This week I feel like a fried dumpling.

Overcooked. Crispy on the outside. Slightly falling apart on the inside.

In this episode of Down in the Dumplings, I’m sharing what the past week has really looked like: being sick, my parents being out of town, relational conflict (yes… lots of tears), getting a promotion (yay?!), surviving BTS ticketing stress, friendship calibration, and feeling wildly overstimulated while grappling with executive dysfunction and task paralysis.

It’s one of those “I don’t fully have it together but I’m trying” weeks.

And in true Down in the Dumplings fashion, I’m also sharing what’s cheering me up — my newest hyper-fixation project: Cafe Courtney ☕️

Inspired by Kristina’s Sweet Beans and my lifelong dream of being a barista, I’m hosting a green-and-white tennis club aesthetic breakfast café moment to gather my friends in one place, feed them well, and create something beautiful.

Menu highlights include:

• Hawaiian yogurt cups with pineapple, banana, coconut & blueberry lemon granola

• Mayak Gyeran rice bowls (soft marinated Korean eggs over brown/white rice mix)

• Scallion ginger butter sourdough toast

• Miso maple bacon & sausage

• Black Sesame Einspanner (birthday special!)

• Strawberry oatmilk, barley tea, sparkling mint juleps & more

Plus bead box favors, Chilsung Cider, Vitasoy, and the comfort of curated connection.

If you’ve been feeling overstimulated, emotionally tender, ambitious but exhausted — this one’s for you.

Follow the show on Spotify so you never miss an episode, and come say hi on Instagram @downinthedumplings.

Let’s feel a little better together 🥟✨