Pan Fried Egg or Pancakes Fried Egg, a famous street food in Taiwan, has slight variations in preparation depending on the region. The typical method involves pouring oil onto a hot iron plate, spreading a layer of batter, cracking one or two eggs on top, then brushing it with various sauces, sprinkling chopped green onions, and adding ingredients like sausage, shredded potatoes, or fried dough sticks. In some places, spring rolls are used instead of fried dough sticks.
Sui chose to use fried dough sticks, not only because they were easy to prepare, but also because he knew the Japanese had a fondness for them.
He then took out the batter he had prepared the night before.
"Oh, what's this? Is that batter?" Alice asked curiously, approaching with the enthusiasm of a curious child as she peered into the bucket of white batter. "By the way, Sui, what kind of dish are you making? Don't forget, if you lose, the egg is mine!" she added teasingly.
Sui smiled mysteriously. "This is a famous snack from Taiwan!" he said. "It's a very popular breakfast item. You'd better get ready to be a puppy!"
Alice puffed out her cheeks in frustration. "I won't bark like a puppy! Hmph, can't you see how popular my dishes are? You're the one who's going to lose!" she retorted.
On the surface, Alice's dish appeared to be a combination of boiled eggs, raw eggs, and eggs in their shells. However, the raw eggs were actually made of jelly and salmon roe, while the eggshells contained milkshakes. Its unique presentation and exquisite flavors had captivated many guests, and the number of her dishes taken away was steadily increasing.
"Attention! In Venue A, Erina has completed serving 200 people," a voice announced over the radio.
"What? She's done already?"
"As expected of Miss Erina."
"Wow!"
The students in the venue where Sui was stationed erupted into murmurs of disbelief.
"Damn it! I've only served a little over 100 dishes. Erina's insane!" Alice exclaimed in frustration.
"Look at him—he's only now starting to serve," one student said, pointing at Sui.
"Yeah, what's he been doing this whole time?"
"He's doomed to lose at this rate."
The students began whispering as they observed Sui's progress. By this time, many of them had already sold nearly a hundred dishes, while Sui seemed to be starting late.
"Frying dough sticks? I have no idea what he's trying to pull, but it seems a little late to be starting now," commented Dojima Gin, who had been watching Sui closely alongside Shinomiya Kojiro. Both frowned at the apparent delay.
"Erina's certainly fast," Sui muttered with a shake of his head, though he was unbothered. There was still plenty of time for him to finish.
He poured oil onto the pan, then ladled the batter on top, cracking an egg and sprinkling minced garlic over it. Soon, an irresistible aroma began to fill the air.
"Wow, what is that smell?"
"What is this? A scallion pancake?"
Many of the customers in front of Alice's station were now glancing over at Sui's booth, drawn by the enticing scent.
"This is deep-fried dough sticks rolled in a thin pancake, for short, Pancake Fried Egg, a famous Taiwanese street food, freshly made. Please enjoy!" Sui announced with a smile, serving a plate of the savory pancake.
"Deep-fried dough sticks rolled in a thin pancake? A street snack? I'll give it a try," one guest said, intrigued.
Although Alice's dish was both delicious and visually stunning, her jelly milkshake creation didn't fully align with the traditional tastes of the Japanese, who preferred heartier fare for breakfast, such as rice dishes. In Japan, breakfast typically provides about 40% of daily caloric intake—twice that of lunch. Most people prefer substantial meals like rice and side dishes, though some opt for Western-style bread and eggs.
The deep-fried dough sticks rolled in a thin pancake were glossy and golden, stuffed with cucumber and sausage, with the unmistakable aroma of eggs. Its simplicity carried a charm of its own.
"The dough is soft and chewy, with the rich flavor of the eggs. The sweet and spicy sauce, paired with the crispy fried dough stick, feels like a warm hug," one diner commented after taking a bite.
"It reminds me of a nutritious breakfast made at home. It's comforting and satisfying," another guest added, their face lighting up with contentment.
The guests who tasted the pancakes were beaming with joy.
If Erina's breakfast embodied elegance, luxury, and refinement, then Sui's pancakes offered a down-to-earth, hearty, and nostalgic experience—like a warm meal prepared by family.
"Can I have one, too?"
"This kind of hearty food is perfect for breakfast. It gives me energy for the entire day."
Before long, more than half of Alice's customers had shifted over to Sui's station, and the crowd around him only continued to grow.
"Damn it! He stole all my customers!" Alice stomped her foot in frustration.
"I didn't expect a street food to be this popular," Shinomiya Kojiro admitted, a hint of surprise in his voice as he observed the growing crowd.
"There's no high or low in cuisine, is there? The distinction only exists in people's minds," Dojima Gin said with a smile. "It does look quite delicious. Shall we go and try it?"
…
As the clock ticked on, more and more students completed their 200 servings.
"Megumi Tadokoro has completed her 200 servings."
"Takumi Aldini has completed his 200 servings."
With each passing announcement, Sui's progress seemed slow in comparison.
"What's going on? He still hasn't finished?" Erina frowned. Considering Sui's skill, it was unusual for him to be taking this long.
"Looks like this time, we'll finally settle who the true God's Tongue is," Erina thought smugly, a small smile playing on her lips.
Nearby, she noticed Sōma standing with very few dishes sold.
"How unfortunate for you—you're going to be expelled," she remarked gleefully.
'That's for bullying me during poker night!' she thought triumphantly.