Tonight’s dinner was banquet noodles. The broth, made from anchovies and dried kelp, was poured over cooked somen noodles topped with soy sauce seasoning and a variety of garnishes. After placing the carefully prepared bowls of noodles on the table, Yoon-Hee called out to the kids watching TV in the living room.7

“Dinner’s ready!”0

As always, Yong-Yong was the first to dash over. Upon seeing the stainless steel dog bowl adorned with paw prints filled generously with noodles, Yong-Yong tilted his head and examined the contents carefully. With ramen being the only kind of noodles he had tried, he sniffed at the dish with curiosity.0

“What’s this?” he asked.0

“Noodles,” answered Do-Jun, already seated at the table.0

Karsiel and Byeol also eyed the noodles with similar curiosity from their seats. Having lived in the Core, the kids were unfamiliar with many foods, including noodles.0

After Do-Jun took the first bite, the kids followed his lead and tasted the noodles themselves. The soy sauce seasoning added a savory, salty flavor that coated their tongues, leaving them craving more. Before long, Yong-Yong...0