?" and "Is this Reverse Japchae?"

A recipe designed for glass noodle texture, earning high praise from the local owner

Sam Kim's recipe was meticulously designed to suit the local Italian palate. He created a seasoning by mixing soy sauce and pepper with olive oil, and to preserve the texture of the vegetables, he chose to stir-fry each ingredient separately based on their individual cooking times.

In particular, Sam Kim revealed that he intentionally cut the ingredients into large pieces because he considered that the unique texture of glass noodles might be unfamiliar to Italians. It was a strategic move to offset the soft, slippery sensation of the noodles.

The result was a success. After tasting the Japchae, the local restaurant owner offered high praise, saying, "It is incredibly delicious." Local staff members, including Gianpietro, Lucrezia, and Simone, also finished their plates, satisfied with the sweetness and balanced flavors. The owner added, "Because of Sam Kim's cooking, the standard for Korean cuisine has become too high."

This broadcast featured top chefs including Sam Kim, Jung Ji Sun, and Kwon Sung-jun, who transformed into kitchen juniors, while Kim Poong appeared to lead the atmosphere on set.