Heo's Restaurant Episodes 3 & 4: A Time-Traveling Chef and a Restaurant Partnership - MBN's Monday-Tuesday Drama Heats Up
The Unexpected Partnership Forms in 'Heo's Restaurant' Episodes 3 & 4
Episodes 3 and 4 of WhyNot Media's drama 'Heo's Restaurant' (directed by Oh Hwan-min and Kim Kyung-eun, written by Sung So-hyun), which aired on March 31 and April 1, 2025, showcase the beginning of an unexpected partnership between Heo Gyun (played by Xiumin) and Bong Eun-sil (played by Choo So-jung), the daughter of a traditional Korean restaurant owner.
The story takes an intriguing turn when Heo Gyun, who appears to be a time traveler from the Joseon era, discovers Eun-sil's mother (played by Kim Hee-jung) after she suffers an unfortunate accident. This discovery leads to Gyun being questioned as a suspect by Detective Kang (played by Oh Ji-ho). During the interrogation, Gyun earnestly tries to cooperate but finds himself in awkward situations due to his inability to understand the differences between Joseon-era and modern-day identification systems. In this process, Gyun recalls that Detective Kang bears a striking resemblance to an assassin who once tried to kill him in the past, adding another layer of mystery to the narrative.
The Rival Chef and Mysterious Connections
Meanwhile, the plot thickens as it's revealed that Lee Hyuk (played by Lee Se-on), a chef at the restaurant across from Eun-sil's family establishment, had met with Eun-sil's mother on the day of the accident. In a chilling development, Detective Kang is shown helping Hyuk destroy evidence related to the accident in exchange for handling his "dirty work," creating a tense power dynamic between the two characters.
Eun-sil, forced to become the acting manager of her mother's restaurant after operations are suspended due to her mother's absence, faces significant financial difficulties due to mounting hospital bills. Despite receiving an offer from Hyuk to purchase the restaurant at an above-market price, Eun-sil hesitates to make a decision, clinging to the hope that her mother will recover and return to the business.
The drama effectively builds tension through these interconnected relationships, with viewers left wondering about the true nature of Detective Kang and Chef Hyuk's relationship and their possible connection to the accident.
A Culinary Genius Meets a Cooking Novice
The heart of episodes 3 and 4 lies in the developing relationship between Heo Gyun and Eun-sil. Despite being a self-proclaimed "cooking disaster," Eun-sil reconnects with Gyun when he visits her mother at the hospital. She soon discovers that Gyun possesses extraordinary culinary talents—he's able to perfectly recreate her mother's dishes after tasting them just once.
Moved by Gyun's incredible cooking skills, Eun-sil proposes that they work together, offering him the position of head chef and suggesting they run the restaurant as partners. This partnership marks the beginning of their journey together, as they start visiting markets early in the morning to purchase ingredients, gradually growing closer in the process.
The contrast between Gyun's natural cooking genius and Eun-sil's lack of culinary skills creates both humorous moments and touching scenes as they navigate their new business relationship. Their chemistry on screen has been particularly praised by viewers, with many noting the natural progression of their interactions.
The Mystery of Time Travel Deepens
During their market visits, Gyun spots an elderly man (played by Woo Hyun) disguised as a market vendor, triggering memories from his past. This encounter leads Gyun to intuitively understand that his time-slip experience is somehow connected to this mysterious old man. The question of why this elderly figure continues to appear around Gyun adds another intriguing element to the storyline, leaving viewers curious about future developments.
The time travel aspect of the drama is handled with a delicate balance of mystery and humor. Gyun's attempts to adapt to modern life while maintaining his Joseon-era sensibilities create both comedic situations and poignant moments of reflection. His perspective as someone from the past offers a unique lens through which viewers can appreciate both historical and contemporary Korean culture, particularly as it relates to food traditions.
This supernatural element distinguishes 'Heo's Restaurant' from typical culinary dramas, adding depth to what might otherwise be a straightforward restaurant revival story.
Competitive Tensions Rise
Chef Lee Hyuk becomes increasingly agitated upon learning that Heo Gyun and Eun-sil have begun operating the traditional restaurant. His anger intensifies when a commercial filming with CF star Jung Mi-sol (played by Lee Su-min) is suspended, threatening to damage the reputation he values above all else.
As the relationships between Gyun, Eun-sil, Hyuk, and Mi-sol become more entangled, viewers are left wondering whether Gyun and Eun-sil will be able to successfully manage the restaurant amid these mounting pressures and mysterious circumstances.
The competitive element between the two restaurants adds a compelling dynamic to the story, with Hyuk representing modern, trendy cuisine while Gyun and Eun-sil's establishment embodies traditional Korean culinary heritage. This contrast serves as a metaphor for broader cultural tensions between preserving tradition and embracing innovation.
What's Next for 'Heo's Restaurant'
Co-planned by WhyNot Media, Hakuhodo DY Music & Pictures, and Corpus Japan, and produced by The Great Show, 'Heo's Restaurant' continues to build momentum as it approaches its fifth episode. Episode 5 is scheduled to be released on April 7 (Monday) at 5 PM on Netflix and Wavve, at 7 PM on Watcha and TVING, and at 9 PM on MBN Plus.
As the drama progresses, viewers can expect further development of the mysterious connections between characters, more insights into Heo Gyun's time travel experience, and the evolution of the partnership between Gyun and Eun-sil. The culinary aspects of the show continue to be a highlight, with beautifully filmed food preparation scenes that showcase traditional Korean cuisine.
With its unique blend of time travel, mystery, culinary arts, and budding romance, 'Heo's Restaurant' has positioned itself as one of the most intriguing new dramas of the season. The chemistry between the lead actors and the well-paced storytelling have created a compelling viewing experience that leaves audiences eagerly anticipating each new episode.