Master '익힘 정도': Chef Ahn Sung-jae's Viral Critique
Learn the viral '익힘 정도' (level of doneness) expression from Culinary Class Wars and how to use it like a pro. Master Korean food critiques!
Learn the viral '익힘 정도' (level of doneness) expression from Culinary Class Wars and how to use it like a pro. Master Korean food critiques!
Explain the expression '익힘 정도' (level of doneness) and '채소의 익힘' (the cooking of vegetables) which became a viral K-drama/variety trope through Chef Ahn Sung-jae.
Imagine you are served a dish where the steak is perfect, but the garnish is slightly soggy. Would you let it slide, or would you channel your inner Michelin-star judge? How do you describe that exact moment when the texture isn't quite right in Korean?
Quick cheat sheet
Expressions in this post
What it actually implies
While 익힘ikhim comes from the verb 익히다ikhida (to cook/ripen), 정도jeongdo means degree or level. In the context of the hit show Culinary Class Wars, Chef Ahn Sung-jae used this phrase to evaluate the technical execution of a dish. It’s not just about "is it raw?" but rather "is the intended texture achieved?"
When it sounds rude (and why)
Using this in a casual restaurant or at a friend's house can make you sound incredibly pretentious. Unless you are a professional chef or specifically asked for a critique, focusing on the 익힘 정도ikhim jeongdo implies you are judging their technical skill rather than enjoying the meal. It’s a "perfectionist" term.
Do / Don’t checklist
- Do: Use it when discussing steak temperatures (Rare, Medium, etc.).
- Do: Use it when talking about the texture of pasta (Al dente).
- Don't: Use it to complain about your mom's kimchi stew unless you want a lecture.
- Don't: Forget to add
딱 좋아요ttak johayo (It's just right) if you want to be polite.
Perfectionist Intensity Scale (1–5)
- Level 1 (Casual):
맛있어요masisseoyo — It's just tasty. - Level 2 (Observant):
잘 익었네요jal igeotneyo — It's cooked well. - Level 3 (Specific):
고기 익힘 정도가 좋아요gogi ikhim jeongdoga johayo — The meat's doneness is good. - Level 4 (Ahn Sung-jae Mode):
채소의 익힘이 아쉽습니다chaesoui ikhimi aswipseupnida — The cooking of the vegetables is disappointing. - Level 5 (The Blindfold):
익힘 정도가 제 의도와 다릅니다ikhim jeongdoga je uidowa dareupnida — The doneness differs from my intention.
Rewrite drill (same message, 3 tones)
- Blunt/Professional:
익힘 정도가 부족합니다.ikhim jeongdoga bujokhapnida. — The doneness is insufficient. - Polite/Softened:
조금 더 익었으면 좋았을 것 같아요.jogeum deo igeosseumyeon johasseul geot gatayo. — I think it would have been better if it were cooked a bit more. - Casual/Social:
이거 좀 덜 익은 것 같지 않아?igeo jom deol igeun geot gatji anha? — Don't you think this is a bit undercooked?
Trap Example
Don't confuse 익힘ikhim (cooking/ripening) with 읽기ilgi (reading). Saying 읽기 정도ilgi jeongdo when your steak arrives will result in a very confused waiter wondering if you want to read your meat.
Copy/paste mini-dialogues (with EN)
Next steps
Next time you eat out, try to mentally evaluate the 익힘 정도ikhim jeongdo of your meal. If it's perfect, tell the server: 익힘 정도가 딱 좋아요!ikhim jeongdoga ttak johayo! (The doneness is just right!). It’s a sophisticated way to give a compliment that shows you know your food.
