Chapter 97

Kang Jin was preparing food for Wang Gangshin and Kim Bongnam while occasionally glancing at them through the kitchen window. The two elders were conversing in Chinese.

“You own a restaurant?”

“Yes, I run a small restaurant called Woonam Restaurant.”

“Woonam… Woonam…” Wang Gangshin repeated the name with a smile on his face. “The name has a nice ring to it.”

“Thank you.”

As Kang Jin watched the two elderly men engage in casual conversation, he checked on the dishes.

“I think this should be enough… but will Mr. Wang enjoy these?”

Based on Wang Gangshin’s preferences, he seemed to favor strong and spicy flavors. However, the porridge was mild, and the fried tofu appeared quite ordinary.

“Chinese people also love congee.”

“Really?”

“Yes, they often have it for breakfast.”

Bae Yongsoo’s explanation prompted Kang Jin to nod and start serving the dishes. As Kang Jin brought out the congee and fried tofu, Kim Bongnam rose from his seat.

“If you don’t mind, may I join you?”

Wang Gangshin nodded at Kim Bongnam’s request.

“I was feeling quite lonely eating alone anyway. Please, join us.”

Kim Bongnam took a seat across from Wang Gangshin while addressing Kang Jin.

“Please place them here.”

Kang Jin nodded and set down the dishes as instructed.

“Is this beef abalone porridge with fried tofu?”

“Yes, sir. It’s rich in protein, which is good for liver and kidney health.”

Kim Bongnam acknowledged Kang Jin’s explanation with a nod.

“Good choice. The smooth porridge with crispy fried tofu… Did you consider their textures on purpose?”

“Yes, sir.”

In response to Kang Jin’s answer, Kim Bongnam tasted both the abalone porridge and seasoned fried tofu using his chopsticks.

“The seasoning is well-balanced too. You’ve complemented any blandness with flavorful seasonings. Well done.”

“Thank you.” Kang Jin nodded at Kim Bongnam’s praise before turning towards Wang Gangshin.

“I noticed that you drank heavily yesterday, so I prepared something light for today.”

“Did you do this out of consideration for me?” asked Wang Gangshin.

Kang Jin shook her head.

“These dishes are meant as nourishing meals due to recent health concerns regarding your liver and kidneys, elder. However, I believe they would also benefit you, elder. If these don’t suit your taste, I can prepare something else.”

Wang Gangshin looked at Kang Jin and asked, “Is this food good for liver and kidneys?”

“It’s rich in albumin, which is beneficial.”

Wang Gangshin nodded understandingly.

“I’ve been feeling slightly unwell due to all the greasy foods since arriving in South Korea… This will be just what I need.”

Kim Bongnam smiled and agreed with Wang Gangshin.

“Indeed, wholesome food acts as medicine for the body. Please enjoy your meal.”

With Kim Bongnam’s encouragement, Wang Gangshin nodded and started eating the rice porridge with his spoon.

“Mm… It tastes delicious.”

Kim Bongnam acknowledged Wang Gangshin’s comment with a nod.

“Yes, it’s quite tasty.”

“Please enjoy your meal.”

Once Kang Jin stepped aside, Kim Bongnam turned to Wang Gangshin.

“Do you like it?”

“It’s delicious.”

“Please think of this as medicinal food since it’s good for your health.”

“With such tasty medicine, there’s no reason not to finish it all.”

Wang Gangshin smiled and continued eating the porridge and fried tofu. Seeing the two adults enjoying their meal with delight, Kang Jin also started eating from his corner of the kitchen. After all, he needed dinner too.

As Kang Jin ate his porridge, he received a text message:

<Did you ask him?>

Kang Jin replied to Lim Ho-jin:

<He is currently having dinner, so I haven’t asked yet. I’ll inquire after they’re finished eating.>

<Take your time; we’re still at work anyway.>

With that exchange concluded, Kang Jin resumed eating when Wang Gangshin spoke up.

“If you’re going to eat, come join us here.”

“Huh?”

“What’s with this stinginess? Come here and eat together.”

Wang Gangshin then turned to Kim Bongnam.

“Is that okay with you?”

“I was going to invite him anyway.” Kim Bongnam looked towards the kitchen. “Kang Jinah, come join us.”

At Kim Bongnam’s casual invitation, Kang Jin emerged from the kitchen carrying her bowl of porridge. The three of them gathered around the table, enjoying their meal of porridge and fried tofu.

After finishing his meal, Wang Gangshin spoke up.

“Do you have any alcohol?”

His question made Kang Jin chuckle.

“You drank quite a lot yesterday already.”

“Were those few drinks really ‘quite a lot’? They were just appetizers.”

“Appetizers? Do you realize how many bottles of strong rice liquor you consumed yesterday?”

“Hahaha! Chinese people can hold our liquor well.”

Seeing Wang Gangshin laugh, Kang Jin couldn’t help but grimace slightly.

“Then how about some strong liquor?”

“That would be great. South Korean alcohol is too mild.”

Wang Gangshin’s comment made Kim Bongnam’s eyebrows twitch slightly, but it was subtle enough that no one else noticed.

“I’ve heard Chinese people prefer stronger drinks.” As he spoke, Kim Bongnam took out his phone. “However, there are many fine spirits here in South Korea as well.”

“Is that so?”

“Is this your first visit to South Korea?”

“No, I came a few times when I was younger.”

“I see.” Smiling, Kim Bongnam placed a call.

“Hey, it’s me. Yes, how’s work at the store? Good. Actually, I need you to send over a couple bottles of Ganhong-ro and Cheongbaek-ro. Right, the location is…”

After hanging up, Kim Bongnam turned to Wang Gangshin.

“At our shop, we also make traditional liquors.”

“Is that so?”

“There are many excellent traditional South Korean liquors.”

With a smile, Kim Bongnam casually chatted with Kang Jin before standing up.

“May I use your kitchen?”

“If there’s something specific you’d like to eat, I can cook it for you.”

“No need.”

“Well then…” As Kang Jin gestured towards the kitchen, Kim Bongnam entered and started retrieving ingredients from the refrigerator. He took out some pork belly and looked at Kang Jin.

“Sides and drinks go hand in hand. When you have delicious food, it makes you crave a drink, and when enjoying fine liquor, certain dishes come to mind.”

Kang Jin considered Kim Bongnam’s words and found them quite logical. Makgeolli pairs well with savory pancakes, soju goes perfectly with chicken feet or sashimi, and each alcohol has its ideal companion dish.

There were specific drinks and appetizers that complemented each other well.

“I see.”

“So when serving alcohol, it’s best to pair it with matching appetizers, and vice versa for food.”

“Then does Gamhongro go well with pork?”

“It goes well with any meat, not just pork.”

Kim Bongnam then started slicing the meat.

“And Gamhongro contains honey, giving it a slight sweetness along with a cinnamon aroma.”

“It sounds delicious.”

“It is indeed tasty but quite strong.”

“Strong?”

“The strength can vary depending on how it’s made, but our Gamhongro here has 57% alcohol content.”

“57%… That’s incredibly potent.”

“Cheongbaekro is even stronger at 62%.”

“Wow…”

As Kang Jin’s eyes widened with surprise, Kim Bongnam glanced at the hall and chuckled.

“Let me show you the fear of South Korean liquor.”

“Huh?”

“No worries.” With that, Kim Bongnam started cooking. Watching him wield the knife, Kang Jin couldn’t help but be impressed.

It feels like watching a movie.

The way Kim Bongnam sliced meat and chopped vegetables reminded Kang Jin of a well-crafted scene from a film.

Looks delicious.

Despite using ingredients from his own refrigerator, under Kim Bongnam’s skilled hands, they appeared incredibly appetizing.

Sssk! Sssk!

Kim Bongnam thinly sliced the meat, seasoned it with salt and pepper, then brushed oil over the top.

“All done.”

Kang Jin looked puzzled as Kim Bongnam finished his preparation quickly.

“That’s it?”

“We’ll add vegetables and grill them once we have some soju.”

Kim Bongnam smiled at Kang Jin.

“The meat is already delicious when grilled, no need for further cooking.”

“But…”

Kang Jin licked his lips, disappointed by Kim Bongnam’s words. He had expected something extraordinary from Kim Bongnam, South Korea’s top Korean cuisine chef, but the ingredients were quite simple.

Noticing Kang Jin’s reaction, Kim Bongnam turned to Mrs. Wang.

“Mrs. Wang mentioned you’ve been consuming heavy meals lately, so I thought lighter fare would be appreciated.”

“Oh! That’s why you used minimal seasoning.”

“That’s true…but meat tastes great even with just a sprinkle of salt,” Kim Bongnam said as he finished preparing the ingredients and glanced at kimchi.

“It’d be nice to have some kimchi stew on the side.”

“I’ll make it.”

“Sounds good.”

Kim Bongnam wiped his hands and left the kitchen alone while Kang Jin started preparing the kimchi stew.

As they waited for the alcohol to kick in and continued their conversation, Kim Bongnam’s phone rang.

“Yes. Yes… Really? Gotcha.”

Kim Bongnam got up from his seat and exited the restaurant. A moment later, he returned carrying shopping bags. He placed them on the dining table and raised an eyebrow.

“He couldn’t find our store right here?”

“What do you mean?”

“Our employee called because he couldn’t locate our shop, even though it’s right under his nose.”

Kim Bongnam’s words prompted Kang Jin to glance at the kitchen. Sung Yongsoo and Heo Yeonwook were seated there.

Wang Gangshin could easily find the store regardless of any ghosts present due to having visited before. However, the new employee, encountering the ghosts for the first time, struggled to locate the establishment.

Kang Jin explained to Kim Bongnam, “It seems too inconspicuous for him to notice.”

“How is that possible?”

“Or perhaps he has poor night vision,” suggested Kang Jin as Kim Bongnam raised an eyebrow, then proceeded to retrieve wooden boxes from his shopping bags.

The wooden box was intricately decorated with Chinese characters inscribed as “Gamhongro” and “Cheongbaekro.”

“These are liquors made by our store.” Kim Bongnam opened the box and took out ceramic bottles. “These are Gamhongro and Cheongbaekro.”

Then, he retrieved small shot glasses from the wooden box.

“You have shot glasses too?” Kang Jin curiously asked about the glasses taken from the wooden box, prompting a smile from Kim Bongnam.

“For beer, there’s a beer glass, and for soju, there’s a soju cup, right?”

“Yes.”

“Just like that, each liquor has its designated vessel.”

“Is that true?”

“Imagine drinking beer from a bowl.”

“That…would be quite odd.”

Kim Bongnam nodded at Kang Jin’s response.

“When you drink from the appropriate vessel for each type of alcohol, it enhances its taste and aroma. There’s a reason why there are separate glasses for soju and beer.”

As he spoke, Kim Bongnam blew on a cup placed before him gently. It was a white ceramic cup. He then opened the lid of Gamhongro with a flourish.

Pop!

The sound accompanied by a delightful fragrance filled the air.

“That smells wonderful.”

“It tastes even better when served properly.” With that, Kim Bongnam carefully poured Gamhongro into the cup.

Gurgle! Gurgle!

“Don’t worry about cleanliness; these were thoroughly washed before being packed in boxes.”

Wang Gangshin asked curiously, “By any chance, is there a specific reason they might not be washed?”

Even if they were thoroughly cleaned before being boxed, dust could still accumulate during storage. Therefore, Kim Bongnam likely blew off any dust from them beforehand. With the kitchen nearby, washing the cups wouldn’t have been an issue either. That’s why Wang Gangshin questioned the reason behind not cleaning them.

Kim Bongnam smiled and responded to Wang Gangshin’s inquiry:

“I don’t want any water touching these glasses.”

“Water?”

“If water mixes with the soju, it can alter its taste, right?”

“But even after washing, only a slight amount of water would remain, no?”

“That slightest bit is enough to change the flavor.”

Wang Gangshin looked at Kim Bongnam, impressed by his dedication.

“You’re truly remarkable.”

“It’s simply about taking pride in one’s food.”

“Haha! Is alcohol considered food?”

“Anything that goes into your mouth is food.”

Kim Bongnam pointed to Wang Gangshin’s glass containing Gamhongro. The liquor appeared reddish yet clear. Perhaps due to its white ceramic container, it seemed richer and more transparent.

“Hmm!” As Wang Gangshin took in the aroma, Kim Bongnam spoke up:

“Don’t drink it just yet; please wait a moment.”

As Kim Bongnam made to enter the kitchen, Kang Jin interjected:

“I’ll…”

“No need.” With that, Kim Bongnam went inside, and shortly after, the sound of sizzling meat began.

Sizzle, sizzle!

As the meat cooked and its delicious aroma filled the air, Wang Gangshin smacked his lips.

“It’s killing me to see alcohol right here without having a sip.”

“Just wait for a moment,” Kang Jin assured him.

Wang Gangshin nodded but then suddenly glanced at the kitchen.

“What is this Yunam Restaurant?”

“Yunam Restaurant?”

“You mentioned it was just a small eatery…”

He eyed the bottle of soju on the table.

“But such a place wouldn’t produce this quality of liquor.”

The bottle and its contents were undeniably high-end, far beyond what one would expect from a small restaurant.