Chef Lee Yeon-bok Conquers the Island: 'Rest Well If You Can' Dominates Monday Variety Ratings with Unprecedented 'Island Chinese Buffet'

Culinary master Lee Yeon-bok has successfully orchestrated an unprecedented 'Chinese Buffet on a Deserted Island' on MBC's variety show 'Rest Well If You Can' (푹 쉬면 다행이야).

The broadcast on the 22nd featured Lee, alongside actress Moon Jung-hee, Shinhwa member Lee Min-woo, five-star hotel executive chef Shin Jong-cheol, and former baseball player Yoo Hee-kwan, challenging themselves to open a Chinese buffet in a remote island setting. Their elaborate spread of diverse Chinese dishes captivated viewers.

Chef Lee Yeon-bok declared his ambition to 'do something never done before on an island' by establishing the 'Island Chinese Buffet.' For this ambitious project, Moon Jung-hee, Lee Min-woo, Shin Jong-cheol, and Yoo Hee-kwan joined him as his steadfast support.

Securing sufficient ingredients, crucial for the buffet's success, was tackled by Yoo Hee-kwan and Lee Min-woo, who transformed into divers to procure seafood. Notably, Lee Min-woo, in his first diving attempt, impressed by catching abalone, showcasing his 'newlywed power.' The unexpectedly abundant catch further fueled the chefs' enthusiasm.

Chef Lee Yeon-bok created 'Chili Icefish' using a fish he encountered for the first time, while Chef Shin Jong-cheol prepared an elegant 'Chinese Cold Salad' and a visually stunning 'Black and White Sea Bream Tangsu.' The finale included Chef Lee's signature 'Island Jajangmyeon' and 'Mapo Sea Bream,' completing the five-course menu presented to the guests.

Chef Lee Yeon-bok offered guests a unique experience by personally serving Jajangmyeon from a live station, embodying his spirit of making the impossible possible on a deserted island. The episode solidified the show's status as the 'Monday Variety King,' achieving the highest viewership ratings among all variety programs aired that day.

Chef Lee Yeon-bok, born in 1959, is the first Korean to have served as Head Chef at one of Hong Kong's top three hotels, the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong. His illustrious career has led to widespread recognition through numerous television appearances. He is particularly known for his innovative approach to Korean-Chinese cuisine, constantly developing unique dishes.