Chapter 221: Simplified Version - Noodles and Not Noodles
"Noodles, not noodles!"
After presenting this question, Hachiman turned around, faced the students in the classroom, and smiled.
"How about it? This topic is simple, isn't it?"
Simple? Do you have a misunderstanding about simplicity?
We don't get it at all, okay?
Not only them, even Dojima, who was observing the situation from the specially equipped central control room, was momentarily perplexed.
"Um... Mr. Instructor, can you please explain what this means?" At this moment, a brave girl spoke up.
Turning to the source, the girl had wine-red long hair, and her well-proportioned figure was vividly highlighted by the slightly tight chef's uniform.
Seeing her face, Hachiman recognized her; she was Ryoko Sakaki, one of the Polar Star Dorm members.
However, her voice seemed strangely familiar, as if it resembled Utaha's voice.
Acknowledging the somewhat familiar voice, he gave a reminder.
"To explain, the assessment theme is 'noodles,' but the main ingredient cannot be noodles. I think you should understand it this way."
Hachiman shrugged, not being insanely cryptic like in the anime. Instead, he provided a straightforward explanation. After all, these were still students, and such strict standards wouldn't be suitable for their assessment. Otherwise, in this classroom with dozens of students, there might only be a few remaining.
Similar exam questions appeared in the original "Shokugeki no Soma" series. In the later "Totsuki Train" arc, the Rebel Alliance led by Soma faced a challenge with a noodle-themed assessment. However, they managed to cleverly use potatoes as noodles to complete the task.
After Hachiman's explanation, the students in the classroom suddenly understood, but then started contemplating again.
Noodles that couldn't be made with noodles—how should they approach this?
However, Hachiman didn't offer any further hints. If he reminded too much, it would defeat the purpose of the assessment.
"Now that everyone understands, I won't say more. The duration is three hours, feel free to use any ingredients and utensils available, whether in this classroom or outside. As long as you can prepare a dish that satisfies me within the specified time, you pass."
"Now, the assessment begins!"
With Hachiman's words, the students in the classroom began to take action. Some went in search of ingredients, while others contemplated what kind of dish would meet the requirements.
Naturally, he paid special attention to Erina.
Rather than haphazardly starting, the girl first went to the ingredient area at the back of the classroom, examined the available ingredients, and then pondered her approach.
After about half an hour, Erina finally took action.
She raised her chin towards Hachiman, sitting on the podium, let out a soft snort, and began selecting ingredients.
She picked two fish, several prawns, a few eggs, a small bag of high-gluten flour, and a bottle of white wine before returning to her cooking station.
Seeing this, Hachiman raised an eyebrow; it seemed Erina wanted to take on the challenge of making fish noodles, a dish with a higher level of difficulty.
While using fish for noodles can enhance the flavor, it has a drawback—being too soft and sticky. It requires adding other ingredients to improve the texture of the noodles, and it depends on how Erina handles that.
After observing Erina's approach, Hachiman turned his attention to another target—Ryoko Sakaki.
As a member of the Polar Star Dorm, she was naturally one of the candidates he valued.
Although the Polar Star Dorm had a small number of members, each possessed exceptional skills.
- Marui Zenji, with extensive culinary knowledge.
- Ibusaki Shun, skilled in various smoking methods.
- Ryoko Sakaki, specialized in "fermentation" cuisine.
- Yuki Yoshino, adept at handling various game meats.
- Tadokoro Megumi, always considerate of the diners, skilled in simple and rustic local cuisine.
Not to mention the protagonist of the original work, Soma Yukihira, and the current seventh seat of the Elite Ten, Isshiki Satoshi.
Even though it wasn't immediately apparent what was special about Daigo Aoki and Shoji Sato, these two seemingly delinquent guys, through their ability to survive the lodging training and persist until later stages, displayed praiseworthy qualities.
After some contemplation, Ryoko Sakaki also had an idea and began to take action.
Among the ingredients she selected was a white bottle, but after examining it, she furrowed her brows and asked Hachiman on the podium, "Instructor, may I go get some ingredients I prepared myself?"
"Of course, as I mentioned earlier, whether it's within this classroom or outside, feel free to use any available ingredients, as long as you can create a dish that satisfies me within the specified time," Hachiman replied with a smile, nodding.
Upon hearing this, Ryoko Sakaki's face brightened, and she hurriedly ran out of the classroom.
Before long, she returned, holding a bottle containing somewhat murky liquid and a bag of sticky substance resembling natto.
With these two items, Ryoko Sakaki also approached the cooking station to start preparing her dish.
At this point, many students began their cooking experiments. Trying something was better than doing nothing; who knows, they might pass.
As time passed, after about another hour, some students finally presented their dishes.
Interestingly, it wasn't the two girls Erina and Ryoko whom Hachiman was keeping an eye on; it was an ordinary-looking male student.
"Instructor, please taste it," the male student said with a somewhat insecure expression.
As Hachiman looked at the presented dish, he raised an eyebrow.
The transparent broth was crystal clear, and all that could be seen was a lump of noodles, without any accompanying ingredients.
He picked up the chopsticks, selected a noodle, and tasted it.
"Hmm, the noodles are mainly made from potatoes, which does align with the theme of 'Noodles, Not Noodles,'" Hachiman nodded.
Hearing this, the male student breathed a sigh of relief, and a hint of a smile appeared on his face. In his mind, he already considered himself successful.
However, Hachiman shifted his focus and pointed to the bowl of clear soup noodles. "But, my friend, what about the ingredients for this bowl of noodles?"
"Huh? Ingredients, what ingredients?" The male student, suddenly questioned, didn't quite understand.
"Do you mean to tell me your noodle soup only has noodles and no other ingredients?"
"But, Instructor, isn't your theme noodles?"
"Yes, the theme is noodles, but do you really think just having acceptable noodles is enough to pass? My requirement is a satisfying dish. Can your bowl of clear soup noodles be considered a complete dish?"
"No accompanying dishes, and you cooked the noodles in plain water. You're not trying to fool me with this kind of half-finished product, are you?"
As he said this, the smile disappeared from Hachiman's face. The previously indifferent demeanor was gone, replaced by an even more imposing aura than Shinomiya.