Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 37

Extracurricular Story 37. Imperial Miscellanea (2)

The ‘Culinary Map’ continued to evolve through generations.

* * *

As the common people gained more financial freedom, they began exploring new leisure activities.

And traveling to discover foods rumored to be delicious became a popular form of entertainment.

Thus, ‘Gourmandism’ was born.

As people embraced gourmandism, they journeyed farther, and the railways found a new revenue stream.

As internal combustion engines became commonplace, a new mode of transportation, the ‘automobile,’ emerged.

With a well-maintained road network throughout the Empire, automobiles became integrated into the daily lives of Imperial citizens.

And this automobile was greatly welcomed by those who enjoyed gourmandism.

Because it offered freedom to gourmand travels, which had previously been constrained by train schedules.

The influential families, known as ‘Yangban’ [a class of scholar-officials in dynastic Korea], and those who amassed wealth through their talents, indulged in gourmandism by riding in luxurious and comfortable automobiles, while ordinary people traveled the roads in freight cars.

Interestingly, not only Europe but also the neighboring Ming Dynasty and Japan struggled to understand the ‘gourmand travels’ of the Imperial citizens.

“Traveling hundreds of miles by train or car just to eat one dish? I can’t understand it.”

However, for the Imperial citizens, whose greetings often revolved around food-related words and phrases, gourmandism was neither strange nor incomprehensible.

Regardless of wealth or social standing.

Even more interesting was that this enthusiasm for ‘gourmandism’ wasn’t limited to those on the mainland.

Imperial citizens from Bukji, as well as the indigenous people of Shinji far away, would seek out delicious food whenever possible.

Naturally, the ministers also discussed this pastime.

However, the conclusion they reached after these conversations was not entirely positive.

-Traces of a time when adequate food was scarce.

-A legacy of experiences from a time when people survived on meager rations, striving to make even the smallest meal enjoyable.

* * *

In any case, the ‘Culinary Map’ was an essential item for those embarking on these gourmand travels.

Of course, some masters enjoyed the thrill of discovering delicious food by chance on unplanned journeys, but most Imperial citizens relied on the ‘Culinary Map’ as their guide.

The reason why the Imperial citizens placed so much trust in the Culinary Map was that it was created by the Emperor and the Imperial family.

“How can we not trust those who taste delicacies every day?”

“Of course, of course!”

Therefore, the Imperial family had no choice but to compile and release the ‘Culinary Map’ generation after generation, partly willingly and partly out of obligation.

With genuine dedication.

Because the Imperial citizens were ‘sincere when it came to eating, regardless of wealth or social status.’

Any hint of insincerity could weaken their loyalty to the Emperor and the Imperial family.

Eventually, there were even proposals to establish a government or private institution to oversee the creation of the ‘Culinary Map,’ but these were met with fervent public opposition.

Because they argued, ‘We cannot trust what those unaffiliated with the Emperor and the Imperial family scribble down.’

* * *

As the Culinary Map was compiled generation after generation, more and more diverse dishes, restaurants, and even courtesan houses began to be included.

This was because each Emperor had vastly different tastes.

For example, just as Sejong was famous for his love of ‘meat, meat, and only meat,’ his great-grandson, Lee Hyun, adored ‘noodles.’

“I heard that rice noodles are famous in the Jiangnan region of Ming Dynasty and the Daewol region. I’m curious.”

“…I will look into it.”

Thus, Lee Hyun is credited with introducing rice noodles to the Empire.

Just as Sejong was known for meat and Lee Hyun for noodles, other Emperors were also widely recognized for their specific culinary preferences.

Some were fanatically obsessed with vegetable dishes, while others were obsessed with sweets.

In this way, as the diverse tastes of the Emperors were incorporated, the Culinary Map grew thicker and more comprehensive.

Eventually, as it became unwieldy to compile into a single volume, the Culinary Map began to be organized by category, such as meat, soup, and noodles.

* * *

As I mentioned before, the Emperor and the Imperial family were deeply committed to compiling the Culinary Map.

First and foremost, the Emperor only evaluated food he sampled during incognito outings.

The primary reason was that it was difficult to visit ordinary courtesan houses or restaurants during official processions, and the secondary reason was that food presented to the Emperor officially would undoubtedly be prepared with exceptional care.

“If it’s not delicious even after putting in so much effort, they should close their business!”

Furthermore, the Emperor was also tasked with re-evaluating restaurants or courtesan houses that had received favorable reviews from previous Emperors.

-If the taste declines due to improved circumstances or the passage of time, it will be immediately removed and noted in the record.

In reality, numerous establishments that had prospered after being listed on the Culinary Map went bankrupt after being removed during this evaluation process.

Next, the selling price was also a crucial factor.

-Food made with rare and hard-to-find ingredients will naturally be expensive, making it inaccessible to many.

-Evaluate food based on a price that ordinary people can comfortably afford, or can enjoy with a bit of a splurge.

This evaluation criterion had been passed down since the time of Sejong.

* * *

Because the Culinary Map had such a long history, various anecdotes were also passed down alongside it.

-The wild boar skewers that Emperor Yi Do [Sejong’s given name] enjoyed so much that he stayed for two days to eat.

-The Shinji bison ribs that Emperor Yi Do sought out and ate whenever he had the opportunity.

Many of these anecdotes were related to Sejong, but there were also stories about Lee Hyun.

These also revolved around noodle dishes.

When Lee Hyun was the Crown Prince, he once took a vacation and embarked on a long journey.

Dressed in plain clothes, Lee Hyun examined the hem of his robe and smiled wryly as he joked with his escort warrior.

“Isn’t this too fine for plain clothes?”

The middle-aged escort warrior smiled knowingly at Lee Hyun’s question.

“You’ll be treated better if you’re well-dressed.”

“Is that so? I see.”

Lee Hyun, traveling incognito, spent his time leisurely and recharged his energy.

It was also part of his routine to seek out and enjoy all kinds of noodle dishes he loved.

Then one day, Lee Hyun’s attention was drawn to a noodle restaurant while passing through an alley on the outskirts of Seoul.

It was a small restaurant, crowded with only two or three people.

“Hmm… the aroma is enticing?”

Lee Hyun, drawn by the savory smell emanating from the broth used to make the noodles, soon took a seat and ordered a bowl.

“It’s truly delicious! I’m such a noodle aficionado that I’ve tasted countless varieties, but I think this is one of the best!”

“Oh, thank you for the compliment!”

The restaurant owner bowed deeply, expressing his gratitude at Lee Hyun’s praise.

“However, the restaurant seems too small for the quality of the food. If it tastes this good, I think many customers will come.”

“Well, I didn’t have much capital, so I started small. Also, I haven’t been open for very long…”

“Hoo~. If you maintain this quality, you’ll be able to open a bigger place before long. I guarantee it.”

“Oh, sir, thank you!”

Lee Hyun, watching the restaurant owner bowing and thanking him repeatedly, suddenly had an idea, looked around, and asked the owner.

“But, there’s no sign? I need to remember the name if I want to come back later.”

At this, the owner scratched his head and replied.

“I don’t have much money, and it seemed like the sign would be bigger than the store if I put it on such a small place, and besides, I haven’t been able to come up with a good name yet.”

At the restaurant owner’s answer, Lee Hyun instructed the escort warrior, who had finished his noodles next to him.

“Can you fetch me some paper and writing brushes? Oh, get me a large brush, not a gold brush.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Ah, no. It’s a bit cramped here.”

Lee Hyun, pondering something, paid the owner and left the store, heading to a nearby market street.

Lee Hyun bought a piece of paper of the right size from a nearby stationery shop and asked the shopkeeper to borrow a brush and inkstone.

Lee Hyun, carefully soaking the ink in the brush, began to write on the paper.

-Urae Noodle House (又來麵屋) [meaning “Come Again Noodle House”]

“Isn’t it a good name, ‘A noodle restaurant you want to come to again’?”

“It doesn’t sound bad.”

“Right?”

Lee Hyun, satisfied with his naming, scribbled something on another piece of paper, stamped it with his seal, tucked it away, and got up from his seat.

“Thank you for the use of the writing materials. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Please be careful, gentlemen.”

Lee Hyun, leaving the stationery shop, searched for the most skilled carpenter nearby and commissioned the production of a sign.

“I’ll pay you well, so I hope to have it by tomorrow.”

“It’s possible if you pay enough.”

The next day, Lee Hyun, carrying a sign carefully wrapped in cloth, visited the noodle restaurant he had visited the previous day.

“I couldn’t forget the taste I had yesterday, so I came again! Give me a bowl quickly!”

“Yes!”

“Make it a large serving, as I have a long journey ahead!”

“Yes!”

Lee Hyun, happily finishing his bowl, paid the price and handed the owner the cloth-wrapped item.

“Take this, I had a sign made that would suit this establishment.”

“Oh, sir! Thank you!”

The owner, bowing and accepting the sign, unwrapped the cloth and examined it.

“Urae Noodle House! Thank you so much! It’s such a wonderful name!”

The restaurant owner seemed delighted and bowed deeply to Lee Hyun, expressing his gratitude.

“I’m glad you like it. I hope to see a large noodle house with this sign when I return.”

“I will!”

“And, take a look at this later. I enjoyed the taste of the noodles here so much that I jotted down a few words.”

“Thank you.”

As the restaurant owner was about to unfold it immediately, Lee Hyun waved his hand and stopped him.

“It’s embarrassing because it’s such poor handwriting, so please look at it after I’ve gone.”

“Yes? Yes.”

“Then I’ll be on my way. Good luck with your business.”

“Goodbye!”

The restaurant owner, who escorted Lee Hyun as he disappeared with a wave, unfolded the paper Lee Hyun had given him and was startled.

“Oh my!”

It was because of the name written very large and clearly beneath the sentence wishing for the prosperity of the store.

-Lee Hyun, Crown Prince of the Great United Empire

And next to it, there was even a royal seal to prove it.

The restaurant owner, examining the paper and the sign several times, got up as if he had made a decision.

“I will definitely make this a store worthy of this sign!”

In the fall of that year, the Urae Noodle House was featured in the official gazette.

And many gourmets who saw this flocked to the Urae Noodle House.

After that, in less than three years, the Urae Noodle House had expanded to a much larger establishment.

Shortly after the Urae Noodle House moved to a larger location, Lee Hyun visited again.

“Welcome! Please, have a seat.”

Lee Hyun, guided to his seat, said to the server.

“Could you tell the owner that the person who made the sign a long time ago has come to visit?”

“Yes? Yes.”

The server, tilting his head, went into the kitchen and relayed the message.

At that moment.

Thump!

A loud noise came from the kitchen, and the owner rushed out and bowed deeply.

“I greet His Highness the Crown Prince!”

“Puh!”

“Cough!”

“Cough! Cough!”

At the restaurant owner’s exclamation, everyone who was eating noodles simultaneously spat out their noodles or coughed and sneezed, and prostrated themselves on the floor.

Crash!

“I greet His Highness the Crown Prince!”

Amid the sound of breaking noodle bowls and greetings being offered from all directions, Lee Hyun wore a wry smile.

“Oh, dear… I forgot that this would happen.”

In the end, Lee Hyun paid for all the food for the customers in the noodle restaurant that day.

In this way, there were many anecdotes related to various Emperors in the Culinary Map.

However, there was one exceptional figure.

It was Lee Hyang.

The nickname attached to Lee Hyang in relation to food was ‘Bizarre Food Emperor.’