Chapter 8: The Art of Cooking

Kang Jin surveyed the various side dishes laid out on his kitchen counter: bean sprouts salad, stir-fried eggplant, fermented soybean paste soup, sliced kimchi, and many more. He had made them all following recipes from the practice room cookbook.

Although he initially considered cooking full meals, he decided to make side dishes instead since he couldn’t consume everything by himself. The primary purpose was to verify if the recipes in the practice room were authentic, after all.

Besides, side dishes could be enjoyed later or served to guests when needed.

And… Kang Jin was now certain about one thing—the dishes prepared using the book’s recipes tasted exceptional. To confirm this further, he tried making some dishes using online recipes.

But this one was bland. Bean sprouts with seasoning is usually flavorful, yet the dish he made following an online recipe lacked taste. In other words, dishes created using recipes from the practice room tasted delicious, while the same dish prepared with another recipe fell flat.

“I’m not crazy… It’s that damn book.” Kang Jin pondered how to process this reality as he stared at the practice room.

However, he soon shook his head. The situation could seem complicated or simple depending on his perspective.

“If I’m running a food business, having a book that helps me cook well would be great, right? What’s wrong with that? Besides…I didn’t steal it; it’s part of my inheritance.”

Since it was part of his inheritance from the building he received, Kang Jin considered this book as rightfully belonging to him.

With that thought, Kang Jin finished organizing the side dishes and checked the time.

[01:43]

“It’s already 2 o’clock.”

He had planned to start serving lunch but got carried away making various side dishes, losing track of time.

Seeing the clock reminded him how hungry he was, so he opened the rice cooker. He had prepared rice earlier intending to serve lunch, though with all the commotion, he ended up missing the lunch rush altogether.

Kang Jin scooped some rice onto a plate, added portions of each side dish, then sat down at the dining area.

“Delicious.” With a satisfied sigh, Kang Jin placed bean sprouts in his mouth before taking a bite of rice.

The rice was perfectly cooked and fluffy. After enjoying his lunch of homemade rice and side dishes, Kang Jin cleaned up the kitchen. He stored leftovers in the fridge, then surveyed the store before standing up with a thought.

“I need to make a menu first.”

Kang Jin closed the shop’s door and stepped outside. At a nearby convenience store, he purchased some supplies, exchanged ₩10,000 bills for smaller denominations at the bank, and returned to his store.

Setting down his purchases on the counter, Kang Jin wrote on a whiteboard:

Marinated Pork Cutlet Bibimbap

If you enjoy it, please pay as you wish.

Please place your payment in the box by the counter.

Thank you!

Soju and beer: 4,000 won each.

He kept the menu simple with just one item. Rather than overcomplicating things for his first attempt at selling food, he wanted to see how it would go first.

Regarding pricing, he decided on this approach as well. Since customers could pay what they liked, he thought it best to keep track of earnings like this.

“I hope no one takes advantage and eats everything for free.”

Even if he received money for only a few bowls, that would still be profit. Kang Jin placed an acrylic donation box purchased from Daeso onto the counter. The transparent acrylic box allowed people to clearly see inside. He then inserted several 5,000 won (about $4) and 10,000 won bills ($8). Street beggars often start their day by placing some money in their collection boxes before soliciting donations.

People tend to follow what they see inside donation boxes, whether it’s 100 won or 1,000 won. Seeing this range gives them a guideline on how much is appropriate to donate. Additionally, people often hesitate when donating for the first time, but if there’s money already in the box, they feel less burdened knowing others have contributed before them. Of course, all of this assumes that individuals inherently possess kindness and want to help others.

That’s why Kang Jin initially placed bills worth 5,000 won and 10,000 won in the acrylic box. Even if customers were told to pay as they wish, seeing the 5,000 won bill would subconsciously set their expectation around that amount.

Putting my school knowledge to practical use.

Although he had studied psychology, this was his first attempt at applying it in real life. Anyway, Kang Jin arranged the money within the acrylic box carefully so that it wouldn’t lie flat at the bottom, ensuring it remained visible to potential donors.

This way, people could easily see the money inside the jar. After strategically placing it, Kang Jin headed to the kitchen.

To prepare for dinner service, he had to marinate some pork cutlets ahead of time.

At 5 PM, Kang Jin hung up a whiteboard outside his shop with the same message: Marinated Pork Cutlet Rice Bowls available—please pay what you think is fair.

People wouldn’t come if they didn’t know about his business. With the whiteboard clearly visible, Kang Jin suddenly scanned the area around him.

“But why isn’t anyone coming in?”

The lights were on, and there was a sign out front, so at least one or two customers should have wandered in by chance… Yet not a single person entered all day.

As Kang Jin observed passersby,

Kang Jin entered and placed side dishes on the table near the wall before propping up another whiteboard behind them:

Side dishes are self-serve.

Please feel free to take as much as you like.

He prepared kimchi, pickled vegetables, fish cakes, and egg rolls for sides. He chose items that were easy to grab with chopsticks instead of small dishes requiring more precision. The marinated pork cutlets also had just the right amount of seasoning. Now all he needed was…

“We just need customers.”

Kang Jin leaned against the entrance to the kitchen, watching the door. About twenty minutes passed this way when Kang Jin shook his head.

“I guess I should let the food aroma spread around.”

Spreading the smell of cooking seemed better than simply waiting for customers. Kang Jin opened the restaurant’s doors wide to let the scent escape while heating two frying pans over the stove.

As soon as his frying pans heated up, Kang Jin poured oil and placed meat on them.

Sizzle! Ssskrrraa!

The meat sizzled deliciously as it started cooking on the hot pan.

Sizzle! Ssskrrraa!

Kang Jin gently shook the pans to spread the aroma when he heard the door open.

Click!

Nice!

“Welcome…”

A child who looked about ten years old entered alone. They paused momentarily upon seeing the empty restaurant. The absence of other customers likely made them wonder if they were allowed inside or whether there was no business because the food wasn’t good.

Before they say ‘I’m sorry’…

“Please come in.” Kang Jin quickly turned off the stove and rushed out front, greeting the customer. Despite being just a kid, they were still a guest. He retrieved a pitcher of water and cups from the fridge, placing them before the empty table.

“Please have a seat.”

Despite his young age, he was still a customer. Unless they were rude and couldn’t pay like some late-night patrons, basic courtesy was mandatory.

The boy hesitated momentarily at Kang Jin’s request but eventually sat down as if making up his mind. He glanced at the whiteboard hanging on one side of the room before placing his order.

“I’ll have marinated pork with rice, please.”

“Sure thing. I’ll add extra meat for you.”

“Thank you.” The boy bowed his head while sipping water.

As Kang Jin watched him drink, she started stir-frying the marinated pork.

Sizzle! Ssskrrraa!

Kang Jin shook the pan vigorously while frying the pork, scooped out a generous portion of rice onto a tray, then peeked her head back into the dining area.

“Do you want more rice?”

“Yes, please.”

Following the boy’s response, Kang Jin added even more rice to the tray before topping it off with the marinated pork stir-fry.

Kang Jin sprinkled some seaweed flakes on top and brought out the bowl. She placed it along with the side dishes on the table.

“If you need more sides, feel free to help yourself from over there.”

“Thank you.” The child picked up their chopsticks, took a piece of marinated pork, and put it in their mouth.

“It’s delicious.”

“Glad to hear that,” Kang Jin replied with a smile as she moved aside so the child could eat comfortably.

At least we’ve started…

Kang Jin kept her eyes fixed on the door. While waiting for the next customer, she occasionally glanced at the child. They had finished all the marinated pork and were now eating rice with the omelet side dish.

They only ate the meat.

Kang Jin noticed this and quickly made more marinated pork stir-fry from the kitchen, placing another serving on the table.

“This one’s on the house.”

The child’s eyes welled up with tears as they took a big bite of the additional dish.

Chomp!

“Huh? Why’re you crying?” Kang Jin panicked, forgetting to use formal language, and hastily handed over some tissues.

“It tastes just like what my mom used to make.”

Kang Jin pursed his lips at the boy’s words.

Is he missing his mother?

People don’t usually cry about food tasting good because it reminds them of their mother’s cooking; after all, that would be something they’d eat regularly. One cries for such a taste only when…they can no longer experience their mother’s cooking ever again.

And Kang Jin understood this sentiment… He gently patted the child’s shoulder.

“I’ll always be here. Come back anytime you want to eat.”

“I need to go see my mom now.”

Kang Jin looked puzzled at the mention of his mother.

“Your mom?”

“Thanks to you, I know where I belong.” The smiling child pushed back his chair and bowed deeply toward Kang Jin. “Thank you for everything.”

As Kang Jin wondered why the boy was thanking him, his expression froze—because the child began fading away amidst a glow.

Fwaaaaah!

It wasn’t that he disappeared gradually; rather, as soon as light started emanating from him, he vanished instantly.

“Oh!” Kang Jin was startled and froze on the spot.

“What…?”

As he stared wide-eyed at where the boy had been standing, he noticed something falling down toward him.

Flutter!

The piece of paper landed softly in his hand.

Kang Jin looked down reflexively as it settled on his palm.

Payee: JS Finance

Amount: 1,000,000 won (one million won)

Please pay this amount to the bearer of this check.

Issuer: Jisan

With the boy who’d just been eating dinner gone and replaced by a check from JS Finance…

“This is… What the heck?” It made no sense to Kang Jin.