The Chef From the Apocalypse Enters the Food Industry - Chapter 9

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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Chapter 9. Action and Reaction
“Oh, would you like to try some too, Bang Owner?”
“No. I, I’m….”
Smile.
I flashed my brightest smile yet.
In contrast, Bang Owner looked on the verge of tears.
His eyes wavered—he was clearly flustered.
‘He never imagined I’d resolve this so quickly.’
The sign incident had started just this morning.
He probably never expected me to settle it in less than half a day.
I maintained my smile as I asked.
“You weren’t standing in line because you wanted to eat ramen, were you?”
“Well….”
Bang Owner hesitated.
For some reason, his companions beside him also remained silent.
His deliberation dragged on.
“Hey, if you’re not going to order, step aside!”
“Why did you get in line?”
The crowd around us began to urge him forward.
Finally, Bang Owner squeezed his eyes shut and handed over his card.
“G-give me one!”
“Yes. Order received, customer!”
I processed his card payment and immediately began preparing the ramen.
* * *
Cup ramen.
Most would think of instant ramen.
But the cup ramen I create is different.
True to its name, I use an actual cup for ramen.
Specifically, a grande-sized cup I received from the Coffee Truck Owner!
[Cooking in progress.]
[This is the three hundred and fiftieth dish.]
First, I place the noodles into the broth I’ve prepared in advance.
Step one is letting these noodles cook through completely.
While the noodles cook, I add the toppings I’ve already prepared.
‘Now, what toppings should I add? Bang Owner must be quite stressed today, and it’s still building up. I should be generous!’
Even if it’s false coexistence, a customer is still a customer.
I have no intention of tampering with the food.
‘Spice is the classic remedy for stress!’
I added red chili powder along with black pepper.
Then I dropped in a small piece of fish cake that suited the dish perfectly.
As I finished placing the perfectly cooked noodles into the cup.
‘Umami Enhancement!’
Ding—
[Umami is enhanced.]
[The flavor is enhanced one level further.]
I applied my cooking skill as well, a gesture of goodwill.
Three stages of enhancement—the cup noodles were complete!
“Here’s your cup noodles. Enjoy!”
“Uh…? Y-yes. I’ll enjoy it…”
Bang Owner accepted the cup noodles.
* * *
“Wow. Wh… what kind of cup noodles flavor is this?”
The owner of the cup noodles had changed.
Not Bang Owner, but the Cafe Owner standing beside him was wolfing down the noodles.
His eyes sparkled—it was far more delicious than expected.
“Hey. You reckless fool. Are you even chewing?”
“Why? It’s delicious! Try some. This is insane.”
“Sigh…”
Bang Owner scolded him, but it fell on deaf ears.
“Is it really that good?”
“Yeah. It’s crazy, man? If I’d known it was like this, I would’ve bought several cups!”
“…You’re hopeless.”
He didn’t even register the insult.
‘Why is this guy so slow to catch on? Doesn’t he see the Coffee Truck over there?’
Bang Owner thumped his chest in frustration.
“What’s wrong with you? Why are you like that?”
“Don’t you see what’s behind you?”
“What? What’s new?”
“That Coffee Truck over there!”
“That truck’s been running business since way back, hasn’t it? So what?”
“I know. But look—it’s already closed.”
“Yeah. But why?”
“This is infuriating! That truck must’ve closed early because business was so good. Which means your cafe’s just been sitting empty, right?”
“Is that so?”
“…Let’s not talk about this. My head’s the only one that hurts from thinking, not yours.”
Only Bang Owner was burning with frustration.
The carefree Cafe Owner, on the other hand.
“Anyway.”
“What, why!”
“Never mind. Business is done for the day anyway, right? Should we have another bowl?”
“…You infuriating bastard!”
He had finally managed to provoke the Bang Owner’s anger!
* * *
“Thank you for coming!”
The last customer had left.
The cup ramen business had started so suddenly.
Because of it, I’d been swamped.
It wasn’t because I’d created new dishes.
I actually had fewer menu items than when I ran the Ramen Case.
It was exhausting because there were so many customers.
‘But it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.’
Serving ramen in cups accelerated the turnover.
I’d reduced the price in exchange for smaller portions, yet customers came back for seconds.
Repeat customers kept arriving.
If the Coffee Truck Owner hadn’t come after closing his business, things could have gone badly.
It was fortunate he came and helped.
Otherwise, I would have faced serious difficulties in various ways.
It was a genuine jackpot.
“It was incredible, wasn’t it?!”
“Absolutely! How about you?”
“Me? I killed it. Sold everything completely! This has never happened before!”
The work was grueling, but neither of us grew tired. We were bursting with energy.
“You sold all five kilos of beans?”
“Every last bit!”
“Wow. So you sold all two hundred fifty cups?”
“Exactly. A complete sellout for the first time. Man… toward the end, the beans were slipping through my fingers—it was so thrilling! If I’d had more, I would’ve sold more!”
“That must have felt amazing!”
“You didn’t do so bad yourself, did you? You used all the cups I brought?”
“Thanks to you.”
“Hehe. That’s wonderful.”
“It really is.”
An unexpected windfall.
I decided to use the wages to roast more beans tomorrow.
The quantity would increase from five kilos to about ten kilos.
The owner left in high spirits.
After he departed, I stayed to clean up the surroundings.
Since I’d used disposable cups, there was more to clean than usual.
I had to search through and dispose of all the disposable cups scattered about.
I finished with a joyful heart.
“Well, that wraps up business for today!”
And then I received an unexpected gift.
[Cooking has ended.]
[You have served over five hundred people deliciously.]
[The title 【Table for Three Hundred】 has been upgraded!]
[The depth of flavor in your food increases.]
[The probability of special inspiration striking while cooking rises.]
[You can now register new recipes.]
[You can imbue your cooking with desired healing effects.]
“Oh… healing effects already?”
Healing effects.
It was an ability that let me achieve effects similar to potions through cooking.
Since I’d just acquired it, the basic effects would naturally be limited.
‘But who cares?’
Potions themselves are nothing short of miracles.
Apply them and external wounds heal; drink them and internal injuries are cured.
I shouldn’t dismiss even a fraction of such miraculous items.
This is incredible!
* * *
Ten days had passed since I first opened the Ramen Shop.
Cup ramen was selling spectacularly.
“One cup ramen—actually, three!”
“I apologize, but we’ve limited it to one bowl per person.”
“What? Why?”
“If you look behind you…”
“Ah…”
A long line stretched beyond the standing signs.
The customer noticed and understood the situation.
“I’m truly sorry.”
“No, it’s fine! I’ll come back again!”
“Thank you so much!”
As a result, cup ramen was limited to one per person.
Even then, we sold out.
It wasn’t just the line that was impressive.
“Brother, isn’t this a complete jackpot?”
“Oh, you’re here?”
“Yeah. Unfortunately, I missed the opening rush this time. Man, people sure are eager.”
“Tell me about it. An opening rush at a Ramen Shop… does that even make sense?”
“Whoa! Don’t say things like that, boss.”
“Fair point.”
An opening rush had actually materialized.
I open the Ramen Shop at 10:30 in the morning.
For reference, I arrive at 8:30—two hours before business starts.
I had to come at this time to diligently complete all the prep work.
When I arrived at the Truck like that.
I was greatly startled.
‘I never imagined customers would already be here from the start.’
Customers were already there before I’d even opened.
Seeing them lined up so long, I wondered what was going on.
I thought it was another new obstacle, but it wasn’t.
They said it was the Ramen Shop line.
On the first day, I was too shocked to respond properly.
‘I was surprised too.’
The best I could do was open an hour earlier.
The next day, I came early and distributed number tickets.
It would be hard on them to wait so long.
It was a consideration for these wonderful customers.
It’s not just my business that’s thriving.
“You didn’t get to drink coffee again today?”
“Exactly. It’s such a shame, you know?”
The Coffee Truck is also booming.
Customers who came early in the morning and received number tickets.
The Coffee Truck naturally became where they went.
With business so good every day, he’s stopped selling sandwiches now.
He said he can’t handle it alone.
“Did you get to drink some, hyung?”
“Me? Well, as you can see?”
“Ugh!”
I held up a coffee cup in front of Jinwoo’s eyes.
By the way, it’s two cups.
“I’m always grateful to receive it.”
“Damn it!”
I’m always customer number one.
Because the Coffee Truck Owner always picks me first.
“That’s special treatment, isn’t it?”
“If you’re upset, why don’t you run a truck business too? Then he’d give you some, right?”
“…Would he really? Actually, I’ve been dreaming of becoming a chef for a long time?”
“Come on. That won’t work, honestly.”
“Tch… I really did dream of being a chef.”
“First, pass your exam. You said you wanted to get a proper job and settle down, right?”
“Yes! That’s true. Hehe.”
Jin-woo’s expression had turned sullen.
The moment he received the cup ramen, his face brightened, and he was too busy slurping it down to say anything else.
‘That guy sure eats fast, I’ll give him that.’
There’s no stopping him.
* * *
Many customers came and went.
The regulars from before continued to visit me.
Even as the lines grew longer, I was grateful they kept coming back each time.
‘I’ve gained quite a few new regulars too.’
A pattern had naturally formed.
In the early morning, customers would get a number, drink coffee, and when their turn came, they’d take their cup ramen and leave.
In the afternoon, long lines would form as people waited.
As the lines grew longer, conversations naturally increased.
-Man, I ate here yesterday and I’m craving it again today.
-I came in the morning and came back again.
-What? In the morning?
-Yeah. I lined up before booking my early morning academy class.
-Wow… why didn’t I think of that?
-Next time, let’s do it together.
-Let’s do it. That sounds fun.
Customers treating the wait in line like a game, coming back to visit.
-Is this the place?
-Yeah. It’s been all over Instagram as the new hot spot.
-Isn’t it just ramen though?
-Try it yourself. I thought the same thing when I first came, but I came back again.
-Really?
The anticipation of new customers.
Conversations about the taste.
Most customers had plenty of positive things to say.
Though occasionally, some would express complaints.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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