料理士
요리사
料 (to measure) + 理 (to arrange) + 士 (scholar) — "the scholar who measures and arranges ingredients"
📖 Origin of the Hanja
The hanja "料" combines rice (米) and measure (斗) — to weigh grain. "理" combines jade (玉) and village (里) — to govern along jade's natural grain. "士" is a scholar-warrior. 料理士 = "one who measures ingredients and arranges them along nature's grain". The Book of Rites says: "All ritual begins with food and drink." Cooking is not mere technique but the etiquette between humans and nature.
"The 理 in 料理 is the grain of jade. True cooking does not fight nature's grain but follows it."
