Gu Zi had just finished perfecting the broth for the soup, delicately integrating small pieces of flour, shredded seaweed, tofu skin, and wood ear mushrooms into the simmering pot. Covering it, she announced, "Spicy soup. It's seasoned with salt and has a distinctive taste. It's particularly rejuvenating for men after a day's work."
Li Hua, curious, sampled the concoction with a small spoon. The freshness of the stock was unmistakable, yet it diverged from the light soups she was accustomed to. The soup was a symphony of spicy and sour notes, enriched with fragrance, and its texture was both sticky and smooth on her palate. With just a sip, she felt a burst of revitalization.
"Where does this delicacy originate from?" Li Hua inquired, her curiosity piqued. "I've never eaten anything like this before."
Gu Zi said, "I believe it's from the northern region. It's a breakfast favorite there. I picked up the recipe from others."
