In the eyes of outsiders, fried sauce noodles are a specialty of the capital city of China, and they seem very simple to make.
Often, people from other regions complain online, saying, "Fried sauce noodles are too salty and hard to eat." Actually, they are eating the traditional old-style fried sauce noodles, not the ones that locals enjoy!
When it comes to "salty," Zane remembered something.
He once saw an online content creator on Bilibili teaching others how to make authentic fried sauce noodles.
When it came to reducing the saltiness of the sauce, they suggested adding sugar?
Seeing this.
Zane was almost infuriated.
A good capital city delicacy was being ruined and misunderstood.
...
In fact, even at home, making everyday dishes like fried sauce noodles, each family has its own way of making the sauce, preparing the noodles, and the toppings. There is no standard way to make it, so there is no single authentic version. Even neighboring Korea eats their own version of fried sauce noodles!
Every family has its own taste, making it hard to compare. However, everything follows the principle of "many variations, but the same essence."
Making fried sauce noodles, no matter how you do it, follows three steps:
- Making the noodles.
- Preparing the sauce.
- Prepping the toppings.
Making the noodles and sauce needs no further explanation.
As for the toppings, there are many choices. They can be as simple as a single cucumber or as elaborate as seven plates and eight bowls!
"Seven plates and eight bowls" doesn't literally mean 15 dishes, but rather signifies a large variety of toppings.
Yes, it indicates a great number and variety of toppings, like bean sprouts, radish leaves, cucumber strips, green garlic leaves, celery bits, cabbage strips, radish strips... all these can be used.
Of course, true food connoisseurs know to eat the most flavorful seasonal vegetables.
In early spring, they eat fresh, fragrant radish leaves.
In winter, they eat blanched cabbage.
Once the season passes.
You have to wait until next year to enjoy it again!
...
To enhance the taste of fried sauce noodles.
For the toppings, Zane prepared many items, including raw options like shredded cucumber, green garlic bits, radishes, and garlic cloves.
Cooked options included mung bean sprouts, celery bits, soybeans, green peas, spinach, and cabbage!
At this moment, Hisako, who had helped make the fried sauce noodles, was slightly stunned. Smelling the fragrant fried sauce, she couldn't help but swallow her saliva, and her stomach protested even more.
"Is there so much in the fried sauce noodles?"
"Yes, I made some improvements to the fried sauce noodles this time. You should try it as today's breakfast."
"If there are any issues, feel free to tell me!"
Zane said gently.
"Breakfast?" Hisako was a bit delighted.
She didn't hesitate, picking up her chopsticks and saying, "Don't worry, I'll taste it seriously and carefully, evaluating your fried sauce noodles as a customer!"
With that, she picked up the bowl of fried sauce noodles, mixed the noodles, sauce, and toppings evenly, and added a few peeled garlic cloves on top.
The pungent and spicy garlic, combined with the rich sauce, was truly:
The finishing touch.
Then, she slurped a mouthful of noodles and started eating.
...
Eating fried sauce noodles also has its nuances.
You should mix while eating, not dump all the sauce, toppings, and noodles into the bowl at once.
The reason is, firstly, that different toppings have different flavors. Secondly, too much sauce can make it overwhelmingly salty.
Also, the noodles should be served in a large bowl. First, scoop a spoonful of oil from the fried sauce and mix it with the noodles to loosen them.
Then add the blanched vegetables, known as the hidden ingredients.
Mix well, add the right amount of fried sauce, and then place the visible ingredients like cucumber strips, radish strips, and fragrant toon sprouts in separate piles in the bowl, mixing and eating bit by bit.
And then eat some fresh garlic.
Yes, this way of eating has only two words:
Authentic!
...
A large bowl of noodles, a small bowl of sauce, and an array of over ten dishes of toppings.
With a "ding," the toppings fell into the bowl along the edge.
Eating it was like enjoying a soulful symphony, with the rich sauce, smooth noodles, and flavorful meat, every bite was the authentic taste of the Chinese capital.
The texture of the noodles.
The flavor of the sauce.
Perfectly fused together in her mouth, bringing immense pleasure to Hisako!
"Mmm! The rich sauce flavor, deep and full."
"You can feel the ancient Eastern culture, filled with historical charm."
"Especially with this fried sauce, even though it's made with pork belly, the fatty parts are separately stir-fried to render out the fat, making it not too greasy to eat!"
"And the various toppings add a refreshing touch to the whole bowl of fried sauce noodles, bringing a crisp texture."
"Every bite feels like tasting the breath and vitality of nature."
"Finally, a bite of garlic."
"It's simply delicious!"
In an instant, Hisako felt an endless aftertaste.
...
Besides these elements.
Zane's fried sauce noodles had an indescribable "wok hei" (breath of the wok).
The perfect control of heat, the ideal integration of the sauce, and his unique culinary skill.
Made Hisako feel the professional spirit of Zane as a chef, as well as his passion and dedication to cooking.
Honestly, she really wanted to stay at the tavern and never return to Totsuki Academy.
But she also knew this idea was childish and impossible in reality.
Not to mention, she was a Totsuki student, and she took care of Erina's daily life.
So she understood clearly, without her.
Erina would surely be at a loss in many situations!
"Miss Erina..." Gazing deeply at the bowl of fried sauce noodles, Hisako's eyes inevitably became a bit wet.
"What's wrong? Why are you thinking about her now?"
Seeing this, Zane was puzzled at first, then asked with concern.
"Yes."
"I'm a bit worried about her."
Hisako looked increasingly dejected and upset.
"She will come to the tavern tomorrow morning as an intern. I'll find a way to help you two reconcile!"
Zane thought for a while and then comforted her.
"Thank you!"
Hisako couldn't help but wipe her tears, feeling quite touched.
...
At Totsuki Academy, tall buildings stood as far as the eye could see.
The towering structures stood majestically against the bright sunlight, vaguely sketching various geometric patterns in their silhouettes.
In the seemingly tallest building, there was the Director's office.
Since the Autumn Selection began, the Director had been busy handling various matters. He initially thought that after the Autumn Selection ended, he could relax a bit.
But then the hands-on training activity was about to start, so he had been constantly busy these days.
"Oh, my old back!"
"It seems time doesn't spare anyone, I'm really getting old."
Putting down the pen, the Director tried to stand up, but his face showed a trace of pain.
He quickly reached back with his hand, gently rubbing his waist.
"Sigh! Sometimes I really want to abdicate, but Erina is still young and might not handle the responsibility well!"
At this moment, the Director sighed deeply.
He used to pin his hopes on Mana, treating him as the successor.
But after a certain incident, he had to continue leading Totsuki Academy as the Director. However, with his advancing age, the issue of finding a successor once again troubled him!
...
The hands-on training activity.
With the official announcement, it finally arrived quietly.
"Hello, Senior Shino, I am the intern sent by Totsuki Academy, Soma Yukihira."
In front of SHINO'S branch in Tokyo, a boy with short light red hair and a scar above his left eyebrow stood respectfully at the door.
In front of him was a former Totsuki graduate:
Shino Kojiro!
His expression was stern and cold.
This made Soma, who had just arrived for the internship, feel a lot of pressure.
Shino glanced at him, then frowned, "I told the Totsuki officials that they should at least send a student with outstanding performance in the Autumn Selection!"
"To my surprise, the intern they sent is you?"
Listening carefully, there was a hint of disdain in his tone.
"Senior Shino, I was also surprised to learn that I would be interning here!"
Soma was slightly annoyed by his disdain, but he had to keep his composure, so he responded with a smile.
...
During the hands-on training event, he had little interaction with Shino Kojiro.
At least in the original story, Hisako's expulsion event, influenced by Zane, had changed and had nothing to do with him.
However, no matter what.
With his abilities, he was destined to become a notable figure during the hands-on training.
So, Shino had some impression of Soma!
But after experiencing the hands-on training and the Midnight Chefs incident, Shino's mindset had greatly changed.
Especially since his chef career in France had ended, naturally, his new SHINO'S branch was his last hope.
Initially, he hoped Totsuki would send a talented student to intern here.
But Soma's arrival disappointed him!
"Well, with your abilities, you can barely be an intern at SHINO'S."
Shino Kojiro thought for a while, then reluctantly accepted, "But you must show your worth during your internship here."
"If I find you useless or unhelpful, I will not hesitate to kick you out."
"Understood."
Soma quickly wiped his sweat and responded.
"Alright
, then start by cleaning the floor."
"No problem."
Soma nodded vigorously.
Then he was completely dumbfounded!
...
Internship!
I am an intern!
Shouldn't I be in the kitchen, learning from you?
But you want me to clean the floor?
At this moment, Soma felt like breaking down.
He couldn't understand, thinking Shino was deliberately giving him a hard time, but he didn't dare to voice any objections. In the end, he could only pick up the mop and cloth, and start working obediently.
...
In the bustling city center, there was a restaurant called Kirinoya.
Through the floor-to-ceiling windows at the front, one could see the warm and elegant interior decor, with an old-fashioned wind chime hanging at the door.
Whenever a guest pushed the door open, it would ring sweetly, welcoming each visitor!
Inside, the space was spacious.
There were dozens of wooden tables and comfortable chairs.
On closer inspection, the walls were adorned with a few simple artworks, blending with the light color scheme, adding a touch of artistic atmosphere.
In the kitchen, sushi chefs were focused on making sushi, their movements skilled and graceful.
Fresh ingredients were transformed into delicious and attractive sushi in their hands.
At this time, the owner of Kirinoya, Hinako Inui, was excitedly watching the intern busy with her work:
Hisako!
...
She put the washed rice into the rice cooker.
Added the right amount of water, then started the cooking process. Once the rice was cooked, she placed it in a large bowl.
Added some sushi vinegar and used a wooden paddle to quickly and evenly mix it, allowing the rice to fully absorb the vinegar's aroma.
Next, she prepared the fish and other ingredients, cutting the fish into thin slices and the vegetables into fine strips, and prepared the seaweed and other necessary items.
Then came the sushi rolling process.
Hisako skillfully took out a piece of seaweed, laid it flat on the sushi mat, and spread a layer of sushi rice evenly over the seaweed, pressing it gently.
She placed the sliced fish, vegetables, and other ingredients on the rice.
Then she carefully used the sushi mat to roll the seaweed and rice into a tight sushi roll!
Finally, Hisako took a deep breath to calm herself.
Then she focused her eyes and swiftly cut the sushi roll into small sections with a sharp knife, each piece showing perfect shape and color.
The sliced sushi was placed on a beautiful plate, garnished with some sauce and decorative items.
And so, a delicious and beautiful sushi dish.
Was completed!
...
"Senior, how is it?"
Wiping the sweat from her forehead, Hisako felt a bit satisfied looking at her sushi dish.
"Hisako, do you know?"
"During the hands-on training, I quietly paid attention to you."
"I always admired your serious cooking demeanor and actions."
"And now, watching your sushi up close, I understand why you could change Senior Shino. You have something many chefs lack..."
"Sincerity!"
"Yes, sincerity!"
"So, when I learned you were interning here, I was very happy."
"I hope that during this hands-on training period, you will work hard and help me manage Kirinoya well."
Moving closer, holding her delicate hands tightly, Hinako sincerely and earnestly said.
"Senior, I won't let you down."
Feeling that Hinako seemed to have high hopes for her, Hisako responded, flattered.
----------
For 10 advance chapters: patreon.com/angelictranslating