The Culinary World

Japanese cuisine.

To the outside world, it's just Japanese cuisine.

But in Japan itself, it's divided into two types: Washoku and Nihon-shoku.

So, what is Nihon-shoku?

It refers to dishes made with Japanese ingredients outside of Japan, known as "Nihon-shoku," which is what most people recognize as Japanese cuisine. For example:

- Omurice (Omelette Rice)

- Miso Ramen

And what is Washoku?

Simply put, it includes Kaiseki cuisine and local traditional dishes, representing Japan's traditional culinary culture.

The biggest characteristic of Japanese cuisine is "deliciousness" and "dashi" (broth).

The foundation of Japanese cuisine lies in "umami."

Yoshihiro Murata said: This is a unique characteristic of Japan, something most countries around the world have yet to notice.

However, in 2002, it was discovered that the tongue could sense umami, a fifth taste distinct from sweet, sour, bitter, and salty. This discovery shocked the entire culinary world.

Suddenly, people worldwide could distinctly taste the umami flavor.

With its second philosophy in mind, Japanese cuisine quickly gained a foothold in the global culinary world!

While deliciousness is a universal concept, the unique health benefits of Japanese cuisine have made it particularly popular worldwide.

For someone like Erina, who possesses the Divine Tongue, she understands better than anyone else:

What truly is delicious?

Late winter.

A group of Midnight Chefs launched an attack on Japan's culinary industry!

Although Totsuki Academy, led by the new Director Erina, was prepared and directly sent the Elite Ten to counter them, the battles were fierce, and the Elite Ten suffered defeats.

As news spread, many restaurants chose to close down.

At the same time, Erina, who was working hard to create new Kaiseki dishes, quickly received the news.

...

"Hello!"

"What happened?"

"Are you saying that Rindo, Eishi, Momo, Tetsuya, Nene, Satoshi... all lost to the Midnight Chefs?"

Upon receiving this crucial message, Erina's demeanor instantly became tense.

The previously bustling kitchen fell silent, save for the sound of the exhaust fan.

Erina, with a furrowed brow, hands on the counter, looked deeply troubled. The news of the Elite Ten's defeat was something she couldn't believe.

"Are you alright, Director?"

Hisako asked, concerned.

"I'm fine!"

"I underestimated the Midnight Chefs' strength."

Erina waved a hand, signaling Hisako not to worry.

Internally, she calculated her own chances of success should she personally face the Midnight Chefs and pondered how to handle the unfolding situation.

...

Night fell.

The once bustling gourmet street now lay eerily quiet.

Streetlights dimmed as if mourning the decline of the culinary world, and an inexplicable silence hung in the air. The usual hustle and bustle of foodies and chefs were nowhere to be seen.

Entering a once-renowned restaurant, the sight of an empty hall greeted the eye.

The former clamor and excitement had faded, leaving only a void where memories lingered. The neatly arranged tableware remained untouched.

In the kitchen, the fire had long been extinguished, and the cold utensils were a stark reminder of what was lost.

The chefs, assistants, waiters, and cashiers all felt a sense of helplessness. Their meticulously crafted dishes, now overshadowed by the Midnight Chefs, were destined to fade into obscurity.

Their eyes, filled with despair and resignation, reflected their shattered dreams of the restaurant's once-bright future.

The downfall of the culinary world wasn't just about a restaurant's closure; it symbolized the fall and disappearance of an entire industry.

Japan, once fervent in its culinary worship, now watched as food gradually lost its charm. As restaurants, stalls, and eateries shut down, finding a place to eat became a challenge.

In this dire situation, how could one aspire to culinary excellence or chase the fleeting flavors of fine cuisine?

Especially with the Elite Ten's defeat, chefs were gripped by fear.

Instead of reflecting on their flaws or revisiting their culinary principles, they remained passive, not seeking collaboration with other industries.

Indeed, it was a time of despair.

Not a single chef seemed willing to inject new energy and creativity into the culinary world.

In this challenging and opportunistic era, the future of the culinary industry remains uncertain.

But!

No matter what, chefs will always be the soul and cornerstone of the culinary world!

This, Asahi, who was summoning the Midnight Chefs for a meeting, knew all too well.

...

**Tianshui Noodles**

This dish hails from Sichuan, Chengdu, known for its local snacks!

It combines the sweet and savory flavors of brown sugar and soy sauce, the unique spiciness of Sichuan cuisine, the aroma of sesame and garlic, all paired with firm and slightly salty noodles.

The moment it touches the tongue, the flavors and texture offer an indescribable satisfaction.

It's a favorite for many because of its special sweet soy sauce, a blend of light soy sauce, brown sugar, and various spices simmered to perfection, providing a multitude of flavors.

Of course, for someone like Leonora, who has tasted countless delicious dishes, a bowl of Tianshui noodles might not seem like much.

...

Freshly served, the noodles in the bowl were as thick as chopstick handles.

This was a far cry from the fine, delicate dragon beard noodles.

But as soon as the noodles were mixed, something magical happened. The thick and murky sauce, laden with chili flakes and crushed peanuts, clung tightly to the noodles! Suddenly, the entire bowl of Tianshui noodles came alive.

"The sauce seems ample!"

"Causing the noodles to immediately emit an enticing aroma when mixed."

"Hmm, the scent..."

"Not bad!"

"Indeed, it's quite fragrant!"

In an instant, at the sight of the Tianshui noodles before her, Leonora's empty stomach reacted, growling in anticipation!

Finally snapping out of it, she eagerly picked up her chopsticks and, with a wide smile, began to savor the dish.

At first bite, the sweetness was delightful, but soon enough, a numbing sensation followed, creating a unique interplay of flavors that left Leonora craving more after just one taste!

"The sauce seems to blend peppercorn, chili oil, sugar, soy sauce, and an elusive mix of ingredients."

"So, in terms of spiciness, sweetness, and savoriness, it achieves a remarkable balance."

"Additionally, the thick noodles, despite their robustness, have a satisfying chew."

"My only option now is to plunge the noodles deep into the sauce, soak them thoroughly, and slurp them up... Ah... the flavor is... divine!"

Ultimately, after finishing the Tianshui noodles, Leonora set down the empty bowl with a sense of satisfaction.

She then looked at Zane beside her, with a hint of excitement.

"Zane, another bowl of Tianshui noodles, please!"

With the Tianshui noodles devoured, Leonora felt immensely satisfied.

It took Zane just a few minutes to whip up a delicious bowl of Tianshui noodles. Despite the simplicity of the ingredients, in Zane's hands, it became a soft, flavorful dish that left Leonora a bit astonished.

Clearly, Zane's culinary skills were continuously improving and growing, rather than being neglected while focusing on running the tavern.

...

A bowl of Tianshui noodles.

Every bite is a burst of rich flavor, lingering long after swallowing, offering a moment to pause and savor.

Leonora, indeed a food enthusiast, had been enamored with Zane's cooking from her first visit to the tavern. She often found herself, like Mana, lost in the culinary experience, unable to resist its allure.

"Sigh~ Truly delightful."

At last, Leonora reluctantly put down her spoon. Her slightly swollen stomach signaled that two bowls of Tianshui noodles were her limit.

Moreover, no matter how delectable, there comes a point when the meal must end!

"Here."

"A cup of Osmanthus Wine to cleanse the palate!"

Just then, Zane brought over a cup of Osmanthus Wine, setting it in front of Leonora.

"Ah!"

"Thank you."

Leonora was momentarily taken aback.

Then, she picked up the cup and examined it. Inside was a single Osmanthus flower, brewed into the wine. A gentle sniff revealed a fragrance that was not overpowering but had a rich Osmanthus aroma!

She couldn't resist taking a small sip.

Upon tasting, it was mildly sweet, with no strong alcohol taste.

But the combination of glutinous rice and malt melded the flavors, bringing the Osmanthus's sweetness together with the wine's richness!

...

Visually appealing restaurants often don't excel in taste.

They tend to offer overly simplistic, harsh, or uniform dishes, lacking distinctiveness or differentiation, being both costly and unpleasant!

However, Zane's restaurant was different.

Despite having only Megumi and Taki as assistants, with Zane as the "core" handling everything inside and out, the restaurant's overall architectural style, decor, and cultural ambiance provided Leonora with a sense of spiritual solace!

Meanwhile.

A simple bowl of Tianshui noodles revealed Zane's potential.

...

"If you ask me."

"The soul of the entire Tianshui noodles is this sweet soy sauce!" After downing a cup of Osmanthus Wine, Leonora felt invigorated, murmuring to herself.

Initially, she assumed the sweetness of the Tianshui noodles came from the sugar water.

But it actually stemmed from a specially crafted sauce!

Combined with a unique blend of chili, garlic, and other seasonings, once thoroughly mixed, the thick noodles had a wonderfully chewy texture.

Thus.

Eating it provided a perfect balance of softness and firmness,

 with the spiciness and sweetness dancing together in her mouth.

"If the sweetness wasn't just right, it wouldn't overpower the soy sauce's saltiness! On the other hand, without the sweetness, the dish would be bland and unremarkable!"

"This subtle, elusive sweetness coating the noodles creates an intricate and tantalizing experience for the taste buds!"

"Then."

"In a moment of heightened senses."

"The indescribable blend of salty and sweet lingers in the mouth!"

"Hey, Zane, the sweet soy sauce you used is incredible! What's the secret recipe?"

Leonora asked, her curiosity piqued, as she looked at Zane.

"Simple!"

"Soy sauce, star anise, cinnamon, licorice, sanai, fennel, Sichuan peppercorn, ginger, brown sugar, all simmered together for ten hours on low heat!"

Zane responded casually.

"Really?"

"The special sauce was made with these spices and simmered for ten hours on low heat!"

Leonora, after hearing Zane's explanation, rested her chin on her hands, lost in thought.

...

A chef is the soul of a restaurant!

The reasoning is straightforward: customers come to a restaurant to "eat."

So, even if a restaurant has an excellent location, decor, management, and service, if the chef fails to prepare dishes that satisfy the customers, the restaurant won't gain their favor.

In the end, the purpose of a restaurant is to help guests forget all harm and troubles, providing them with both gastronomic satisfaction and spiritual comfort!

Undoubtedly, from this perspective, Zane's tavern is an outstanding success!

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