Tastefully Yours Episode 9: Yeon-joo’s Heartbreak, Jungjae’s Triumph, and the Cook-Off Setup

Tastefully Yours Episode 9 opens with Yeon-joo still reeling from the emotional wreckage caused by Beom-woo’s betrayal. As she silently struggles, life at Hansang continues with celebration, as Motto receives a rare and prestigious three-star rating from Diamant. A TV producer named Kim proposes a documentary to Chairman Han, but she curtly declines.

Over at Jungjae, Yeon-joo shows up visibly withdrawn, worrying Myung-sook and Chun-seung. She vaguely tells them it’s now just the three of them but doesn’t explain the real reason. Eventually, as her focus falters throughout the day, she confesses the truth about Beom-woo, exposing the pain she’s trying so hard to suppress.

Meanwhile, Beom-woo, equally distraught, visits Motto to clear his locker. He formally resigns and offers a sincere apology to Yu-jin and Young-hye. Chairman Han receives the message and immediately reassigns Motto to Sun-woo, announcing the closure of her own fine-dining spot, La Lecel. In a twist, the mysterious Frenchman from earlier episodes is revealed to be a Diamant executive, and he personally calls the organization to recommend Jungjae for a coveted three-star ranking.

Yeon-joo Retreats to the Monastery

In search of clarity, Yeon-joo retreats to the Buddhist monastery where her mother serves as the head monk. After breaking down in her arms, she slowly begins to reconnect with herself through cooking—creating a makeshift cake for a child in distress. Her mother gently notes how Yeon-joo’s culinary approach has evolved, shifting focus from self-expression to nurturing others.

Then, the bombshell drops—Jungjae has been awarded three Diamant stars as a special addition. Chairman Han seizes the moment and proposes a televised cook-off between Jungjae and Motto. She even sends her team to retrieve Beom-woo, who learns about the award but refuses to be baited by her. However, it becomes personal when she threatens to destroy Jungjae’s future by buying its building and pressuring Yeon-joo’s career.

The Fight for Jungjae Begins

Myung-sook and Chun-seung head to Jungjae and find a crowd waiting outside. Word has spread about their incredible award. Back at the monastery, Yeon-joo hears about both the 3-star win and the looming cook-off. Meanwhile, Beom-woo crosses paths with Myung-sook and Chun-seung again—but they don’t believe his intentions, assuming he’s trying to manipulate them.

Later, Yeon-joo reflects in the monastery kitchen and has a vision of her younger self, reigniting her love for Jungjae and her culinary purpose. The head monk also tells her that Beom-woo visited and quietly expressed remorse.

A flashback reveals Beom-woo watching Yeon-joo from afar during his visit, unable to approach her but full of regret. The monk encourages Yeon-joo to face her feelings and return to where she belongs.

Jungjae vs. Motto: The Cook-Off Looms

The next morning, Beom-woo returns to Jungjae to prepare for the televised cook-off—even though Yeon-joo is still missing. In a heartening turn, Myung-sook and Chun-seung arrive to stand by him, bringing reinforcements in the form of the grocer and butcher.

Both restaurants are now decked out with banners and camera crews, preparing for the high-stakes showdown. Despite Yeon-joo’s absence, Team Jungjae rallies together—motivated, determined, and ready to defend their restaurant’s legacy. For more recaps, check out the link below.

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