A very intimate Sunday lunch

Finding something to eat is such an adventure, no matter which meal it is.  It seems that lunch is a little trickier than dinner, being that most places aren't even open for lunch.  Many don't even open till after 6 p.m. on a regular basis.  So, this day was like any other--not really knowing what we want to eat, but willing to walk around a bit.  As we went from one corner to the next, we saw a noodle shop open.  I can't even tell you the name of it.  There really wasn't much to the restaurant.  It was probably half the size of a normal kitchen and there were only two tables in the entire place.  As we walked in, we did not have a chance to change our mind.  There were two very nice Korean women working in the open kitchen and two older gentleman sitting at the table, which was covered with kim-chi, peppers, sautéed green onions, chili paste, and a huge plate pageon (an egg battered based dish similar to an omelette, but breadier).  As soon as one of the older gentleman, who we later learned is named Mr. Kim, saw us, he cried out "Herrow!" and we were reeled in for a great eating experience.  He was such an interesting man!  I believe he tried to tell us he was in the food business for the past 45 years and used to work with a General from the States a long time ago.  By the way, it seems he had been at the Soju (a rice wine) for quite a while.

As we looked around for a menu or at least a picture, we saw only a list of things in Korean with prices next to them.  If only we knew how to read the language! Mr. Kim noticed our ignorance and outright embarrassment of not being able to order and asked what we wanted.  We finally explained how we would love to have some noodles.  So, we did...noodles with pork in a broth.  Delicious!  Also, during this whole experience, Mr. Kim is offering us Soju and even offered a drink from his own shot glass.  I hope we did not insult him too much by not accepting.  I believe we made our point when he kept asking what we did for a living and we told him we had work still to do today.  All the while, the ladies and the other gentleman are staring at us and watching us as we eat.  Of course this would be the day that my fingers could not work the metal chopsticks (I've always wondered if they were only wooden and if that is all they used in restaurants here...nope, they're metal like western forks).  So, one woman offered me a child's fork, but I declined and then they offered wooden chopsticks...I accepted and it became much easier.

When we finished, we asked for the price...$12.  Interesting fact, Koreans believe it is an insult to be tipped.  They believe you think them poor if you tip them.  As we left, the women told Leigh Anne she was beautiful and Mr. Kim could not stop shaking our hands...Leigh Anne's especially.  There was quite the amount of bowing and kamsamnitas (thank you's) and we were finally out of there.  I would especially like to thank the 77 year old Mr. Kim for showing us so much kindness and offering so much Soju to a few curious Americans.

Cheers!