Ep 18. The Fried Chicken of Youth

Soma finds himself up against an old acquaintance from middle school, Joichiro's former sous chef and one of the Elite Ten Council members, Kojiro Shinomiya. Kojiro, who is now a Michelin-starred chef with his own restaurant, challenges Soma to a Shokugeki (food battle) with a fried chicken theme.

Soma is excited for the challenge but quickly realizes that Kojiro is a formidable opponent. Kojiro's chicken is perfectly cooked and seasoned, and his signature sauce is a blend of flavors that Soma can't quite pinpoint.

Undeterred, Soma puts his own spin on the classic dish by using a secret family recipe for a double-frying technique, which results in an incredibly crispy outer layer and a moist and flavorful interior.

The judges are impressed with both dishes, but when it comes time to announce the winner, the decision is tied. Kojiro and Soma agree to a sudden death round, where they must create a new dish using the leftovers from their fried chicken battle.

Soma creates a chicken and egg rice bowl, while Kojiro opts for a chicken stew with root vegetables. The judges are blown away by both dishes, but in the end, it's Soma's rice bowl that wins out.

As Kojiro concedes defeat, he ends up giving Soma some valuable advice about taking risks and constantly evolving as a chef. Soma leaves the battle feeling rejuvenated and inspired, ready to take on whatever challenges lie ahead.