Food Wars, My Dishes Don't Just Shine

Raising her hand high, her face beaming with excitement, Kikuchi Yoko said energetically.

I don't know how much time had passed, but it was already dusk outside.

After a long day of work, single people in apartments who can't cook, students who have no one at home after school, and elderly people with mobility issues start looking for food.

A restaurant called Yukihira changed its "Closed" sign to "Open" at five o'clock.

"Welcome, Grandma Sanhe. Is it the same as usual today? If you have trouble walking, you can call to order and I'll deliver it to you."

Seeing the elderly woman slowly making her way into the shop with a cane, the red-haired boy in an apron immediately went up to her and helped her into the shop.

"Why go through all that trouble? I'm just having some leg problems, it's not like I can't walk anymore. A little exercise is good for me."

Besides, food tastes best when it's piping hot! By the time you bring it to me, it will have already gone bad, so it's better not to eat it at all!

As usual, a bowl of tempura fish noodles, with the tempura served on a separate plate and the sauce as usual.

"Tempura noodles, right? Okay."

After glancing at Soma Yukihira who was helping the old lady into a chair, Joichiro Yukihira, who was preparing food in the kitchen, peeked out and called out.

Then they started working on it in the kitchen.

The dishes displayed on the shop wall and the side dishes they prepare daily are the most frequently ordered dishes by these regular customers on the street, with new items added occasionally.

This is because the main guests of Yukihira Hotel are all from the surrounding neighborhood, and very few outsiders come here.

This is a popular restaurant that serves the local community!

"Yukihira is open! It's so punctual, opening at six o'clock every night without fail."

"Joichiro, one tonkatsu set meal, please!"

A few minutes after the store opened, a sound came from the doorway, and a portly man walked in, shouting loudly to the kitchen as he went.

"Okay, wait a moment."

As Yukihira Joichiro fried tempura, he shouted something to the outside. His nimble and skillful movements perfectly showcased the beauty of cooking.

"Joichiro, give me a beef rice bowl!"

"I also want beef rice bowl, and fried dough sticks as well."

"Jiro, bring me today's signature dish, Yukihira-ryu Honey Grilled Eel Rice. This is a new dish developed by Soma, isn't it?"

"A dish newly developed by Soma? I'd better try it and see what it's all about! I'll have one too!"

With the opening of the Yukihira Hotel, a steady stream of guests began to enter from outside.

The first thing everyone did upon entering was to greet Joichiro Yukihira, followed by small talk with those around them, their bodies, weary from a long day, finding healing in that moment.

"Squeak~"

"Welcome! What would you like to order?"

The door opened again, and Soma Yukihira, who had just finished serving the guests, stepped forward to greet them while carrying the plates.

At this moment, a ribbon was tied around his head, fluttering slightly in the wind. Because he had been moving back and forth in the store, there were already water stains on the ribbon.

"Kid, bring me one of everything from here to here."

He followed Soma Yukihira to an empty table and sat down, placing his luggage at the far end of the table.

The man took the menu from Soma Yukihira, glanced at it briefly, and then returned it to him, asking him to order one of everything.

He hadn't had breakfast yet, so his stomach was empty, and he could enjoy the restaurant's food to his heart's content.

"From here to here? Isn't this all the food we have in our house?"

Our portions are quite large; one meal is usually enough to feed a grown man all day. If you'd like to try some, you could consider ordering the sample versions of each dish; that would save you a significant amount of money.

As the man ordered all the dishes on the menu, Soma Yukihira frowned slightly. Then, he kindly pointed to the dishes marked "Sample Pack" below the main dishes, which were priced at one-third of the regular version and had a significantly smaller portion.

This also gives first-time customers a chance to try it out. If they like the taste, they will naturally order a full meal again.

"No need, we can eat this little bit. Just cook it normally."

Shaking his head, the man rejected Soma Yukihira's suggestion, saying this.

"Oh well.

"Dad, one of everything on the menu."

When his advice failed to be heeded, Soma Yukihira gave up and turned to call out towards the kitchen before going to attend to the other guests.

"Teacher Bai Yuan, this shop looks ordinary and is located in such an inconspicuous corner. Why did you come here specifically?"

That's right, the two people who entered this restaurant were Shirabuchi and Kikuchi Sonoka.

As Yukihira Soma went to entertain other guests, Kikuchi Sonoka, who was sitting opposite Shirabuchi, got up from her seat and sat down next to him.

He asked with a curious expression.

Such a remote shop should have no connection with Bai Yuan. Could it be that the owner of this shop is a friend of his?

Do you know who owns this shop?

Instead of rushing to answer Kikuchi Sonoka's question, Bai Yuan picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, and slowly spoke as he looked at her.

"Who? Mr. Bai Yuan, is your reason for coming here related to the owner of this shop? Could it be an old acquaintance of yours?"

Kikuchi Senka voiced her doubts, and hearing his words confirmed her suspicions. She then looked toward the restaurant's kitchen.

Because it's a small restaurant that values ​​maintaining good neighborly relations, the kitchen at Yukihira Restaurant isn't completely enclosed.

From where they were sitting, they could clearly see the busy figure in the kitchen. It was a middle-aged man with dark red hair and a stubble beard, but with regular features and quite handsome.

Beside the middle-aged man was the boy who had just served them, a young boy with red hair and a youthful face.

If nothing unexpected happens, the two are likely father and son.

"That's right, do you know the 69th class of Totsuki Academy graduates?"

While fiddling with the teacup in his hand, Bai Yuan suddenly asked a question.

"I know, the 69th issue, that's an incredibly powerful competition."

"The highest-scoring graduate in Totsuki's history is the first seat of the 69th class, who is now the head chef of Totsuki Resort, Gin Dojima."

I heard that after graduation, he turned down offers from 800 top restaurants across the country, choosing instead to work at Totsuki Culinary Resort. At the time, this caused a sensation and represented the pinnacle of success for all Totsuki graduates!

When Dojima Gin was mentioned, Kikuchi Sonoka's face showed an expression of admiration.

Almost every student who enters Totsuki Academy has heard of the 69th class of graduates, because of Dojima Gin.

"Dojima Gin was the best graduate of the 69th class, but not the most outstanding."

Bai Yuan nodded and looked at the man who was leisurely working in the kitchen.

When he watched the anime, he thought this guy was amazing, a top-tier character in the series.

Even after being defeated by Saiba Asahi, he only believed it was a plot device, that Yukihira Joichiro deliberately lost the match to motivate his son and help him grow.

"Let me see your strength, Joichiro Yukihira."

Watching the busy figures in the kitchen, Bai Yuan's eyes blazed with fighting spirit.

The main reason I chose to come here today is to see how far the most dazzling genius in Japan has grown since more than a decade ago!

"Not the most powerful..."

But he's the number one seat among the Ten Outstanding Individuals.

Kikuchi Sonoka was a little confused. She looked at Shiroyuki and saw him looking at the kitchen, so she followed his gaze.

"Could it be that he's the person you're talking about?"

Kikuchi Sonoka wasn't stupid either. Connecting the dots from Bai Yuan's previous and subsequent statements, she quickly guessed who the even more powerful person he was referring to was.

The ordinary restaurant owner in front of me?

"That's right, you'll know the specifics once you've tasted it; food is the least deceiving thing."

As they were talking, a noise came from the kitchen, and Soma Yukihira brought a beautifully plated dish to their table.

"This is our restaurant's signature appetizer, fried arrowhead and sea urchin slices. The arrowhead is sliced ​​and fried until crispy, then brushed with sea urchin sauce, resulting in a rich and unique flavor."

Come on, have a taste!

Soma Yukihira placed an exquisitely presented dish in front of Shirai and began to introduce it with great enthusiasm, his eyes filled with anticipation as he looked at the two of them.

"Let me try it."

He took a pair of chopsticks from the side and handed them to Kikuchien, while Shiroyuki picked up a piece of fried arrowhead and put it in his mouth.

The next moment, the fresh taste of sea urchin mixed with the umami of fried arrowhead burst in your mouth.

"The sea urchins here are very fresh. They must have been caught yesterday and delivered to the store today. They taste sweet and delicious and melt in your mouth."

"I personally went to the seafood market this morning to select these seafoods, and peeled them one by one. Their freshness is absolutely guaranteed!"

Hearing Bai Yuan's praise, Yukihira Soma said with a hint of pride.

"The arrowheads were fried to a perfect crisp, cooked to perfection. Food really does taste best when it's fresh out of the oven!"

Kikuchi Sonoka also said with a happy expression, "I never expected to be able to eat such high-quality food in a popular restaurant."

"Right! Yukihira's fried arrowhead and sea urchin slices are my absolute favorite!"

Every time I come here, I order this dish. A sip of wine, a bite of fried arrowhead and sea urchin slices—it's pure bliss.

As newcomers to the shop, Shirabuchi and Kikuchi Enka's arrival attracted a lot of attention.

Everyone was anticipating their shocked reactions when they tasted the dishes prepared by Yukihira and his son.

As for why I'm so looking forward to it.

They probably feel like their child has achieved something, and they can't wait to let others know.

This psychological phenomenon exists.

"Indeed, it's quite impressive to serve this level of cuisine in a mid-range restaurant, but this dish has two minor flaws."

After praising the dish, Bai Yuan paused and began to point out its shortcomings.

"shortcoming?"

Yukihira Soma was puzzled, and a bad feeling suddenly arose in his heart.