The Other World Dining Hall Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Kalbi1 Don

 

Shirley was preparing to leave her room which was located at the deepest part of the Sea Country’s palace just before the sun shone in the southern sky.

As the time was before the servant who was in charge of changing her clothing usually came, she changed her clothes on her own.

 

The clothing she chose was her best cheapest clothing; there was no magical enchantment casted on it by the onmyouji2 to protect her body.

The clothes were dyed to be several times poorer in grade than those of the highest grade that only Shirley’s family was allowed wear.

The black pearl earrings with similar colouring to her hair that she used normally were put away as those along with her blue eyes that she inherited from her mother that was the former princess of the “Kingdom” until she married into her family were too conspicuous.

She also wore no make-up.

None of those were necessary to wear at her destination, and above all, she did not want to wear them while in “disguise”.

(Ee. This should be enough.)

After she finished changing her clothes, she confirmed her whole body appearance using a mirror of silver plate made by a professional craftsman.

She was a mixed blood of foreign country descent, and there was nothing she could do with her unique beauty that was said to be “siren-like” by the jesters and court poets, but everything else was perfect.

(Aa, now my appearance is just a girl of common descent. Surely no one can tell my true nature.)

She was enchanted by the perfection of her disguise.

The figure was exactly the “commoner girl” that Shirley envisioned.

(Well then, let’s go.)

After completing her preparations, Shirley went out while paying attention to her surroundings so as to avoid being seen by people.

The destination was the flower garden at the palace courtyard.

That place where seasonal flowers bloomed was the “pa.s.sage” that she aimed for.

 

A flower garden where a variety of flowers bloomed all year long except during winter with their fragrant scent wafting around the air.

And then Shirley entered into the forest at the corner of the courtyard.

(…As I expected. That fox of a man is attending a banquet today.)

Stepping into the forest, the multiple enchantments that were always hanging over the road were not active at that time and Shirley’s gait became lighter.

 

The story she heard from a court lady that she befriended who was familiar with court gossips was true.

The court onmyouji, who resembled a fox to her, had left the palace to attend a banquet that was sponsored by the prime minister that day.

When leaving the palace for official affairs and banquets, the onmyouji who was an expert in her country usually released the enchantments which prevented people from approaching “that place” that hung around the road.

…Shirley was waiting for such a day when it overlapped with “Satur’s day”. It only occurred once every few months.

 

And Shirley finally arrived at her destination.

(… It’s been 3 months.)

A black door with a picture of a cat.

The place that Shirley visited, unknown to the onmyouji’s watchful eyes, while disguising as a commoner.

Remembering “that dish”, she swallowed her saliva, clenched the door handle… and opened the door.

 

‘Chirinchirin’, Shirley went through the door and stood inside.

[Oya, welcome, long time no see.]

[Ee. Thank you for your time… I’d like to have the usual one

.]

She smiled at the owner.

That day, she was given guidance, on the condition of overlooking the crime of entering the palace courtyard without permission, by a travelling, self-proclaimed (awful) poet Halfling with a poor appearance resembling a mouse that took her to visit this place. From the day she came, her favourite food was decided.

[Yes. Please wait a moment… slow down a bit.]

The owner was used to it and retreated to the back.

Yes, this was the otherworld dining hall.

It was a shop that cooked “that dish” that Shirley could not eat at the Sea Country.

 

(Hehe… as usual it’s a lively place.)

While seating on her seating and waiting for her food, she observed the bustle of the restaurant.

The customers of the restaurant were quite diverse.

Their races and births were different and each had their own meal.

And some among them were n.o.ble-born like Shirley.

 

For example, someone she saw once when she was young, eating something that was yellow and soft, a woman with bluish silver hair and light blue eyes, pointed ears of a half-elf, a well-arranged beauty resembling a doll. That was the Witch Princess, the disciple of the Great Sage.

Another example, eating white ice cream that was floating on black coffee and soft cream floating on top of another beautiful, clean green drink, was a man with features similar to one of her father’s concubine, copper coloured skin and prominent facial features dressed in flashy clothes of Sand Country’s n.o.bles, and eyes resembling black pearls with silky smooth black hair.

And someone that made the man from Sand Country felt anxious, a beautiful lady with pale golden hair and white skin that Shirley had never seen before, eating a flashy dessert in a gla.s.s cup decorated like a beautiful masterpiece.

(Fufu~… no one understands.)

Everything they ate were far from the “most delicious cuisine” that Shirley knew.

Feeling secretly superior to that, Shirley waited for her food. And then…

[Sorry I kept you waiting! I have your meal… well, this is the one… right?]

[Yes, there’s no mistake.]

She nodded her confirmation to the demon waitress that was newly hired.

The meal on the tray that the waitress brought was what Shirley definitely loved.

The fragrant smell drifted towards her, and Shirley swallowed her saliva without knowing it.

[Well then, here it is.]

Convinced, the waitress gently put the dish in front of her along with miso soup and iced tea.

The dish used for that food was only 1 big bowl.

It was filled with white rice and brightly coloured vegetables… and roasted meat.

[Aa… how long have I waited. This otherworld “Kalbi Don”.]

Shirley unexpectedly muttered to the meal that she had not seen for 3 months.

Two years had pa.s.sed since she first ate at the otherworld dining hall after being advertised by the travelling Halfling.

The best treat for Shirley.

That was this “Kalbi Don”.

 

[Then, please eat it slowly. I’ll bring the dessert after you finish eating.]

The demon waitress hurriedly went back to serve other customers and Shirley started on the rice bowl.

(Lift it first… enjoy the fragrance and appearance.)

On that day, Shirley lifted the bowl according to the trick taught to her by the travelling Halfling on “how to eat the most delicious Kalbi Don”.

The heat slightly warmed Shirley’s palms as she lifted it.

The large bowl weighted a little heavily for Shirley.

This Kalbi Don seduced her.

Plenty of toppings were included and the white rice piled under them could not be seen.

Caryute with vivid orange colour and faint sweet flavor.

Boiled, dark green Ootori gra.s.s3.

Clear white and slender bean sprouts.

And the meat with white sesame seeds sprinkled on it that was dyed brown with the meat juice.

 

She gently breathed in the aroma.

Her nose detected the sweet smell of freshly cooked rice, the fragrant incense of roasted meat, and the sweet and intoxicating scent of the sauce.

On the back of her nose, those 3 scents intermingled… causing her stomach to faintly rumble.

(Aa, no more… I can’t wait any more!)

Shirley began to eat the Kalbi Don following the “way of otherworld” that was viewed as vulgar from the viewpoint of the traditional etiquette of Sea Country.

First of all, pick up the meat that was dripping with its meat juice and nibble it along with the sesame seeds.

(Aa, this taste! I have been dreaming of this taste for so long!)

Spreading over her tongue was the taste of meat gravy along with slightly burned fat.

It was different compared to the meat and fish dishes served at the palace of the Sea Country, where the “filthiness” contained in them were thoroughly discarded by braising or baking them for a long time. The flavor of the meat overflowed in her mouth.

And enhancing the taste of the meat was the gravy used in the dish.

 

It contained the sweetness of fruit, spiciness of faint spices, similar to fish sauce but certainly different, saltiness not familiar to Shirley, and the fragrance of oil with something mixed.

The complex juice in which they were all intertwined, if it was eaten separately, the taste would be too strong, but it was compatible with the meat containing plenty of meat juice and fat.

(From here, it’s the real Kalbi Don!)

She wouldn’t be distracted here.

Not just meat. If it was just the meat, the rice bowl wouldn’t be complete.

Shirley started to move at once without hesitation.

To further enjoy her meal, she used her chopstick to lift the meat aside and scooped the rice hidden underneath to her mouth.

(—!)

No words came to her mind.

The flavor of the rice that was sweeter than those that could be found at Sea Country spread in her mouth.

The soft rice that absorbed the meat juice trampled her tongue.

It was the supreme taste that captivated Shirley.

 

Due to this taste, Shirley transformed into “a growing teenage girl” from “the country’s n.o.ble princess”.

 

It was not just the taste.

While enjoying the sweet smell, the contrast of colorful vegetables with meat and rice, the heat of the bowl transmitted to her palm, and the appet.i.te boiling from her stomach, Shirley slowed down her pace.

She ate the meat and rice while being careful not to stain her clothes.

The beansprout with pleasant chewy texture and the slightly sweet Ootori gra.s.s, both lightly seasoned with little salt.

By themselves, they’re quite plain… but they served to refresh her palate from the violet combination of meat with rice.

Next, she ate the meat with both the rice and vegetables.

By adding a new taste of vegetables to the finished meat and rice, a different flavor combination was made.

The texture of crunchy vegetables mixed with the juice of gravy and seasoning.

How unbearable.

After eating some of the rice bowl, she sipped the miso soup directly from the bowl.

The taste of the miso soup cleansed her tongue… it renewed her mood to continue eating the Kalbi Don.

 

She spoke no words for her mouth was occupied with eating.

A contest of dazzling flavours unfolded in her mouth.

 

Eventually, it ended.

[—Fuu…]

Shirley, who finished eating at more or less the same time as other customers, exhaled a breath of satisfaction while enjoying a cup of iced tea.

The overwhelming feeling remained even after she finished eating.

Unlike any other ordinary meals she had, the weight in her stomach made her happy and satisfied.

(Really, the Kalbi Don is the best dish at otherworld dining hall—)

While thinking so, the waitress came back to her table.

[Ano, I brought your soft cream dessert. Let me take away the empty plate.]

[Very well.]

The empty plate was taken, and on its place was a white, soft and cold dessert.

[…Aa, how sweet…]

Its rich and cold sweetness was perfect for finishing a meal after the heavy Kalbi Don.

Shirley slowly ate spoonful after spoonful of the dessert until none remained.

[Fuu… I’m satisfied.]

Beckoning the waitress, Shirley gently put the money on the table.

 

Shirley did not use silver coins anywhere else except for this restaurant.

She asked her handmaiden to exchange some coins so that she could get 1 silver coin.

Yes, for her meal of Kalbi Don, tea and dessert, the total price was only 1 silver coin.

(—I wonder if this is normal?)

Every time she asked him, the owner would not take more than 1 silver coin.

A modest price for Shirley.

She thought that it could worth an exceptional price considering the wonderful taste.

[Yes! Thank you very much!]

Looking at the waitress who started to clean the table, Shirley left the restaurant.

 

—Eat the Kalbi Don, and after finishing it, conclude the meal with the soft cream.

And as soon as she finished her meal, leave immediately.

 

Following the teachings of the travelling Halfling, Shirley returned to the forest at the palace courtyard.

(…Today, I don’t need any lunch…)

She thought so while stroking her full stomach and returned to her room to change her clothing.

 

It was nearly lunch time, but she did not want to eat any other food.

Even though people would think that her physical condition was declining.

When she had this feeling of fullness, she could say that any other dish was nothing.

 

Shirley secretly reaffirmed her thoughts.

 

Kalbi – Korean BBQ short ribs, usually using beef ribs although pork spare ribs can be used.  Onmyouji – Pract.i.tioner of Onmyoudo: ‘The Way of Yin and Yang’ that is a traditional j.a.panese esoteric cosmology, a mixture of natural science and occultism. It is based on the Chinese philosophies of Wu Xing (five elements) and yin and yang, introduced into j.a.pan at the beginning of the 6th century. It was accepted as a practical system of divination. おおとり草 – I don’t know what vegetable this is. Not spinach that’s for sure