Korean Restaurant

JT and I got a glimpse of the Korean Peninsula in Hadley, Mass. today. Korean Restaurant only has six tables and booths, and a small floor for traditional pillow seating, but there was no wait. How is this possible, when the restaurant is immensely popular amongst college students and townsfolk? Impeccable service and efficiency provide the answer.

As we drove into the parking lot, the waitstaff sprang into action. The door swung open ahead of us; we were quickly and courteously escorted to a table. Tea and water was instantaneously provided. Our waiter perfectly gauged the time we need to peruse the menu and find something not too spicy and not too squidy. JT ordered a seemingly unadventurous chicken and noodles dish that managed to exceed his expectations in ennui. I couldn't decide between exotic seafood entrees, so I settled on a medley of eel, squid, and octopus on rice. Six sides accompanied the main course: sour cucumber, spicy bean sprout, mild and hot radishes, kimchi, and soy sauce soaked potato (the taste of which still lingers in JT's mouth).

Although the quality of our food was only slightly above average by our stooped standards, it issued forth from the kitchen within five minutes of our order. Korean Restaurant chef versus microwavable TV dinner -- that would be a tight time trial. Moreover, when JT and I finished our water about 30 seconds after eating a first piece of kimchi, the waiter teleported in, refilled our glasses, and, thankfully, left the pitcher.

The only unpolished waitstaff performance came at the end, when we received change for 30 dollars instead of 20. Alerting the waitress to her mistake, we returned 10 dollars and prepared to exit. But back she came, with a box of chocolate-covered cylindrical wafers in tow, to express her gratefulness for our honesty.

One day, JT and I will have frequented Korean Restaurant enough times to deserve a small patch of wallspace. Guests write their names and brief messages on the wall; only about half are in Hangul. A memorable scribbling celebrated the signatory's first publication in the Journal of Bateriology. If at Amherst I ever accomplish the momentous, I will celebrate the occasion with a brief inscription after a Korean Restaurant dinner.