MONDAY
Budae jjigae (soldier’s stew.)

I feel strong.

I think of my grandfather. Not because he likes budae jjigae. He’s a devout vegetarian and budae jjigae is full of sausages.

No, it’s because when I was 8, my grandfather told me a man must be “stout” and I think eating budae jjigae is the shortcut.

TUESDAY
I don’t remember what this dish is called.

It’s been a while since I talked to my grandfather. He lives in India.

Korea’s not so far from India…I could fly over and impress him with my manly, stout physique and above-average bench press.

WEDNESDAY
Who am I kidding? I have the build of a copywriter who found The Portrait of a Lady “stirring.”

I’ll have to find other ways.

Fuck yeah, a corndog!

THURSDAY
I thought there would be more corndogs.

Instead, salmon.

My grandfather, a deeply spiritual man, would find a lesson in this.

I, on the other hand, have found an onion strand wedged in my molars.

FRIDAY
Kimchi (circular dish, upper left) helps promote a healthy gut microbiome.

My grandfather’s gut microbiome probably kicks ass, though I’m not sure how you measure that.

I should call.