Chapter 14: The Kimchi Stew

“Anything else?”

The man yelled toward the hall, but he could only hear sounds of people eating.

“This is delicious!”

“How long has it been since you’ve had proper food?”

Watching how ecstatically the ghosts were enjoying their meals, the man hurriedly started making kimchi stew for himself.

Fssshhh! Fssshttt!

He quickly sautéed some kimchi in a pan before adding a spoonful of broth and pouring in kimchi juice.

Fssshhh!

As the kimchi juice began to boil and its aroma filled the air, he added water and waited for it to come to a rolling boil. Once bubbling, he hastily threw in canned tuna. The man glanced at the time as he finished preparing the kimchi stew.

[12:40]

With plenty of time left, he chopped up garlic and green onions, tossing them into the pot. With his dish complete, the man looked to one side.

Kang Jin watched him blankly.

“Why?”

“The food…you make it really fast.”

As Kang Jin said, the man made 14 menu items within 30 minutes. Meanwhile, Kang Jin had only prepared two servings during that time.

“I’ve been cooking at a Korean restaurant for over ten years.”

“You were originally a chef?”

“My mother taught me some dishes too.”

“Mother?”

“Mrs. Kim Bokrae.”

“Oh…”

Watching Kang Jin nod, the man went alone and brought back soju. He poured out glasses of soju, drank one, and then offered another to Kang Jin.

Glug!

The man poured more soju while eating kimchi stew.

“Gack! Good. Indeed, kimchi stew should be eaten with soju. The spicy taste scratches from the esophagus down to the stomach.” Smiling, he continued to eat the kimchi stew while looking at Kang Jin.

“You have to pour me another shot,” said the man.

Kang Jin nodded, drank his soju, and passed over his cup.

“Ahh! That’s good.”

As Kang Jin watched the man take another sip of soju, he eyed the kimchi stew.

“So why did you cook it in a frying pan?”

“There’s no rule that says a frying pan is only for stir-frying or grilling.” The man scooped up some kimchi and tuna with a spoon before answering. “Kimchi stew tastes best when simmered for a long time, but I didn’t have much time, so using a wide frying pan shortened the cooking process.”

“Oh… Then why did you start by sautéing the kimchi?”

“To save even more time. I wanted to enjoy my soju sooner too.”

Hearing this, Kang Jin took a spoonful of kimchi stew. A smile naturally spread across his face.

It’s delicious.

The kimchi stew tasted fantastic.

“This is really good.”

“This is just decent enough to eat.”

“But it tastes delicious!”

“Food becomes tastier with effort and time. This dish was hastily made, so it’s merely passable.”

“So, can you make it even more delicious?”

“As long as I have ingredients and time… I can create something that will tantalize your taste buds.”

Kang Jin observed the man quickly devouring kimchi stew and drinking soju while smiling before asking:

“By the way…it seems like ghosts enjoy soju. Everyone who comes here drinks it.”

“It might be because we feel cold being ghosts.”

“You’re always cold?”

“Ghost spirits are always cold and hungry. That’s why they come here. They can eat like humans again and warm their bodies with alcohol.”

Seeing the slightly melancholic expression on the man’s face, Kang Jin opened his mouth to speak.

“Um… What is your name?”

“Oh!” The man put down his spoon and extended his hand.

“Bae Yong-su.”

“I’m Lee Kangjin.”

After exchanging greetings, Bae Yong-su took another shot of soju and held out his cup for a refill.

“We seem around the same age, so let’s be casual with each other. Since we’ll likely see more of each other…” He glanced at the ghosts scattered throughout the hall. “And I think there will be much you need help with until you get used to running this business.”

“You’d assist me?”

“It must be sad being turned into a ghost; at least you should enjoy some food. Plus, it allows me to indulge as well.”

“Thank you.”

Kang Jin welcomed this offer wholeheartedly. Running a food business by himself had been overwhelming, especially serving only one menu item thus far. In such circumstances, he was grateful for any help, even from a ghost.

“So let’s drop the formalities between us.”

“Even though we look to be around the same age, I’m guessing…”

Bae Yong-su chuckled at Kang Jin’s words.

“Why worry about ghostly ages? It’s better to feel comfortable with each other.”

Seeing Bae Yong-su confidently acknowledge his ghostly nature, Kang Jin nodded in agreement.

“Alright then, let’s do that.”

In truth, much of his initial fear had dissipated. Watching both the virgin and male ghosts eat and drink made them seem more like ordinary people rather than supernatural beings. Consequently, his apprehension and fear towards ghosts had significantly diminished.

‘Am I just adaptable?’

Thinking back on it, it might be due to doing various part-time jobs before. He found himself easily adjusting to new work or people. Starting a new job always meant meeting new individuals after all.

Watching Kang Jin, Bae Yong-su yelled across the room,

“Hey, mister! What would you like?”

Kang Jin looked towards the hall at the sound of his shout and noticed two more ghosts entering.

He glanced briefly at the clock:

It was already 12:45…

Seeing the time, one of the ghosts quickly spoke up.

“Give us something that comes out fast!”

Bae Yong-su responded loudly,

“You want kimchi stew like what I’m having? Even if I start cooking now, there won’t be enough time for soju!”

“That works for us.”

“We’ll clear some unoccupied tables.”

At Bae Yong-soo’s command, two ghosts cleared away dishes from where other ghosts had eaten earlier. Yong-soo then heated up his kimchi stew on the stove and took out some eggs from the fridge. The quickest thing he could make was fried eggs. This way, they could eat something before leaving by one o’clock.

“Bring out the kimchi stew. Let’s have a shot of soju together while I cook this.”

As Bae Yong-soo started making the fried eggs, Kang Jin casually suggested:

“You know…I can help with that.”

“It’s fine. Go ahead.”

Kang Jin watched as the ghost cleared the table in the hall while others continued eating. With a deep breath, he carried the kimchi stew to join him.

They sure eat well.

The ghosts were busy consuming soju and appetizers. Some even shoveled food into their mouths like they were drinking rice.

I guess ghosts get hungry too.

Kang Jin muttered to himself as he placed the kimchi stew down for two seated ghosts.

“If you wait a bit, Bae Yong-su—ahem, Mr. Bae Yong-su will bring out some fried eggs.”

“Thank you. Please join us for a drink.” One of the ghosts poured Kang Jin a shot glass from a bottle of soju and handed it over.

As Kang Jin accepted the glass, he took note of the ghost pouring him another round. The spirit was a muscular man with short hair. Something about him struck Kang Jin as familiar.

Wait, his face looks familiar.

Kang Jin stared at him trying to recall where he had seen this man before, and then his eyes widened as realization dawned on him.

“Choi Ho-chul hyung?”

The man looked puzzled at being addressed by Kang Jin.

“You know me?”

“Hyung, it’s me, Lee Kangjin!”

“Lee Kangjin?” Choi Ho-chul tilted his head, seemingly not recognizing him.

Kang Jin tried again, “From Hope Orphanage, remember? You used to visit us during holidays.”

Choi Ho-chul was an older orphan from the Hope Orphanage. When Kang Jin entered the orphanage at eighteen, Choi Ho-chul was already living independently but would return with gifts for every major holiday. He was like an elder brother who shared inspiring stories and helped Kang Jin prepare for life outside the orphanage.

Now this elder brother had become a customer at One Meal Restaurant.

“Ah..” Choi Ho-chul clicked his tongue after hearing Kang Jin’s words and gulped down the soju from the shot glass. He then pushed forward the empty glass. As Kang Jin picked it up, Choi Ho-chul poured more soju for him.

Glug!

“It feels like seeing my younger sibling from the orphanage… I’m sorry.”

“Huh?”

“As a ghost, memories of our lifetime become hazy.”

Kang Jin took a sip of the soju in response to Choi Ho-chul’s words.

“But hyung, what happened to you…”

Clunk!

Bae Yong-soo forcefully placed a dish containing fried eggs on the table and smiled at Kang Jin.

“Matters concerning your life should be discussed with those still alive.”

“Huh?”

Bae Yong-soo poured soju from his glass and took a sip while Kang Jin watched him.

“Without resentment, one doesn’t become a ghost. And for a living person, it’s not good to harbor such bitterness. So…” Bae Yong-soo smiled as he sat down. “Let’s drink and fill our bellies.”

With a grin, Bae Yong-soo gulped down more soju before starting on the kimchi stew. Kang Jin glanced at Choi Ho-chul, who responded with a smile.

“I don’t remember much…but it feels nice having someone call me ‘hyung.’ We have only a few minutes left until 1 PM, so let’s save the talk for tomorrow and enjoy some drinks today.”

As Choi Ho-chul raised the bottle of soju, Kang Jin nodded in agreement. It was indeed almost 1 PM, and as Bae Yong-su had mentioned, getting involved in a deceased person’s resentment wasn’t advisable.

‘Since Lee Jiseon also warned against it…it must truly be something I shouldn’t get involved in.’

Kang Jin silently murmured to himself before emptying the soju from his glass.