A large boiler.
Strings of meatballs danced and twirled in the broth.
The gluten and tofu skewers absorbed the soup fully, and a medley of ingredients cooked together created a delicious harmony!
When it comes to oden, many people envision this scene.
However, in street food stalls, oden can be smelled from afar due to the broth made from kelp and bonito flakes, simmered on low heat.
When you buy a serving, it might not taste as good as it smells, and the ingredients may taste the same.
But in Japan, oden is a versatile dish, both elegant and commonplace.
In other words,
Japanese oden is a carefully prepared and simmered delicacy.
Chinese oden is generally a quick snack, convenient but lacking in finesse.
At the first stall in the Main Avenue Area, the featured dish is a unique oden.
...
Currently, in China,
There are not many places that sell authentic oden, with the main difference being in the form.
Japanese oden is usually simmered in a pot, while Chinese oden is more like "skewers."
In fact, not many people in Japan call it "oden"; they prefer "oden."
Hmm, which translates to "grilled tofu"!
They found that tofu cooked this way is better than grilling, and as they simmered it, the Japanese had a sudden thought:
If we are already simmering tofu, why not simmer other things too?
Driven by this idea, they started adding more ingredients to the pot, gradually forming what we know as oden. Due to its convenience and deliciousness, it quickly became popular in the Kanto region!
By the 1860s, oden had spread to the Kansai region, where it was named oden.
No ingredients, no oden!
No matter how good the broth is, without good ingredients (also called "nimono"), it is futile.
The ingredients for Japanese oden are generally the same as those in China, but there are some essentials for every oden, including:
- Radish.
- Egg.
- Fried tofu.
- Konnyaku.
- Kelp rolls.
- Fish balls.
- Chikuwa.
Radish is cut into small pieces about 3 cm thick.
The skin and fibers are removed to prevent cracking during cooking, and the cross-section is smoothed.
After absorbing the broth, the radish pieces become translucent, sweet, and tender but not mushy.
Eggs, as a popular ingredient, soak up the rich broth, bursting with flavor at every bite.
Fried tofu, the ancestor of oden, has holes after frying, making it easy to absorb the broth. The fusion of broth and tofu flavors is one of the world's best delicacies!
In addition, there are beef tendon, fish cakes, grilled chikuwa, yam fish cakes, and more.
These ingredients accompany the Japanese through many nights, providing warmth and helping them find their way back.
...
"Ah, the meatballs here are really good."
"Whether it's the tender fish balls, chewy meatballs, or the tofu and kelp soaked in broth, each one is unforgettable."
"Huh?"
"There are even many unique northeastern vegetables?"
Bite after bite, Rindo's taste buds were delighted.
"Can you really finish all the oden snacks you've ordered, senpai?"
Megumi, the stall owner, was stunned and a bit embarrassed to see Rindo holding a big bundle of oden snacks!
"It's okay, everything you made tastes really good!"
Rindo continued to savor the flavors of the oden snacks with bright eyes.
Finally, the lingering aftertaste made her give a genuine evaluation.
"Megumi, right? I often see you at the tavern. What impresses me most is how you put your heart into every dish."
"Although your skills are still lacking, your dedication to cooking is very much like Zane's."
With that, Rindo took another big bite, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Uh, why do you say that, senpai?"
"Last time during my internship at Kirinoya, Hinako also said I resembled Zane a lot!"
Megumi felt a bit overwhelmed by Rindo's words.
"Heh!"
"You just don't realize it yourself."
"You've been unknowingly learning from Zane in many ways."
"Keep working hard. After we graduate, there will be a place for you in the Elite Ten!"
After saying this, Rindo moved on to the next stall.
Megumi watched Rindo walk away, filled with confusion and wonder.
...
In the Mountain Area.
The lush forest extends along the hillside, like a huge green canvas.
In the middle of the hillside, there is a temporary small restaurant managed by Erina.
Fine wine and delicious food, diverse and plentiful, with guests coming and going, all from the upper echelons of society, making it a lively and grand scene!
From afar, the brilliant lights on the ceiling illuminate the entire interior.
"Hisako, have all the reserved guests arrived this morning?"
Erina, as usual, looked stunning, especially in her elegant and clean chef's uniform, exuding noble charm.
"Everyone has arrived on time, but the central table remains empty."
"Who is so important that you saved the best seat for them? And yet they haven't shown up."
Hisako, in a gorgeous dress, looked elegant and composed, though not as much as Erina, but still poised and graceful.
...
"You know very well."
"That seat is reserved for Zane."
Erina blushed slightly and looked at Hisako.
"Lady Erina, did you really reserve it for him? But you haven't invited him to the School Festival yet, have you?"
Hisako found it hard to believe.
She glanced at Erina, feeling helpless and sighed.
"I know."
Erina's face changed slightly.
At this moment, she wished Zane would appear before her.
But it was unlikely, and she felt a bit disappointed: "Hisako, let's keep working and try to finish all the dishes by sunset!"
"Understood, Lady Erina."
Hisako nodded and started working with Erina.
...
Usually, customers attending the Moon Banquet Festival
Need to buy food coupons from Totsuki Academy in advance. These coupons become proof of each mock shop's sales.
By evening, the sales are tallied, and the top three earning stalls in each area are announced.
Kuga's goal
Is to win the highest sales in the Central Area for five consecutive days.
At Soma's stall, he sells pepper buns!
The filling is made from fresh pork bought in the morning, marinated with special sauce and scallions, and then baked in a clay oven.
The slightly burnt aroma draws a crowd, making Soma's stall crowded as soon as it opens.
"Mm~"
"This pepper bun is so spicy."
"Freshly rolled dough, freshly wrapped filling, freshly baked, the crust is crispy but not dry…"
"The texture is like French bread, topped with white sesame seeds, mixed with pepper. After baking, it gives off a burnt aroma, simply amazing!"
"Woohoo~"
"Freshly baked pepper buns are really hot!"
"Yeah, the meat and scallions inside are perfectly blended, and the slight spiciness of the
pepper brings out the sweetness of the pork. The more you chew, the more the flavor of the scallions and meat fills your mouth."
"This is so satisfying! No wonder the School Festival is so renowned."
"It's heaven!"
"This place is truly a paradise for food lovers."
...
Freshly baked pepper buns are indeed hot.
Their brilliance lies in the sesame aroma and crispy crust, with the filling containing juicy, savory broth. It's a significant upgrade from ordinary street food buns!
Eating them requires caution due to the heat, and the meat's juices are sealed inside the bun.
Thus, being too hasty can result in a burned tongue.
Even Kuga couldn't foresee that Soma would single-handedly manage a small stall and sell just one kind of humble pepper bun.
The price... because it's in the Central Area, where the minimum price for items is 1,000 yen, each pepper bun is also priced at 1,000 yen.
Yes, this price is slightly steep.
Moreover, there is no bargaining; either you buy it, or you don't.
Surprisingly, such pepper buns continue to captivate wave after wave of customers.
"Oh?"
"I underestimated him. Using a stone kiln for unique baking is clever."
"The full-flavored filling, mixed with chopped long onions and pepper, gives the meat a fresh, sweet taste. The dough's outer crust gets covered with sesame seeds and sticks to the hot kiln walls, causing the internal temperature to rise drastically."
"As a result, the oil and juices in the filling, combined with the pepper and sweet pork, reach a savory, harmonious state!"
Across from Soma's small stall is the stall belonging to the Chinese Cuisine Research Society:
Kuga's Restaurant!
This temporary restaurant is designed in the style of an ancient Chinese palace.
With intricate eaves, yellow-tiled roofs, resembling a golden palace, its grandeur is more like a luxurious restaurant than a mere stall.
Dressed in a deep red traditional Chinese outfit, Kuga stood at the entrance of "Kuga's Restaurant," his sharp eyes fixed on the small stall opposite.
Seeing the long line of customers waiting eagerly, his face darkened.
"Boss, all the ingredients are ready."
A bald man whispered in his ear, "Shall we start operating?"
"Yes, let's begin!"
Kuga nodded after taking a final look at Soma's bustling stall.
...
As Kuga officially opened, some customers were drawn in.
Curious, they stepped into an elaborate space, feeling like they had entered a grand ancient palace.
"Welcome, welcome, come taste the irresistible Sichuan cuisine."
At this moment, Kuga, busy stir-frying, called out loudly.
"Wow!"
"This stall is huge!"
"Kuga's Restaurant?"
"No way, is it really the stall of the Elite Ten's eighth seat, Kuga?"
"What? The eighth seat?"
"Aren't the Elite Ten supposed to be in the Mountain Area? Why is he in the Central Area?"
"Who knows? But in the Central Area, prices are lower. It's a good deal to try an Elite Ten's cooking at a lower price."
"Yeah, what are we waiting for?"
"It's a rare chance, let's check it out."
The large stall left a strong impression.
With the Elite Ten's reputation, many customers flocked to Kuga's Restaurant, eager to find a seat and order.
...
There is no denying it.
Kuga's mastery of spicy Chinese cuisine is top-notch!
His Sichuan dishes leave diners with a numbing sensation on their tongues, gasping for breath.
A serving of red oil dumplings, with thin skins and juicy filling, bathing in a spicy, aromatic broth, is a testament to his skill.
The broth's flavor, derived from Sichuan red chili oil, pepper powder, and other spices, is tangy and refreshing, making tongues tingle with spiciness.
"This is the strength of the Elite Ten?"
Seeing his stall deserted as customers rushed to Kuga's Restaurant, Soma could only sigh deeply.
...
Time passed quickly.
Soon, it was evening.
The sun had already set behind the hills.
By 6 PM, the Central Area's stalls' earnings had been tallied, and as expected, Kuga's Restaurant took first place!
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