Figuratively, a rehash or unoriginal repeat — something that is a second-rate imitation of an earlier original.
その映画は前作の二番煎じに過ぎないと批評された。
The film was criticized as merely a rehash of the previous work.
新商品がほとんど二番煎じでは消費者の興味は引けない。
If new products are mostly rehashes, they won't attract consumers' interest.
企画会議で『二番煎じはやめよう』と意見が出た。
At the planning meeting, someone said 'Let's avoid rehashes.'
Literally, tea brewed a second time from the same leaves (the second infusion), which is often weaker in flavor.
一番煎じより二番煎じは風味が薄くなる。
The second brew is weaker in flavor than the first brew.
古い喫茶店ではお客に二番煎じを出すこともある。
Some old tea shops sometimes serve a second brew to customers.