Ep. 104: Yamaoka helps Norio Tsugawa revive his declining tempura restaurant Ginya with a new tsukemono menu.
Mr. Okaboshi brings Yamaoka and Kurita to Ginya, a tempura restaurant owned by Norio Tsugawa. Business has suffered since Norio assumed control after his father’s death. Yasuichi Kawanishi, a playwright and gourmet, criticizes the current quality. Yamaoka defends the food but notes unrealistic expectations. He advises Norio to craft a unique nukadoko using high-quality, unfertilized rice bran for pickling vegetables. Norio implements this change, and Yamaoka invites Ohara and Kawanishi to taste the updated menu featuring the new tsukemono. The guests are highly impressed. Yamaoka explains that while the tempura matched the father’s standard, the enhanced pickles were necessary for acceptance. The strategy succeeds, and customers return to Ginya.
Episodes
- Ep. 100 · Ashida confronts his wastefulness after a lavish meal funded by his ex-girlfriend Nobuko.
- Ep. 101 · Tomii's son refuses a race, prompting Yamaoka to help bullied Masashi through a shared meal.
- Ep. 102 · Yamaoka introduces American journalist Arthur Brown to donburi and Italian writer Anna Marina to norimaki.
- Ep. 103 · Yamaoka and Kurita investigate international dining trends while facing Sakurada's skepticism.
- Ep. 104 · Yamaoka helps Norio Tsugawa revive his declining tempura restaurant Ginya with a new tsukemono menu.
- Ep. 105 · Shin faces Kizaki in a pasta duel to prove his culinary superiority and retain his wife and restaurant.
- Ep. 106 · Chef Terasugi reunites with former lover Sabine after a decade apart.
- Ep. 107 · Yamaoka prepares a special dish using small abalone to help artist Ginko Kiyotani recover his memory.
- Ep. 108 · Kurita and Yamaoka help two children whose mother disappeared after her husband's death.