Curly pale yellow noodles.
Rich or clear broth, abundant toppings, tender char siu, half-cooked soft-boiled eggs, and affordable prices...
Delicious!
Quick!
Filling!
That kind of satisfaction is something hotel breakfasts can't provide.
A ramen shop often has just one row of tables, but it's always crowded with office workers.
In Japan, the first key component of ramen is the broth.
Japanese people seem to place great importance on the broth, which generally comes in three basic types: pork bone, chicken bone, and seafood.
On this basis, there are three seasoning methods:
Soy sauce.
Salt.
Miso.
The second key component is the noodles.
Noodles are categorized by thickness into four types: "very thick," "medium thick," "medium thin," and "thin."
For seasoning, you can choose from garlic paste, red ginger, sesame seeds, takana (pickled mustard greens), and chili oil.
The last key component is the toppings.
Rich toppings are the essence of Japanese ramen: char siu, marinated eggs, fish cakes, green onions, wood ear mushrooms, bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, seaweed, corn, spinach, onions, cabbage...
A bowl of ramen has vegetables, meat, and carbs, and when you finish it, you feel completely satisfied.
However,
Joichiro's rich ramen was a blend of soy milk and roasted miso, very different from the usual Japanese ramen!
He added mashed taro to the broth, making the rich ramen smooth and thick, and just one sip of the broth felt velvety.
Even a small bite
Could make someone's face change instantly, like a bolt from the blue.
...
"A superb beef ramen must have tender beef, white radish, bright red chili oil, green cilantro, and chewy, smooth noodles."
"Soma's beef ramen has the qualities of being firm, chewy, fresh, and savory, with a fragrant broth! When you eat it, it feels smooth and not greasy, with a rich flavor and no unpleasant oiliness."
"I have to say, this is an outstanding ramen dish!"
Hearing Satoshi's words,
Soma Yukihira felt a bit happy.
But then, Satoshi's expression turned serious, and he continued, "However, it's nighttime now, and I just had dinner not long ago."
"So, in reality, I crave a lighter, more substantial dish. Joichiro's rich ramen, though it seems heavy, uses a vegetarian concept, making a completely meatless ramen."
"His ramen fits my needs better."
Clearly, in Satoshi's view,
Joichiro won this round again!
It cannot be denied that since entering Totsuki, Soma has improved rapidly.
Especially during the Autumn Elections and the on-site training, he grew significantly.
However,
In terms of his current ability, he still couldn't surpass his father, Joichiro!
...
"I lost again."
Soma scratched his head, feeling somewhat frustrated.
"Soma, that makes it 500 consecutive losses to me in our cooking battles!" Joichiro chuckled, seemingly showing off in front of his son.
"Ugh!"
"Dad, your memory is terrible."
"After the training camp, I had only lost 498 battles to you, and this one makes it 499!"
Soma replied, annoyed.
"Joichiro, you've come at the perfect time."
"The situation at Totsuki is very unstable, and the advancement exams for Soma's class are next week."
"So, for this week, I hope you can guide Soma carefully."
Looking at the close relationship between the father and son, Satoshi's eyes showed a hint of joy, then he turned to Joichiro and said.
"Don't worry, I'm here for that reason."
Joichiro paused, his eyes becoming sharp.
Azami's reform plans concerned him deeply.
He also knew that the Polar Star Dormitory was under heavy siege from the Central Gourmet Institute, full of danger.
Facing such a situation, as a former member of the dormitory, Joichiro was more than willing to use his strength to help Satoshi and Soma!
...
Given Azami's personality,
In the real world, many extreme reformers like him exist.
Their reform plans often clash with the current situation, and once they fail, they face ruin. But even so, they still see it as their duty!
Moreover,
Such people are often extremely arrogant.
They express their true feelings plainly, without any disguise, regardless of any judgment.
For instance, even after being expelled from his family and Totsuki for over ten years, Azami never doubted or denied himself and always waited for a chance to return!
As a chef, the first and most effective way to learn is what?
The correct answer is:
Imitation!
Even someone as talented as Zane, in his previous life, constantly learned from his predecessors.
So, members of the Central Gourmet Institute could confront the cooking societies, hobby clubs, research groups, and even teachers and professors head-on.
Because, frankly, their overall skill levels were indeed not as high as the Elite Ten!
If you're not as skilled, you must learn, and the fastest way to learn is through imitation.
Thus, Azami's forceful disbandment of various clubs and societies, though heavy-handed and brutal,
was not entirely wrong.
Even sharing the Central Gourmet Institute members' recipes with the underlings wasn't a mistake.
In fact, this was the fastest way to improve ordinary students!
And his cunning utopian ideals held a strong persuasive power for many people, but his reforms would ultimately lose support.
...
Indeed!
Soma's strength is closely tied to his imitation of his father.
Many of his quirky tricks were not original but imitated and modified, like the breakfast challenge during the training camp...
Of course,
Imitation alone isn't enough.
Azami only provided an environment for imitation but stifled the atmosphere of innovation, which was the main flaw.
A simple fact, the Central Gourmet Institute was built on the Elite Ten, and everyone learned the Elite Ten's methods, eventually becoming the same.
What if there were no more Elite Ten?
Even if recipes could continue, a high-end restaurant without new recipes for several months would certainly receive harsh criticism.
Azami used the Elite Ten as models for students to follow, but weren't the Elite Ten cultivated by Totsuki's "old policies"?
Each dish they made showcased their uniqueness.
Therefore,
The reform was contradictory.
Using recipes alone, without students forged through intense competition, wouldn't compare.
Totsuki's original harsh methods, where most could only be supporting roles, and never the main characters.
If Azami truly wanted reform, changing the expulsion system would suffice, but his aim to build a commercial empire required stifling all chefs' creativity and destroying all other restaurants!
That's his fundamental problem!
...
Meanwhile,
At a public meeting in Totsuki Academy,
The First Seat of the Elite Ten, Erina Nakiri, stood on stage, trembling. She held a manuscript and, facing the microphone, was extremely nervous.
"Um, do I really have to do this?"
Erina said, helplessly.
"Of course!"
"You are the First Seat. If not you, who else?"
The Ninth Seat, Etsuya Eizan, watching Erina's struggle, replied impatiently.
"If only Rindo were here, she's much more outgoing and braver than I am!"
Erina reluctantly picked up the manuscript and muttered, "Is the camera rolling?"
"We're recording."
Etsuya nodded.
"Alright."
"Let's begin."
...
Taking a deep breath, Erina tried to calm herself.
Then, she looked at the camera, glanced at her manuscript, and began to read: "Good evening, Totsuki freshmen."
"I am Erina Nakiri of the Central Gourmet Institute. Tonight, we broadcast a decision from the Central Gourmet Institute. We announce that in one week, Totsuki Academy will hold the advancement exams for first-year students!"
As Erina spoke, the final event for first-year students, the advancement exams, was announced.
...
The advancement exam
is a Totsuki tradition to evaluate first-year students.
Last year, the number of first-year students decreased from 190 to 56. Those who failed the advancement exams were expelled!
This exam is a tough test for freshmen!
Moreover, this year's freshmen include skilled students like Erina Nakiri, Alice Nakiri, Ryo Kurokiba, Soma Yukihira, Hisako Arato, Megumi Tadokoro, and many others!
So this year's freshmen are generally stronger than previous years!
However, despite this, the number of students has reduced from nearly 1,000 at the start of the year to less than 200 after events like the training camp, Autumn Elections, and the school festival!
In Totsuki's reform, this advancement exam
is highly anticipated!
...
"Ahem."
"I believe many freshmen will feel a sense of fear hearing this news."
"But please rest assured, this year's advancement exam will be different from previous years. Under Azami's reforms, you need not fear being expelled because of the exam."
"Next, I will briefly outline the exam content."
Erina paused.
Then she continued, "This advancement exam will follow Azami's educational reforms."
"In other words, as long as you attend classes and learn the recipes provided by the Central Gourmet Institute,
during the exam, simply reproduce what you learned in class to pass!"
As she spoke, Erina became less nervous and more excited.
...
In the past, the advancement exam was the toughest trial at Totsuki Academy.
Many freshmen, after surviving the training camp, Autumn Elections, and the school festival, just needed to pass the advancement exam to move on to the second year.
Countless geniuses, however, failed at the advancement exam.
With Azami's rise, many Totsuki policies
have changed.
To break from the past, the Central Gourmet Institute, led by Azami, viewed the elimination-based advancement exam as an "educational bad habit."
Thus, this year's advancement exam will have different content.
Students need only replicate the dishes taught by the Central Gourmet Institute.
In short, those willing to follow the Institute's lead and attend classes will likely pass the exam smoothly!
...
"However, for those who do not follow Azami's educational approach and oppose Totsuki's reforms, you should know the consequences, right?"
Standing in front of the camera, Erina's expression turned extremely serious.
Clearly, she aimed to warn Satoshi Isshiki, Soma Yukihira, Terunori Kuga, Jun Shiomi, Roland Chappelle, and other rebels seriously!
Now, she was Azami's most loyal supporter. Anyone opposing the reforms was an enemy.
After a brief announcement, the meeting ended.
Having finished her speech, Erina grew nervous again.
"Sigh, what a hassle!"
"Next time, let someone else do it."
"If Rindo can't, let Nene Kinokuni handle it..." she sighed and walked off the stage slowly.
The short video spread quickly throughout Totsuki Academy.
In no time, everyone was buzzing!
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