Today was a whirlwind of a day. It wasn’t like there was a problem with my work, or that I missed a deadline, or even that something infuriating happened. It was just that tasks kept piling up, and nothing seemed to get done. Even during meetings, I couldn’t focus and was rambling on. It was one of those days that made me realize ‘chaos’ isn’t just a word from the imagination, but a real experience based in reality. Lost in this chaos, I suddenly noticed it was already past 6 PM. I shut my laptop, muttering as I got up from my seat.
Gotta escape
That was the only thought in my head. Like a racehorse with blinders on, I headed straight for the revolving door in the lobby. Once outside, I found myself walking aimlessly, just staring at the patterns on the sidewalk tiles. Some tiles wobbled underfoot, making a clattering noise. It seemed like they skipped the cement layer while laying them. If you hit these tiles while biking without looking down, you might stumble and fall, possibly breaking an arm or getting a concussion. I briefly thought about filing a complaint with the local office but decided it was better to just keep an eye on the ground while biking. I don’t even know how to file such a complaint!
As I walked towards the station, I looked up and saw the tallest autumn sky in the world. I stopped walking and admired the clouds hanging low enough to almost touch the rooftop. The cool autumn breeze slipped through my rolled-up shirt sleeves, whispering a secret.
‘It’s autumn from today. Just for you to know.’
Suddenly, a wave of hunger hit me. I craved something delicious. A hearty meal could perhaps turn this seemingly disastrous day into just an ‘ordinary day.’ Without hesitation, I headed to ‘Manpuku’ 🍜.
Manpuku means ‘completely full’ in Japanese, but it’s also the name of a rice bowl restaurant on Songridan-gil. I discovered it while cycling around on a weekend. There was always a line stretching over a block outside, catching my eye. I dislike waiting, so I never thought I’d visit. But one evening, by chance, I saw there was no queue. With no plans and a growling stomach, I walked in as if it had been my destination all along. Despite its small size, the restaurant had many cozy tables. Seated at the counter following the staff’s guidance, I asked for a recommendation without even looking at the menu. The most popular dish, Sakedon (salmon rice bowl), was sold out, so they suggested Katsudon (pork cutlet rice bowl) next. And that Katsudon turned out to be the best I’ve ever had.
Today, again, there was quite a crowd outside the restaurant. Yet, I joined the line like a true food lover, unfazed. The wait, which I thought would be boring, turned out to be unexpectedly pleasant. The fox in ‘The Little Prince’ by Saint-Exupéry wasn’t so strange after all.
If you come at four in the afternoon, I’ll begin to be happy by three. The closer it gets to four, the happier I’ll feel. By four, I won’t be able to sit still out of excitement.
After about thirty minutes, everyone ahead of me entered the restaurant. Had I been sitting, I probably wouldn’t have been able to stay still from excitement (luckily, I was standing). I got to savor the world’s best Katsudon once more, somewhat redeeming my below-average day.
After finishing my meal, I stepped back outside into the darkening evening, the air cool against my skin. I put on my earphones and played Jason Mraz’s ‘Frank D. Fixer.’ Today, Manpuku was my ‘Frank D. Fixer’ 🎶.
Frank D. Fixer was a handyman
He could handle anything; he was my granddad
He grew his own food and could fix his own car
I watched it all happen in our backyard
He’d reinvent the part to fix a broken home
He’d restore the heart
….
As the song ‘Lucky’ by him played next, I felt grateful. Eating Katsudon at Manpuku today was indeed a stroke of ‘Lucky.’ Someday, I hope to try their ‘Sakedon’ too. 🍣
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