Night had fallen.
The dim glow of streetlights cast a yellowish hue on the narrow cobblestone road, shrouding the small alley, tucked away in a bustling food street, with a layer of mystery.
The warm yellow light of the tavern spilled through the gap in the half-open wooden sliding door, contrasting sharply with the surrounding quiet, like a cozy and inviting haven in the dark of night.
...
Suddenly, the soft sound of footsteps broke the silence of the night.
A masked young man slowly made his way into the now deserted food street, deserted due to the recent chaos caused by the Midnight Chefs.
He wore a black cloak, and the fabric covering his face fluttered lightly in the breeze, concealing most of his features, leaving only a pair of deep and piercing eyes that glimmered with an inscrutable light in the darkness.
Each step he took was steady, yet mysterious.
Gradually, as he approached, the laughter and the smell of cooking food from within the tavern grew clearer and stronger, stirring his interest. He paused briefly in front of the tavern.
Through the narrow opening of the door, he glimpsed the warm scene inside: wooden tables and chairs filled with various customers—some raising their glasses in celebration, others engaged in quiet conversation. Each face radiated relaxation and contentment.
Finally, after much hesitation, the masked figure made up his mind, gently pushed the door open, and walked in.
...
As soon as he stepped inside, a wave of warmth, mixed with the aroma of food, enveloped him.
He silently entered the tavern, choosing a secluded corner by the window, and did not remove his mask, remaining a mysterious and solitary figure.
Of course, the atmosphere of the tavern did not change at all due to the arrival of this unexpected guest.
"Welcome, sir."
"Our establishment has a rule that you can order whatever you like, provided we have the ingredients and I can make it, so…"
"What would you like to eat?"
Zane, his eyes flashing with recognition of the stranger's identity, warmly approached and asked in his gentle voice.
"Hmm?"
"Anything will do."
"I'm not picky," Asahi Saiba replied with a simple gesture and a low voice.
On this dimly lit night, his presence starkly contrasted with the other patrons of the tavern, as if they belonged to different worlds. Yet, this chance encounter created a subtle connection between them.
"Okay."
"Please wait here for a moment."
With that, Zane turned back to the kitchen without saying much.
...
In Japan, one of the most famous drinks is lemon sour.
Sour, known as サワー (sawa) in Japanese, comes from the word "爽やか" (sawayaka), meaning a refreshing feeling after drinking.
This type of drink emerged in Japan after World War II, during a time when resources were scarce. People often couldn't afford to eat meat and mainly consumed offal. At a popular tavern in Meguro, they developed a refreshing drink by mixing shochu with carbonated water and adding lemon juice, which paired well with grilled offal. The drink became an instant hit.
Over the decades, it has become a favorite among both older and younger generations.
Since it took a while to prepare the meal, Asahi Saiba ordered a bottle of sour beer to pass the time, sipping it quietly.
Lemon, shochu, sugar, and salt were the basic ingredients for this cocktail. The combination of lemon peel and crushed lemon brought out a strong fruity aroma.
The main ingredient of the lemon sour is, of course, lemon. The first impression of lemon is its sourness, but in addition to its acidity, ripe lemons also have a rich sweetness. The lemon peel adds bitterness, as well as a refreshing fragrance.
These four elements combine to create the primary flavor of the lemon sour.
When the carefully crafted lemon sour was finally placed before Asahi Saiba, it was like a breath of fresh summer air, lightly brushing over him, bringing endless coolness and pleasure.
Not only was it a masterpiece of color, but it was also a miracle of taste.
The golden liquid, with a few slices of lemon peel floating inside, seemed to dance, adding a lively and playful touch to the drink.
Then, taking a small sip, the fresh sourness of the lemon danced on his tongue first.
Next, a gentle sweetness slowly spread, and finally, the rich warmth of alcohol settled in his throat, leaving a lingering aftertaste that was truly unforgettable.
...
"Oh?"
"This sour beer…"
Asahi Saiba was pleasantly surprised.
Occasionally, he glanced at the other patrons, noticing the happiness on their faces as they savored their food, and a difficult-to-describe emotion flickered in his eyes.
In Japan, dumplings are considered a dish, not a staple food.
So, it's common to see rice served alongside dumplings, as well as dishes like ramen with rice, fried rice with instant noodles, and yakisoba hotdogs.
Zane had now begun making a special dish, Seven-Color Dumplings.
This dish featured vibrant colors, using vegetable or fruit juices to color the dumpling skins. Not only did this make the dumplings more visually appealing, but it also enhanced their nutritional value.
Time flew by quickly, and soon, the Seven-Color Dumplings were ready!
...
Upon closer inspection, the Seven-Color Dumplings resembled the most dazzling rainbow in nature, lying quietly on a white porcelain plate.
Each dumpling glowed with a soft yet brilliant light, as if the finest craftsmanship of nature had sculpted the colors of the sky onto these small creations.
These dumplings had vibrant, multicolored skins.
Red like the dawn, orange like the warm sun, yellow like the golden autumn, green like bamboo, blue like the deep sea, blue like the clear sky, and purple like lavender. Each color was pure and rich, weaving together into a flowing rainbow.
"What?"
"What's going on with this glowing rainbow color?"
Seeing food glow for the first time, Asahi Saiba was so shocked that his eyes almost popped out.
Indeed, in his eyes, these Seven-Color Dumplings at the tavern weren't just food—they were works of art. Before tasting them, one could already become enchanted by their visual impact and beauty.
This unbelievable sight made everything around him feel surreal, like stepping into a fairy tale world woven with colors.
The air was filled not only with the aroma of dumplings but also with a faint hint of floral fragrance and the sweetness of candy, making the atmosphere feel serene and captivating.
Even Senzaemon, who hadn't left yet, was wide-eyed with disbelief, while the other customers gasped in amazement, some even gathering around the glowing rainbow dumplings as if they were the most precious treasure they had ever seen.
As for Sonoka and Kadosaki, they exchanged smiles, their eyes filled with warmth and delight.
At that moment, they knew.
Zane's Seven-Color Dumplings would surely, just like before, leave the masked Midnight Chef in awe!
In this space illuminated by the Seven-Color Dumplings, time seemed to stand still.
Only a sense of happiness and warmth remained.
...
The Seven-Color Dumplings included:
- Red dragon fruit juice for the dough, with dragon fruit pulp as the filling.
- Pumpkin juice for the dough, with yellow croaker as the filling.
- Red yeast rice for the dough, with shrimp and tomato as the filling.
- Cuttlefish ink for the dough, with cuttlefish meat as the filling.
- Spinach juice for the dough, with chives and shrimp as the filling.
- Carrot juice for the dough, with pumpkin and dried shrimp as the filling.
- Plain flour for the dough, with fresh mackerel as the filling.
Arranged in the order of colors—purple, yellow, red, black, green, orange, and white—the dumplings looked vibrant and eye-catching.
...
Asahi Saiba gently picked up one of the dumplings.
His fingers felt the soft and elastic dough, as if he could touch the warmth of a rainbow.
Through the thin dumpling skin, he could faintly see the enticing color of the filling inside. The first bite wasn't just a feast for the taste buds but also a profound emotional experience.
The lightness of the skin and the richness of the filling intertwined, bursting into a layered flavor that seemed to envelop the entire palate with an unprecedented magic. Each bite was like a tribute to the beauty of life!
He started with the dragon fruit dumpling.
This creative dish fused traditional cuisine with modern innovation, like a vibrant painting spread across the table.
Imagine dumpling skins tinged with a delicate purple, resembling dragon fruit petals at dawn. A gentle bite reveals the diverse filling inside, blending the warmth and comfort of traditional dumplings with a unique fruity fragrance and freshness.
"I see."
"To make such a dragon fruit dumpling…"
"First, you need to choose fresh, ripe dragon fruit. The juicy flesh is finely mashed, and the bright juice is carefully filtered before being slowly mixed with high-quality flour, kneading into a smooth dough."
"The dough, infused with the dragon fruit juice, becomes irresistibly appealing, exuding a subtle fruity aroma that makes one eager to taste it."
"The filling can be customized according to personal preference. Whether it's the classic pork and green onion, the succulent shrimp and chives, or the refreshing vegetable mix, each pairs perfectly with the sweet fragrance of dragon fruit, creating a surprising flavor."
"When the filling is wrapped inside the dragon fruit dough and the edges are pinched closed, the small, colorful dumplings take shape, each one as delicate as a work of art."
"During cooking, as the water gradually heats up, the dumplings float gently, their unique
pink color becoming translucent, like coral swaying gently under the sea."
"When the dumplings rise to the surface, they're removed and plated. A few drops of oil, some chopped green onions or cilantro, and the delightful aroma of fruit, flour, and filling fills the air, making it hard to resist."
"When you taste it, the first bite is the soft and slightly sweet dragon fruit skin, followed by the juicy, flavorful filling. The two elements blend harmoniously in the mouth, offering a taste experience like no other."
While savoring the dumpling, Asahi Saiba let his mind drift.
Indeed!
These dumplings truly surprised him.
...
"Well then."
"What about this pumpkin dumpling?"
With that, he opened his eyes and curiously eyed the orange-colored pumpkin dumpling.
First, the pumpkin was peeled, seeded, and cut into chunks before being steamed. The golden yellow pumpkin flesh softened under the steam, releasing its natural sweetness and warmth.
Next, the steamed pumpkin was mashed into a smooth puree and mixed with a little sugar, making each bite filled with the pure sweetness of pumpkin.
To add layers of texture and richness, the pumpkin puree was skillfully blended with some fried minced pork or succulent shrimp, then sprinkled with a bit of green onion and ginger to enhance the flavor and remove any fishy smell.
The seasoning balanced the pumpkin's sweetness just right, ensuring that the filling retained the pumpkin's natural essence while adding a touch of savory richness.
Then came the dumpling-wrapping step.
Thin, translucent dumpling skins were laid out gently.
A spoonful of carefully prepared pumpkin filling was placed in the center, and the dumplings were folded and pinched shut, creating small, uniquely shaped pumpkin dumplings in the palm of the hand.
Some dumplings looked like crescent moons, others like little ingots, each one crafted with care and filled with the maker's love and hope.
Finally, the dumplings were dropped into a pot of boiling water.
Soon, the dumplings happily tumbled in the water. As the temperature rose, the dumpling skins became transparent, revealing the golden pumpkin filling inside. The aroma filled the kitchen.
When the dumplings floated to the surface, they were scooped out and plated, drizzled with a bit of oil, and garnished with some green onions or cilantro, completing a dish that was visually and aromatically pleasing.
Taking a bite, the skin was chewy, and the filling was sweet and soft. The pumpkin's fresh flavor blended with the savory meat, capturing the essence of autumn in each bite, leaving a lingering warmth and satisfaction!
"Good!"
"Truly impressive!"
"The thin, resilient skin gives way to a burst of warm pumpkin aroma that fills the mouth with the flavors of sun and earth—fresh yet rich."
"The pumpkin puree, the star of the filling, is carefully cooked and seasoned to retain its original sweetness."
"It also incorporates a balanced savory taste, intertwining layers of flavor in a harmonious yet complex way."
"The filling is smooth and tender, melting effortlessly on the tongue, providing a velvety sensation. The pumpkin's fibers are perfectly processed, maintaining a natural texture without being too coarse, offering a subtle chewiness that adds to the enjoyment."
"Occasionally, small bits of pumpkin add a delightful surprise, enriching the dish with additional texture and interest."
By the end of his contemplation, Asahi Saiba found himself deeply impressed!
----------
For 10 advance chapters: patreon.com/angelictranslating