When locals think about Korean food, it's usually kalbi, kim chee, meat and fish jun, japchae or mandoo. That's because most Korean fast-food restaurants around town have them on the menu.

Now, a new series of TV shows on Mondays and Tuesdays will give you a closer look into the more expansive culinary culture of Korea. "Best Chef," known as "Sikgaek" in Korea, will showcase Korean food, both traditional and modern-day, and show how it is prepared.

"Best Chef" is based on a comic series with the same name by Huh Young-man. The 24-episode drama is very popular in South Korea on the Seoul Broadcasting System network, with high ratings.

A film version in Korea, "Le Grand Chef," also did very well at the box office. The Hawaii International Film Festival is eyeing "Le Grand Chef" for its fall festival.

The main role of Sung-chan in "Best Chef" is played by Kim Rae Won, who became a megastar with the series "Rooftop Romance" (aka "Cat on the Roof"). Sung-chan travels around South Korea to find the best and freshest ingredients, and in the process, finds that he has some talent in the kitchen.

Kwon Oh Jung plays Bong-joo, stepbrother to Sung-chan and his rival as best chef. Kim So Yun (the evil character in "All About Eve") plays the restaurant manager and sets the stage for a love triangle between Bong-joo and Sung-chan. The setting is the famous Oh family restaurant, where the father, played by Choi Bool Am, is seeking the best chef to take over the family business. That ignites a battle between stepbrothers.

"Sikgaek" is written in Chinese characters: sik (food, meal, to eat) and gaek (customer). Together, sikgaek means "customers who come to eat a prepared meal."

The "Sikgaek"/"Best Chef" storyline has ties to the royal palace, as descendants of the royal chef continue in modern-day Korea, developing culinary art with the freshest ingredients.

This is a must-see series for fans who love Korean food.

THIS WEEK'S K-DRAMA SYNOPSES

'HAPPINESS'

Episodes 27 and 28

Tonight at 6:45: Sang-wook attempts to tell his parents the truth about Sa-rang. While trying to stop Sang-wook from revealing the truth, Ha-kyong collapses in pain.

Tonight at 7:45: Sae-young makes arrangements to send Eda to a boarding school in Paris without telling her. After a ballet recital, Kang-suk shows up backstage and surprises Eda.

'BEST CHEF'

Episodes 3 and 4

Tomorrow at 7:45 p.m.: Chief Kim from North Korea is in South Korea for peace talks. A well-known gourmand, he orders fermented soybean soup. Sung-chan volunteers to cook the soup, but it fails to impress Chief Kim.

Tuesday at 7:45 p.m.: Sung-chan reveals that Woonam has been using unscented soybeans for international customers, on Bong-joo's direction. The second round is won by Bong-joo, as he cooks red ginseng black chicken soup paired with wine from France.

'ILJIMAE'

Episodes 15 and 16

Wednesday at 7:45 p.m.: Iljimae fever spreads throughout the city and everything, from toys to drinks, related to Iljimae becomes popular. Si-hu, while inspecting Iljimae's crime scene, suspects that he might have an accomplice.

Thursday at 7:45 p.m.: The news of Iljimae's heroic actions spread throughout the country, and the court officials urge the king to deport Jeong Myong-su and his son. The crown prince returns home after nine years, but the king isn't too happy about his son's homecoming.

'DAYS OF INNOCENCE'

Episodes 7 and 8

Friday at 7:45 p.m.: Dong-hwa is devastated when Ji-yoon calls out Tae-seok's name even in her coma. Min-kyong finds out about the relationship between Min-soo, her brother, Tae-seok and Ji-yoon, and tells Ji-yoon she's the reason her brother died.

Saturday at 7:45 p.m.: Ji-yoon and Tae-seok are surprised to find each other at the beach. The two are stranded in a storm and decide to stay in the country for a day, but they're forced back to Seoul when Dong-hwa and Min-kyong call.

Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD, which televises Korean dramas. Reach him at 521-8066 or jeffchung@kbfd.com.