"The lunch special included a choice of soup or salad, and since I was nursing a sore throat and a stuffy nose, I opted for the soup after confirming the ingredients. The older lady who served me simply declared, “Vegetables.” When my order arrived, I eagerly dug in. The soup was so delicious that I didn’t feel the need to add any extra spices, which prompted me to ask the waitress about the ingredients again, even though I could see the cabbage leaves. What was in that broth? It was incredibly tasty! She told me, “Cabbage, garlic, onions, and chicken.” Whoa! Wait! “Chicken!? Are you sure?” I thought to myself, “How could this happen? Didn’t you notice I ordered a vegetarian dish?”
I took a deep breath and reminded myself that I am responsible for my own choices. I can’t expect others to read my mind. The owners and staff were very kind, and English isn’t their primary language; they were doing their best. The service was excellent otherwise. Perhaps I wasn’t clear enough or wasn’t firm enough when asking about the ingredients before placing my order. It’s okay; it was a learning experience. I wasn’t upset with them at all, though a small part of me wondered—if I specifically asked if they had vegetarian dishes and they pointed them out on the menu, wouldn’t common sense suggest that I’d want all parts of my meal to be vegetarian? But it’s not a perfect world!
This was a good lesson for me to take a more active role in ensuring the ingredients I eat are suitable for me in the future. I’m no longer just a casual foodie; I now have dietary restrictions. Nonetheless, both the soup and my dish were incredibly delicious! I would have preferred the pumpkin and tofu to be a bit more tender, but they tasted like they were blanched. For a total of $8, it was a great value for really tasty food. I can see now why this place is packed with professionals during the lunch hour. I’ll definitely be back, and I’ll remember that the soup contains chicken. Not a big deal—it’s just part of my journey toward a vegetarian lifestyle!"
