第31話: 入院中の京楽が、山岡と甲原の天ぷらコンテストを裁く。

31

Kyogaku suffers a bad fall and has to stay in a hospital for a few days. When Yamaoka comes for a visit, Kyogaku complains about the hospital food so Yamaoka promises to cook him ayu (sweetfish) tempura when he is discharged. Then Kaibara barges into the room and throws doubt on Yamaoka's abilities. To end the confrontation, Kyogaku suggests they both make ayu tempura and he'll judge which one he likes better. Yamaoka is confident in his frying skill, so he just has to find good ingredients, particularly the ayu. After some research, he settles on fish from the upper reaches of the Hozu River. The contest takes place in the residence of Tōyama. First Yamaoka's ayu is served and receives high praise, then Kaibara's. All find them quite similar, except for Kyogaku, when he takes a bite out Kaibara's ayu tempura, tears of joy run down his cheeks and he declares it the best thing he has ever tasted. Kaibara says he picked ayu from the Shimanto River close to Kyogaku's childhood home. He then triumphantly states that cooking is not just about ingredients and skills, but an art that can stir up emotions. Afterwards, a contemplative Yamaoka decides to keep this in mind for the Ultimate Menu. (Source: Wikipedia)