The Other World Dining Hall Chapter 28

Chapter 28
Chapter 28 – Tonjiru

Tonjiru

 

That day was “meat day”.

 

Meat day.

It was one of the service days for Western Cathouse that was enacted once per month.

During the time of the previous owner when the Cathouse became “otherworld dining hall”, “meat day” was a special service.

Despite the name, it did not mean that there was a discount on meat dishes.

 

“The service of the restaurant was cooking, not money” was the opinion of the previous owner. The current owner also agreed to it.

So the owner went to the kitchen earlier than usual to cook the beef stew and prepare for the meat day.

 

[…Okay, this is it.]

Looking at the sizzling pork, the owner nodded at the fragrant smell and shade of colour.

He added the vegetables that he prepared and chopped before.

Carrot, onion, taro, radish… as usual, burdock was not added as it was not popular with Sat.u.r.day’s customers.

He added bonito and kelp into the pork soup and left the soup to boil.

He skimmed the soup and turned off the fire… he then added miso and put it on heater so that it did not cool down.

[I have to go up.]

After he finished stirring, he gently placed the lid on the pot and sighed.

The sound of bell that he was waiting for rang.

[Good morning!]

Aletta cheerfully laughed and greeted the owner.

[Ou. Eat your breakfast before you take a shower. I just cooked the rice.]

[Waa, thank you very much.]

Listening to the owner, a smile bloomed on Aletta’s face.

Aletta had not eaten anything yet before coming.

…Her stomach was really empty.

[Wait a moment then. I’ll prepare it soon.]

Smiling wryly at Aletta, the owner prepared coffee along with that day’s special menu.

Along with white rice was salt-grilled salmon using yesterday’s remaining salmon.

He placed down the bowls in front of himself and Aletta. He then started on the final preparation.

 

A small piece of b.u.t.ter and freshly chopped onions.

In the old days, this way of eating was adopted after hearing it from a customer from Hokkaido. If combined, the taste became like “Western food”.

[Sorry to keep you waiting. Please put the s.h.i.+chimi1 as much as you like.]

The b.u.t.ter melted in the soup and its fragrance wafted from the soup.

[Such a nice scent… isn’t this miso soup?]

The scent made her feel hungrier and Aletta’s eyes became glued to the soup in front of her.

The miso soup had a unique flavor.

It was roughly similar with eating rice during the meal.

However, this soup was somewhat different from the usual miso soup that Aletta was familiar with.

[There’s a lot of ingredients… even meat is included.]

Yes, the miso soup cooked by the owner was different every time, but normally there was no meat included in the soup.

But this time it was luxurious with plenty of vegetables and meat.

… To be honest, it could be called another kind of dish.

[Oh, today is “meat day”.]

The owner answered seeing Aletta’s confusion.

[Since a long time ago, it was decided to cook Tonjiru in place of the usual miso soup    during “meat day.]

Menu that was offered during this day was not available normally.

That was the meat service during meat day.

 

Then, after a while.

 

On that day, Sara who was Aletta’s other employer… and called “Minced Cutlet”, visited the otherworld dining h

all for the first time after about 20 days.

[Oh, so today’s soup is very tasty.]

[Yes! It’s very delicious. A lot of meat and vegetables were added…]

Sara inquired about today’s menu and Aletta nodded.

That day’s soup was exceptional. Honestly, it could be included in the normal menu.

[Very well. I want rice and Tonjiru today.

Also, I want to order Minced Cutlet and Minced Cutlet Sandwich.]

Sarah who was interested after listening, ordered it.

Usually, she ordered bread, but with miso soup, it was better with rice.

[Yes! Thank you for your order!]

[What!? Today’s soup was replaced with Tonjiru!?]

As she received the order, Aletta heard that voice from the next table.

[N? Do you know something, Fried Shrimp?]

The owner of the voice… Sarah asked the knight-like “Fried Shrimp” that she became a little acquainted with after the “Sandwich Incident”.

[Aa, Tatsugo… I have heard about it before from Teriyaki. The phantom soup that was Tonjiru that could only be ordered during meat day.]

Heinrich, the knight of Princ.i.p.ality… that was called “Fried Shrimp” nodded and told Minced Cutlet the story he heard from the respected swordsman.

 

Tonjiru could only be ordered during “meat day” that was only held once or twice a year, it was a phantom soup.

It was an exceptional dish that was similar to miso soup as it also used miso. It also had many fans since a long time ago.

However, it was not easy to know when the “meat day” was, so he heard it was quite difficult to be able to order Tonjiru.

 

[Young lady! I also want to order rice and soup! Of course the order is Fried Shrimp. I also want to take away Fried Shrimp Sandwich!]

With the story finished, Heinrich ordered his usual menu.

[Yes! Please wait for a while.]

After receiving the two orders, Aletta retreated back to the kitchen.

 

After a while, Aletta returned with their ordered food.

[Sorry to keep you waiting! Your orders of Minced Cutlet and Fried Shrimp. And Tonjiru soup. Please note that the red flakes is spicy so please be careful.]

To the usual customer their usual orders.

Sizzling, freshly fried Minced Cutlet and Fried Shrimp.

And Tonjiru soup that was that day’s special menu.

((It looks delicious as usual…))

While watching the hot fried food in front of them, they started on the Tonjiru first.

 

(…I see. This is a pretty gorgeous soup.)

With the soup in mind, Sarah found that Aletta’s words were true.

Stewed in the soup with constant temperature were soft vegetables and meat that were floating in the soup.

There was flavor of miso as usual along with the taste of b.u.t.ter that softened it.

(It tastes a bit similar to knight’s soup.)

Tasting it, Sarah was reminded a little of the Kingdom that was her home country.

A stew using Knight’s sauce was made shortly before Sarah was born and it quickly became a famous specialty of the Kingdom.

Along with plenty meat and vegetables, the flavor of b.u.t.ter was its characteristic taste.

When she was at her parent’s house, she ate good food. But since she became a treasure hunter, she couldn’t afford much.

 

(Ho. This is Togaran2… it’s a nice taste.)

Heinrich was also reminded of his hometown while eating the soup.

His hometown was a port town.

Togaran was not native in the Princ.i.p.ality. As it was imported from the country at the other side of the sea, it had considerable price, but Heinrich who came from a n.o.ble family could afford it.

Since Togaran made the soup spicy, he disliked it as a child. But it became his favourite after he became an adult.

(It has been three years since I last went back…)

Suddenly, he remembered that.

Last time, he went back to report to his parents that he was entrusted with one of the teams of the Order of Princ.i.p.ality.

After that, he got a long vacation, but due to the distance, he did not return to his hometown.

 

((…After a long absence, I suddenly want to go home…))
Sarah and Heinrich. Even though these two had different characters, they suddenly thought the same thing at the same time.

 

[Ah!? What is this soup!?]

On that day, Yuuto “Pork Ginger” who visited the otherworld dining hall with his mentor, exclaimed in surprise.

Before coming, he visited the store with Taro his dog to wash away the mud. He then ordered for pork ginger as usual and devoured the meat dish.

Up to that point was normal.

But that day was different.

[Normally, there’s no meat in the soup. What do you think, master?]

The soup was filled with meat and vegetables.

The meat was well braised and the vegetables were piping hot.

And the juice of the differently seasoned meat was overflowing every time he chewed.

Among all the ingredients, the raw onions that were added afterwards stood out.

 

Anyhow, it tasted good and was different from the usual soup.

[It’s meat day today.]

Yuuto’s master said while eating the Pork Ginger and Tonjiru. He was also stroking his own pet dog that was more trained than Taro.

It was meat day.

Even though the Tonjiru was full of vegetables and meat, it was free to reorder as usual.

Yuuto’s master was also lucky enough to come across it before.

[It’s free to reorder…]

[Ou, we can eat plenty of Tonjiru today only.]

He nodded back to Yuuto and went back to eating.

Yuuto also learned from it.

 

After that, the two of them ate more rice and Tonjiru than usual.

 

[Haha, today’s meat day?]

A former general “Curry Rice” Alphonse, who was aware of the restaurant’s regulars especially those that were partial to rice, caught the situation.

He knew the soup. Anyway, he had been a customer for 20 years.

Of course he ate Tonjiru many times before.

[For my order, curry rice as usual. But can you give me rice and a bowl of Tonjiru before curry rice? A little bit more b.u.t.ter please.]

Before curry rice, he always had a bowl of Tonjiru with rice. He then continued with curry rice and Tonjiru.

That was how Alphonse ate during “meat day”.

[Yes! I understand!]

[Ou, young lady! I want the same as him!]

The moment Aletta received the order, a loud voice said that to her.

Next to Alphonse, one man sat wildly in a momentum that could break a chair.

 

He was a man with abnormal body.

 

From neck up, that man had a lion head with a beastly mane. He was carrying a huge steel sword on his back and his thin clothes showed his muscular body that was covered with scars.

[My order is Katsudon! But before that bring me plenty of rice and Tonjiru!]

[Ye, yes!]

Aletta nodded to the unfamiliar demonic customer before retreating back to the kitchen.

[Oh, it’s been a long time. Since I didn’t see you anywhere, I was wondering if you had died at last.]

That man… “Katsudon” Lionel spoke with a smile that only looked threatening to Alphonse.

For many years, as a man that killed many people as a magic gladiator, it was everyday scenery that “people die”.

[Do not be foolish. I can’t die easily now.]

It was scene that would make ordinary people cringe, but Alphonse was a seasoned general and had a nonchalant face.

In the old days, he argued which rice dishes were more delicious with Teriyaki and Omelet Rice.

Their connection was that restaurant only, but they could be said as casual friends.

[I just came home. Thanks to that, it took me a long time to find a door.]

While thinking such, Alphonse explained the circ.u.mstances.

[Oo! You returned! That’s good news!]

Lionel gladly said in reply.

He was ruthless and cruel while fighting in the arena, but he was usually refres.h.i.+ng and pa.s.sionate.

Lionel was such a man.

[So you live in a city now?]

[Aa, it’s somewhat boring, but it’s better than living in an island.]

They discussed with each other lightly.

[Ano, sorry to keep you waiting! I brought your rice and Tonjiru first!]

After waiting for a while, their rice and Tonjiru came.

[Ou! I’ve been waiting!]

[Aa, I’m sorry.]

Thanking Aletta, they received their rice and Tonjiru.

[Well then…] [Let’s eat.]

They began to eat their respective food.

 

(Yes, b.u.t.ter and Togaran pairs well.)

Alphonse who began to eat after pouring plenty of Togaran was soon satisfied with the taste of his Tonjiru.

His body was warmed by the soup and the spiciness of the Togaran complimented the aftertaste.

And while the taste was still lingering in the mouth, he started on the rice.

This way of eating was taught by the previous owner, it tasted delicious to eat the rice after drinking the soup.

(…Umu, I wonder if the rest of my order is ready.)

He had finished two bowls but he was still hungry.

Alphonse waited impatiently.

 

[…]

In contrast to Alphonse who took his time eating, Lionel inhaled his food.

He ate quickly and waited for his favourite food to come.

(Chi~i… this smell.)

In truth, he intended to eat more Tonjiru after a long time.

However, the fat of the meat and vegetables were firmly mixed, the scent was also mixed with the fragrant scent of miso and b.u.t.ter.

The soup disappeared in a blink of eye, and he was hungry for more.

[Kuso… when I eat only a little, I got hungrier.]

Due to the scent of pork meat, he was reminded of the most delicious dish in the restaurant.

Lionel waited it.

 

[Sorry to keep you waiting! Your curry rice and Katsudon. A, I brought your refill of Tonjiru.]

[Oo! I’ve been waiting! I’ll eat it immediately… and one more curry rice please.]

[Praise thee! …Aa, such a good scent! And tell the owner I want one more Katsudon!]

As soon as it arrived, they asked for reorder and started to eat.

Due to the “appetizer”, their appet.i.te decreased.

The two of them finished eating their food five minutes later.

 

[…Today is “meat day”? Teriyaki chicken and Sake. Besides that, I’ll have plenty of Tonjiru with no b.u.t.ter.]

“Teriyaki” Tatsugorou, who had some sense of premonition after many years of experience, predicted correctly and quickly gave his order.

He thought that while adding b.u.t.ter was delicious as the soup became richer, when eating with rice it was more delicious not to add any b.u.t.ter.

That was his opinion.

 

He sipped his bowl of Tonjiru without b.u.t.ter.

[Umu, umu…]

He enjoyed the taste.

He could finally enjoy a meal of rice and sake with Tonjiru after half a year.

The meat and vegetables had absorbed the flavor of miso after simmering for a long time.

[When there’s no b.u.t.ter, it paired well with sake.]

b.u.t.ter was a good match for this restaurant’s Youshoku3, but without the b.u.t.ter the soup matched well with the clear dry liquor that was offered by the restaurant.

Tatsugorou knew it after trying it for many years.

[…Sorry, young lady. A refill for Tonjiru please.]

Then Tatsugorou proceeded to eat Tonjiru and Teriyaki along with alcohol, staying at the restaurant until closing time.

 

[Oh, another tiring day. Here’s today’s payment.]

After all the customers went out and they finished cleaning, the owner handed the money and cookies to Aletta.

[Wa! Thank you very much! …Still, it’s such a busy day today.]

[Aa, it’s meat day after all.]

The owner nodded to Aletta.

There were more rice orders than usual on meat day.

In spite of the trouble of making Tonjiru, the amount was reduced quickly.

He cooked the soup three times that day.

It was not as much compared to the meat days held on weekdays, but it was still a busy day.

Thanks to that, the evening meals ended at that time.

[Well, it’s late, but do you want to eat? I’ll cook b.u.t.ter-shoyu Yakionigiri with Tonjiru… that’s right. Maybe with das.h.i.+-maki too?]

The shopkeeper lifted the contents that had been transferred to the pot he held (the remainder of the beef stew which was the last guest) and said to Aletta.

[Wa! Thank you very much!]

Aletta agreed without hesitation.

[Ou. Wait a moment then. I’ll make it now.]

Then, the owner retreated to the kitchen to cook the last meal of the day.

s.h.i.+chimi – s.h.i.+chi-mi tōgaras.h.i.+(七味唐辛子, seven-flavor chili pepper), also known as nana-iro tōgaras.h.i.+ (七色唐辛子, seven-color chili pepper) or simply s.h.i.+chimi, is a common j.a.panese spice mixture containing seven ingredients.  Togaran – chili pepper. In this case it refers to s.h.i.+chimi. Youshoku – j.a.panese style western food.