Ep. 36: Reporter Hoshimura investigates hiyashi chuka with Yamaoka and Kaibara

36

Hoshimura, a reporter in the Home & Garden Department, plans an article on hiyashi chuka. She visits a restaurant with Kurita and Yamaoka, where Yamaoka’s harsh criticism nearly provokes the cook until Inspector Nakamatsu intervenes. Hoshimura then interviews gourmet Yūzan Kaibara, who is offended by the topic. Yamaoka challenges Kaibara to find a palatable version, experimenting with noodles before blaming poor ingredients. Yamaoka sources quality chicken and domestic wheat flour, while Nakamatsu provides Kurobuta pork. They enlist a Chinese noodle maker from Wang’s restaurant. Although Kaibara initially approves, he produces a superior dish in the kitchen, noting that Yamaoka ignored the dish’s holistic nature. He explains that despite its Japanese development, hiyashi chuka relies on Chinese cuisine and condiments. Later, the Touzai staff see Kaibara on television claiming hiyashi chuka is a proper Chinese dish.