Yun Hee stayed at my place as usual. She's drinking Soju to wash away her pain. Every time she breaks up with her boyfriend, I had to lend my shoulder as well my place. This started from my college days. I was her flat mate and I had to take care of her when ever she got drunk. She has always been a reckless girl unlike me. But still, she's my only friend that I cherish most.
" Why? Just why? Tell me Hyeon!" With her drunken ass, Yun Hee whines about her sorrow.
" Will you please let me cook? I can listen to your rant later." I gave her a glare and went back to the gas stove.
" Ughhhh!" Yun Hee huffed with a crusty tone, frowning her eyebrows.
I took out the pork from fridge and kept it on the chopping board. It's around 500 grams, enough for three of us since Yun Hee probably won't eat much. Beside I'll cook some others dishes to go with it. Aalto grabs the knife to cut the pork but I stopped him.
" You don't have to help me out." I said taking away the knife.
" I like to see you cook and I want to learn it too." Giving me a smile that reaches the eyes, Aalto mutters softly. He acts so shy and meekly that I just want to snuggle him in my arms.
Is he a puppy?
" Okay then, cut the pork into bite sized pieces." Taking the knife in his hand, Aalto begun to cut the pork.
Tonight I will make spicy stir-fried pork. This goes nice with Soju also. My original plan was to make a quick stew with all the ingredients I had in my fridge. But now that Yun Hee is here, I have to pamper my sweet baby.
I started to slice the onion thinly. Then I chopped the green onions along with red chili peppers into sideways.
Now I gotta make the marinating mixture. See, that's the vital part of this dish. It completely depends on the sauce. When I'm cooking at home I don't really take much time with measuring the ingredients. Especially when I'm cooking for dinner. I get exhausted after working at cafe so, I try to make easy dishes. Grabbing on to the spoon I started to add the ingredients into a bowl.
First I'm adding the most important ingredient— Gochujang, about 3 and half tablespoons. Then goes in 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 3 tablespoons of corn syrup, 1 tablespoons of oyster sauce, 4 tablespoons of cooking wine and 2 tablespoons of sesame oil.
Give it a good stir then add the dry stuffs which are 2 tablespoons of red paper powder, half tablespoons of black paper, 2 tablespoons of sugar, lastly 2 tablespoons of minced ginger and garlic. I should add 1 tablespoons of honey since Aalto doesn't like spicy food.
" Hey Yun Hee! Can ya lend me some Soju? I'm gonna add it into-" I was cut off by Yun Hee.
" Fuck off! I brought it for myself, not for your cooking." Yun Hee groans at me with her teary eyes. Man, she's pissed.
" Uh whatever." I decided to stay calm and mind my own business. She's totally drunk.
" Do you use alcohol into the food?" Making a confused expression, Aalto asked.
" Yeah! There are many foods where you can add alcohol. It helps as a tenderising agent."
" Ooooh! Will it make you drunk?"
" Nah."
My mixture is done. I put the sliced pork into the mix, rubbing it nicely with the marination. Now goes in the sliced onion and red chilly paper. The green onions will be added at the end. I left it to marinate for 20 minutes. In that time I'll make the other dishes.
Rice is cooked. Other side dishes are done. I heated the pan with some oil. The whole pork mixture goes in with a splashing sound. I stir-fried it until the meat is completely cooked. I added some sesame oil into it with some slat. Now I'll add the green onions, tossing it with everything for few seconds. The pork is ready. I put the stir-fried pork on a plate, garnishing it with sliced perilla leaves on the side and sesame seeds sprinkle on the top.
I served all the food on the table where Yun Hee was busy drinking away her sorrow, ducking down her head on the table.
" Yun Hee, you should eat now." Shaking her body gently, I tried to wake her up.
" No,no,no,no. We will.. ... *hiccup*... drink first!" I thought she's unconscious. Well, not anymore. She looks fine. I took away the Soju bottles but she grabs them tightly.
" You're already drunk." Pressing my lips firmly together, I reminded her.
" I'm not babe." I let out a sigh. She's back to her senses. It's useless to argue now. I sat down for dinner with Aalto. My stomach is screaming in hunger.
" So? What happened this time?" I gave Aalto and Yun Hee a bowl full of rice because I knew she's about to burst her mouth. It's gonna be a nonstop marathon. Talk as much you want just let me eat.
" Oh my god Hyeon! You can't imagine how much my life sucks. That guy is such an asshole! I caught him with his ex, red handed. They were making out in the car. How shameless! When I found him, he wasn't even ashamed. Like seriously! I can't believe he played me like a damn fiddle. Fucking bastard! I broke up with him right then and there. Adios bitch!" She yells at me with a mortified face, making my ear itch. Ah! I'm used to it although Aalto is feeling little awkward.
" Hmm. I see." A decent reply since I'm focusing on my food.
" Why can't I find a guy who will marry me and have two puppies with me?" She cried out darkly.
" You can get puppies without getting married." Putting on fake smile, I replied bluntly.
" That's not the point. I mean..... I want to start a family."
" Look Yun Hee, you should stop dating for a while. All the guys you have dated till now, they are all scumbags."
" Yeah the worst type of scumbags." She agrees with me, rolling her eyes upward.
" I tell you this every time but you won't listen. Seriously what do you even see in those guys?"
" Sex." She replied with a straight face, making me go stupefied.
" Huh?" I gasped.
" They were good in bed.... Oh and handsome too." She giggles shamelessly. What a moron!
" Just for that?"
" Okay I get it. I'm also a scumbag for liking those guys."
" I think you're just too dumb to notice their shitty personality." Chewing the pork with rice, I sneered at her.
" Fuck it! Who needs a man? I can just get a magic wand max pro and have sexual pleasure without the fear of getting pregnant."
" Magic wand? Is that a magical tool?" Suddenly Aalto speaks up between the conversation. He had no idea what Yun Hee was talking about.
" No... uh" This is kinda awkward. I can't tell him that Yun Hee is talking about sex toys. It's embarrassing since he's so innocent.
" Oh god! You're so adorable." Yun Hee rolls on table with laughter. I hid my face behind the hands. This shameful moment made me flush red. I had to avoid meeting his eyes.
Forgive us Aalto. We girls are so dirty minded.
~ to be continued
Soju - A type of Korean drink
Gochujang - Korean chilly paste