17.052 Roast Beef Classic + Curly Fries

Cycle 17 – Item 52

Post 5,896

26 (Thu) February 2026

Roast Beef Classic + Curly Fries

2.5

at Arby’s

(USAG Humphreys)

-Paengseong, Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi, Republic of Korea-

with CE

Book Fair at Humphreys High School: Day 2 of 4

In Pyeongtaek – specifically, the United States Army Garrison Humphreys aka Camp Humphreys.  Overseeing a book fair at Humphreys High School: set up Wednesday, sales Thursday and Friday, break down Friday.  Staying on an extra day to hang out with SIS alums living nearby.  Very excited, not only for the book fair – our first ever at Humphreys – but for the food opportunities on and around post.

WORK

Prior to curating the selection of books for the event, we had been given a list of the most checked out books in the HHS library over the past 4 years.  Of the top ten, 6 were titles from the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series (target grade level: 3-6).  Three quarters of the list comprise elementary-level graphic novels, manga, and comics, such as Pokemon, Dragon Ball Z, Amulet, Garfield, and so on.  The only “grown-up” book was 1984 with 4 checkouts, same as Harry Potter.  As such, the librarian suggested that we bring a wide range of books across all reading levels.

Next time, we’ll need a bigger space.

However, we were very pleasantly surprised to find readership at HHS to be enthusiastic and sophisticated.  All focus was on young adult and general fiction, nobody bothering to buy a single copy of Diary of a Wimpy Kid.  While perhaps the percentage of strong readers might be lower in comparison to international schools, the sheer number of students made up for it.  Indeed, we sold more young adult and general fiction in 1 day than we do in 3 days at an international school.

Perfect.

When we asked a few students about the library, they said that they don’t bother with the high school library because the main post library has a much better selection – which would partially explain the absence of upper level books on the checkout list.

LUNCH

Curious to try lunch in the cafeteria, I was strongly advised against it.

The food was indeed horrific.  The sausage was crumbly and flavorless.  The eggs felt and tasted like styrofoam.  The bread, 2 slices of rye + 2 slices of wheat, were dry.  The potatoes were edible but cold.  The beans were okay.  The worst school meal that I’ve had in my life, though I didn’t really eat any of it, including the fruit and/or salad.

According to a sign prominently posted at the register, all lunches must include a serving of fruit and/or salad – “even if you are not going to eat it” – as per federal guidelines.

And with that, HHS lands with a confident thud in last place on the list of (international) school cafeterias that I’ve tried (see all IRIS), very unlikely to be bested – except perhaps by one of the other Humphreys schools.

On the bright side, I experienced for the first time what were very likely powdered eggs.

Manchu Wok is an American Chinese restaurant.   Along the same lines as Panda Express.  Founded 1980 in Canada, currently with 70 locations in North America, as well as branches in various US military installations across the world.

Oriental Grilled Chicken (1.5) + Fried Rice (1.0): no chopsticks.

For actual lunch, we ordered delivery from Manchu Wok.  Though I’m never happy with the food at such places (see for example 12.057 Bigger Plate), I can never resist.

The food was worse than I’d expected.

DINNER

Downtown Shopping Center (DSC) features a food court.  Similar to the sit-down restaurants on post, the options are pretty much limited to variations on burgers, pizzas, tacos, wings, fries.

Located 1.6 km from the school.

For dinner, in contrast to last night’s feast, we went the other way and toured the food court.

Charleys Philly Steaks is an American restaurant.  Specializes in cheesesteak sandwiches.  Founded 1986 in Ohio, USA, with 0ver 600 locations (as of 2017) in 19 countries – in Korea, only on US military installations.

The cheesesteak wasn’t that good.  Not enough meat.  Not enough cheese.  Too much veg.  As if the operators had never experienced a true Philly cheesesteak.

Philly Cheesesteak (Small) (2.0)

Even though Taco Bell is available off post, neither of us hesitated to get a taste.

The food was good, or at least as good as Taco Bell can be.

Chicken Soft Taco (2.5) + Burrito Supreme (3.0)

Arby’s is an American restaurant.  Specializes in roast beef sandwiches.  Contrary to popular belief, the name does not derive from “roast beef,” but rather “Raffel brothers (founders).”  Founded 1964 in Ohio, USA, with over 3,400 locations in 9 countries – in Korea, only on US military installations.

Ate a lot of Arby’s as a kid in California, because my father was a big fan.  Maybe only once in adulthood, which I seem to recall very negatively, like “Was it always this bad?”

The sandwich is nothing but bun and meat.

This time, it was better than I remembered.  The roast beef was rather bland and flabby but loads of Arby’s Horsey Sauce + Arby’s Sauce made it okayish.  Should’ve transferred the veg from the cheesesteak.  I could certainly never eat another one for the rest of my life.

Roast Beef Classic (2.5)

DRINKS & DESSERT

The drawback to eating in the food court is that they don’t sell booze.

Sat at the bar this time.

So, afterwards, we went back to Texas Roadhouse.   Me for drinks, and CE for dessert.

All-Beef Hotdog (2.5): didn’t look nor taste like an all-beef hotdog, but it tasted American.

Being on post, which feels like being in America, the prices of food seem reasonable – at first.  $4.99 for a hotdog, no tax – sure.  But when converted into KRW at the current exchange rate of 1,500: 7,500 – rather pricy, for what it is.

We sold this hat at our last WOW event.

(See RESTAURANTS IN KOREA)

(See GLOBAL FOOD GLOSSARY)

(See HANSIK)

(See BOOZE)

(See FAST FOOD)

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