"You think you're making a joke," Omi says with a wry grin. He wouldn't be surprised if it really was gone by the time all four of them were through.

He gets two bowls from the cupboard, passing one to Akaya. After scooping some noodles into the bowl, he ladles the curry on top of it and sprinkles the top with chopped scallions and chile flakes he's set out in advance.

While Akaya dishes up his serving, Omi gets out two pairs of chopsticks, handing him one pair once he's ready.

"This is my sister-in-law's recipe. She adds mushroom stock to the curry for extra umami-- it's really good." It also thins it enough to make it the right consistency for coating the noodles.