Food Wars, My Dishes Don't Just Shine

"No need to say that. This happened because I didn't communicate well beforehand. It's my fault, so it's only right that I take you back."

Hearing Tadokoro Megumi's words, Kitafuuen became even more embarrassed, waving her hands rapidly like a dog wagging its tail, a blush rising on her face.

To be fair, she didn't do anything to be grateful for; instead, she got herself into trouble.

As a young and talented chef at Totsuki Academy, competing against someone who had been expelled from the school would probably never have happened in his life if it weren't for the fight for the right to use the kitchen.

"Let's go."

"Come right away."

Tadokoro Megumi said as she jogged to catch up, and the two left the hotel together, soon appearing at the supermarket.

"There are so many different kinds of loach here."

Upon entering the supermarket, the two went straight to the seafood section, where they found a clearly divided loach section, with each section displaying the name of the type of loach.

Tadokoro Megumi was momentarily overwhelmed by the sight and couldn't help but sigh.

"After all, it's a famous loach producing area, so it's normal to have a slightly larger variety and quantity. Don't be fooled by the fact that they are all loach; the taste can vary quite a bit."

Standing next to Tadokoro Megumi, Kitafuuen introduced the various loaches in different areas as they looked at them together.

"This one over here is called a true loach. It is distributed in waterways throughout Japan. It is relatively small in size, and its body color is usually yellowish-brown or grayish-brown, with a light yellow belly. Its head is relatively pointed, and its snout protrudes."

The fried loach I cooked for you yesterday was made with this variety of loach, but to be honest, it was quite a hassle to prepare because of their small size.

Seeing the loaches she usually bought, Kitafuuen pulled Tadokoro Megumi aside and started talking non-stop, her eyebrows revealing excitement and joy.

"And this one, the Japanese funnel loach, is relatively small with a slender body. It is an omnivorous animal, often eating small crustaceans, insect larvae, and other animal-based feed."

It tastes a bit like chicken, tender yet slightly bouncy, with a very good texture. I would highly recommend it.

Pointing to the Japanese funnel-shaped loach next to the real loach, Bei Fengyuan continued, "And that one over there is the Yun Che loach, the yellowish-brown loach..."

After a brief introduction, Tadokoro Megumi learned about the characteristics of the loaches currently sold in the supermarket, and then chose to buy a small-sized real loach.

She wanted to give it a try.

After deciding on the type of loach, Megumi Tadokoro went to buy some ingredients that might be needed, and then returned to the hotel with Kitafuuen.

At this moment, Yamagami Ayumi had not returned yet, so they waited and chatted in place.

After some time, Yamagami Ayumi returned to the hotel kitchen carrying two large bags. She glanced at Tadokoro Megumi and said, "I'll use this stove, and you can use the one over there. We'll have Kozono act as the referee later."

Don't worry, whether you win or lose, I'll lend you the kitchen. At least you're not a coward; you deserve to use it.

Whether it was her imagination or not, Tadokoro Megumi sensed a hint of self-deprecation in Yamagami Ayano's words. After saying that, Ayano went about her business and ignored them.

"call..."

Tadokoro Megumi's expression remained unchanged as she silently poured out the freshly bought loach and began removing the bones and internal organs.

Although real loach are very small, they can normally be eaten without removing their internal organs, but that will result in a fishy smell, affecting the taste.

Since it's a competition, we must do our best in every aspect. Even if it's just a small loach, we must handle it perfectly!

Take a basin, pour the real loaches you bought into it, and then sprinkle in a handful of salt.

Because of the addition of salt, the real loaches began to thrash violently in the basin. After a few minutes, all the real loaches died.

"what!"

Holding a small dagger, Tadokoro Megumi gave a soft shout, and the body of the real loach in the iron basin was quickly cut open, with its internal organs and bones falling onto the table.

Because it was her first time processing them, Megumi Tadokoro wasn't very fast, taking about a minute to process one. But as she became more skilled, her speed visibly increased; the real loaches only stayed in her hands for a few seconds before she deboned and gutted them and put them into the basin.

On the other side, Yamagami Ayano chose a larger loach. He skillfully removed the bones and internal organs from the loach and then cut it into thin strips.

Put the ingredients in a pot, blanch them in boiling water, and add scallions, ginger, and cooking wine to remove any fishy smell. After they are cooked, remove them with a strainer and set them aside to rest.

Bei Fengyuan watched the two men operate skillfully, a curious look on his face. He looked left and right, and time passed little by little in the process.

"I've finished making braised loach with hot oil. I borrowed the cooking method from the Shanghainese dish, braised eel with hot oil, combining tender loach strips with rich seasonings, and then adding hot oil to bring out the aroma."

After placing the finished braised loach strips on the bar, Yamagami Ayano looked at Tadokoro Megumi, who was frying tempura in front of her with batter in front of her.

"Mine is almost done too. Please dip it in tempura sauce and enjoy."

Upon hearing Yamagami Ayano's voice, Tadokoro Megumi calmly drained the oil from the mudfish tempura in the pot and placed it in front of Kitafuen.

"Sizzling loach strips and loach tempura, honestly, they both look delicious!"

Looking at the two dishes in front of him, Bei Fengyuan swallowed hard, then picked up his chopsticks and looked at them, but he was in a dilemma, hesitating about which one to eat first.

"Let's eat Ayumi's dish first since Ayumi finished cooking first."

After saying that, Bei Fengyuan picked up a piece of braised loach with hot oil and put it directly into his mouth.

"The aroma of scallions, the spiciness of minced garlic, the fresh spiciness of chili peppers, and the sweetness of sugar all blend together, perfectly complementing the smooth and delicious texture of the loach strips! It's wonderful!"

As Beifengyuan savored the rich flavor of the loach strips on her tongue, she closed her eyes, feeling the deeper layers of flavor spreading and diffusing in her mouth.

The tender, smooth, and bouncy texture allows all the flavors to burst forth with just a slight bite, and it has to be said that this feeling is truly incredibly satisfying.

"The parts that have been drenched in hot oil are translucent, and their aroma is perfectly brought out, resonating with the aromas of other ingredients and becoming exceptionally rich."

Tadokoro Megumi also tasted the braised loach with hot oil and gave it a positive review, saying that overall it had a complex flavor, fragrant and delicious, and was undoubtedly a top-quality dish!

"Hmph, I've been practicing this dish for quite a while, originally planning to serve it as a signature dish, but now it's being presented early for this competition!"

Seeing Kitafuu's expression, Yamagami Ayumi's lips curled up, and he then began to explain.

"It is indeed a good dish, and it should be close to being a first-class dish. But it's not enough; it's still far from beating me!"

Megumi Tadokoro also looked confident, and as she spoke, she pushed her loach tempura forward.

"What? I'd like to try your cooking and see if you have the guts to make such boastful claims..."

Upon hearing Tadokoro's words, Yamagami Ayumu became somewhat angry. This was his masterpiece, truly reaching the level of a first-class dish.

Top-tier chefs are typically found only in famous restaurants, and even top-tier chefs don't always produce top-tier dishes.

For ordinary people, first-class cuisine is already the highest standard when a restaurant entertains guests, but now it is being looked down upon by Tadokoro Megumi.

How could he not be angry!

"Please taste it."

Tadokoro Megumi didn't care about Yamagami Ayano's dissatisfaction; she simply continued to push her dishes forward, letting him taste them before speaking.

Seeing this, Yamagami Ayumi no longer hesitated, picked up the loach tempura and put it in his mouth. Then his eyes widened, his face full of disbelief.

"This taste!?"

"Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, the loach is soaked in delicious broth, and the juices burst in your mouth the moment you bite into it. Is this really tempura?"

Bei Fengyuan covered her mouth, somewhat incredulous. The tempura skin on the outside was light and crispy, while the loach inside was incredibly tender and flavorful.

How can two such distinctly different textures be combined in one dish?!

"This is really amazing! The taste and texture of this loach dish are incredible. Did you really know nothing about loach before this?"

"This is indeed my first time trying it, and the flavor is still a bit off. With some research, I should be able to improve it further."

Looking at Tadokoro Megumi with a complicated expression, Yamagami Ayumi, who had initially felt some resentment at being looked down upon, was now only filled with amazement and admiration.

The fact that the other person could refine a completely unfamiliar ingredient to this level in such a short time is truly remarkable.

If he had any doubts about Bei Fengyuan's words just now, those doubts have completely disappeared now; the other party truly deserves the title of genius.

"You can use this kitchen whenever you're not working."

However, I have one request: when you are researching cooking, I would like to observe and learn from you.

Yamagami Ayumi stated his needs frankly. Faced with such a genius, he really wanted to see for himself and where he was lacking compared to her.

"Sure, as long as you don't bother me."

Tadokoro Megumi hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded in agreement. After all, it was a bit much for her to borrow someone else's kitchen and then kick them out while she stayed behind.

"Don't worry, I won't do that kind of thing!"

Yamashita Ayumu patted his chest and assured him, while Kitafuuen smiled as he watched this scene.

Finally, I see this guy is trying to grow.

Perhaps in the future I can become a chef who can work independently.

"I'll go get you some fruit."

After saying that, Kitafuuen jogged away from the kitchen, leaving the two of them looking at each other in bewilderment. In the end, Tadokoro Megumi turned around and started cooking.

Yamagami Ayumu stared intently at the cutting board and pot, not daring to slack off even slightly in the face of Tadokoro Megumi's extremely skilled movements.

Time passed by day by day.

The decisive moment arrived in the blink of an eye.

"Greetings, everyone. The Summer Selection Tournament Finals are about to begin. Now, please welcome our two finalists to the stage."

The giant screen in the sky displayed the words "Summer Selection Finals".

The area between Moon and Sky is now packed with people. Not only are the seats that have been sold full, but even the corridors are full of people, making it difficult to walk.

This shows just how much attention this summer selection final has garnered.

"First up is Megumi Tadokoro from the port fishing village."

"Secondly, there is the mysterious Chinese transfer student—Liu Yu."

After a brief introduction of the two contestants, Tadokoro Megumi and Liu Yu entered through their respective contestant entrances, eliciting cheers from the audience.

"Keep going, Xiaohui! You'll definitely succeed!"

"Go! Defeat the transfer student!"

"You will win, I believe in you!"

The students around Shiro Awakening, the members of the Polar Star Dormitory, were all cheering for Tadokoro Megumi, raising their hands high with enthusiastic expressions on their faces.

"Sister Liu, let's showcase the essence of Chinese cuisine!"

"Defeat her, and unleash the might of my dark culinary world!"

The transfer students were also cheering for Liu Yu, as she was their only hope as a chef from the dark cuisine world who had made it to the finals.

"Now, the summer selection finals shall begin!"