Minutes later (after I’d turned away three more groups of people looking to sit), Jeanie and Marina burst into Crispy Chicken. I saw them scan the crowd and then point to me and rush across the restaurant—or try to—and then finally reach my table.

“Allie! We are so sorry! We never meant to be so late!” said Marina in a high state of anxiety.

“We were going to be early so you wouldn’t have to wait for us alone!” said Jeanie breathlessly.

They collapsed onto their stools and breathed heavily.

“Please don’t worry. It’s fine! Just catch your breath. I’ve been people-watching and taking notes for my piece. Are you sure everything is okay with your mom and the car? We can do this another time if that’s better for you guys.”

“No way!” Marina cried. “I was looking forward to this so much, I wouldn’t miss it for anything!”

I beamed, flattered. “Now, we need to order right away. We can take turns ordering, and I can go first. Or maybe I can order for all of us while you two catch your breath—and you can just pay me back. Otherwise we’ll lose the table. Okay?”

“Totally. It smells amazing in here!” said Jeanie, her eyes bright with excitement.

“I’m going to go up and look at the menu. I’ll be right back,” said Marina.

Soon we had our orders in, and then our number was called and Jeanie went to claim the food. She returned to our table bearing the tray aloft like she was carrying a crown to present to a queen.

“Ta-da!” she cried, lowering the tray onto the table. On it were three baskets of fried chicken parts, two sides of kimchi, and a small bowl of pickled radish and cucumber.

“Yum!” I agreed.

Jeanie and I handed the food around while Marina doled out the chopsticks and napkins, and we tucked in. I was suddenly starving.

The three of us fell silent at first as we attacked our chicken. It was incredible! And also super-spicy! Wow!

It was like nothing I’d had before. On the outside they’d drizzled a light, sweetish, spicy sauce that was sticky. The crust was so crispy that it shattered when I bit into it. It was thin and light. The chicken meat was juicy and salty. The chicken was super-messy to eat, mostly because of the sauce, but not greasy at all. I think I went through about twenty napkins!

Coming up for air, I tried the kimchi and then the pickles. The kimchi was also spicy and very sour, which was a good contrast to the chicken skin. The pickles were sweetish and sour, and very cold, but most of all, delicious.

“I need more!” said Jeanie.