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Episode 27
The restaurant led by Yoo Seong-un had all of its employees wearing hanbok.
“I made a reservation for two with Yoo Seong-un.”
“Customer Yoo Seong-un, I have confirmed it. Please take off your shoes so we can take you inside.”
Geo looked at the restaurant from a distance, seeing Yoo Seong-un receiving service from the staff without hesitation.
The restaurant he guided me to was a Hanok with a strong antique atmosphere, as if it had been drawn with ink. The pillars had curves that brought out the natural beauty of the wood, and the soft, refreshing scent of cypress and the high ceiling made me feel at ease.
What was visible was not a noisy crowd of guests, but a quiet and neatly organized wooden hallway. Each room visible between the hallways had a particularly strong individualistic aspect.
“… … .”
Is this… a restaurant with rice and side dishes?
‘It is clear that the definition of a restaurant that I know has changed over the past 31 years.’
Where did my bustling and comfortable restaurant where I used to sit cross-legged and eat rice cakes go?
“Geo, let’s go in.”
“Do you eat here?”
“ah.”
Yoo Seong-un made excuses as if he was wondering what the heck he was caring about.
“Ignore the sounds of people. But at this level, I think I’ve blocked out all sounds and sounds pretty well.”
“… … .”
“If it’s too inconvenient, should we move to another restaurant? There are places where we can have an entire building to ourselves.”
Hey, this guy?
‘Are you really treating me like a walking nuclear power plant?’
I don’t know how sensitive you see me.
“It’s not uncomfortable.”
“Really? That’s good.”
“Are the rooms separated?”
“Yeah, the room isn’t that small, so you’ll be able to eat comfortably.”
“okay.”
Geo wasn’t the type of person to turn down a free meal unless it was really something special.
‘Anyway, it looks delicious, so it’s fine.’
It felt complicated and subtle that the world had changed so much in the past 31 years, but with the permission of his hungry stomach, Geo threw away his worries and followed Yoo Seong-un.
“If you have finished selecting your menu, please ring the bell.”
“yes.”
“Have a nice time.”
The employee, wearing a hanbok with soft colors that looked like it was dyed with flower petals, quietly left the room. Geo, who had been waiting for a moment while feeling the footsteps of the people moving away, asked.
“Is this a restaurant serving white rice?”
“… Oh, right.”
Although the tea wasn’t very strong, Yoo Seong-un had a resentful reaction.
Geo’s question was simply, ‘Is this flashy place really a restaurant serving baekban?’, but Yoo Seong-woon seemed to have understood it as, ‘So, what exactly is a restaurant serving baekban?’
“A meal consisting of rice, soup, and side dishes is called baekban.”
“… … .”
Because of my pride as a teacher, I wanted to refute Geo the moment he said that, but it didn’t seem like the misunderstanding would be resolved even if I did, so I decided to just keep my mouth shut and listen to the explanation. I’m proud to say that it was a mature decision.
“The rice is always the same, and the soup changes every day, but today… I think it’s seaweed soup.”
Yoo Seong-un asked with a curious expression after hearing what he had said so far.
“Do you eat seaweed?”
“There is no food I cannot eat or dislike.”
“That’s good to hear.”
Yoo Seong-un opened the menu that was placed on the edge of the table.
“The side dishes are all the same, and we choose the main menu. It’s usually divided into meat and fish, but which one do you like more?”
“I’m more drawn to meat these days.”
The soft-hearted Geo couldn’t hunt forest animals. Not only did he not know how to hunt them in the first place, but even if he did hunt the cute, round animals, the yield would clearly be low.
Geo, who is happy no matter what he eats, isn’t a picky eater, but since he was already out, he wanted to eat meat.
‘You have to eat it when it comes out.’
Yoo Seong-un nodded.
“Then let’s have Gwangyang Bulgogi.”
He pressed the number pad on the edge of the table. It seemed like there was a system where you input the corresponding menu number here and then the kitchen would take it and prepare it right away.
Finally, Yoo Seong-un pressed the red button, the bell, and looked at Geo again.
“Of all the restaurants I’ve been to, this one seems to be the most delicious. They don’t even use monster meat.”
“Do you usually use monster meat?”
“You eat it often, right? But it’s a bit strange to come to a restaurant and eat monster meat.”
“… … .”
It seemed like Geo was giving a higher rating to the place called ‘restaurant’ than he knew. Geo, whose ancestor had been in hibernation for 31 years, was wondering how to ask this question so that it wouldn’t sound strange.
“Why, do you have any questions?”
“… Is the restaurant a different place compared to other establishments?”
“Hmm? Aren’t most people like that?”
Yoo Seong-un rubbed the back of his neck as if it was an unexpected question.
“You don’t have to eat at home, so you have to ask someone else to help you eat. In my case, it’s not that burdensome, but for second-class citizens and above, it’s a bit more difficult.”
“Are all restaurants like this?”
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“Generally speaking, yes. In the first place, restaurants are places to eat, but more importantly, they are places to receive service. There are many people who come to restaurants to eat like me, but there are even more people who come to be treated.”
It felt a little different from the definition of a restaurant that Geo knew.
‘Compared to what I knew, it seems similar to fine dining or omakase. Does that mean all restaurants have become more upscale?’
Wait a minute, what about delivery?
“Don’t you use delivery?”
Yoo Seong-un had an expression on his face that said he didn’t expect the word ‘delivery’ to come out of Geo’s mouth. He began to doubt whether he was really seeing him as his ancestor, but Geo, who didn’t want to bother explaining, kept his mouth shut.
“Delivery is also… a frequently used method. But it’s more expensive.”
“Is that so?”
“If we encounter a monster on the way, it’ll be a major accident. It’ll be a hassle to avoid it.”
What kind of monster is being treated like a stray cat? The level of damage was definitely not at the level of a stray cat, which made it even more absurd.
“That’s why I don’t usually order delivery unless I’m having a party. I do the same.”
“… … .”
If the delivery was enough to accommodate a party, I wondered if it wasn’t just catering.
“… So most of you cook your own meals at home?”
“Usually, that’s true. It costs money to buy groceries, so how can you afford to get service? Going to a restaurant isn’t that common.”
What kind of world was destroyed once and then rebuilt?
“But don’t we have a restaurant?”
“I told you I’d take you on a tour….”
“aha.”
It seemed like he meant to give her a great treat. Geo was seriously concerned that even simple communication was causing errors.
‘… Should I take social education again? It’s hard to get compulsory education at my age? Should I re-enroll in college even now?’
The world has changed so much in just 31 years. If things continued this way, Geo would be treated like an alien from Sirius whenever he spoke to someone.
‘Or else you’re treated like a cornered person who lives isolated from society.’
Oh my god, the latter statement is not wrong, which makes it even more creepy.
‘Is this the state of mind of the elderly who cannot keep up with the changing society?’
Grandma, I finally understand how you feel. It really is hard to keep up with the rapidly evolving times.
Geo looked deeply as if he was watching the meal prepared by the staff.
“It’s hot, so please step back a little.”
The employee who said so dropped a spark into the middle of the table.
Then, a fire blazed up and took the shape of a gas range, and the employee placed a grill on top of the circular fire. Then, he placed a few pieces of bulgogi on it and left the room.
“… … .”
The light came on even though there was nothing.
‘It’s a table made of wood, so it doesn’t burn.’
Correction: Geo needed to re-enter kindergarten, not college.
Judging from Yoo Seong-un’s expression, this seemed like a very natural thing to do, but Geo, who was exactly 31 years removed from society, was simply surprised.
“Hmm, I think it’s beef.”
“…what kind of meat is there if not beef?”
“As I said before, there’s a high chance that it’s monster meat. It’s cheaper than cow or sheep.”
“Isn’t it tasty?”
“That’s not it… .”
Chewing gum―.
Yoo Seong-un, who was stirring the meat, continued speaking.
“It’s just the general social atmosphere. There’s a lot of meat that we wouldn’t mind eating, except for the special parts that are toxic, but monsters attack people… and most of them are disgusting looking. It’s hard to welcome the meat of monsters that eat people.”
“I understand when you say it like that.”
“But it’s also a meat that’s commonly used at home. It’s cheap and a lot of protein, so it can’t be unpopular. But I heard that it’s a bit strange to eat monster meat even in a restaurant like this where people come to be treated.”
“Isn’t it dangerous?”
“Not all monsters have poison in their bodies?”
Yoo Seong-un smiled brightly.
“Well, I heard that until about 20 years ago, the public was wondering how anyone could eat something so dangerous. I was young back then, so I’m not sure about now.”
“It may not seem like 20 years was that long ago, but people’s perceptions seem to have changed rapidly.”
“I guess it’s because I’ve done a lot of work in the government and associations… ”
A government that is good enough to change Koreans’ perception of the meat they put in their mouths in 20 years?
‘Why has so much changed in 31 years?’
It was a more surprising story than Geo himself evolving into a portrait in flames. Yoo Seong-un’s opinion may be a bit different, but Geo himself said so.
“The government seems competent.”
“Well, if you don’t want to get your neck cut off, you have to be competent.”
“… … .”
“We’ve already been through a few rounds so only the capable ones remain.”
Geo was scared. Hyung says things like that before eating meat.
‘… Well, Hunters are said to be living weapons of war, so I wonder if there’s anything that politicians can’t touch.’
Geo quickly understood and started stirring the meat together.
“Can I eat this?”
“Oh, it looks like it’s fully ripe.”
“thank you for this food.”
“I hope it suits your taste.”
“I think so.”
Korean bulgogi is divided into three representative types.
First, Seoul-style. Second, Gwangyang-style. Third, Unyang-style. Of all of them, Geo’s favorite was this Gwangyang-style bulgogi.
The commonly known bulgogi marinated in broth and sauce is Seoul-style bulgogi, but unlike Seoul-style bulgogi, which is eaten like a stew, Gwangyang-style bulgogi is grilled dry on a hot plate. It varies slightly from household to household, but most do not marinate it in seasoning for very long.
‘So the taste of the meat is much more alive.’
Beef that has been pounded and thinned several times to soften the meat texture. When it is grilled once on a hot plate, the outside is crispy, the inside is moist, and the juicy Gwangyang-style bulgogi is complete.
“… … .”
A piece of bulgogi taken off the grill.
Without sauce or rice, Geo put a whole piece of bulgogi in his mouth.
“… … .”
“How is it? Is it delicious?”
“It’s very delicious.”
It must have been a private room, but if I had been there alone, it would have been so delicious that I would have given a standing ovation.
“It seems like they use good meat. The meat flavor is rich and not fishy, and the meat quality is also quite good. It seems like they pounded it a lot during the tenderization process, but since it doesn’t tear at all despite being this thick, it means that the chef’s skills are also excellent.”
“You… you talk a lot when you eat delicious food.”
“Excuse me.”
It’s so delicious, I can’t stop.
“But it really is delicious.”
“Yeah, I see.”
“It’s a flavor I want to try making.”
The outer layer, which was grilled as if fried over charcoal, had a brief bitter taste typical of charred meat, but it added a variation to the sweetness of the moderately charred meat.
The right amount of fat embedded in the meat gave it a rich stock-like flavor, and that alone was enough to tell you the quality of the meat.
“The seasoning is just right.”
The mellow sweetness mixed deep into the meat was probably pear. It seemed like the meat was tenderized by adding ground pear. I wonder what kind of alcohol was added to it, and the refined bitterness was felt, doubling the sophistication of the taste.
“It goes well with garlic. It has just the right amount of flavor without being too strong.”
The pungent aroma of garlic was embedded deep in the meat, piercing the inside of the tongue, but once grilled over charcoal, the toxicity melted away gently. The sesame oil used was also good, with a fresh aroma lingering.
“… … .”
“Huh? Why?”
“It looks like you make your own soy sauce.”
“Are you a gourmet? How did you know that?”
“Is that right?”
“Uh… I heard that from the owner here.”
Geo nodded.
“I was wondering why the pepper flavor was so strong.”
“You like eating for a reason. You have a sensitive tongue.”
“The dipping sauce… is delicious too.”
Perhaps the ingredients themselves were similar to the seasoning for bulgogi, but this strangely sweet and sour taste. The rich plum flavor permeated the sauce without being awkward, adding flavor.
‘It’s not plum extract…’
I thought it might be vinegar made from plums.
“… … .”
Dip the meat in a slightly brown sauce with hints of garlic, but not too much, and eat it with steaming, fluffy white rice… .
“… … .”
“Is it good?”
“yes.”
“I see.”
As expected, rice was delicious when you filled your mouth with it.