She first heard about it last week during lunch with her close friends.
There’s this new and unique restaurant in town which has been hot news in social media because of its special event for single customers, offering very cheap and even free food during certain hours of the day, and will only be doing so for two months. Kinda like a pop-up restaurant for people who prefer eating alone.
She wasn’t interested in visiting that restaurant since she doesn’t even leave her home very often, but her friends kept talking about it as if it held a very mysterious yet exhilarating secret.
“Trust me, you’ll never experience anything like that ever again,” Monday said.
“I agree. It was surprising but kinda fun,” added Soeun who’s just gone through a breakup. “I didn’t regret going there at all though I was a bit confused, at first.”
“Sshhh! Don’t spoil it for Zoa!”
“I’m not spoiling anything!” Soeun told Monday before turning towards her. “Seriously, Zoa. Give it a try. It’s an unforgettable experience.”
“Free food is an unforgettable experience?” she asked, raising her eyebrows. “You’re Soeun, right? Or am I talking to Ssong wearing a Soeun disguise?”
“Just trust us on this. Give it a try,” Monday said. “We won’t share our experience until you go.”
“What’s so exciting about discounted or free food for singles anyway? Doesn’t it make us look pathetic?”
“There’s nothing pathetic about being single,” stated Soeun. “But I’m with Jimin. Not another word until you go there and experience it yourself.”
She rolled her eyes and let her friends change the subject after that, forgetting the existence of the restaurant until today.
As the red-haired woman stands in front of the establishment, looking up at the huge banner offering free food for people sharing her current relationship status, she can’t help but wonder what goes on inside and what her friends meant by an unforgettable experience.
“Good day to you, Miss!”
A friendly man wearing a sash and straw hat comes out of the restaurant, smiling at her.
“Are you alone? We have a special offer for you if you are. One delicious bowl of jjajangmyeon on the house. Limited offer until two o’clock today,” he said, gesturing to the door he has just pulled open.
She frowns a little, contemplating whether she should turn around and walk away or satisfy her curiosity and hunger because as much as she hates to admit it, after going art supply shopping all morning, her stomach has been begging for her to fill it.
“It’s good food, I guarantee, and there’s no catch. Free for all those dining alone,” adds the man.
Right then, she sees two people—a couple—exiting through the door, bowing shyly towards each other in front of the restaurant before going their separate ways.
The man in straw hat bows and cheerfully bids the customers goodbye.
“Couples get free food too?” she asks him who swiftly turns his attention to her again, still with that huge smile on his face.
“No. Only singles do. So?” Once again, he gestures towards the open door. “I promise that you’ll enjoy your meal. Otherwise, I will give you two vouchers that you can trade for free food at our establishment.”
Zoa takes a deep breath and decides to be adventurous, just for today and just so she could ask her friends about their experience.
“Okay.”
