Finally, they got through the people in front, and everyone thought that this time the noodles would finally flow down smoothly. But the new batch of people standing at the front ate them... and became addicted all over again!
The tongues of those invited by Totsuki Resort to be judges are naturally very discerning, but no matter how picky their tastes are, they can't enjoy 'nirvana cuisine' from top chefs every day.
Even Hinako Inui, a seasoned chef and judge known for her discerning palate, found herself swept away by the experience of Shiraki's somen. Each noodle seemed to envelop her body wrapping her as if a great boa, trapping her prey, while squeezing her voluptuous parts into a more tempting proportion and simultaneously stimulating her sensitive parts, it's as if teasing out every hidden corner of her deep sensitive spots. The way the slippery strands glided on her tongue and paired perfectly with the dipping sauce sent shivers down her spine—a feeling of pure euphoria only which H-rated dojin female artists experience after a shot of heart-shaped pill and 3 hours non stop pounding.
She closed her eyes, momentarily lost in the intricate dance of flavors. The balanced umami, the zesty Sweetness cutting through the richness, and the delicate undertone of musky fermentation created a symphony that transcended the ordinary. For a moment, the world around her faded, leaving only the sensation of the dish in her mouth. It was as if she had stepped into another realm, one where food was no longer sustenance but a profound emotional experience.
But then, just as she opened her eyes, a wave of dizziness overtook her. The intensity of the flavors had overwhelmed her, and she stumbled slightly. The staff nearby rushed to her aid, concerned by her sudden unsteadiness.
"Are you alright, Ms. Inui?" one of them asked as they gently guided her to a nearby chair.
Hinako waved a hand, her usual composure returning slowly. "I'm fine," she assured them, though her voice was still a bit shaky. "It's just... just ...that dish. It's dangerous very dangerous, also help me move to the restroom."
The staff exchanged glances, and one of them quipped, "That somen might need a warning label."
Although the scene where Hinako moaned sensuously, People focus more on the somen here, since it is a dish even Kojiro Shinomiya acknowledges as comparable to his own 'nirvana cuisine.' Anyone lucky enough to win the "lottery" and taste that perfect part of the running water somen noodles inevitably becomes completely addicted. Even the other batches of somen, though slightly below that exquisite taste, are so extraordinary they feel like discovering hidden treasures!
After all, treasure hunting can result in worthless finds. But the 'flowing water somen noodles' from this bamboo tube deliver the ultimate enjoyment for the taste buds every single time.
Think about it: how often do most people have access to top-tier cuisine?
Apart from Kojiro Shinomiya and Hinata Shimiya, who are chefs themselves, most people are lucky to encounter such dishes even once. The chef's effort, not to mention the high costs involved, makes such opportunities rare.
And now... after tasting just one bite of running water somen noodles, diners felt as though they'd won the grand prize. This level of cuisine being served buffet-style? Unlimited servings? How could it be so thrilling?!
Standing in front of the booth, Shiraki observed the freshly prepared somen with his Eye of Insight. The grade of each somen dough varied based on the combination of the noodles, the 'running water,' and the dipping sauce. According to Shiraki's observations so far, most somen noodles scored J+ grade, followed by K+. With variations in flour, water, spices, and ingredients, the taste in diners' mouths constantly evolved. If described positively, most noodles were SS+ grade, with occasional batches reaching SSS+, and rare cases even achieving SSS+ grade.
For Shiraki, this was the first time seeing such a fascinating dish. Observing the interaction between dough and ingredients while pushing the kneading machine to its limits was fascinating. Yet, there was one thing he couldn't ignore. Although his somen noodles were being devoured as soon as they were served, the number of completed servings had barely increased.
This made Shiraki glance at the five people at the front, falling into deep thought. Diners behind them noticed this too, but to everyone's frustration, the five at the front left only for a new group to devour the noodles upstream, leaving children in the back crying in hunger. Complaints arose from the crowd.
By now, the queue in front of Shiraki's booth had grown exaggeratedly long. Ironically, the more popular a booth was, the more people it attracted. Unpopular booths, on the other hand, grew increasingly desolate, like Soma's booth opposite Shiraki's. The stark contrast was unavoidable.
Soma, glancing at the unending line opposite him, couldn't help but feel puzzled. Although he expected Shiraki's booth to be popular, why was no one coming to his?
His omurice eggs, with their striking appearance and flavor, were surely a qualified dish. They didn't deserve to be ignored like this.
Shiraki's situation wasn't without its challenges either. His servings were calculated based on dipping sauce portions. Theoretically, one diner eating one portion of somen would count as a completed serving. But those at the front were so addicted that the fifth batch of noodles was still being devoured by the same group! Shiraki finally decided to put up a sign that said, "One Serving Per Person Only."
As he borrowed a signboard and pen from staff, another unexpected commotion broke out. A hungry child drank the dipping sauce directly out of impatience—and couldn't stop himself! The robust flavor of fermented old Beijing soybean juice, sweet whole fruit fermented for days, and the sharp kick of mustard proved irresistible.
The greedy child licked the bowl clean and begged his mother for more. Reluctant to lose her spot in line, she handed her dipping sauce to him, which also quickly disappeared. Soon, other children followed suit, licking their bowls clean, causing more adults to curiously sample the sauce on its own.
This turned into a phenomenon. Before long, Shiraki's counter displayed a skyrocketing 235 servings.