The Seoul Garden

JP with Choi and Eun-Ji

Chinatown - San Francisco, CA

As Eun-Ji wandered through the streets of Chinatown once more, she window-shopped at the colorful storefronts adorned with hanging lanterns and bustling crowds. Despite the activity, she felt a sense of calm wash over her as she searched for a restaurant that offered traditional South Korean cuisine. The aroma of various spices filled the air, enticing her taste buds and igniting a sense of nostalgia for the flavors of home.

After wandering for a while, Eun-Ji stumbled upon a cozy little eatery tucked away in a quiet corner of Chinatown. The sign above the entrance read "Seoul Garden," and she knew she had found the perfect spot. As she stepped inside, she was greeted by warm smiles, compliments of her hanfu attire and the inviting scent of sizzling meats and savory sauces.

Taking a seat at a wooden table adorned with delicate Korean pottery, Eun-Ji perused the menu with eager anticipation. She decided to start with a classic appetizer of kimchi and japchae, followed by a hearty bowl of bibimbap topped with a perfectly fried egg. As she waited for her meal to arrive, she couldn't help but smile, feeling a sense of comfort and familiarity wash over her in this little slice of home nestled amidst the bustling streets of Chinatown.

Yeong sensed that the girl had settled at a destination. He quickly headed there, coming to the Seoul Garden. The aroma coming from inside made Yeong homesick. The cuisine was definitely authentic Korean.

Yeong quietly entered the front door. He saw her awaiting her order. He reached out to sense her ki, sensing only the image at the wooden table. It was her, not an image.

The memory of the picture of her face with the dal. He still didn’t catch the meaning of this but thought appropriately to quietly pronounce the word as he gently approached, arms being unthreatening down by his side, yet he remained cautious, in case she took off again.

“Dal?” he inquisitively stated. Then, for some reason pronounced it in English. “Moon?”

He was already anticipating putting his parkour skills into action. Up to this point, she proved to be elusive.