Description: 'Kim Sumi's "Just About This Much" Recipe Book' More and more people are finding greater happiness in a single humble side dish than in a chef's elaborate creation. Sumi's Side Dishes is an unprecedented cooking variety show devoted entirely to banchan (Korean side dishes), born from the desire to bring back the loving, hands-on flavor of a mother's cooking — and to restore people's lost appetites — amid a flood of dining-out culture. Kim Sumi, a true master of Korean home cooking and the very embodiment of the mother who lives by "the strength of a good meal," steps forward as the messenger of that flavor. Renowned Chinese cuisine master Yeo Kyung-rae, chef-tainer Choi Hyun-seok, and Bulgarian chef Micael Arnaudov join as special helpers, learning the secrets behind Kim Sumi's signature dishes. For the many people rushing through busy lives and skipping meals, a proper home-cooked meal is more precious than ever. While her methods may not be as refined as today's trendy cooking techniques, the true heart of Kim Sumi's recipes lies in that irreplaceable "hand taste" — flavors you never tire of, no matter how often you eat them. Instead of measuring cups or spoons, her recipes call for amounts like "about this much," "just a little," "kind of, sort of," and "season the soy sauce until it looks and feels right" — setting them apart from ordinary recipes. Even ingredients that seem like they'd never belong together, like dried croaker and bracken fern, come together deliciously on the table. However, for readers who wish to follow the recipes exactly, the book doesn't simply reprint Kim Sumi's recipes as-is; instead, Korean cuisine experts helped translate them into clear, followable instructions. The true value of a meal isn't measured by cooking certificates or expensive ingredients, but by the care and love put into it — which is why, in cooking, there is no single correct measurement or answer. For anyone who cooks their own side dishes at home, we hope this easy-to-read, enjoyable book, Sumi's Side Dishes, helps bring back your lost appetite. "My mother, who adored her daughter dearly, would quietly call me over when I came home from school and whisper in my ear, 'I've hidden dried croaker with bracken fern and American candy in the secret cupboard.' I would rush to the cupboard, searching like it was a treasure hunt. For me, food has always been both a longing and a thrill. I will always be someone who shares food with others. I sincerely hope that through Sumi's Side Dishes, love for Korea will grow even deeper... 'Mom! The happy memory of mixing your savory doenjang into warm rice and eating it with a freshly grilled piece of flounder still brings me joy today...'" — Kim Sumi, the beloved youngest daughter, now approaching the age her mother once was Bring Back Lost Appetites with a Mother's Hand Taste! The memory of enjoying food someone once made for us resurfaces whenever we encounter something similar — because that dish carries the added flavor of memory itself. What is the value of that sense of fullness created by each person's memories? This book shares Kim Sumi's philosophy of focusing on taste rather than exact measurements — a cookbook overflowing with warmth and affection. One American viewer expressed gratitude to Kim Sumi, saying, "Sometimes the healing that comes from food offers more comfort than any medicine or doctor." This is the power of authenticity over mere information. Most of the recipes feel natural and unforced, just like a mother teaching her daughter — which is exactly what draws homemakers eager to cook delicious meals to look closer at the recipes in Sumi's Side Dishes. The 'Different' Recipes That Transformed Our Family Table! Let go of vague worries like "Will it taste too fishy?" or "Will it be too difficult?" The refreshingly straightforward recipes in Sumi's Side Dishes provide the answer. And with them, you can prepare a healthy meal that offers more comfort than any medicine or doctor's advice. The truth is, exact measurements should vary depending on the family and who's eating — that's what makes a recipe truly work. Though her recipes may seem a bit blunt and lacking in detail, there's an emotional connection woven into Kim Sumi's cooking that's hard to explain but easy to feel. Unexpected Recipes Born from the Humility of True Chefs! After learning Kim Sumi's secret techniques, the chefs go on to create their own original side dishes using the same ingredients — adding even more richness and variety to our everyday tables.