Ep. 34: Koizumi learns about awabi variety while resisting Yamaoka's requests regarding Tanimura
Touzai News editor-in-chief Kyōichi Koizumi pushes for a pop culture shift and plans to oust director Tanimura, prompting objections from Yamaoka. After criticizing the slow progress on the Ultimate Menu, Koizumi insists raw abalone is the only proper preparation. Yamaoka challenges this view by showcasing cooked and dried varieties, eventually convincing Koizumi to visit the Shima peninsula for abalone steak. Koizumi acknowledges his error in judging the ingredient's versatility. Despite Yamaoka’s plea to spare Tanimura, Koizumi dismisses him angrily. Tanimura later informs the Culture Division he retains his post, revealing Koizumi compared Yamaoka to abalone. While Yamaoka views this as a compliment, Tomii interprets it as a jab at Yamaoka’s unrequited feelings for Kurita.
Episodes
- Ep. 30 · Yamaoka recruits retired athletes to save a struggling udon shop from gangsters.
- Ep. 31 · Kyogaku judges ayu tempura contest between Yamaoka and Kaibara while hospitalized.
- Ep. 32 · Uda opens a hamburger stall after leaving Gourmet Club, facing initial customer rejection until he learns bread pairing from a sushi chef.
- Ep. 33 · Kurita and Yamaoka help Miyoko cook home-style meals for her husband
- Ep. 34 · Koizumi learns about awabi variety while resisting Yamaoka's requests regarding Tanimura
- Ep. 35 · Yamaoka helps businessman Satoi reunite with former tonkatsu owners Nakahashi
- Ep. 36 · Reporter Hoshimura investigates hiyashi chuka with Yamaoka and Kaibara
- Ep. 37 · Nagahara learns garlic cooking to restore energy after poor performance
- Ep. 38 · Yamaoka resolves a conflict between a beer hall owner and a master pourer over edamame