The restaurant Yoo Sung-woon led him to have all the employees wearing hanbok.

    “We have a reservation for two under Yoo Sung-woon.”

    “Customer Yoo Sung-woon, confirmed. Please take off your shoes, and we will guide you inside.”

    Gio, standing a step back, looked at the restaurant as Yoo Sung-woon received the employee''s service without hesitation.

    The restaurant he led him to was a hanok1 with a strong, antique atmosphere, as if drawn in ink. The pillars had curves that highlighted the natural beauty of the woods, the subtle, bitter scent of cypress, and the high ceiling provided a comfortable atmosphere.

    What he saw was not a noisy crowd of customers, but a quiet and neatly arranged wooden corridor. Each room visible between the corridors stood out for its particularly strong sense of individualism.

    Is this... a set-meal restaurant?

    ''The definition of a set meal restaurant I know must have changed in 31 years.''

    Where did my noisy yet cosy set meal restaurant, where I used to sit on the wooden bench cross-legged and tear apart and eat yellow corvina, go?

    “Gio, let''s go in.”

    “Are we eating here?”

    “Ah.”

    Yoo Sung-woon spoke as if making an excuse, as if unsure exactly what he was concerned about.

    “Just ignore the presence of people. Even so, the presence and noise are pretty well blocked at this level.”

    “If it''s too inconvenient, should we move to another restaurant? There''s even a place where we can have an entire building to ourselves.”

    Is this man serious?

    ''Does he really think of me as a walking nuclear power plant?''

    He wondered just how sensitive he perceives himself to be.

    “It''s not inconvenient.”

    “Really? That''s a relief.”

    “Is it divided into rooms?”

    “Yeah, but the rooms aren''t that small, so you should be able to eat comfortably.”

    “I see.”

    Gio wasn''t the type of person to refuse a free meal unless it was really bad.

    ''Anyway, it looks delicious, so it''s fine.''

    Though feeling somewhat complicated about how much the world seemed to have changed in the last 31 years, Gio cast aside his worries and followed behind Yoo Sung-woon, led by his hungry stomach.

    “If you''ve finished selecting the menu, please press the bell.”

    “Yes.”

    “Have a pleasant time.”

    The employee, dressed in a hanbok with soft tones like petals, quietly left the room. As the sound of footsteps faded, Gio, who had been waiting for a moment, asked.

    “Is this a set meal restaurant?”

    “...Ah, yes.”

    Although not very noticeable, Yoo Sung-woon''s response carried a hint of realization.

    Gio''s question was merely intended to ask, ''Is this flashy place really a set meal restaurant?'' But it seemed Yoo Sung-woon had interpreted it as, ''So what exactly is a set meal restaurant?''

    “A set meal is a meal where you eat rice with soup and side dishes.”

    Due to his pride as a teacher, Gio felt a sudden urge to argue, but he decided it wasn''t a misunderstanding that would clear up by arguing, so he kept silent and listened to the explanation. He prided himself on this mature decision.

    “Rice is always the same, but the soup changes daily. Today .... I think it''s seaweed soup.”

    After saying that much, Yoo Sung-woon asked with a questioning look.

    “Do you eat seaweed?”

    “There is no food I can''t eat or dislike.”

    “That''s good to hear.”

    Yoo Sung-woon opened the menu that had been placed at the edge of the table.

    “The basic side dishes are all the same. What we need to choose is the main dish. It''s usually divided between meat and fish, but what do you feel like?”

    “I feel like eating meat right now.”

    Gio, who had a soft heart, couldn''t hunt animals in the forest. Not only did he not know how to hunt in the first place, but even if he did hunt those round, cute little creatures, the yield would definitely be low anyway.

    While Gio wasn''t picky and was happy no matter what he ate, since he was already out, he wanted to eat meat.

    ''I should eat it while I can.''

    Yoo Sung-woon nodded.

    “Then let''s go with Gwangyang Bulgogi.”

    He pressed the number buttons on the edge of the table. It seemed to be a system where you enter the menu number, and the kitchen directly prepares it after receiving the order.

    After pressing the red bell button one last time, Yoo Sung-woon looked back at Gio.

    “Of all the set meal restaurants I''ve been to, I think this one is the best. They don''t even use monster meat.”

    “Do they usually use monster meat?”

    “It''s fairly common, right? But coming to a restaurant to eat monster meat seems a bit much.”

    Somehow, it seemed like ''restaurant'' was being placed on a higher pedestal than Gio was familiar with. As an ancestor who''d been in hibernation for 31 years, Gio pondered how to ask without sounding odd.

    “Why, do you have something you want to ask?”

    “... Are restaurants a different place compared to other facilities?”

    “Well, if they don''t want their heads chopped off, they better be.”

    “After several heads rolled, only the competent ones are left.”

    Gio flinched. Why was this hyung talking like this before eating meat?

    ''...Then again, hunters are like living war machines. I guess politicians wouldn''t be untouchable either.''

    Gio quickly accepted this and joined in stirring the meat.

    “Is it ready to eat?”

    “Yeah, I think it''s done.”

    “Thanks for the meal.”

    “Hope it suits your taste.”

    “I think it will.”

    There are three main types of Korean bulgogi.

    First, Seoul-style. Second, Gwangyang-style. Third, Eonyang-style. Of all of them, Gio''s favourite was this Gwangyang-style bulgogi.

    The bulgogi marinated in broth and sauce that commonly known is Seoul-style bulgogi, but unlike the hot pot-like Seoul-style, Gwangyang-style is grilled dry on the grate. Each house does it slightly differently, but in most cases, the meat isn''t marinated in seasoning for long.

    ''That''s why the meat''s flavour stands out more.''

    The beef, beaten thin and spread out several times to make it tender, is grilled on a grate until the outside is crispy and the inside remains moist, and the juicy Gwangyang-style bulgogi is complete.

    A piece of bulgogi from the grill was picked up.

    Without sauce or rice, Gio put the whole piece of bulgogi directly into his mouth.

    “How is it? Tasty?”

    “It''s very delicious.”

    Given that he was in a private room, he didn''t do more. If he were alone, he would have given it a standing ovation for how excellent it was.

    “They must use good quality meat. The flavour of the beef isn''t gamey, and it''s rich. The texture is also very good. Judging by how much it was tenderized yet didn''t tear at this thickness, the chef''s skills must be impressive.”

    “You... talk a lot when you''re eating something delicious, huh.”

    “My apologies.”

    It was just so delicious he couldn''t stop.

    “But it''s really delicious.”

    “I can see that.”

    “It''s a flavour I want to try making.”

    The charred exterior, grilled to a crisp on the charcoal, had a bitter taste characteristic of burnt meat for a moment, but it harmonized with the sweetness of the slightly charred meat.

    The right amount of fat embedded in the meat gave it a rich flavour-like stock, and it alone was enough to reveal the quality of the meat.

    “The seasoning is also just right.”

    The deep sweetness soaked into the meat probably came from pears. Did they use grated pears to tenderize the meat? There was also subtle bitterness, likely from some kind of alcohol, which added a refined depth to the flavour.

    “It pairs well with garlic. The aroma is just right, not overwhelming.”

    The sharp scent of garlic nestled deep into the meat, pricking the inside of his tongue, but after being grilled on the charcoal, its harshness melted smoothly. The sesame oil must have been high quality as well, as its fresh aroma lingered.

    “Hmm? What is it?”

    “It seems like the soy sauce was homemade.”

    “Are you a gourmet? How did you figure that out?”

    “Am I right?”

    “Well... I did hear it from the owner here.”

    Gio nodded.

    “I was wondering since the pepper flavour was particularly strong.”

    “You really do have a sensitive palate. No wonder you love eating.”

    “Even the dipping sauce... is delicious.”

    The ingredients seemed similar to the bulgogi''s seasoning, but this curious sweet and sour flavour. The deep flavour of plum was blended naturally into the sauce, enhancing the taste.

    ''It''s not plum syrup...''

    It must have been vinegar made of plums.

    Dipping the meat lightly into the brown sauce with bits of garlic showing, and pairing it with the steaming, fluffy white rice...

    “Is it good?”

    “Yes.”

    “I see.”

    As expected, rice was delicious when you eat a whole mouthful.

    1: Hanok (Korean traditional house):

    Seoul-style bulgogi:

    Gwangyang-style bulgogi:

    Eonyang-style bulgogi.

    btw plum syrup that was stated here is plum cheong.