Bon Appetit, Your Majesty

Bon Appétit, Your Majesty just saved me from my drama slump!

Do you even know how crazy this is for me?? It has literally been ONE whole year since I properly watched a Kdrama. Like I would start dramas, watch a few episodes, drop them, lose interest instantly 😐 nothing was sticking. I thought I was done with dramas, honestly.

But then Bon Appétit, Your Majesty happened. And oh my god. I don’t even have words. I am OBSESSED. I gave it a 10/10 when there are still 8 episodes left and I don’t even care if that sounds too early because that’s how much I love it. I am hooked, like actually on the edge of my seat, counting down days for new episodes. Every single scene, every single detail is just PERFECT.

I swear I’m not exaggerating 😭 this drama singlehandedly dragged me out of the worst slump ever and I am so thankful it exists. It’s been so long since I felt this excitement, this happiness, while watching a kdrama. I’m honestly in love with it. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for this masterpiece. 🫶

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MY FAVORITE SHOW! DONT TRUST THE BAD REVIEWS!

I will make it short but I think this is my 2nd review of a drama. First of all, DONT TRUST THE REVIEWS HERE! If you depend on reviews here to watch a drama, stop watching dramas. THIS IS THE BEST DRAMA I'VE SEEN IN A WHILE! It brought me back and many others from the slump! it's been years for me.

I finished the show yesterday, and here I came expecting very high ratings but huh??? what is with the hate forced comments?!!!! I was shocked! I truly believe you should give the show a try without depending on reviews and I am sure it won't disappoint. From the beginning to the final episode it did not disappoint AT ALL. The show made me love the actors and they were all memorable, loved the food and how to enjoy it. Also, it made fall in love with the fantasy and history themed dramas more!

Everything was so good, the story, the actors, their acting, the food, the comedy, the fantasy and historical aspect, the slow burn romance, the chemistry, the ending like overall it is a must watch! the only thing that disappointed me was the show ending too fast and I am attached right now. So please give it a try!!

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WHEN DISHES CROSS WORLDS : EVERY BITE HOLDS A MEMORY

‧₊˚ ⋅ 𓐐𓎩 ‧₊˚ ⋅ Bon Appétit, Your Majesty, also known as Surviving as Yeonsangun’s Chef, is a historical time-travel K-drama adapted from the webtoon written by Park Kuk-jae. What makes Bon Appétit stand out is its unique focus on food; each dish carries meaning and reflects the main theme of the story. The mystery, romance, comedy, and royal family issues serve as subplots in the drama. Although the BAYM genre isn’t new to historical series , this one was refreshing and different because of its storytelling. I chose the title because it relates to how King Yi heon interpreted Chef ji yeong foods ‧₊˚ ⋅ 𓐐𓎩 ‧₊˚ ⋅

STORYLINE SUMMARY 🍝🥢♡ ༘*.ﾟ

Chef Yeon Ji Yeong is a french chef from the modern world with a cheerful and outgoing personality, who only has her dad but with her hard work she got first place in a cooking competition to become a top michelin chef on her way home , she reads a special book that was ordered by her dad and she is suddenly pulled back to joseon era there she met King Yi Heon, a feared tyrant known for his brilliant mind, sharp tongue, and ruthless standards. Trapped in a world she has never visited and a royal place with dangerous politics, she has to survive through cooking. She works hard to satisfy the king's exceptional tastes in the process, leading to other events unfolding and her getting the love of her life.

The first part of the drama introduces the main characters and establishes their roles. Ji Yeong wins a prestigious cooking contest, and her detailed explanation of each step in preparing the dishes combining culinary art with science made me eager to watch more. The cooking process was portrayed beautifully and kept me hooked. After the contest, Ji Yeong was returning home from Paris when she was suddenly transported back to the Joseon era after reading a mysterious book her father had asked her to retrieve. There, she encounters the tyrannical King of Joseon, and their first meeting is chaotic Ji Yeong, still in denial, refuses to believe she’s no longer in 2025. A series of unexpected events leads the two to fall from a cliff, marking the second major mystery of the drama. Before discovering the king’s true identity, Ji Yeong meets another person in the forest Gil Geum who quickly becomes her friend.

The two were taken along with the king, marking the beginning of their shared journey and Ji Yeong’s new experiences in Joseon. Overall, the first four episodes were excellent. We got to see Ji Yeong’s mastery in cooking, and once she arrived at the palace, everything changed for both her and the king. Ji Yeong recognized some of the villains and recalled parts of their past stories. She recognized Consort Kang and knew she was a troublemaker but didn’t yet understand her true intentions toward the king. However, she was unaware of the true main villain, which made the later events unfold in a different way.
The first half of the drama was enjoyable for me due to the dynamic between the leads and the ongoing palace schemes to dethrone the king's plans that shifted after Ji Yeong’s arrival and the involvement of Gong Gil, the jester. Ji Yeong had to prove her worth to remain in the palace and eventually earned her position as a royal chef.

The main plot of BAYM centers around food, and the early episodes make that clear. The king, despite his bad temper, has a refined and intelligent way of describing and appreciating food. Whenever Ji Yeong cooks, it soothes him, and over time, their interactions become warmer, revealing how her cooking touches both his heart and mind, not just his taste buds.
Even if BAYM had focused more on palace politics, it would still be fascinating to watch, as every scheme and ambition gradually shifted toward Ji Yeong, with many trying to use her as bait for their own gain.

The final part of the drama marked the downfall of Joseon, a complete bloodbath. It felt like the blood would spill out of my screen, and I couldn’t look away. Before the chaos, the truth about the king’s mother’s death was revealed while he danced for his grandmother, and from that moment, everything unraveled. King Yi Heon had every right to punish those behind her death, but since he never knew her true wish, his desire for revenge consumed him, turning him into the tyrant everyone feared. Ji Yeong was the only one who could calm him, and watching him struggle for peace while everything collapsed around him was deeply emotional. When the main villain struck, the palace descended into chaos again, bloody, heartbreaking, and painful to watch. Seeing my beloved side characters die so brutally left me shocked and devastated. Ji Yeong’s return to the modern world also happened , but when the king cried and begged for her to come back, I teared up and I smiled when the ripped page reappeared, because I knew it would bring him back to he that their promise and the book’s power was strong in their fate connection.

˗ˏˋ ꒰ ♡ ꒱ ˎˊ˗
The ending felt a bit rushed since the revolt took much of the runtime, and I wished for more, especially knowing the webtoon had lighter side stories. Still, I was satisfied not because it had a happy ending, but because most questions were answered. King Yi Heon kept his promises to Chef Ji Yeong; though he wasn’t the best ruler, he found peace and redemption in the end.

────୨ৎ────CHARACTERS/ ACTING ────୨ৎ────

Lee Chae Min As King Yi heon ♛ ⚔️𓆩❤︎𓆪

Lee Chae min embodied his role as King Yi heon in a phenomenal and natural way. His character King yi heon was not hard to understand for me because he was a tyrant king who got this name because of his rage and bad temper. The king wasn’t dumb or weak his choices were rooted in revenge, not ignorance. He acted on emotion more than reason, but that doesn’t make him powerless. He ruled with authority, even if that authority came at the cost of peace. He wasn’t a puppet king; people despised him, yet they couldn’t control him either. In my opinion, what made King Yi Heon not the best king was that he had no one to calm him or give him good advice until the female lead appeared. Her presence, though a little late, helped him realize his mistakes and fight for his younger brother to be surrounded by good people. How can a king rule when his consort, his best friend who also once betrayed him, and most of his subjects all manipulate him, pushing him toward rage and madness? His second biggest mistake was asking the royal cooks to compete against the Mings, which he later admitted, but that competition also showed how grounded Joseon was in its cuisine and the skill of its chefs.

Beyond being a king, he had a refined talent for describing and analyzing food, making him a true gourmet. I loved all his reactions. Lee Cha Min portrayed him brilliantly the comedy never felt forced, and considering he had only a month to prepare for the archery, horse riding, dance, and fight scenes, the directing supported him well. It’s not wrong to give credit when it’s due, I didn’t expect him to perform this well, but he surprised me. His subtle gazes at Chef Ji Yeong and the slow build of his feelings were natural. At first, he disliked her, but her food and presence softened him.

When he said he didn’t see her as a woman, it backfired as he began seeing her as one and that softened his heart but he still had his temper around others.
I don’t support killing, but he had the right to crash out during his grandmother's birthday because she was two faced, his mother’s death was unfair and brutal. Their bond was strong, she was the light in his life, and Ji Yeong later became that same light. Lee Cha Min embodied the king’s rage, sorrow, and love perfectly. King Yi Heon ruled because he was appointed to, but his revenge ruined his name. Still, he fought to secure a better future for his brother, even when fate led him to another world.

Lim Yoona As Chef Yeon Ji yeong 👩‍🍳🛎️♨️

Lim Yoona portrayed her character, Chef Yeon Ji Yeong, effortlessly. I liked her a lot because she was bubbly, friendly, and full of energy. I never saw her as a two-dimensional character just because her role stayed true to being a chef. As a chef, she wasn’t just cooking and serving food; each dish she made had meaning and purpose across all twelve episodes courses . Yeon Ji Yeong is a woman in her late twenties who had just won a competition that could make her a Michelin chef in modern Korea, suddenly found herself in the old Joseon era because of the king’s yearning. I liked that she refused to accept she was in another world at first it made her reactions realistic and valid.

Her character may seem simple but her skills are not simple and it’s not easy to please everyone, especially a king. She worked hard to prove her worth, even spending days in prison after giving her best. I initially thought she remembered everything about the king’s history, but she didn’t. She only knew about the consort’s schemes, not the main villain, which made sense if she did, she wouldn’t have let him take her pepper and use her as bait Yeon Ji Yeong’s food made a real impact. It changed people’s perspectives, even the villains couldn’t deny her skill.

Her dishes brought back memories for those who tasted the food, grandmother, the king, and even the Ming chef Kong Wen Li. Eating food is not only about satisfying one's hunger but how it nourishes the body,comforts the mind and connects people together and Yeon Ji Yeong captured that perfectly. She was also good with words, made friends easily, and was well known in the palace because of her cooking skills. I liked her ending, even though I wished it was longer. She had a lonely life except for her father, and it would have been nice to see more of her modern day adventures and the food designs she recreated that was inspired by the king's journal.

Yoona portrayed her role naturally, from taking food classes for three months to designing 95% of the dishes herself. She had no body double, and that effort showed in the drama. Her emotional and comedic scenes were natural to me and didn't come out forced . Some might say Ji Yeong didn’t love the king, but I saw her feelings as subtle and sincere. She cared deeply for him. It was sad knowing she had to leave one day so how could she be fully happy being in a relationship , yet she wished she could stay because of how much he loved her.

The supporting characters all played their roles well. I liked each of their portrayals. They fit perfectly as chefs, subjects, and even villains. The villains made me annoyed and rolled my eyes every time they appeared, which just shows how well they acted their parts. Out of all the characters, I related most to Gil Geum ˗ˏˋ ꒰ ♡ ꒱ ˎˊ˗ . She reminded me of myself, shy at first but expressive once I’m comfortable. I loved her friendship with Yeon Ji Yeong and how determined she was to improve her cooking skills.

Short explanation on the romance between the king and chef ji yeong ﮩـﮩﮩ٨ـ🫀ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ

The romance between the King and Chef Yeon Ji Yeong in BAYM is more of a subplot, as the drama mainly focuses on its central theme. Their love didn’t feel sudden or based on infatuation; it flowed well through understanding and mutual respect between each character. Even within twelve episodes, their scenes together were not limited even though it's not lovey dovey , through conversations, trust, and support Yeon Ji Yeong changed the King, helping him become a different person , while she also saw beyond his flaws. Their interactions made me smile, their banter was fun, their bond genuine, and the book symbolized the promise that both kept to each other. Their hugs and kisses made me swoon, especially the hug scenes.

OST/ CINEMATOGRAPHY 🎵📹
The OST and cinematography were also well done. Although there weren’t many songs, I really liked the two main ones that played throughout the main scenes . The cinematography was chef’s kiss and well done . I also liked that the animations were made with CGI and not the use of AI. The production team is already known for their creative work even before AI became common.

FAV SCENES 👀✿˚ ༘ ⋆｡♡˚
★ The leads first meet
★ All gil geum and ji yeong scenes
★ The hug scenes between the leads
★ First cooking competition
★ Almost everything about the drama tbh
★ The dance scene with ji yeong and the king
★ All the food reactions and the leads scenes together

OVERALL IMPRESSION 🌟⚜(✽´ཫ`✽)

My overall impression of BAYM is simple: I ENJOYED EVERY BIT OF IT. Watching it felt like receiving a dish I didn’t order but was gifted and it tasted incredible. That’s exactly how the drama felt for me, which is why it took me a whole week to process and finally write this review (also, a bit busy and catching up on sleep whenever I could). It’s a drama I would normally gatekeep for myself, but for anyone reading this who hasn’t watched it yet, I say: just give it a try even if it’s long.

BAYM is straightforward and easy to follow. It feels refreshing and different, not a recycled storyline or a copy of Mr. Queen. I watched all 12 episodes and couldn’t find any real similarities beyond both involving chefs and time travel. The culinary aspect here was more in-depth, and I loved how the drama incorporated science into some of the food scenes. The chemistry between the leads was good and the director did well for their scenes.

Some scenes may seem silly at first, but they make sense in context. For example, I never knew chocolate could help with memory, but after seeing it in the drama, I researched it myself. This drama made me interact with so many people and brought me out of my second half of 2025 kdrama slump. I liked how much importance the drama placed on food, and watching Chef Ji-yeong improvise without modern ingredients was inspiring. The drama had me drooling nonstop, making me wish I could taste every single dish myself.

The drama has serious and unserious parts and funny scenes had me laughing out loud, overall, it’s a show I will rewatch and remember . Everyone involved clearly worked hard on this drama. I avoid calling a show “overhyped” because tastes vary, but I do wish TVN wouldn’t cut out important scenes because it's becoming frustrating. I might add more words to my review later because i have more to say.

FAV QUOTES 📜𝜗𝜚˗ˏˋ ꒰ ♡ ꒱ ˎˊ˗
“ They say act mute for three years and blind for another three “ - King Yi heon

“ When it comes to taste, you can only sense the five basic types, which are bitter, Sour sweet, spicy and salty,but aromas are countless and diverse - Chef Yeon ji yeong

“Don’t forget this,one who bears a sword with a grin will eventually be struck by it “ - King Yi Heon

“ Even if the sky falls in, there is always a way out we should stay strong “ - Gil Geum

Thanks For Reading my long review ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆💗⃝🌕 Goodbye my Suragan family -`♡´-

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Wherein Coldness Yields to Affection, and Wounds Bloom into Love

It is with a most tender heart that I endeavour to set down my thoughts on ‘Bon Appétit, Your Majesty’. The drama bewitched me entirely: I smiled, I sighed, and I found myself counting the days until Saturday as one might count the hours until a beloved visit.

Yeon Jiyeong was presented with a simplicity of truth that won me at once. She is strong, determined, hard-working and responsible — qualities not ostentatious, but admirable all the same. Her amiability, together with a ready humour and the genuine warmth of her friendship, made her magnetically agreeable; she seemed less a stranger upon the screen than a companion I had longed to know.

King Yiheon was first shown as a young gentleman of sarcastic tongue and frosty manner, a mask of disdain that kept others at bay. Yet, as the tale proceeded, it became apparent that this exterior sheltered a heart sorely scarred. Beneath that guarded bearing there lay nobility and much suffering; and to witness Yeon Jiyeong, by patience and affection, turn those wounds into blooming fragments of love was as touching as any gentle transformation one could desire.

I confess a weakness for romances wrapped in a little fantasy: such things stir within me a delicious, childlike sense of wonder, and I do not demand rigid logic so much as the warmth of a happy ending. This drama obliged me in both delight and consolation. I devoured each episode as one might a birthday cake, replete with whipped cream and strawberries, and often felt the impulse to step through the screen and administer a brisk dose of common sense to certain ill-natured characters.

In brief, ‘Bon Appétit, Your Majesty’ has taken up a cosy corner of my affections. It is a story I shall most assuredly revisit, for it leaves the heart light and the imagination a little more willing to believe in gentle miracles.

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Cooking Up Love in Joseon — Why Bon Appétit, Your Majesty Stole My Heart (and Appetite)

Honestly, Bon Appétit, Your Majesty was such a pleasant surprise. It’s one of those dramas that feels cozy yet emotional, funny yet romantic — like a warm meal on a rainy day. The story of a modern chef accidentally ending up in the Joseon era sounds wild, but it somehow works so beautifully. Watching her cook with so much heart and seeing the king slowly fall for her — not just because of the food, but because of her kindness — was just so sweet. A lot of people said there wasn’t much chemistry between them, but I have to disagree. Their connection grew so naturally; you could feel it through the smallest glances, shy smiles, and quiet moments over food. It wasn’t flashy, but it was real.

The visuals were stunning — every dish looked so rich and comforting that I swear I was hungry half the time. And the king’s reactions when he tasted her food? Priceless. You could literally see his walls breaking down one bite at a time. The ending left me with such a warm, content feeling — not overly dramatic, just perfectly wrapped up. Sure, a few scenes felt rushed and some side stories could’ve been explored more, but overall, it’s such a beautiful, comforting drama. If you love food, romance, and a good story about healing and love that grows slowly but deeply, Bon Appétit, Your Majesty is a must-watch. 💛

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Bon Appétit, Your Majesty: Living Around the Table

I never expected that a plot about a chef who travels back to the Joseon era and is challenged to win over the palate of a tyrant would captivate me so deeply! When I saw the first previews, all I could think was how random it seemed yet I couldn’t help but feel curious. It looked fun.

I didn’t know I needed a historical time-travel drama just to start following the fearless and talented Yeon Jiyeong, who wisely did what she knew best: winning hearts through flavor. Full of eloquent words and boldness, Chef Yeon Jiyeong is both charming and solitary. She was alone in Paris, about to return to Korea to reunite with her father, when a strange recipe book in her hands transported her to a time that wasn’t hers or was it? I loved the air of mystery the story builds around her connection to the king and the era. The loop effect is so captivating.

In contrast to the chef’s boldness, we have the hot-tempered King Yiheon, a historical figure known for his violent rule and unstable temperament yet with a refined and sensitive palate, fertile ground for a chef brimming with technique.

The plot stayed true to its premise from beginning to end. The story had already happened, so they simply decided: “Then let’s cook!!” And so, the tensions grew around the table rather than through fiery competitions, with mouthwatering dishes. Amid pots and bites, the characters matured and learned from their own mistakes.

I was enchanted by every character and the bonds formed throughout the episodes the warm friendship between Chef Yeon Jiyeong and Gilgeum, the kitchen allies, the court jester (who was no fool), and most of all, the restorative love with His Majesty. It was beautiful, sincere, deeply touching, and the ending was both humorous and heartwarming.

👩‍🍳💖👑

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A fantasy show that doesn't take itself too seriously while making you hungry, angry and laugh.

Bon appétit, Your Majesty was, for me, one of those limited series that made me disappointed at episode 10. Not because of its content; it was because, sadly, there were only 2 shows remaining.
Yes, it reminds you a little of "Mr. Queen," but if you are a "Mr. Queen" fan, then that is a good thing! Many who have watched more than 5 K-dramas should know that "Mr. Queen" is by far not the first Joseon time travel series and surely, its not the last. So let's move on and just enjoy.

I enjoyed the production. It really seemed as if the writer(s), director, and cast had a blast making this. Strong emphasis was placed on food and cooking. It was as if food itself was a very important part of the cast. I found all of those scenes interesting, inviting, and sometimes funny with the addition of special effects. I give many props not only to Lim Yoon A's performance (as I did in King the Land) but also to Lee Chae Min's portrayal as King Yi Heon. Honorable mention should go to Yeon Seo Ah as Ji Yeon's sidekick Seo Geum. I thought she provided a nice balance of comic relief and glue as her adorable bestie (for lack of a better word).

The seriousness blended with spots of humor was enjoyable. The villains were convincing. Credit to the writing and pacing for the execution of all of these elements. If you enjoy fantasy themes with great acting and elements of humor and tense moments, you will enjoy "Bon Appetit, Your Majesty."

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MY FAV ABOUT THIS DRAMA IS THE ACTING❤️‍! BEST KDRAMA 2025!

Character:

Yoona did an outstanding job playing a modern girl who suddenly finds herself in the past. I loved how naturally she treated everyone equally, not out of disrespect, but simply because she came from the modern world. Yoona portrayed her role with this innocent charm and pure intentions, which is exactly what drew the king’s attention. Some people question why a so-called tyrant king would be so forgiving when she seems rude. But just look at her character! She’s not being rude; she’s just being sincere, open, and not two-faced. That’s what makes her stand out, and everyone around her loves her. She's the kind of person to turn an enemy into friends.

Lee Chae Min is doing a great job portraying a young king. Historically, kings, even at a young age, were expected to be mature, and I think he captures that really well. The way he speaks and carries himself feels calm and wise. On top of that, his visuals are really charming and suit this role perfectly. He truly looks the part and brings a quiet strength to the character.

Acting:

Yoona's acting is superb!! This is actually the first time I have really liked her performance out of all her dramas.

But Lee Chae Min’s acting? My absolute favorite. You can literally feel all the bitterness, frustration, and sadness just from his expressions all at once. And don’t even get me started on the way he looks at Ji Young, full of love. That whole “you can tell a man is in love by the way he looks at you” thing? Yeah, exactly that. I’ve honestly never seen someone act so much with just their eyes. I seriously can’t wait to see more of his projects in the future!

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Strong Start - Weak Middle - Strong End

I wrote this review when we were in the middle of the Ming cook-off and I wasn't sure if they could redeem it. But quite honestly, the last few episodes were perfect! They wrapped up the story line well and I love a happy ending. Bit confused though how he is in the future. Like was he reincarnated with his memories? Or was he sent to the future with her? If so, how did he adjust on his own so quickly and so well that he was dressed in fancy clothes? I guess we'll leave it to the imagination.

Original rating 8/12 episodes watched: 6.5/10
New rating FINISHED: 8/10

The good:
- It's really funny and quite clever as well. Obviously the writers know a lot about cooking and the Joseon period to know what recipes she would be able to make and how she would need to change them
- The romance in the first few episodes were so cute
- The acting is great
- Love the side characters and in the first few episodes it really felt like they were adding a lot to the plot

The bad:
- Genuinely... what is with this 4 episode long cooking battle. When I finished the most recent episode (episode 8) I genuinely needed to remind myself how we got here. What is happening to the King's revenge plot? We haven't seen FL and her bestie talk at all recently and we keep getting like 2 second clips on what the evil queen is plotting but really it's not anything, she's just seething about what they're doing. This wouldn't matter if it was one or two episodes, BUT 4 out of 12?!?!
- Kind of feels like the writers wanted to show off how much they know about cooking??

The confusing:
- I get that they are trying to make cooking a central point in the plot but it's kind of unconvincing how they're going about it. Sorry but who has ever had a cook off to decide which nation would be providing more in a trade agreement.
- Why are the Ming chefs also martial artists? Who has the time to perfect cooking and also perfect their fighting?

I really think I could have just ignored the bad and confusing parts if this damn cooking battle didn't take over the entire show but alas, here we are.

They're going to need a miracle for me to bring my rating up.

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I just finished watching Bon Appétite Your Majesty starring Lee Chaemin and Im YoonA, and it turned out to be such a warm, comforting, and satisfying drama. The story beautifully blends romance, comedy, and food in a way that not only entertains but also heals, with every meal becoming a symbol of connection, love, and growth between the characters.

Lee Chaemin may be a rookie, but he delivered a sincere and heartfelt performance, bringing boyish charm and vulnerability that made his character so relatable, while Im YoonA shined as always with her elegance, versatility, and emotional depth. Their chemistry was natural and heart-fluttering, slowly growing in a way that felt genuine rather than forced. The cinematography and OST elevated the story even more, with the food scenes shot so beautifully that they almost felt poetic.

Finally, I got my revenge — when Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo didn’t give me the happy ending I desperately wanted, Bon Appétite Your Majesty gave it to me in the sweetest and most healing way possible. It left me smiling, tearing up at times, and ultimately feeling comforted, just like finishing a delicious home-cooked meal made with love.

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This drama is a feast for lovers of time-travel stories, brilliantly combining romance, fantasy, and, of course, gastronomy. The series offers a vibrant and entertaining mix that, while it has a few stumbles, proves to be an easy and delicious addiction.

The story follows Yeon Ji-yeong (Im Yoon-ah), a modern chef with a successful career in French haute cuisine. Unexpectedly, a solar eclipse and a mysterious cookbook transport her 500 years back in time, directly to the Joseon Dynasty.

There, she meets King Yi Heon (Lee Chae-min), a young monarch feared as a tyrant yet known for his exquisite palate. What begins as a tense encounter turns into a forced alliance: she must cook a new and satisfying dish for the king every day or face execution.

The drama’s strongest point is the undeniable chemistry between YoonA and Lee Chae-min. Their relationship evolves in a fun and engaging way, moving from conflict and orders to genuine affection. The king, initially volatile and demanding, gradually softens thanks to Ji-yeong’s cooking and indomitable spirit.

Food as a Character: The cooking scenes are visually stunning. The drama turns food into the driving force of the story, using Ji-yeong’s dishes (like Butter Gochujang Bibimbap or Doenjang pasta) as a bridge between two worlds and a way to heal the king’s emotional trauma.

While it touches on themes of politics and tyranny (the king’s character is loosely based on the infamous King Yeonsangun), the overall tone is that of a fantasy romantic comedy. The drama doesn’t take itself too seriously, making it perfect for a fun binge-watch.

Bon Appétit, Your Majesty is a highly recommended K-drama if you’re looking for a historical romance with a modern twist and plenty of comedy. It’s a high-quality production, with dazzling costumes and feasts, that will captivate you with the adorable chemistry between the leads and leave you craving the delicious “Joseon-French fusion.”

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If you like cooking and food this is for you

If you like food and cooking this is for you. This is primarily a cooking based drama.
If you like slice of life you'll probably enjoy this more than if you're looking for the following:
If you want mostly palace politics this might disappoint you.
If you want a very fleshed out romance story with a good progression this might also disappoint you.

I feel like a lot of people got disappointed by the fact this is not more romance heavy (and I completely understand those that got lied by Netflix's tagging system, it wouldn't be the first time) or that it doesn't follow the typical saeguk format.
Personally I'm not that into saeguk to be annoyed by the way the plot flows here, and while it's true the romance is patchy and segmented, overall in the end it worked decently, not perfectly but good enough and I was generally satisfied with the ending. Probably it helped that I like slice of life, comedy, cooking, food and romance, so unless they were going to completely butcher the story it was going to be hard for me to dislike it.

To be honest for me the food and the expressions when eating were already a big part of what made me enjoy this drama. The scenes when they put the food in their mouths is wholesome pop-culture poetry. Seriously, if you enjoy cooking and food shots this is the drama for you, and the scenes of them eating it and transcending to another plane of existence were so funny.
I guess this drama had a lot of elements I've always enjoyed in stories, like main character being spirited away to a world of fantasy or somewhere else in time where she has to find a way to survive.
I overall also enjoyed all the characters here, some where a bit more cliché, others were stereotypical, there were certain discrepancies between ML himself and what he was known as, and at some points the FL seemed a bit inconsistent personality wise (between strong willed and damsel in distress), but I give them a pass because generally everything fit quite well for me, and it entertained me without anyone in particular being annoying or getting on my nerves.
Special mention to the character of court lady Choi Mal Im, she says barely anything in the whole drama but her expressions when tasting the king's food alone where precious.

Things I didn't enjoy as much and reason it's not a 10 for me:
- First and foremost the accents of the Ming envoy, it was grating to the ears and it was bad taste, especially when it's a few episodes. It was simply bad. I'm sure they could have taken Chinese actors for the roles, or dub them, or simply don't make it an envoy from the Ming and make them Korean guests of wherever.
- It leaves you with a bad taste that this king is based on a real historical figure and knowing what he did. Why didn't they just make up a king? Is it because FL needs to know about him? It's fantasy so they could just as well had done it anyway using made up names and history. I don't understand the reasoning but it's not very good taste. I know personally that if they had done the same with a king from my country's past I would be pretty pissed. It's almost excusing what he and those around him did. I'm very deliberately choosing to think of this as pure fantasy since despite this I enjoyed it, but ughhhhh.
- As mentioned the romance is a bit more background here and while it's generally ok-ish, it could have been better if they had shown more of a progression, especially when it comes to FL. I think we generally have it with ML and it was cute to see how he was falling for her but on her part it was quite sudden and it didn't flow quite well, what is a shame.
- It's a secret how the king ended up in the future and obviously we can guess it has to do with that page that was torn from the book, but also I want to know exactly? It felt a bit lazy and overall the ending felt rushed.
- The Ming envoy episodes should have been like one, two maximum.

Nitpicking:
- Not a fan of having the same actors in the future like "oh they might be descendants", like sure, it's fantasy but it always makes my eyes roll.
- There are certain plotholes or parts that could have been explained or shown better, and they would have had the time if they had made the Ming ordeal shorter, for starters.
- I thought maybe the king would appear in the future in her room in front of her or something in those lines and I would have preferred it. He knows nothing about the future, how does he even know what is fashionable at the time and how did he get the clothes anyway, how did he find her, how did he get money... Too many questions.
- The wound FL gets at the back from the uncle with the sword makes no sense. It was very superficial. Does anyone die from a slash in the back? From infection or depth of the wound sure, but that looked so superficial it was hard to believe. Not the first time I've seen it in a drama and it always makes my eyes roll as well.

The ending was generally predictable for me from the moment it was established that the king died/disappeared in the past, it was easy enough to conclude that he would end in the future. This didn't diminish the enjoyment for me as I preferred that kind of ending to the alternative of having a tragic ending, I have enough of that in real life.

As a conclusion, unless you like cooking and food you might not enjoy this, the rest of plot points take a step back for the main topic. I think that while it follows a bit certain clichés, tropes and character's personalities that we have seen before and are not new by any means, the cooking aspect and the food as well as the way is presented give it enough of a twist for me to find this entertaining and overall very enjoyable, with enough of a progression and a decent ending.

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