The Kpop Otaku’s Dream - Chapter 89 Fine Dining

After rounding up everyone into their respective vehicles. Yoona, and Chae-won alight with me, arguing that its more comfortable while Hyun-joong sits in the co-pilot seat. As his other members have left already in the agencies luxury van. I once again get questioned on how I can afford this nice of a car, but i just laugh it off as Hyun-joong attributes it to me coming from an affluent background.

‘Well his not wrong’

We then head off to my choice of eatery in Jung Sik Dang. Where upon arrival at the three storied building in Gangnam, we are ushered into the VIP room of the main restaurant on the top floor.

For those who know, Jung Sikdang is a groundbreaking, iconic Korean restaurant for a variety of reasons. It opened in 2009 and has received two Michelin stars. It also consistently finds itself ranked as one of the best restaurants in Asia.

These awards are certainly deserved, but they are especially significant to Koreans: With the Korean obsession over international rankings (whether in education, sports or economic measures), this restaurant’s international acclaim has restored some level of pride around hansik, or traditional cuisine. But traditional it is not: Jung Sikdang dubs its cuisine “new Korean,” blending Korean ingredients with Western culinary techniques and presentation (head chef Yim Jung-sik graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in NYC and worked in both NYC and Spain).

For a fine dining restaurant, prices are considered value for its buck when compared to its equivalent in America, European or Singapore.

A/N: I promise this is not a sponsor! But its not that i wouldn’t mind. Hit me up

Since the menu comes in a 5 course set, I order for everyone. This comes out to about 200, 000 won ($200) per person and about 2 million won in total.

Sitting at a long table that seats 10. Only 8 seats are however filled. I sit in the middle and am flanked by Yoona and Chae-won who seem to be undergoing a territorial battle. Hyun-joong is sitting across from us with the other three member and the manager scattered around.

Waiting for our dishes to be served, I order the only two bottles of Chateu Margaux on hand for us to drink. The waiter kindly suggests the less expensive option of just getting a wine pairing instead, but I push for the bottles saying,

“This is the first time I get to eat with SNSD, it should be celebrated”

The waiter is a bit reserved at first but I say, “Tell Jung-sik hyung. That Dylan is here. He will tell you what to do”

The young waiter politely hurries off to speak to the boss.

“Dylan, how did you get us in here?” SooYoung asks, looking around the fancy venue

‘To be honest, I own 40% of the establishment. One of my many investments.’

‘I actually own an interest in a lot of the upcoming restaurants in Seoul, how else will I find places private enough for when I’m truly famous.’

“I know the owner” I say, veiling a hidden meaning.

“You know a lot of people, don’t you Dylan-ah” Yoona teases

“It’s quality over quantity, my dear” I answer

Idle chit chat and small talk then takes place before the food arrives.

First out of the kitchen is banchan-inspired appetizers that will steal ones heart away.

They are cute little items of mini-rice ‘bowls’, egg pudding with asparagus, smoked salmon with kimchi, smoked beef sticks encapsulates some of Korea’s iconic dishes. They are absolute pieces of art and I may even consider it too pretty eat.

The regret at destroying this masterpiece is however soon forgotten, as a storm of chopsticks begin the clash with the food in front of them.

“So fanta-bulous!” says Tiffany

“Faarn tar bu lous” Yuri mocks, which earns her a scowl.

Yoona is doing a little dance, which looks like a mixture of prayer and an inflatable tube man one would see outside a car rental place. Chae-won herself exclaims in delight softly next to me, “Hmmmm”

And that was only the start.

Several dishes later, with all of them being considered remarkable, with some in my opinion being faultless.

What was Hyun-joong’s expression you ask? I don’t know. I wasn’t really paying attention.

One of the most interesting, parts of the meal was the shocking shape of the Dolhareubang (stone statue) dessert. You may find this ‘stone grandpa’ figure familiar, especially if you have been to Jeju Island. It is said to symbolize fertility?? (Never-mind if it looks like a male anatomical part. Oppsie.)

Nonetheless it is a piece of art green tea mousse and peanut ganche, smothered in black sesame butter and served with black sesame sponge cake and milk sherbet. Still, it didn’t taste bad at all.

After having our fill, the waiter returns with the check. Before I can reach over to pay with my card. Hyun-joong takes the moment to show off to Chae-won

“Dylan. Let Hyung get it. Its not that expensive, it should only be about 2 million won” he laughs as he stops me for saying anything as he hands his card to the waiter.

I smile, thinking of the surprise in store.

“It’s least I can do after you introduced me to this nice of a place. Its not that great, but at least its eatable” he says before continuing on his mini humble brag, “I usually only visit these quint exclusive French restaurants, I never have Korean cuisine anymore. It’s just not as sophisticated”

“Chae-wonah (he calls for her attention)”

Chae-won faces him as he continues his one sided dialogue, “Do you like European, next time, I have to show you this restaurant I know. Its an absolute….”

Before he can finish, the waiter returns with his card and whispers something into his ears

He looks visibly shaken and tells the waiter , “Run it again there must be a problem”

The young waiter responds this time again saying, “Sir, I have already tried thrice it hasn’t worked”

Looks like his plan to impress Chae-won with money hasn’t worked. Well not that she would ever be impressed by someone else’s wealth with me around.

Taking this as my cue, I speak up and ask “Is there a problem?”

Hyun-joong tries to deny anything, “No no no, its just a misunderstanding. His saying my card doesn’t work.”

I reach into my pocket and take out my wallet, handing over my card ” Use mine then, then might just be an error ”

The waiter obliges despite Hyun-joongs opposition.

A few seconds later he returns with my card and a receipt. Smilingly I look at the bill and nod my head.

‘That’s a lot of zero’s’

I take out a two 1 million won bankers checks and hand it to the server as extra gratuity, since this is an American influenced restaurant and its customer base is mostly foreign nationals, they are much more willing to accept tips than in other Korean establishments (The culture of tipping is not really a prevalent in this part of the world)

“Ah… that’s too much sir” The young waiter tries to push my hands away but I stuff it into his hands force-ably.

“Please, its not even 5% of the meal costs” I laugh “and besides you deserve it”

Hyun-joong looks shocked at the amount I’m casually handing over to a waiter, actually everyone in the room looks visibly surprised (that’s if you exclude Yoona and Chae-won whose grown accustomed to such habits)

Suddenly Hyun-joong demands to see the receipt and I offer it over obediently.

After his eyes look at the final figure on the paper, they dilate quite noticeably. He rubs them ferociously as if to make sure his not experiencing some hallucination.

“Dylan, is this really right?” He asks

I nod my head

*BANG*

“Are you sure?” He checks again

I nod my head in confirmation once more.

*BANG BANG*

“200 million won..” He says.. “Are you telling me you just spent 200 million won!” He says loudly

I nod my head for the final time in confirmation

*BANG BANG BANG*

And with that final acknowledgment, I see the color visibly drain from his face.
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