Korean Stars Explore Portugal’s Culinary Secrets in Teecast’s New Food Travel Show
Teecast’s E Channel is launching its latest food-travel series, ‘Ryu Student: Culinary Journey’, taking viewers on a flavorful adventure through the streets of Porto, Portugal. Premiering on Saturday, May 17 at 5:20 PM (KST), the show features beloved Korean actors Ryu Soo-young, Yoon Kyung-ho, and Kihyun diving into traditional Portuguese cuisine, starting with Portugal’s iconic ingredient—bacalhau, or salt cod.
In the first episode, the cast visits a local restaurant in Porto to sample a variety of bacalhau dishes, learning that the preserved fish can be prepared in over 1,000 different ways. Yoon Kyung-ho, who had researched in advance, voiced concern about the potential saltiness, recounting how a friend struggled with its intense flavor.
The trio’s culinary quest began with a semi-dried bacalhau carpaccio paired with salad. To Yoon’s surprise, the fermentation-like taste he expected—akin to Korea’s fermented skate—was absent, leading him to express amazement at the dish’s freshness.
Other inventive preparations followed, including a dish where bacalhau was braised in Port wine. Ryu Soo-young commented that it reminded him of a less spicy, grilled pollack, finding comfort in the familiar taste.
The surprises continued as Kihyun tried a bacalhau à Brás—a mixture of shredded cod, fried potatoes, and eggs—and remarked humorously that its aroma reminded him of an overwhelming Korean scent. The trio burst into laughter when he exclaimed the flavor was so intense it caused “his eyelids to curl.”
The culinary highlight was a dish made from the tongue of cod, an unfamiliar part for most non-locals. Using eight tongues per dish, this Porto specialty left the cast stunned, with Ryu Soo-young dramatically exclaiming, “It’s like kissing a cod!”
‘Ryu Student: Culinary Journey’ is a perfect blend of culture, comedy, and cuisine, showcasing how food brings people together while pushing them out of their comfort zones. After its E Channel broadcast premiere, viewers can also catch the series on Netflix, Wave, Tving, and Watcha.
