Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Convenience Store Recipe
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‘Let’s go to Japan for the 100,000 subscriber milestone and film some content there.’
The meeting on that proposal kicked off.
"Be honest. The real goal is just to go have fun, not film content."
Sister nailed it right from the start.
I felt a pang of guilt, but I didn’t let it show. I shrugged like I had no idea what she was talking about.
"What are you saying? I’m going there to shoot videos. Sticking only to Korea feels a bit limiting, so I want to mix in different backgrounds for some variety."
"Then tell me a few video ideas you plan to shoot there."
"Ideas? I’ve got them all figured out."
I racked my brain, squeezing out some concepts.
Go watch the autumn leaves festival, eat delicious food, hit an amusement park, tour some sights, soak in a hot spring...
Everything that came to mind was just a date itinerary. No matter how I looked at it, these wouldn’t work for a cooking channel.
As I hemmed and hawed, Sister seized the moment and pressed her advantage.
"See? I’m right. Haneul, we need to focus on the 100,000 sub special. Let’s get back to our main topic."
If things stayed like this, my overseas travel date plans would be scrapped.
"The comments on the video mostly fall into three categories. First is ‘I want to try eating that too.’ Second is..."
"So you hate it?"
"Huh?"
"You want to go have fun, right? When else are we gonna do an overseas trip? Japan’s cheap to get to, and videos from there will rack up views no problem."
"Well, going to Japan sounds great for me too, but..."
"Then let’s go. What’s the problem?"
I knew why she was hesitating.
It wasn’t just domestic travel; heading abroad without a solid plan probably made her uneasy. I agreed. If something went wrong in a foreign country, we’d have no way to handle it.
Sister, especially, carried the weight of responsibility as the older one. Back when we first studied abroad, she’d pull all-nighters fixing every little issue that cropped up.
But I wasn’t the naive kid from back then anymore.
In the end, Sister threw in the towel.
"Fine. Let’s go. First, pick a spot. I’ll handle tickets, content plans, and all that."
"Sweet. Now that it’s decided, you’re excited too, right, Sister?"
"Shut up."
The corner of Sister’s mouth twitched as she browsed travel gear. She’d opposed it logically, but now that it was set, she was into it.
I ruffled her hair once, then sat beside her to search for info.
I sent the notification to subscribers via YouTube’s community tab. Just like it said, we were bound for Osaka.
"You know you have to take your shoes off on the plane, right?"
"Tease me again and you’re done for."
Unfortunately, Sister had researched study abroad stuff and knew better than to fall for it. If she had, I’d have had a week’s worth of material. Bummer.
We arrived safely at Osaka Airport.
"Lots of Koreans here."
"It’s the airport still. Bet there’ll be tons in the city too."
We snapped some proof shots with the airport as backdrop.
Sister, on her first overseas trip, gazed around wide-eyed at every novelty.
Her jaw dropped at the automatic taxi doors—like a hamster.
I kept an eye on her as we headed to the accommodation.
"You speak Japanese too?"
"A little. Practiced in the army."
In my past life, I’d been to Japan so often I was sick of it. Mostly work-related cooking gigs. Once, I stayed a few months diving into Japanese cuisine.
Couldn’t rely on translators every day, so I studied the language. Ended up able to handle basic conversations.
"Shops are all closed. Must be the late hour."
"Japanese places shut early. We’ll stick to plan A."
Taxis zipped by on the road, but nearby stores were shuttered.
We’d taken a late flight, landing at night. Knew shops would be closed, so we checked into the lodging first and unpacked.
"Nice place. Let’s hit the convenience store."
"Start filming from the walk over?"
"Probably."
Vlogging was new territory for both of us, so we fumbled a bit. After a few takes, Sister got the hang of it.
"Hello, subscribers. We just got to the accommodation. Late flight means most restaurant streets are closed. So we’re grabbing something simple from the convenience store."
As per her script, we headed out.
Japanese convenience stores are top-notch. Everything from bento boxes to daily essentials, desserts, drinks, oden—unique stuff galore. Desserts especially slap.
No wonder Koreans hit them up every trip to Japan.
"Whoa, so much stuff. They even have oden."
"Grab one?"
"Yeah."
We loaded up on this and that.
Funny that our first overseas trip’s first stop was a convenience store—same as back home. But browsing a foreign one had its own charm.
Hands full of goodies, we returned to the lodging.
"Alright, here’s the plan: a full convenience store meal for 50,000 won. Saw this online before coming to Japan. Gonna give it a shot."
I unfolded a poster from the store.
Fancy design in Japanese, illustrated with store foods. Translated: [Find the Best Recipe!]
Basically, create a combo under 50,000 won. It was a store-sponsored contest blowing up on Starlight lately.
We were here to travel, but as YouTubers, we needed content—so this was perfect.
"Tried a few recipes, but since the editor loves spicy stuff, I’ll tailor it to her taste."
I gathered cooking ingredients on the kitchen table.
Tonjiru (pork miso soup), kimchi, eggs, silken tofu, cheese, etc.
First, a touch of oil in the pot, then kimchi to sauté sweetly. Key ingredient, so I maxed out the flavor.
Sizzle sizzle sizzle.
"First dish: Tonjiru Silken Tofu Stew. Tonjiru’s packed with pork and veggie umami—perfect broth base."
Dumped the whole tonjiru pouch into the fried kimchi and boiled it up.
Once bubbling, chunked in the silken tofu and waited. Letting it soak up broth was key.
Finally, plate it, top center with a fresh egg yolk. Done.
"Next dish before the stew cools. Simpler than the tonjiru tofu stew."
Spicy pairs best with rich. Too much spice numbs you; too much creaminess cloys.
They balance each other perfectly.
Bowl first: macaroni salad and corn kernels.
"Might be dry plain, so small milk carton? Three or four spoonfuls to mix smooth."
Pile on cheeses, microwave. Boom.
Five-minute macaroni corn cheese gratin, complete.
"Try it."
Plated instant rice too, handed it over. Sister filmed eagerly, then grabbed a spoon.
"What first?"
"Whatever you want."
She pondered, soaked rice in broth, topped with kimchi and tofu, offered it to me.
"Ahh. You worked hard, Chef. You first."
Her face screamed no refusals, so I opened wide.
"How’s it?"
"Delicious. Exactly your spicy fave."
Instant ingredients, but pork broth ran deep. Egg yolk’s creamy richness added profound savoriness.
Not greasy, though. Fried kimchi’s kick balanced it all.
"Mmm! So good. Total cost?"
"Singles alone about 8,000 won; full set around 20,000."
Not cheap for a meal. But when restaurants are closed and it’s just the store nearby? Worth trying once.
Damn tasty.
"Cheese gratin too."
Sister scooped gratin; cheese stretched long, corn and mac stuck in the strands.
"Dig in."
Munch munch.
Her eyes widened. Gratin beat the stew for her.
"This is killer. Not just mac—mayo and milk make it so rich. Try some."
Spooned her one.
Super savory and chewy, like she said. Gratin alone might cloy with mayo, but spicy stew cut through perfectly.
We filmed the tasty meal and store food review, then posted pics to Starlight.
Eatstar’s contest at the famous Japanese chain had long charmed convenience store fans.
Vets develop personal recipes; winners see theirs sold as official products.
Prize money too, so tons posted pics on Starlight for fun.
Yui, an Osaka local, was one hooked.
"What to eat today?"
Frequent visitor with a new hobby: recreating contest recipes.
Checked Starlight posts.
"Did this last time; this one... ugh, tasted awful. Anything good-looking?"
Yesterday’s flop left her craving tasty today, price be damned.
Then she spotted one.
"Looks yummy."
Warm silken tofu stew with chili oil flecks, rice, side of browned cheese gratin studded with corn.
Studio-quality pic made her mouth water.
Caption had contest tags and instructions.
"Perfect. Tonight’s dinner."
Yui bought ingredients, recreated at home. All ready-mades, easy.
"Never kimchi in it before... but smells great?"
Initial qualms faded; aroma was killer.
How’s the taste?
Munch munch.
"Oishii！！！"
Tasted even better. Devoured it sans photo, then rushed to share with friends.
Thus, Sky and Kite’s contest recipe post skyrocketed in views.