*Food. Literally just food*
Dimmy-Dimmy had more of a homey feeling than I was expecting. The front was a simple building with a yellow-ish paint and a sign that read Dimmy-Dimmy over the top with white words bolded and outlined in black. The lower half of the windows were blocked out by shining pictures of food they had available, and even photos from who I'm guessing were regular customers by the way they leaned in close to the camera.
Richard opened the door for all of us, showing us the large space with medium sized tables sitting a bit close to each other. The seats were red plastic chairs and behind the register in the back, there was a great view into the kitchen where a man was already at work. Cooking away for the only three other people in the shop. They all seemed tired, you could that much from the way their eyes drooped but they looked content as they talked to each other.
A lady that had been sitting at the desk near the door welcomed us in and told us to take a seat. She handed us menus then told us to call her over when we were ready. To be honest, my stomach was controlling my mind at this point. The only thing holding me back was that someone else was paying for this dinner. Someone who I didn't know very well. Had it been Viola or my Uncle, half of this menu would be asked for.
Seo-ah took the liberty of sitting next me as we took our table at the corner of the room. What Seo-ah thought to be the most comfortable seating arrangement for me. Haruki sat to my front while Richard took the seat in front of Seo-ah.
I stared at the cup of spoons and metal chopsticks at the center of the table. My leg bounced nervously underneath the table. I could also feel some nervous tick biting behind my neck again. It was really starting to piss me off. Damn paranoia.
Seo-ah offered me a smile, "It's alright. There's no need to be so nervous. Just think of it as a meal between future colleagues."
Haruki stretched out his arms, "Yes, don't worry. It makes your stomach sick to worry while eating. The only worry you should have is that your pants might burst by the end of it!"
He let out a hearty, cheerie laugh that honestly made me feel a bit better. Feeling my heart less heavy, I finally managed to look down at the menu without too much dread. The only problem was, my eyes wouldn't focus on the letters in front of me for some reason. I pulled the menu closer to my face but...it was like my eyes couldn't concentrate for some reason.
There was a light clatter from the people across the room and it made me jump. One of the guys had accidentally knocked his knee against the table and the rest of his friends started laughing at him. Pointing fingers and calling him names. It was supposed to be a light hearted moment but my heart started feeling uneasy again.
Damn it. What's wrong with me?
I leaned my elbows into the table then rubbed at my face. Suddenly, my whole body felt ten times heavier. Even breathing began feeling like a chore.
Since when have I been this tired?
"Hmm, everything on here looks appetizing. Haruki, why don't you do the honors of ordering for all of us? It seems we'll be having some trouble deciding for ourselves. Would that be alright with you, Richard? Ila?"
"I don't mind."
I tucked my hair behind my ears and nodded, "Yeah...that's fine. Do they have coffee though?"
Haruki shook his head, "Argh! Why would you have coffee?! It's bitter! At your age you should be drinking sweet things, they're good for your heart. Leave it up to me!"
Richard looked at him, "Large amounts of sugar consumption can actually be very-"
Haruki wasn't having it, "Don't worry, don't worry. My grandmother told me this so it is true. When you drink bitter things you become bitter. I'll order you something better."
I tugged at the collar of my button down. Damn it, I was still feeling so damn hot.
"I'm going to the restroom."
The three of them visibly tensed when I got up from my seat. At first I was a bit weirded out by their reactions. Why did they look so scared? But then I realized what exactly I could mean by that. I was being forced into something that clearly went against my own morals. It had never occurred to me that they had been given orders just in case I decided to do something stupid.
I could tell them I'm going to the restroom and take the opportunity to run away. We all froze in our spots. The three of them looked at me while my eyes flickered to the door of the shop. I really could try to run away right now, couldn't I? Haruki's grip around his chopsticks tightened and Richard looked ready to get up from his seat.
If I did...what would they do? The answer seemed pretty clear. They would simply get rid of me. I looked away from the door then started walking towards the restroom at the other side of the shop. They didn't relax, even as I entered the thin hallway.
What good would that do? Had I run away, that would only make things more complicated for the people around me. Would I really be that selfish to run away when I know the consequences of doing so? No, that seemed way beyond selfishness. It was evil, a line that I shouldn't cross.
The restroom was small but it was enough. After I finished my business and washed my hands I couldn't help but look at myself in the mirror. I hadn't realized how much older I looked with worry wrinkling my face. Not much, maybe a year or two but that change was evident. I was only realizing this now because looking at my reflection was growing harder for some reason.
I guess even I've grown tired of the reflection looking back at me.
Despite taking a shower the night before, my skin was feeling all clammy again. I took some paper towels then slightly soaked them in water. I gently pushed them into my face, down my neck, and my arms. Embracing the cool water against my skin. It made me feel a bit better.
I unbuttoned the top few buttons of my shirt then stripped off my coat jacket. It was like peeling away a heavy layer. I didn't understand it though, the coat was anything but heavy. The fabric is light and airy. Maybe it was the idea of wearing something so formal that was tiring me.
I almost laughed.
You know it's way more than that.
I pressed my forehead against the mirror then closed my eyes.
Take deep breaths.
One...
Two...
Three...
I repeated this for almost ten minutes until I felt brave enough to step out of the safe space. I walked back to the table with my coat in my left arm, my right tucked into the pocket of my pants.
The mouth watering scent of food came from our table and I practically floated over. There was a large array of food displayed over the table, not including the common side dishes of different types of kimchi, rice and rolled egg with vegetables. I sat down next to Seo-ah with a happy look on my face.
'Chicken. I want chicken.'
Shut up.
When I sat down Haruki gave a nervous laugh, "We thought you got lost. Richard almost went looking."
He didn't say it in a threatening manner, if anything he looked relieved that they didn't have to go chasing after me. I could feel my body naturally relaxing. Something about the thought of them feeling so uneasy about doing me harm made me trust them even though I knew I shouldn't.
I smiled, "Don't worry. I won't run away. Especially not when you're treating me to a free meal."
His nervous expression was filled with a huge smile, "Exactly! No one would pass up a free meal! Haha! Now, please...Eat! Eat! Let us not put it to waste!"
Haruki had ordered a fucking lot. We had to move things around so that all of it could even fit on the table. There were two pots in the middle with some sort of cast iron plate underneath to keep them warm.
Doenjang Jjigae (Bean Paste Stew). A stew made with a rice water base to help with binding the soybean paste and broth. It contains soy sauce and gochujang or fermented chili pepper paste. Often added in; tofu, Korean white radish, zucchini, onion, and fresh green/red chili pepper.
Kimchi Jjigae (Kimchi Stew). Typically made with older kimchi known as mukeunji, that has turned sour but in a good way. You then cook the kimchi and pork together before adding more rice water to thicken the broth. People also use chicken, milky bone broth, and vegetable broths as a nice base. Tofu, beef, or tuna are common replacements for pork. This one seemed to have it though which wasn't a problem at all.
Next to the boiling bowls, there was a large plate of Haemul Pajeon (Seafood Scallion Pancake). It's a savory type of pancake that uses a different type of batter you would typically associate with the name "pancake" in america. It's generally a lot thinner, leaving room for whatever ingredients are added to shine. Haruki also ordered two sides of Gyeranjjim which are steamed eggs. I don't really know how to explain them that well since I haven't made them before but they're basically eggs that have been steamed to this really fluffy consistency usually with green onions but some people add other vegetables as well.
What I was really excited about though was the giant cast iron pan in front of me, a large wooden board underneath to keep the table from burning. I picked up my chopsticks then grabbed a piece of Dak Galbi (Korean Spicy Chicken Stir Fry). It was still a bit warm so I blew on it gently before shoving it into my mouth.
As soon as the meat hit my tongue I dropped my hands on the table, rattling the table a bit. Everyone looked at me with a concerned expression on their face. I could give actual zero fucks the way they were looking at me right now. I covered my face with my left hand and drew out a long, heavy breath. God damn it, I could've moaned.
"Ila? D-do you not like it? I-I did my best to choose something. I'm sorry."
I removed my hand and looked at him with teary eyes, "This...is...so good."
You do not understand the actual emotions that are vibrating through my body right now. I whipped the literal tears from my eyes then dug a spoon into my bowl of rice then proceeded to shove it all into my face. My cheeks were all puffed up like chipmunks but I didn't care.
This time, I grabbed some of the stir fry mixture then directly added it to my rice bowl then scooped it up with a hefty amount of rice. I gently slammed my fist against the table a couple times as my mouth went through its second orgasm.
How could this be? I was actually angry. There was no way that food was supposed to taste this good. And my Uncle is a great cook but this...this...right here...I pointed angrily at the pan in front of me then proceeded to let out a grunting sigh of a forty year old korean man.
"Do you really like it?" Haruki smiled at me then gave himself a little applause, "See! I said I have good taste! You two don't appreciate me enough!"
The meat was so tender that it practically melted in your mouth. Then you had the sweet potato and the rice cakes. It all feels a bit fatty and thick in your mouth but the spiciness from the chili paste cuts straight through that followed by the saltiness of the soy sauce. Then...right at the end, you can taste the lingering sweetness on your tongue. With the rice, it just helps balance it all out nicely together. For fuck's sake, I'm going to snap this damn table in half if it doesn't stop tasting this good. This should fucking illegal.
Seeing how well I ate, Haruki immediately started serving me more food on the small separate steel bowls. He poured me some bean paste stew and I immediately went for it, taking a large chunk of my rice and letting it soak into the broth. I was in heaven right now.
"Excuse me! Can we have another serving of Galbi and rice please!"
Seo-ah looked at Haruki, "Isn't that a bit much? What if she hurts her stomach. Ila...maybe you should pace yourself."
It took everything in me not to stick out the middle finger at her right now.
"Ah! Leave her alone! She's still young and growing! Kids her age need to eat as much as they can!"
I served myself some Cola to wash down the rice that was starting to stick at the base of my throat. Okay, so maybe I should slow it down a bit. At the rate I was consuming, I might actually choke on something. But it was just so damn good and I didn't know I was so damn hungry.
"What if she gets indigestion?"
"It's fine! It's fine! What is it that you Koreans do...ah, yes! We'll just prick her finger! Or...is that for constipation?"
'More chicken. I like it.'
It's really good right?
'Egg. I want to try the egg.'
I reached for the steamed egg not too far from me. As Seo-ah and Haruki bickered over my eating habits, I hadn't noticed Richard silently sitting by himself. He casually slipped off his mask revealing a strange device at the opening of his mouth. He peeled out the round machine that had some sort of speaker at the end. The bit that was inside his mouth was long and thin. Strange, I wonder how it works.
Eh, whatever. I should be worrying about how the fuck I should eat this egg. Am I supposed to eat it with rice? Or do you eat it by itself? Uncle never made it at home and it's nothing we really ordered so I'm not sure. Living in Korea for a couple years doesn't automatically make me a food expert.
I took a spoonful of the fluffy egg then studied it as it wiggled on my spoon. How intriguing. Perhaps I should try my hand at making it later if it tastes good.
Hmm, not bad. It tasted as you imagined it would though, it did have a delicious undertone of...salt and chicken broth. There was also some hint of green onions which were added in. The flavor was good though what really got my attention was the texture. Creamy...fluffy...airy and overall, a very enjoyable experience. I put the dish inside my mental notebook of things I want to cook.
'Needs less salt.'
Really? Well, I guess it was a bit salty but it balances out pretty nicely after you take a spoonful of rice.
I let out a little happy dance when my second servings of food arrived. The lady laughed at me.
"Haha! It's so nice to see you eat so well! My children don't enjoy my food nearly as much as you do."
I wiggled my eyebrows at her, "Ma'am...how do you feel about taking in a new child then? It would be nice to have someone so pretty as a mom."
The lady smacked me playfully on the shoulder, "Aigo! Aren't you sweet! If I wasn't so old then maybe I would take the offer."
I gave her another smile as she went to attend a new group of people walking in. By my second serving, I completely forgot about everything that happened the day before and the mess that I managed to get myself in but that was okay. I think...it was calm moments like these that made it so much easier to handle everything else that was to come.
I wouldn't realize it now, but in the future, these would be the moments that I would go back to the most for comfort.