Putting Aside Nationalistic Bias, It’s Really Delicious

29 – The white, warm, soft, squishy, and chewy thing that feels like it melts in your mouth.

With the hazy smoke, a savory aroma drifted from the freshly-made tofu.

The warm, savory smell that greeted them as they passed by a tofu shop in the early morning market.

Especially in the winter mornings, when passing by, the warm scent that would make me unknowingly hold a white package of tofu in one hand.

I couldn’t help but sniff it.

Ah, even the scent is delicious.

Tofu.

Indeed, it was one of the essential ingredients in Korean cuisine.

There were menus where the taste changed depending on the tofu content, and it was a dish that was good enough on its own.

Grilled, stew, hot pot, pancakes, fried, braised, and so on.

Soft tofu, firm tofu, all kinds of tofu, sea water seasoned tofu, and tofu with pine nuts, and so on.

Such a charming ingredient.

Except that it was a hassle to make.

“Is this tofu? It’s a bit different from what I’ve seen. That was a little more angular and firm.”

“Yes, it’s called soft tofu. Is it your first time seeing it, Kobi?”

“Is it different?”

“The texture is quite different. Would you like to try some?”

I was planning to serve side dishes that allow one to taste the tofu while serving soybean paste stew.

Soft tofu and tofu kimchi should suffice.

Fresh tofu was much more appealing to eat as is rather than seasoning and cooking it.

Moreover, tofu hot pot and soft tofu stew were too heavy to serve as side dishes for soybean paste stew.

‘I can serve it separately next time.’

I scooped a bowl of soft tofu and handed it to him with a spoon.

“Do I eat it just like this?”

“Hold on a moment.”

I lightly sprinkled soy sauce and crushed sesame seeds, then placed finely chopped green onions on top of the tofu.

The soy sauce spread onto the soft tofu, giving it a faint light brown color.

Kobi’s eyes widened as he looked at the glossy soft tofu.

“Mix it together.”

“Understood.”

As a portion of the finished soft tofu was being divided, the expression on Kobi’s face changed as he tasted the soft tofu mixed with soy sauce.

“Wow, amazing! What is this? It has a new taste. Haha. Wow… It melts gently in my mouth… The soy sauce makes the flavor really deep and attractive.”

“When you press it firmly, it becomes the tofu that Kobi has seen several times before.”

“Ah… No wonder it’s different from the tofu I’ve eaten before…”

“It’s the main menu for the soybean paste stew that we’ll have tonight.”

However, Kobi seemed to have no interest in listening to the story anymore.

With his nose in the bowl, he slurped the soft tofu with a spoon as if he was drinking it.

Meanwhile, tofu was placed in a frame covered with cloth to be pressed for making the sundubu.

As the soybean liquid was squeezed out, it gradually took shape.

Kobi exclaimed in admiration at the sight of the finished hard tofu.

“It’s really white and firm now. How should I describe it? Bouncy?”

The bouncy tofu was steaming hot.

To be honest, freshly made tofu alone was enough without anything else.

Adding soy sauce, some chopped scallions and mixing it with rice could make a simple, unpretentious meal.

It was a rice thief just by its existence.

Oh? You’re the one who stole my rice!

It was a dish that could confidently be called mischievous.

“The uses of soybean paste, ranging from tender tofu to soft tofu, vary depending on how much liquid you extract and how much seasoning you use.”

“Oh… Why didn’t you do this last time?”

“Back then, we made a stir-fried sandcastle for side dishes with alcohol.”

“I thought it was stir-fried intestine dishes.”

“Kobi, why are you being so uncultured? Intestine dishes, really?”

“Hey!”

I took out a freshly cooked tofu block on behalf of feverish Kobi.

“Would you like to try the regular tofu as well? We need a taste test before serving.”

“…Well, I am curious.”

Despite having just eaten soft tofu, Kobi spoke with a hungry tone as if his appetite was coming back.

It was hard to resist after having tasted it once.

After cutting the freshly cooked tofu into appropriate sizes, I placed it on the cutting board.

The wobbly tofu maintained its original shape while steaming.

The knife smoothly penetrated the tofu.

I sliced the firm and white tofu into proper sizes and placed them on a plate.

I then filled a small dish with soy sauce that I had prepared earlier.

Just as I did with the soft tofu, I sprinkled crushed sesame seeds and chopped green onions over the soy sauce.

There were no problems if it was a little bland since they could simply dip more.

Kobi swallowed his saliva at the appearance of the familiar flavor.

“Please, try it.”

“It smells good. Do we eat this without cooking separately?”

“You already tried it earlier. Freshly cooked tofu is the best like this.”

I picked up my chopsticks.

As I cut through the half-palm-sized tofu with the chopsticks, the bouncy tofu separated neatly, lying flat on the bottom of the bowl.

I propped up the collapsed tofu with my chopsticks, dipped it into the soy sauce, and took a bite right away.

Softer than jelly, the tofu melted in my mouth at the same time as the initial bouncy texture.

It was a different kind of warmth and coziness than the beef bone soup.

“It’s delicious.”

I could taste the condensed flavor of soybeans.

I realized at the first bite that it was made properly.

“Ah, it melts. It’s melting.”

Cobi, who had been glancing at me, picked up his chopsticks.

He also took a bite of tofu.

“Wow!”

He exclaimed in surprise at the completely different texture compared to soft tofu.

“The texture is much firmer than soft tofu.”

“It’s because it’s made by pressing soft tofu and removing the moisture. The taste might be similar, but the texture will be different.”

“Wow… I can’t believe you can create such a different texture with the same ingredient. The world of cooking is profound.”

As I watched Cobi eat and marvel at the tofu, I felt a sense of regret.

It wasn’t the regret that I should have prepared the kimchi for the tofu-kimchi dish in advance.

After all, it would be enough to stir-fry the existing kimchi.

What I really felt regretful about was:

‘I’m craving makgeolli.’

Makgeolli.

Freshly-made tofu with a glass of makgeolli would be the perfect combination.

But there’s no makgeolli.

‘I’ll have a chance later.’

I’ve tried several times, but no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t make it taste like the makgeolli from my hometown.

Since alcohol isn’t my specialty.

I had only shared the principles of making soju with the Golden Wagon.

Having finished a plate of tofu, I swallowed my regret and rolled up my sleeves.

“Now that you’ve eaten, can you help me with some work?”

“Can’t we do it a little later? I’m really tired.”

“Don’t you want to eat a proper tofu dish?”

With renewed enthusiasm, Cobi jumped up from his seat.

“You must be eager to eat quickly! Where should we start?”

“First, we’ll mix the soybean paste and stir-fry the kimchi.”

Now, it’s time to prepare the meal that Camilla requested.

Starting with stir-fried kimchi.

Today, they’ll showcase their tofu special dish.

***

Camilla, accompanied by Coby, returned to Lucas’ knight’s restaurant located in the sovereign city.

“Is everything ready?”

“Yes, Lucas has done his best to prepare the dishes for you.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

Camilla’s lips curled upwards.

It had been a long time since she’d consumed a meal like this.

No, it had been a long time since she’d had soybean paste stew.

She had no idea how much she had craved this dish.

Despite her urge to try other menu items, she held back and requested the soybean paste stew.

Her sincerity was to the extent that she chose the beans herself.

“I’m already looking forward to it.”

She noticed the British Lord and Lady, who were also heading their way.

“Are both of you joining us as well?”

“As you are a guest at our estate, Camilla, we intend to attend to you as best as possible.”

She secretly whetted her appetite.

The more her appetite increased, the more she’ll be able to eat.

‘It should be fine.’

She knew how much food Lucas had prepared.

Even if she had two mouths, she didn’t think she’d be unable to digest all of it.

“Understood. This is the Count’s territory, so please guide me.”

Arriving at the knight’s restaurant with the Count, Camilla couldn’t help but feel the corners of her mouth lifting at the savory smell emanating from the entrance.

A smile was beginning to form.

She could detect the familiar scent of doenjang-jjigae, a soybean paste stew, amidst the savory aroma.

“They’ve prepared it properly.”

Just by the mere smell, she knew Lucas had prepared the best meal according to her request.

Beguiled by the pleasant aroma, she slowly made her way inside.

As the door opened, the rich and pungent scent of doenjang further stimulated her nose, more intensely than it had near the entrance.

It was such a familiar scent.

“Uhm…”

“This scent is…”

On the other hand, Count Britten and his wife couldn’t hide their bewildered reactions.

Their response was indicative of people who had never experienced this strong, pungent scent before.

To the imperial subjects, the smell of doenjang was unfamiliar and foreign.

It was a different class of ingredient than kimchi, which had been discretely circulating amongst the aristocrats since the Empress had tried it years ago.

Doenjang, sought after by only the most discerning gourmets among the genuine food enthusiasts.

She had been similar to this in the past.

“This is the smell of boiling doenjang. It seems the Count has yet to try it.”

Camilla smiled with the newfound pride swelling in her chest.

She knew something they didn’t.

Tsk tsk, such foolish people.

They didn’t realize how delicious this was.

Judging food by its aroma alone was a naive act.

It was the same with people.

By only considering their appearance and first impression, countless talents had been overlooked.

“Lucas, it smells delicious.”

“Welcome, Miss Camilla.”

“You really kept the time exactly. I’m very satisfied.”

“Please, come this way.”

“Alright.”

She followed the source of the enticing aroma under Lucas’s guidance.

A large earthenware pot boiling with soybean paste stew.

In the bubbling, dark yellow broth, white tofu, green vegetables, and mushrooms each held their presence.

However, no matter how closely she looked, she couldn’t find the meat she was familiar with.

There was no thinly sliced brisket that added deep meat flavor to the soybean paste stew.

“Did I see it correctly? I specifically wanted soybean paste stew with brisket.”

“The stew with brisket is being cooked inside.”

“Then why is this…?”

“The tofu came out really well today. So I prepared it separately for you to taste the tofu’s savory flavor first.”

Only then did she notice the tofu dish beside the soybean paste stew.

White tofu and the now familiar red stir-fried kimchi were harmoniously together on a plate.

Next to it, chubby tofu pieces sat, boasting their presence in the broth, while dark soy sauce occupied a spot next to the tofu.

“The tofu came out well, you say?”

“Yes.”

“But having meat would have suited my taste better.”

Although Camilla grumbled as she took a seat, her body, which had already adapted to Lucas’s cooking, naturally followed suit.

It was thanks to the certainty that Lucas’s food would be delicious.

If someone else had refused her order and acted on their own, she would have never forgiven them.

She would either have them fired, or make them unable to work for Golden Wagon again.

At least this much?

Camilla had already known the taste of soybean paste stew.

Reuniting with the food that hadn’t made a bad first impression after a long time.

‘They even made Doenjang with beef brisket.’

But, of course, her favorite was beef brisket Doenjang stew.

She had clearly asked for it to be prepared.

If she said she wasn’t disappointed, that would be a lie.

‘If I don’t like it, I’ll find an excuse to ignore them and forcefully take them with me.’

Camilla, who had become able to relax because there was a place to take them, sat down with a cough.

Her heart swelled at the sight of Lucas’ cooking after such a long time.

“Hmm.”

She couldn’t hide the girl’s face that kept appearing.

“As I mentioned, today’s tofu came out really well, so I added a side menu.”

“What is this? I’ve never seen this dish before.”

“It’s soft tofu. It’s not pressed like other tofu, so it has a softer texture. If you scoop some out with a spoon and dip it in soy sauce, you’ll be able to taste the harmony of the savory taste of tofu and the salty taste of soy sauce.”

Lucas pointed to the white tofu floating inside the clear soup as he spoke.

“Is this made with tofu and kimchi?”

“Yes, it’s a side menu item called tofu kimchi. It’s made with stir-fried kimchi and tofu, and you just put kimchi on top of the tofu and eat it.”

The table was full of soft tofu.

She had eaten tofu before.

She had eaten it a few times in Doenjang stew and once when it was served as a Chinese dish for the Imperial Knights.

It was not to her taste.

It was just watery and tasteless.

It wasn’t inedible, but she thought, ‘There’s something tastier, so why this?’

“Lucas seems so confident about it; it must really be delicious.”

“Please try it.”

Camilla picked up a piece of the tofu kimchi, which Lucas highly recommended.

While Lucas was admiring her chopstick skills, which were now more proficient than most Koreans, she put the white tofu and red kimchi directly in her mouth.

“Um.”

The tofu crumbled softly, and the stir-fried kimchi crunched.

“Eh?”

Camilla’s eyes widened at the taste, which was different from regular kimchi.

But what left an even deeper impression on her was

“What, what is this?”

“Delicious, right?”

“It’s different from the tofu I usually eat?”

The tofu melted in her mouth, spreading a rich, savory taste.

It was a completely different level of taste compared to the tofu she had eaten before.

What is this?

What on earth?

Why is tofu made from the same beans so delicious?

Is it thanks to using high-quality ingredients?

“It’s so delicious!”

She picked up her chopsticks again and wrapped the stir-fried kimchi with tofu before eating it.

“Umm~~~.”

The incredible flavor came from the ingredient itself.

The savory richness of the beans was condensed into the tofu.

The deliciously pure savoriness was further intensified by the stir-fried kimchi.

The oil-fried kimchi added its tanginess and spiciness, enhancing the various flavors and emphasizing the tofu’s savoriness.

Should I say it was a combination like a saint who used divine power while accepting the opinions of others, and a magician who was smart, quick to judge situations, and versatile?

It was the perfect party.

If she was a hero, she would have hired these two right away and organized a party.

‘It feels like something’s missing…’

It was delicious in and of itself, so she couldn’t pinpoint exactly what was missing.

If Lukas had heard Camilla’s analogy, he would have said something like this.

Because there was no hero meat.

“Well, it’s delicious.”

Lukas indeed.

She had no choice but to admit it.

She canceled all of her plans to find faults with the meal and make an excuse to take him away.

Even if she wanted to catch him, she couldn’t!

“Then, shall we see how the soybean paste stew is?”

“Camilla, ma’am.”

“Hmm?”

“There’s still soft tofu left.”

“…..”

“You’ll have to wash away the strong taste of the spicy kimchi.”

The soft tofu, plump and filling, sparkled under the light.

It looked like a white gem.