Chapter 155
Tonight’s dinner was banquet noodles. The broth, made from anchovies and dried kelp, was poured over cooked somen noodles topped with soy sauce seasoning and a variety of garnishes. After placing the carefully prepared bowls of noodles on the table, Yoon-Hee called out to the kids watching TV in the living room.
“Dinner’s ready!”
As always, Yong-Yong was the first to dash over. Upon seeing the stainless steel dog bowl adorned with paw prints filled generously with noodles, Yong-Yong tilted his head and examined the contents carefully. With ramen being the only kind of noodles he had tried, he sniffed at the dish with curiosity.
“What’s this?” he asked.
“Noodles,” answered Do-Jun, already seated at the table.
Karsiel and Byeol also eyed the noodles with similar curiosity from their seats. Having lived in the Core, the kids were unfamiliar with many foods, including noodles.
After Do-Jun took the first bite, the kids followed his lead and tasted the noodles themselves. The soy sauce seasoning added a savory, salty flavor that coated their tongues, leaving them craving more. Before long, Yong-Yong buried his snout in the bowl, eagerly devouring the noodles.
***
“Burp.” Yong-Yong rubbed his bulging stomach and let out a satisfied belch. The noodles had been so much to his liking that he had eaten three whole bowls by himself.
Normally, their post-dinner routine involved a trip to the store across the street for snacks, but the fullness pressing against his throat had completely erased any desire to go.
“Byeol, you’re full too, right?” Karsiel asked Byeol.