Sam Kim's identity revealed, restaurant staff say "We will take revenge tonight"

In tvN 'Undercover Chef - Korea', Sam Kim revealed his true identity while working undercover at an Italian restaurant. In the broadcast on the 23rd, the process was depicted where Sam Kim, who had been performing the role of the youngest staff member under the name 'Hee-tae' at a restaurant in Parma, presented a new menu through a final mission and eventually unveiled his identity.

The broadcast featured top chefs including Sam Kim, Kim Poong, Kwon Sung-jun (Napoli Kwon), and Jung Ji Sun (Chendu Sunny). They stripped away their titles and worked undercover at overseas restaurants.

Shiitake Mushroom Risotto incorporating Asian ingredients; the owner says, "It doesn't taste Italian"

Ahead of the final mission, Sam Kim expressed anxiety regarding menu selection and the reaction following his identity reveal. He noted that the restaurant's existing menu was classic and faithful to the basics. Rather than insisting only on authenticity, Sam Kim contemplated combinations that could showcase his own unique color, taking a hint from the Japchae he presented during the last lunch hour, which had received good reviews. He composed the menu by mixing Asian ingredients such as shiitake mushrooms, cheongju (refined rice wine), mirin, and soy sauce into Italian cuisine.

To maximize the aroma of the shiitake mushrooms, Sam Kim selected fragrant mushrooms and soaked them in hot water. After mixing cheongju and mirin, lighting them to evaporate the alcohol, he completed the risotto topping by simmering minced shiitake mushrooms in a special sauce made with soy sauce. Watching Sam Kim repeatedly adding butter and cheese during the cooking process, Kim Poong joked, "At this rate, isn't it basically just putting rice in butter?"

The completed menu was Shiitake Mushroom Risotto. Kim Poong praised it, saying, "It tastes like a menu item sold in a restaurant," and Lucrezia, who revealed she does not usually enjoy mushrooms, also cleared her plate. Simone evaluated, "The taste was good, and the contrast of flavors was great." Sam Kim shared his culinary philosophy, stating, "The person that is 'me' must be present on the plate." However, the restaurant owner's evaluation was different. The owner expressed regret over the adoption of the new menu, saying, "The idea is good, but the taste of this dish is not Italian. It was not a taste that suits our restaurant."

The identity of 'Hee-tae' revealed by a single phone call from Carlo Cracco

Sam Kim utilized Italian legendary chef Carlo Cracco to reveal his identity. Sam Kim demonstrated his close friendship with Cracco and requested help, and Cracco called the restaurant owner to assist with the mission. The owner continued the call with the speakerphone on to brag to the staff.

During the call, when Cracco mentioned, "Then how should I call that person, Kim!", the scene became stirred. The owner was flustered, saying they had never called him by any name other than Hee-tae. Immediately after, when the owner returned to the kitchen and relayed Cracco's words—"Kim is the person right in front of us. He is the person who represents Italian cuisine in Korea"—the kitchen was engulfed in shock.

Regarding the fact that Sam Kim had been hiding his identity as a farmer, the staff felt hollow, saying, "It didn't add up" and "How could you corner us?" Lucrezia flared up, asking, "What were we supposed to teach you?" Simone made the scene erupt in laughter by delivering the message "We will take our revenge tonight" through a mobile phone translator. Previously, Kim Poong and Kwon Sung-jun, as if sensing Sam Kim's identity would be revealed, drew laughter by saying, "I feel like we'll say 'I knew it' when the identity is revealed" and "This makes no sense."