Daejeon's True Claim to Fame
I finally calmed the chat down and pulled out of the rest area. Ah... I feel like I wasted way too much time. Though honestly, it was more my mental energy that got drained.
"We're running a bit late, so let's just head straight to Daejeon for now."
The TTS read it out, and that's when the chat exploded at an insane speed. Up until now, I could glance and catch most of it, but now? I'd have to stare to even read. But I was driving, so no way I could focus on that.
"Seongsimdang? Nah, I'm craving kalguksu. Daejeon's famous for that too, right?"
"Huh? That's not..."
The chat got plastered with "Seongsimdang" in seconds. Way too intense over a bakery?
"No, no, hold up. Calm down, guys. What’s with the frenzy over one bakery..."
"Gah!"
And there it was. I clamped my mouth shut on reflex.
"N-not dissing... Ugh, sorry..."
Once it felt like I'd dissed their local pride, I had no choice but to bow. Like ignoring miltteok and gukbap in Busan, or calling sundubu gross in Gangneung. Local specialties are a point of pride for folks there.
"A-alright! Fine, we'll go!"
Damn it, the road was long, and I wanted a solid lunch... Hot broth with chewy noodles... Sob sob. But what can you do? Viewers are kings on stream.
So my camper van ditched the kalguksu dream and raced toward Seongsimdang.
About an hour later, we rolled into Daejeon. Fuck, do these people have fried pork bun ghosts possessing them or what? How do they obsess over it for a whole hour! I was sick of them before even tasting one. Felt like I'd eaten ten already.
"...You can see the scenery around, right? We're in Daejeon now, so can we drop the fried pork bun talk..."
...! Waiting! That's my chance. I could use that as an excuse for kalguksu!
Graaaah. Why are Seongsimdang staff so damn efficient...
After twists and turns, we reached a nearby public lot. Parking the massive camper was tougher than expected, but the viewers' bun frenzy pushed me—like a shove off a cliff, but nah, just my imagination.
"I'm a streaming noob, so I dunno how to take the camera. Restarting on my phone's a pain... This is your punishment for dragging me to Seongsimdang instead of fried pork buns—wait here while I grab 'em."
"I'm not dying, so quit the drama. Be right back."
I hopped out and headed to Seongsimdang, a 3-minute walk. A line snaked outside—good thing it moved fast. Joined the end, and after about 10 minutes, I was in.
"Whoa... packed."
Felt eyes on me. I don't hit crowded spots much these days, so it was kinda fresh. Pushed through, loaded a tray with the holy trinity: fried pork buns, leek bread, pollock roe baguette.
Then someone blocked my path, holding out their phone.
"Um... you're totally my type. Can I get your number?"
...What the fuck.
My face crumpled naturally. I knew it'd happen someday, but getting hit on by a guy? Felt worse than expected.
"......"
I just stared. Nothing nice was coming out.
"...Sorry."
He backed off quick—must've seen my murder face. Poor guy left empty-handed.
"Whoa... that dude got wrecked..." Whispers from around.
Fuck... I'm the pitiful one here... Embarrassed, I rushed checkout—folks let me cut, thankfully.
Heading back, I replayed it. ...Did I glare like he was a bug? He wasn't creepy, just brave. If I were still a guy and got shot down like that... might've been crushed.
"Nah, hunters expect rejection anyway." I'm fine. Fuck, pity me. Just buying bread, and boom, that trauma.
Still pissed climbing in, I slammed the door hard.
BAM!!
...Windy? Why'd it close so hard? My strength isn't that much. My camper!! Hope nothing broke! Not mine, but precious...
"N-no, not mad, just windy..."
"I said no... Just some stuff happened."
Eek. How'd they know? Was my face that obvious?
"Sigh, yeah. Was buying bread, some guy suddenly says I'm his type and asks for my number. Went in good vibes for the local specialty, but it got awkward. Kinda pissed me off."
"Not used to it... Honestly, hitting on someone at a food spot is rude. If it was during a meal, I'd have flipped out."
"Sigh, anyway... Here's the Seongsimdang bread you all hyped. This good? Got fried pork buns, leek bread, pollock roe baguette. Kinda a lot."
"Fried pork bun first?"
Grabbed the most famous one, showed the camera, took a big bite.
Crunch!
The crisp fried shell exploded in my mouth, filled with sweet, soft red bean paste.
"......!"
My eyes went wide. The more I chewed, the crunch mixed with soft, nutty sweetness in perfect harmony.
"Whoa... fuck... this is insanely good."
The truth slipped out. But damn, it is that good.
The TTS sounded smug as hell, like bursting with pride. Is this really just TTS...?
"A-anyway, thanks to you all, I tried killer bread. Appreciate it."
Shoved the rest in. Man, so good. Fried pork bun, you're criminal-level tasty. Know that? Bigger than expected too. Baguette's too much, leek bread maybe a bit.
"I don't eat much, so I'm full already? Baguette later, just leek bread now."
Bit into the leek bread.
Damn... fuck, this slaps too?
"Whoa, leek bread's legit? Thought it'd be greasy with all the leeks, but the aroma hits hard and the crunch is perfect."
"Seriously tasty, so anyone who hasn't must try. Kalguksu? Forgotten."
Not my first Daejeon trip, but why'd I never think of this? Stuck on Daejeon = kalguksu? Always grabbed that before.
Wiped hands with wet wipe, buckled up.
"Alright, hitting the road. Highway's clear, made good time to Daejeon—3 hours from now, destination."
"Gazua~!"
The hefty camper peeled out of the lot and back onto the road.