Shin-to-bul-i: Market Pork Soup Bliss
Have you tried the pork soup at the market? Shin-to-bul-i. It means the food from your birthplace suits your body the best. People often mistake it for a classical idiom, but it's actually a slogan from a past campaign promoting local agricultural products. Anyway, the reason I'm suddenly bringing up shin-to-bul-i is that I totally get it.
I used to prefer bread over rice back home, but after over 200 years of carbs mostly coming from bread and potatoes—semi-forced on me—I'd occasionally crave rice. No matter how much my body changed, my roots are still those of a proud Korean. So, for lunch today, I decided to hit up a pork soup joint in the city.
"Pork soup from the provinces is the real deal~"
After getting off the train, I headed straight to a pork soup place near the station. Even though it's provincial, this town had all the essentials of a city. Unlike Seoul's dense concrete jungle, you could see harvested fields peeking between the low buildings. It wasn't an exaggeration to call it an ideal blend of nature and urban life.
The spot I picked was an old shop inside the traditional market. These places usually get a rep as hidden gems, but honestly, I chose it just because "Pork Soup" was boldly written outside. No need to hunt for the perfect place when this works fine.
Stepping inside, the open-air vibe of the market hit me with a wave of stimulating smells. At the central snack stall, there were tteokbokki, fish cakes, and all sorts of fried goodies gleaming like jewels. Gulp. Saliva flooded my mouth unconsciously. Whoa, focus—rice first! Then I can snack. Plenty of time anyway... I'll take it slow.
Shaking off the temptations, I finally reached the pork soup shop. A savory aroma welcomed me right away.
"Welcome... uh?"
The lady who looked like the owner greeted me warmly at first, then froze solid. Not just her—the uncles and grandpas inside stopped mid-scoop, staring at me. When I shot them a "what's the problem?" look, the lady snapped out of it.
"Oh dear, look at me! A beauty like you walked in, and I lost my wits. Just you, miss?"
"Ah, yes! Solo dining."
"Take any empty seat then. I'll get the sides ready quick~"
I sat where she pointed. Pork soup, obviously... but where's the menu? Scanning around, I spotted a weathered board on the corner wall. As I checked the options, the lady approached.
"What'll our pretty miss have?"
"Um... one special pork soup and a large pork hock, please?"
"Didn't you say you're alone? You gonna finish all that?"
"Haha... I eat a lot."
Truth is, I'll order more if it's not enough later. Gotta slurp it piping hot, so refills on the spot.
The lady still looked worried if I'd manage it all, but before heading to the kitchen, she kindly offered to pack up any leftover hock since the soup was non-negotiable. While waiting, I pulled out my phone to browse MeTube.
I was deep into a "How far can a hydraulic press crush?" video when a text popped up.
"...Ra-yoon?"
Out-of-the-blue message from Ra-yoon. We'd swapped numbers ages ago, but this was her first direct text. Imagining her wagging her silly bangs like a puppy tail made me grin.
This girl? Throwing a dead ball after a changeup? Never thought I'd get that from my much younger junior. If she were next to me, I'd have flicked her forehead hard enough to go boing.
"Well... it's true I don't have friends..."
If I said 'My friends are all in another world so I can't meet them,' she'd pity me for sure. So freaking unfair. But as the adult, I gotta hold back.
Ra-yoon sent an emoticon of a bee diving into a honey pot. Shortened classes for a high schooler? No clue what school life's like these days, but it's definitely sweeter than my time.
The chat paused for a bit. Then...
Come here? Fine by me... Just as I texted back okay, the owner lady set down the pork soup and hock at my table.
"Enjoy~ Holler for more sides."
Milky broth in the ttukbaegi, thick slabs of pork. No off-flavors meant serious skills from the owner. My spoon was already in hand.
"Ga-eul! I'm heading out first!"
Ra-yoon Yoon was buzzing from the surprise shortened classes. Even better, she'd ditched the weighted vest she'd worn for "training," feeling light enough to fly.
Lee Ga-eul, mid-packing her notes, eyed Ra-yoon's sudden exit weirdly.
"Ra-yoon, you planning to leave your vest and bag?"
"Yeah, just made plans with Sis in the city."
Ga-eul paused, her pen hand freezing as Ra-yoon stretched like revving up to bolt. With a bad feeling...
"Ra-yoon... you're not thinking of running there, right?"
"Duh, gotta run!"
The school was over 15km from downtown. Even for an awakener like Ra-yoon, that was pushing it. Sure, her condition had improved noticeably since her hospital trip, but still not advisable.
Ga-eul sighed at her masochistic friend.
"Don't. Take the commuter bus toward the city. They run earlier on short days."
"Oh yeah! Genius move, Ga-eul?"
"...You're just the dummy."
"Hey, it ended too early, I forgot!"
"Yeah yeah, let's go already."
They bickered out of the classroom. Walking the hall side-by-side, carefree Ra-yoon (studies? What studies?) contrasted perfectly with top-of-the-class poised Ga-eul. The odd-couple duo was already school-famous. How they clicked? Still a mystery.
"Ga-eul."
"Yeah?"
At the shoe lockers, Ra-yoon broke the brief silence.
"Wanna come meet Sis too?"
"...Huh?"
Ga-eul fumbled her shoes, flustered. 'Hang out together... right?'
Pre-high school, they'd visited each other's homes constantly. But as Ga-eul aimed for the national academy, things cooled. Laser-focused on studies, Ra-yoon cheered her on... and subtly backed off to not interfere. Ga-eul had noticed the consideration, feeling grateful yet guilty. An invite like this? Long overdue.
As Ga-eul hesitated, Ra-yoon flailed her hands.
"Ahaha... y-yeah, busy studying? Sorry Ga-eul, pretend you didn't hear."
"No, I just..."
"Gonna go! See ya tomorrow!!"
Ra-yoon bolted after her piece. Ga-eul reached too late—awakener speed won.
"......"
Watching her go, Ga-eul's emotions swirled. She lowered her hand. CSAT's less than a month away anyway... Shoes on, she headed to the bus at the gate.
"Owner lady, that was delicious."
She handed me the receipt and neatly packed pork soup.
"Come again, miss! Next time, I'll prep the biggest ttukbaegi."
"For real? Hehe, looking forward to it."
Her extra kindness? Partly rural hospitality, mostly my 200k+ spend on lunch sparking service mode. But damn, it was good. Why else pack extras? Fifteen servings to go, stored in my subspace via space magic—no spoilage. Service sides too! After goodbyes, I stashed the packs invisibly and wandered the market till Ra-yoon arrived.
Beyond food and ingredients, daily goods too. Sure, cheaper online now, but seeing/touching is the market charm. Plus, hidden gems like that soup spot—a goldmine.
Ten minutes later, Ra-yoon texted she'd arrived. I headed to the entrance, standing obvious. Then her call.
"Yo Ra-yoon."
"Sis where r u?"
"At the market entrance waiting?"
"K? But why can't I see u?"
Looking around, there—a blonde high schooler meerkatting across the street. Right in front, and she misses me? I waved at my vision-impaired Ra-yoon.
"Ra-yoon!! Here!!"
She finally looked, but her face was weird—like a stranger pretending to know her. Oh right, still disguised. I yanked off hat and mask, waved again. Her eyes went wide; she dashed over.
"Sis!! Why's your hair color like that?!"
"Huh? Oh, this?"
Hunter disguise... Can't tell her yet.
"My natural color stands out too much. Disguise."
"R-really? Still kinda sad... I liked your real hair color..."
"It's a magic... er, artifact. Can switch back anytime. No worries."
"Ooh! Fr?! So cool!"
Ra-yoon sparkled, poking my strands.
"Ra-yoon, trained hard while I was gone?"
"Yup! Did squats in self-study sneaking past teachers."
"Good girl!"
I patted her head proudly. She yapped on like craving more praise.
"Lunch breaks, weighted vest laps—10 rounds!"
"Attagirl, our Ra-yoon's killing it."
"Begged Mom for chicken breast bentos every day!"
"Yes! Nutrition's key~"
"Heard meditation builds mana, so I zen out in class! Teachers think I'm napping lol."
"Ra-yoon."
"Yeah?"
"Push-ups. Now."
"...?"
Do that crap? Better just nap in class.