Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Waiting as the Side Dish
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We'd come this far in the blink of an eye.
Starting from a tiny gukbap joint on the second floor, we'd made it to a pretty spacious spot on the first floor. Before my regression, it had taken more than twice as long.
What a novel feeling.
"Ah, I'll check out the kitchen too and look over the flow lines."
Of course, I'd savor the joy in my heart, but I still had to handle business properly.
Checking the store's flow lines was tricky for a novice owner, so I'd decided to handle it myself.
"Urgh... You're making me nervous for no reason."
Lee In-cheol grumbled for some reason.
"Huh? I'm not some elementary school kid getting their diary inspected. Why are you shaking like this?"
"Tch. You're doing great, so why play it up?"
I soothed the grumbling Lee In-cheol and scanned the surroundings once more.
"Hmm~. For starters, let's clear out all those flower pots with the opening congrats messages? They look messy."
I pointed out the first issue right away and slipped inside.
Overall, it was clean with just a touch of intentional retro charm here and there.
The foot traffic here included a lot of young people, so I'd mixed in a trendy vibe to avoid any jarring contrasts.
The interior was solid. The clean image that hit you right as you walked in was a good sign.
"The cashier spot's in a nice place too. Flow lines aren't bad. If the server has to refill side dishes and handle checkout with a long route, fatigue doubles."
And that didn't just tank efficiency—it was why part-timers couldn't stick around long.
Skilled workers are valuable everywhere. A part-timer who's got the hang of things is worth their weight in gold.
Fewer mistakes, consistent service quality for customers.
"Ah, put the water cups over here. Hmm~. Good idea making a self-serve station to cut labor costs."
The bigger the store, the more servers you needed, but keeping staffing to the minimum was key in the food business.
Fixed costs? Labor's the biggest chunk.
"Got it. I'm noting it all down."
Lee In-cheol followed behind me as he spoke. I went through the whole place, kitchen included, listing every tweak needed. Finally, I stood at the front door and looked inside.
"Hmm..."
Something had been bugging me. There it was.
"Owner."
"Yep?"
"How many tables total?"
"About 16. Could squeeze in 18 if we pack it tighter, but that'd make it awkward to get around, so I stuck with 16."
Lee In-cheol glanced at me cautiously.
"...Still, gukbap joints live or die by turnover. Should I have crammed in more? Got spares in storage. Can add 'em now if needed."
"No."
I shook my head firmly.
The opposite.
"Take out more tables. Down to 12 or so."
"What?"
Lee In-cheol jumped in surprise.
"Isn't that too few? Even the old place had this spacing. It's already roomier than most."
"We'll add more later. But 12 to start is right."
He looked utterly baffled by my firm stance. The fact he didn't snap "No way" was proof of his thick trust in me.
"Come on, we expanded to a bigger place. To cut down on lines, right? With just 12 tables... it'll be fewer than before, but still a solid wait. Least that's how I see it."
"Yep."
"Yep?!"
Lee In-cheol mimicked me, eyes bulging.
"You trying to get me hated so you outlive me, kid?"
"Trust me and start with 12. Add tables gradually later if you want, but keep it at 12 for the first month after opening at least."
"We move to a big spot and now you want me pulling tables?!"
Lee In-cheol vented frustration but didn't flat-out refuse. That's why I like this owner.
"Just watch."
I declared confidently to Lee In-cheol.
"You'll see once we open. Why I said cut the tables."
That bold promise? Exactly two weeks later.
I saw Lee In-cheol's name on my phone screen and picked up.
"Hello?"
-Woo-yeon! Song Woo-yeon! You were spot on! Fewer tables is the answer!
I couldn't hide my bursting smile. I leaned deep into the chair back.
"Told you, didn't I? Watch and learn."
Sometimes in life, you win by going against common sense.
Even the "truth" everyone buys—that maxing turnover maxes profits—has exceptions.
How?
Simple.
'Food business can't be explained by logic alone.'
"Choi Deputy Manager, gukbap?"
The man, Choi Deputy Manager, pondered the rare invite.
"Hapjae Neighborhood Gukbap 0212?"
"Yeah. It's a gem."
"Waiting's killer lately. Tough for lunch. Early days were stealth mode."
"True, but good business means it sticks around."
Min Team Leader got up, gathering his things.
"Craving a hot bowl. Let's go."
Choi had no real choice.
"Yep."
Hapjae Neighborhood Gukbap 0212 was tasty enough, even if lunch was tight. Their office lunch window was looser than most nearby.
"Oh, they moved, right? Bigger now."
Choi's face lit up a bit.
"Oh yeah? Better than before then."
"Probably. Gotta see it."
"Huh?"
He'd suggested it, but now that picky face? Hapjae Neighborhood Gukbap 0212 was Min Team Leader's cheat code for smiles, anytime.
'Afternoon report due. Can't sour the mood.'
Choi eyed Min Team Leader's expression.
"What's up? It's always been great."
"Owner must've made bank."
Min Team Leader scowled, dredging up past letdowns.
"Money changes people. Lose that beginner's heart. Expansion? Duh."
"Ah~."
"Expands on success, jacks prices. Hunts cheap ingredients for margins."
Min Team Leader ranted like a vet. Classic expansion pitfalls.
Lines fool 'em into thinking customers are endless.
Then regulars bail.
"That's why expansion's double-edged. Breaks the system. Flavor balance slips."
"Got it."
Choi nodded inwardly: *Picky bastard.* But Min Team Leader's "foodie" gripes ruined every meal.
"Here it is... Huh?"
Min Team Leader's eyes went wide.
Bigger place, yet line snaked to the door.
"What? Line's still nuts?"
"Oh, internet blew up. Some mukbang YouTuber, 'Chaechae'? Her gukbap and snowflake bingsu vid went viral."
"What?"
"...Never mind."
Choi quit explaining. No point schooling Min Team Leader on mukbang.
"Anyway, super popular now. Didn't expect main branch this packed."
"Tch. Hoped expansion trimmed the line. Nope."
Min Team Leader pouted. Choi quickly gauged his mood.
"Check somewhere else?"
"Hmm..."
Min pondered, then shook his head.
"Nah. We're here. Eat now. Same next time anyway."
"Sure."
They joined the line. It moved faster than expected—inside quicker than thought.
"Wow. Place looks sharp."
"Yeah."
The sleek vibe felt off from before. But familiar touches sparked warmth.
*My secret spot got too famous. Kinda bummed.* But nah, not much changed.
Familiar owner hustled in the kitchen. Servers looked vaguely known.
Slurp.
Broth umami perfection.
*Still a gem~.*
*Holding the line on quality.* Choi opened up, spoon flying.
"Mmm~."
A satisfied groan escaped as he grinned wide.
He'd be back often.
"People are weird."
I twirled my hair on the call with Lee In-cheol.
"Expand, hike prices, or pack tables so turnover spikes and lines vanish... kills that old vibe."
Why do people seek food gems?
Waiting an hour, two—builds hype.
They fidget for their spot, eyeing happy eaters inside, imagination firing.
*How good is it?*
*What makes 'em line up like this?*
That grind *is* the side dish. Market's the side? Waiting grind works too.
Hot gukbap after hardship? Unbeatable sweet.
So moderate lines scream "special spot."
-Me? People *like* the hassle? What?
Lee In-cheol grumbled, unconvinced. People's hearts defy logic.
-And you see right through it?
"Haha."
What else? Battle-tested vendor—land, sea, air.