God-Given Business Genius - Chapter 172

Finely chopped green onions, mushrooms, various types of ham, and onions. Baked beans and kimchi placed in the center.

It looked like an ordinary army base stew to anyone.

If it weren't for the chocolate poured on top, that is.

"You can eat it by dissolving the sauce like this."

As Choi Mi-seon stirred with the ladle, the black liquid began to spread in the broth. The red broth gradually turned black. It seemed to be getting a bit stickier too.

The scene was so shocking that it was almost unbearable to watch with both eyes.

I just stared blankly as Choi Mi-seon demonstrated.

I didn't know about anything else, but I thought that when this scene airs, the internet would certainly be on fire.

Kim Hui-seong has quite the foresight. So this is why he wanted to film this place last.

'Could this be a surprise?'

That thought even crossed my mind, so I looked towards the staff. Judging by their gaping mouths, it seems they're seeing this food for the first time too.

It doesn't seem like they're trying to prank me. What on earth were they thinking to create such a horrific monstrosity?

Trying to hide my trembling voice, I asked:

"Choc...olate, you say. That's a very unique idea. How did you come up with it? It seems like a combination most people wouldn't even try."

In response to my question, Choi Mi-seon answered with a strangely proud expression:

"I thought we shouldn't compete with ordinary dishes if we want people to come from far away. Young people these days like sweet things, don't they? They make all sorts of things with chocolate. I just tried to think outside the box."

"......"

"It might look a bit odd, but the taste is better than you'd expect! I found the golden ratio after several attempts. You just need to be careful not to boil it for too long, or the chocolate will burn."

This person is serious.

It would have been better if she was trying to prank me. Then I could just get angry and storm out.

But the moment I realized Choi Mi-seon was serious, I knew I had to eat this food and give a clear evaluation.

"Here, try it. It's really not bad, I promise!"

Choi Mi-seon scooped up a spoonful and handed it to me. The strangely murky broth made me lose my confidence.

This is a critical moment.

Thump, thump.

I could almost hear my heart pounding in my ears.

'My pride as a culinary researcher won't allow me to just dismiss this as a bizarre food and move on.'

But the thought of taking a bite didn't appeal to me at all. Anyone would lose their appetite when faced with an army base stew that looked like it might poison them at any moment.

"......"

There's no choice.

Since Choi Mi-seon had seriously researched this new menu item, it was only right that I treat it seriously too.

With trembling hands, I picked up the spoon.

I scooped up a bit of everything—ham, onions, kimchi, and other solid ingredients. The thick broth came along as a bonus.

After hesitating for a long time, unable to muster the courage, I finally took a big bite.

Chew, chew.

"......"

"W-well? How is it?"

Choi Mi-seon fidgeted nervously as she observed my reaction. I was too busy fighting with the contents in my mouth to give any response.

Chocolate army base stew.

At first glance, you might think, "What kind of crazy food is this?" But there's a saying, isn't there? "Don't judge a book by its cover." That kind of proverb.

You can't judge the taste of any food until you've tried it.

So, how does it taste?

'...I think I'm going to be sick.'

Undissolved chocolate slid slimily across my tongue. The unwelcome guest of chocolate completely destroyed the balance of salty and sweet flavors.

'To spit or to swallow. That is the question.'

If you ever feel that life is too bitter, try adding chocolate to your army base stew.

You might start to think that bitter is better than sweet.

Gulp.

With indomitable will, I managed to swallow what was in my mouth. Only then did my mouth regain its freedom.

After downing a glass of water in one shot, I saw Choi Mi-seon looking at me with her hands clasped tightly together.

Her eyes were so desperate.

I was about to blurt out, "Are you joking with me?" but I hesitated for a moment.

"Owner. You've tasted this, right?"

"Yes, of course. I told you, I found the optimal ratio after making it several times."

"...Is that so?"

If that's the case, this must not taste bad to Choi Mi-seon. Right. There are sometimes people with 'iron stomachs' who can eat just about anything.

Moreover, when you make something multiple times, you can become accustomed to the taste, making it difficult to make rational decisions.

Even if Choi Mi-seon's objectivity was clouded because it was her own creation, what about her son who was with her?

"Park Jun-beom-ssi."

"Yes."

"You've... tasted this, right?"

"Yes."

"What did you think?"

In response to my question, Park Jun-beom seemed to ponder for a moment before continuing:

"While it might be polarizing, I think more young people would like it."

"...Really?"

That can't be right.

With both of them saying this, I started to feel a bit puzzled.

'Is that so? Do young people like this kind of thing? ...Well, I suppose my taste isn't exactly that of today's youth.'

It was only natural, given that my inner contents were that of a seasoned old snake.

The me who used to love greasy foods like fried dishes in my youth had disappeared somewhere, and before I knew it, I was seeking out foods that were easy to digest and filling.

That pre-regression palate had continued until now. Unlike my physical body, my taste buds were quite close to those of an old person.

When it came to an area I wasn't familiar with, I felt I shouldn't judge hastily.

"What's the other new menu item you prepared besides this?"

"It's army base stew with added coconut milk. It adds a softer, slightly sweet taste."

This one's no less of a bizarre creation.

I gave up thinking. This isn't my area of expertise.

'Well, if that's the case...'

As it happens, there was someone nearby who perfectly matched the palate of young people.

Looking into the camera connected to the control room, I said:

"Do-kyung-ssi, come down here."

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-Do-kyung-ssi, come down here.

Startled by the sudden call, Do-kyung flinched. He looked around, but everyone was staring at him.

"Um... are you talking to me?"

-It seems so.

"Why is she calling me all of a sudden?"

As Do-kyung tilted his head in confusion, Song Woo-yeon continued speaking to Choi Mi-seon and Park Jun-beom.

-Both of you, please go up to the control room.

-Yes.

-Understood.

-Do-kyung-ssi, please come down quickly. Hurry.

"Uh, I'll go right away!"

Do-kyung hurriedly got up from his seat. He had been worried about his screen time, thinking he'd been too quiet today.

The restaurant wasn't far, so he arrived quickly.

Swish.

As soon as he opened the door, he could sense a strange smell filling the restaurant.

'What's this smell?'

His confusion was short-lived.

Upon seeing the 'chocolate army base stew' on the table, he immediately knew that was the culprit.

The smell of army base stew and chocolate had mixed in a unique way, creating a scent he had never encountered before. That's why he couldn't recognize it at first.

"Come and sit here."

Song Woo-yeon pointed to the seat opposite her. Do-kyung hesitantly sat down.

"Do-kyung-ssi. You said before that you like sweet things, right?"

"Huh? Ah, that's right."

Do-kyung was famous among fans for his picky eating. Born with a naturally slim build, he often ate only tiny portions, saying he felt bloated if he ate too much.

He had a typical child's palate, preferring snacks to proper meals.

Song Woo-yeon had several opportunities to indirectly observe this preference, like during their stay on <Law of the Jungle> or at company dinners.

"What about oily foods like chicken?"

"Chicken is delicious."

"Do you also enjoy ice cream, chocolate, things like that?"

"I like them more than rice."

"Do you prefer pasta and pizza over bibimbap and gukbap?"

Although Do-kyung didn't understand the meaning behind Song Woo-yeon's questions, he answered diligently.

"That's exactly right."

"You like Starbucks, don't you?"

"Yes, very much."

"You pass."

"Pardon?"

What exactly?

Before Do-kyung could express his confusion, Song Woo-yeon was one step ahead.

Scooping a large spoonful of chocolate army base stew onto a side plate, Song Woo-yeon said:

"Try eating this."

"......"

He had a bad feeling, and it turned out to be true.

Do-kyung looked at Song Woo-yeon with eyes full of betrayal.

His face resembled that of a minister receiving poison, so Song Woo-yeon hastily added an explanation:

"No, it's just that my taste isn't quite like that of today's youth. But people these days might like it, right? So I'm asking you to judge how it is."

"...Really?"

I hope this isn't just about not wanting to suffer alone. Though he knew Song Woo-yeon wasn't that kind of person, seeing the chocolate army base stew made doubts keep springing up.

"Just try a little bit. And just judge whether it's the style that young people these days would like."

"Haa... Alright."

Do-kyung let out a small sigh, then closed his eyes tightly and took a bite of the chocolate army base stew.

And then,

"Ugh!"

He immediately covered his mouth as if about to spit it out.

Song Woo-yeon handed him a glass of water she had prepared in advance, shaking her head.

It seems this isn't the right approach after all.

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"It happens sometimes. Getting too caught up in the idea of presenting something innovative and ending up going too far ahead."

At my words, Choi Mi-seon and Park Jun-beom hung their heads. They must have fully realized that the chocolate army base stew and coconut milk army base stew were failures.

"Not just Do-kyung-ssi, but I also asked the production staff to taste it. They were all in their early to mid-20s, and not a single person said it was delicious."

"......"

"So this isn't a matter of 'love it or hate it', it's just not tasty."

I explained in an intentionally stronger tone, though I felt sorry. If I didn't, they might regret discarding their carefully crafted recipes and do something foolish.

Like adding it to the menu after the solution is over, for instance.

"...What should we do? Those two were all the new menu items we had thought of."

"Don't worry. I've prepared a new menu item too."

I had intended to bring it out only if I heard their ideas and neither was suitable.

Fortunately or unfortunately, there was no need to hesitate now.

"I can guarantee you this."

I said with a grin.

"People will line up to eat this."