Hwasa predicts new food craze with 180,000 won Deokja-jjim

Singer Hwasa has once again signaled a potential mukbang craze, this time with 'Deokja-jjim.' Having previously triggered nationwide sell-outs of various foods like gopchang (small intestines), Hwasa stimulated viewers' appetites by revealing her extraordinary appetite and love for food at Namdaemun Market.

In the SBS entertainment program 'My Little Old Boy' broadcast on the 9th, Han Hye-jin and Hwasa were seen visiting Namdaemun Market to enjoy shopping and eating.

After touring various parts of the market and enjoying some shopping, the two headed to a regular restaurant that Hwasa frequently visits. The menu Hwasa confidently introduced was 'Deokja-jjim,' a dish with an unfamiliar name.

"This is the original place. I had Deokja-jjim here once and it was so delicious that I looked for it elsewhere, but I couldn't find it," Hwasa said, expressing her pride by adding, "There is no other recipe like this."

Deokja is a fish belonging to the pomfret family, characterized by being larger than typical pomfret.

Once the order was placed, a lavish spread of side dishes, including scallion pancakes, soy-marinated crabs, pollack roe, and fried eggs, was laid out on the table. As if she had been waiting, Hwasa began her full-scale mukbang by skillfully picking out crab meat to make soy sauce egg rice.

In particular, Han Hye-jin burst into laughter at Hwasa's skillful hand movements as she picked out every bit of crab meat without leaving a single shell behind, saying, "Even though you earn quite a bit yourself.""

However, Hwasa was firm when it came to food.

"Don't say anything when it comes to food.""

Han Hye-jin could not continue the conversation in the face of Hwasa's resolute mukbang philosophy.

A moment later, when the star of the day, the Deokja-jjim, appeared, both women could not hide their surprise. At the sight of the Deokja-jjim, which was so massive it was reminiscent of a cauldron lid, even Hwasa marveled, saying, "This is the biggest Deokja I've ever seen.""

The restaurant explained that they use wild Deokja, stating, "Since it's based on market price, the largest one is 180,000 won."

While it was by no means a cheap price, the taste was more important to Hwasa than the cost.

Hwasa showed special affection for the place, mentioning it was a restaurant recommended by her fitness instructor. She even showed her sincere devotion to the food by revealing that it is so delicious she even takes it to go in the entire pot.

Watching this, Han Hye-jin recalled the memory of eating gopchang with Hwasa in the past. She mentioned the anecdote of how a nationwide gopchang craze erupted after Hwasa's delicious eating of gopchang was aired on television.

Han Hye-jin praised Hwasa's mukbang abilities, saying, "I remember when I ate gopchang with you. Isn't the only person on Earth who receives awards for eating you?"

She continued with a joke, saying, "After you ate, gopchang ran out nationwide, so I'm worried Mr. Deokja might lose weight this time," suggesting that Deokja-jjim might trigger another 'Hwasa effect.'

Hwasa has already established herself as a representative 'mukbang star' who attracts nationwide attention through the taste and visuals of food alone. In particular, rather than forcing herself to eat large amounts, her sincere attitude toward food and the way she enjoys the taste with her whole body are resonating with viewers.

Attention is now focused on whether the Deokja-jjim touched by Hwasa's hands will create a new food craze following the broadcast. It remains to be seen whether a 'Deokja-jjim craze' will become a reality following the 'gopchang craze.'