Curio

State Library of New South Wales

Shinya Shokudō (深夜食堂) (The night café), 2011

CHI0124–01832 Tai bei Shi: Xin jing diantu wen chuan bo you xian gong si, 2011 Shinya Shokudō was originally published by Shogakukan Inc., Japan in 2007–2012

Chapter 100 KuGua (Bitter melon)

By Alicia Jin (translator), 2014

Chapter 100 KuGua (Bitter melon)

This story takes place in a small restaurant, somewhere in Japan. The restaurant owner is talking about KuGua.

1.“In the past KuGua had been used as a simple ingredient in Japanese food, but recently it has become a popular food in its own right. Customers often ask for KuGua dish in the restaurant in summer, so I always make sure I have plenty in stock.”

2.As the story unfolds, we see a man sitting at a desk, and even though he has a fan, he complains that it is so hot he is having trouble focusing on his work.

3.One of the people in the restaurant hears this, and exclaims: “Complaining again? He has been complaining a lot lately, hasn’t he?”

4.We then hear the sounds of someone happily chewing on their KuGua: “Kacha, Kacha.” (Crunching sound).

5.One of his friends asks him: “Is KuGua very bitter?”

6.He answers, “Yes, but even though it is bitter, it tastes yummy.”

7.Another friend asks: “Is it good for you?”

8.But before he can answer, the restaurant door opens.

9.And a woman enters with pain and anguish on her face.

10.The men sitting in the restaurant look at her with concern and alarm, wondering what terrible thing has happened to her.