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by The Corgi-Hawk Hybrid of Lamoni. . 221 reads.

What to expect at a 5-star Lamonian restaurant

This was originally written in response to a question from The State of Monavia, but I thought that it deserved its own entry here, as well.

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If the two of us were to go to 5-star Lamonian restaurant, we would be in for quite a treat. If you've read my factbook article on Lamonian Cuisine, then you'd know that Lamonian Cuisine used (and still does use) available ingredients, and will contain dishes based on what is in season at any given time. Lamonian Cuisine also likes to use multiple colors, both to enhance the look of the dishes, as well as a visual means of stimulating the appetite, in addition to sounds and smells.

Rice

Rice has traditionally been part of any Lamonian meal, from the humble to the stupendously fancy and expensive. Rice is the staple grain in Lamoni, and though other grains have also gained popularity over the years via contact with outside cultures, rice still remains the most popular. A traditional Lamonian meal (even at a 5-star restaurant) would not be complete without a big bowl of warm and steaming rice, refilled as needed. In the restaurant context, this would be a big bowl of warm and steaming white rice for each person at the table, though home made meals can also have various types of mixed rice, for health, taste, or other benefits.

1.) LinkSteamed Rice

Soup/Stew

It is traditional to serve a soup or stew alongside the rice in a traditional Lamonian meal, and five star restaurant meals are no different in this regard. Popular opinion in Lamoni is that no traditional Lamonian meal is complete without it. Possible examples would include:

1.) LinkEomukguk
2.) LinkDak-kalguksu
3.) LinkBeoseot-deulkkae-tang
4.) LinkHonghap-miyeokguk

Banchan

Banchan are side-dishes that accompany the rice, soup/stew, and main course(s). A Lamonian meal can have from as few as a humble two Banchan, to as many as a complex and expensive twelve Banchan. Sometimes, Banchan can actually take more time to make from scratch than the actual main dish(s), but in the restaurant context, these will always be made from whatever is in season, including pickled and fresh vegetables, soups/stews, meats, and seafood. Those at the table are expected to share the Banchan, but like the rice, Banchan can be refilled as well.

While there are many many different types of Banchan, i'll list twelve below, to give you an idea.

1.) LinkSoegogi-jeon
2.) LinkSoegogi-muguk
3.) LinkAlgamja-jorim
4.) LinkBok-choy-muchim
5.) LinkGyeran mari korean rolled omelette
6.) LinkCorn-cheese
7.) LinkKodari-jorim
8.) LinkMuneo-jorim
9.) LinkGeomeun-kongjorim
10.) LinkGaji-namul
11.) LinkChayote-kimchi
12.) LinkMaekjeok

Main Courses

While a home made Lamonian meal might have a soup/stew and a single main dish for the main course, a 5-star restaurant meal would have multiple main dishes, with the number of main dishes being chosen by the diners. These main dishes would be in portions that satisfy the appetite, while not being overwhelming to those eating them. The main dishes would also be shared with all those at the table, like the Banchan. Some examples can be found below.

1.) LinkNaengmyeon
2.) LinkJeonbokjuk
3.) LinkMandu
4.) LinkBuldak
5.) LinkMuneo-sukhoe
6.) LinkDomiyangnyeomgui
7.) LinkBindaetteok
8.) LinkKkanpunggi
9.) LinkDonkkaseu
10.) LinkJapchae

Drinks

Drinks would be freely available, though alcoholic drinks would be reserved for the later main courses, as the point of the meal is not that the people eating it should leave the establishment drunk, which could cause problems for others. The length of time that it takes to consume such a five-star restaurant meal, as well as the plentiful food therein, is also intended to aid in preventing those enjoying the meal from imbibing too much alcohol.

Tea is a popular non-alcoholic drink for such meals, with both Ginger Tea, and Pomegranate Tea being popular.

1.) LinkSaenggangcha
2.) LinkSeoklyu-cha

Alcoholic drink choices would consist of the following, with Soju and Wine being especially popular.

1.) LinkSoju
2.) LinkWine
3.) LinkMakgeolli

Deserts

While most traditional Lamonian meals do not often include deserts, a five-star restaurant meal would include some, for those who still have room in their stomachs after the meal.

Some examples would include:

1.) LinkYanggaeng
2.) LinkPatbingsu
3.) LinkPpopgi
4.) LinkKkwabaegi

Table settings and other notes

Typically, the rice and a soup/stew would be placed in front of the diner, with the Banchan being placed in the middle of the table, for all to share, and the main dishes being between the rice and soup/stew, and the Banchan. As traditional Lamonian Cuisine can be labor and time intensive to make, the more Banchan and main dishes in the meal, the more expensive and impressive it is. Five star restaurant meals would also pay utmost attention to the number of colors in each dish, as well as how each dish complements the others in visual, smell, and taste aspects. Lamonian tableware at such a meal would consist of a pair of metal square tipped chopsticks, and a spoon, which is typically used for soups and stews, where chopsticks would not be appropriate.

Conversation is to be expected between the diners in such a meal, both to fill in the time between dishes being placed on the table, as well as to prevent oneself from shoveling food into one's mouth as if they had not eaten in a long time. Traditional Lamonian five-star restaurant meals are intended to be enjoyed over time, and are thus never rushed affairs. One is expected to take time to enjoy the flavors of the food being served.

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