Episode 8 kicks off with the inaugural round of the culinary showdown between the Ming and Joseon chefs. The challenge mandates them to craft a meat dish that is entirely unprecedented. Ji-young and her squad spring into action, meticulously preparing their braised pork ribs, while the Ming cooks concoct a dish featuring diced chicken. Yet, a jolt of surprise courses through Ji-young’s team when they discover their gochogaru (chili powder) has vanished into thin air. Bereft of this pivotal ingredient, Ji-young ingeniously pivots, transforming their intended dish into a sumptuous beef bourguignon.
As the competition rages on, Ya Feixiu unveils the missing chili powder, using it to craft a tantalizing sauce known as layu. Suspicion clouds Ji-young’s mind, convinced that Ya Feixiu has pilfered their precious spice. The moment of truth arrives as Yi Heon and Yu Kun proceed to sample the culinary creations. Ji-young’s dish garners rave reviews, and she takes the opportunity to elucidate that, though this dish is a novelty in this era, it is one she will forever be denied the pleasure of receiving. This is because, traditionally, it is a labor of love prepared by mothers for their offspring in France, and Ji-young has long since mourned the loss of her mother.
Ya Feixiu’s offering, revealed to be none other than the beloved kung pao chicken, also meets with the royals’ approval. Yu Kun lauds her innovation in concocting the new sauce, layu. However, before the scores can be unveiled, Ji-young seizes the moment to request a taste of the Ming’s dish. After some heated debate, her wish is granted, and she swiftly discerns that Ya Feixiu has indeed appropriated their chili powder. Ya Feixiu asserts her acquisition was above board, disclosing that she procured it through a trade with Prince Jesan. Jesan, caught in the crossfire, is compelled to furnish Yi Heon with an explanation, insisting he was oblivious to Ji-young’s need for the spice.
Yet, Tang Bailong seethes with indignation, appalled that his niece, aware of the chili powder’s significance to the opposing team, chose to take it regardless. He deems the act unjust and concedes defeat for the Ming in this round. Yu Kun contests this outcome, and after some deliberation, Yi Heon proposes a tie, citing the chili powder controversy. He further grants the Ming envoy a strategic advantage, stipulating that if all three rounds culminate in a deadlock, the Ming will emerge victorious. In a gesture of remorse, Ya Feixiu extends an apology to Ji-young.
Ji-young and her team huddled together, deliberating over the dish for the next round, their minds racing as they realized they were completely out of chili powder. With a spark of inspiration, Ji-young proposed they craft Peking Duck, a dish steeped in the opulence of Ming's imperial court, believing it might just dazzle Yu Kun with its regal allure.
As they sprang into action, Yi Heon took Prince Jesan aside, reprimanding him sternly for his involvement in the chili powder fiasco. Meanwhile, in another corner of the palace, Consort Kang summoned Chef Maeng, her tone laced with menace as she reminded him of his duty to ensure Joseon's defeat in the upcoming round, even going so far as to threaten his mother's safety.
The next day dawned, heralding the commencement of the second round. Ji-young and her team meticulously roasted the duck, their anticipation mounting. But when it came time for Chef Maeng to expertly carve the duck into delicate slices, his mind was clouded by Consort Kang's warning. In a moment of distraction, he sliced his hand instead. With Ji-young's own hand still ailing, Gil-geum stepped in seamlessly.
It turned out that Chef Maeng had been pushing Ji-young to her limits, training her rigorously for a moment exactly like this. A flashback revealed Chef Maeng confessing to Ji-young that he was compromised, and it didn't take long for her to deduce that Consort Kang was behind it all.
Now, both teams presented their finished dishes. The royals first sampled Tang Bailong's creation, a dish crafted from Golden Lotus that bore a striking resemblance to Joseon's temple cuisine. The royals savored it with evident delight. Suddenly, Tang Bailong broke into Korean, disclosing that he had embarked on a quest for the "ultimate taste," a journey that led him to Joseon's temple, where he spent five arduous years mastering the culinary arts.
Then came Ji-young's Peking Duck. Yu Kun scoffed, asserting that it was an incredibly challenging dish to replicate. But his smirk soon faded as he took his first bite, along with Yi Heon. Both were utterly captivated, the dish evoking such profound emotion that tears welled up in Yu Kun's eyes.
After the royals had savored every morsel, they penned down their scores. The episode drew to a close, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats, just as the scores were about to be unveiled.
