【December】The "Jjigae Set Meal" that Warms the Body and Soul Chilled by the December Cold

What was brought to me was a small, steaming hot pot for one. As I peered into it, my glasses fogged up completely white. My face, chilled by the outside air, warmed up, and I recalled how, before giving birth to my child, I used to diligently moisturize every night with a facial steamer just like this. “Ah, I want to stay like this forever.” Thinking such silly thoughts, I take my first sip of the soup. The sweetness of the miso and the spiciness of the gochujang are exquisite. The seafood stock is strong, and the deep flavor, which I can tell took a lot of time and effort to make, permeates both my mind and body.

 

The reason I chose Yayoi Ken for lunch on this day, my first solo day off in a year, was because I happened to see a poster for their hot pot set meal. Blasted by the December wind that felt like it could bring snow, there was no way I could resist the temptation. Jjigae or Sukiyaki, which team are you on?” it said.

“I am definitely Team Jjigae!”

I entered the shop with enthusiasm.

 

Besides, I had been curious about it. The boys at the office recommended Yayoi Ken to me, knowing I love rice more than anything. Unlimited rice refills, and being able to make dashi chazuke (rice with broth) with free pickles on top... It sounded wonderful. But I always turned down their invitations, eating rice balls I made myself alone at my desk. I didn’t have a second to waste if I wanted to finish my tasks in time to pick my daughter up from day care.

 

"Haff..."

 

I thought I was being careful, but the mouthful was too big, and the tofu ran wild inside my mouth. Chinese cabbage could also be pretty dangerous, couldn’t? I blow on it and take a bite. I had forgotten. When we have hot pot at home, by the time I feed the child and deal with tantrums, it is almost always completely cold. Having it later at my own pace isn't really an option either, so even preparing a hot pot had ceased to be a thing recently.

 

Come to think of it, just before giving birth, I was planning to eat jjigae too. But just as I left the house to buy ingredients while rubbing my fully pregnant belly, I went into labor. As I fell to my knees, small yellow flowers growing by the roadside caught my eye. I felt encouraged, wondering how they could bloom so robustly yet beautifully in the winter shade. When I looked it up later, one of the flower meanings was "unyielding to difficulties." I remember thinking how lovely that was, and deciding to give my child a name using the character for "Fuki" after the Japanese name for the flower.

 

When the ingredients are about half gone, I insert my chopsticks into the egg sitting majestically in the center. *Pop*, the yolk bursts. I dip the rice on my soup spoon into the soup where the yolk is melting. Someday when my child is bigger, I will let them taste this luxurious, blissful moment. But for now, this is a treat just for adults. I stand up and head for a rice refill. I’ve got the rice porridge waiting for me after this.

 

Text by Momo Tachibana / Illustration by Mog Hatakeyama