Food Wars, My Dishes Don't Just Shine

There's no way around it; even a special-grade two-star dish is a rare delicacy for ordinary people, something they could never normally afford to eat!

"It's so delicious!"

I had eaten at a restaurant in town before that had a really unique fish offal stew, which was also delicious, but it wasn't on the same level as this place at all.

A stylish young woman, her face flushed, breathed softly as she savored the exquisite flavors of the dish before her, and couldn't help but gasp.

The freshness of the fish and the sweetness of the seafood blend perfectly, and the soup is rich but not greasy, with a hint of the fresh ocean flavor.

"During the stewing process, both the fish offal and seafood absorb each other's flavors, making each bite delicate, smooth, and almost melt-in-your-mouth!"

The man sitting next to her was also enjoying himself, his voice light and cheerful. It was hard to imagine that such a delicious meal could be found in a hotel.

"I still prefer the potatoes inside because they've absorbed all the broth. When you bite into them, the soft outer layer and the warmth inside intertwine, releasing a subtle sweetness that creates a delicate balance with the savory flavor of the seafood."

The girl sitting at the next table overheard their conversation and couldn't help but join in. Compared to fish offal and seafood, she still preferred potatoes soaked in juice; the satisfaction of that bite was priceless!

"It's not just potatoes, but also other vegetables. The sweetness of carrots, the slight bitterness of burdock, the richness of shiitake mushrooms, and the freshness of chrysanthemum greens all dance on the tip of the tongue! In my opinion, this is how fish offal stew should be made. Adding some vegetables makes it much more delicious than pure seafood!"

One local commented that compared to a simple stew that only showcases the deliciousness of fish offal and seafood, adding vegetables not only makes the flavor richer but also adds a touch of freshness to the broth.

"Fish offal stew, fish offal stew, the key part here is the fish offal."

Don't mistake it for just ordinary fish offal; there's a lot more to it than meets the eye!

Take, for example, the pot we're eating right now.

The fish head in this pot is from a carp. After stewing, it releases a rich umami flavor and collagen, making the soup thicker and more flavorful.

There are two types of fish bones used: crucian carp bones and grass carp bones. After long-term simmering, the bone marrow releases its rich flavor, adding depth to the broth. Root vegetables like white radish are also added as accompaniments; these vegetables absorb the umami flavor of the fish bones and add a touch of sweetness to the soup.

Then came the fish skin, the fish meat...

An elderly man also spoke up, tasting the soup while talking at length: "It is precisely the combination of these elements that makes up such a complex and delicious soup base. The person who initially chose these kinds of fish to pair with it was truly a genius!"

"I've decided. I'm going to stay here for a month, until I'm sick of this kind of food!"

Licking the soup from the corner of her mouth, the stylishly dressed girl thought to herself, "This is so delicious, there's no way anyone would want to leave!"

"Indeed, a night in a hotel only costs a few thousand yen, but this level of cuisine would cost tens of thousands of yen during mealtimes!"

The man next to him agreed, and the others raised their glasses as well. The room was filled with laughter and cheerful conversation as everyone toasted each other.

"The plan has been initially successful; now it's just a matter of whether the fish will take the bait."

Seeing this scene in the hall, Bai Yuan crossed his arms. Under these circumstances, unless the other party was willing to admit defeat, he would absolutely not sit idly by!

Chapter 227 Enthusiastic townspeople, you are the true protagonist of this food battle!

　"What a wonderful stew of fish offal! It perfectly brings out the freshness of the fish offal, which works together with the seafood!"

　In the dining hall of Zhuang Huiyuan, an elderly man over eighty years old, with a face like a withered tree and a thin body, looked at the fish stew on the table and couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

　"Whether it's the use of vegetables or the combination of fish offal and seafood, every aspect is interpreted perfectly."

　If the details could be refined further, and the stewing time more precisely controlled, it could reach the level of a luminous dish.

　With his cheeks moving, he chewed all the fish, vegetables, and other offal in his mouth into his stomach. A sharp glint appeared in the old man's eyes, and then he raised his hand and tapped the table.

　"Tell your chef that this dish is very well made, but the fish offal is too soft and mushy. It was stewed for a bit too long. If it were taken out of the pot ten minutes earlier and left to simmer in the residual heat for a while, it would be perfect."

　Looking at the staff, the old man spoke calmly, pointing out the shortcomings of the fish offal stew, before picking up his wine glass and taking a sip.

　After a few minutes.

　"I'm very sorry that the meal gave you a bad experience. I will try your suggestions next time. You are welcome to visit us again."

　Wearing an apron, Tadokoro Megumi quickly walked up to the old man, bowed, and generously admitted her mistake, something Bai Yuan had just mentioned to her.

　The old man in front of me is probably a gourmet with unique insights into food. For this kind of customer, we just need to go along with his wishes.

　"You're a good kid, not stubborn at all. It's a pity I'm obliged to have a food battle with you today, otherwise I really wouldn't want to bully you."

　Looking at the beautiful and refined young girl in front of him, the old man felt a little embarrassed. Bullying the younger girl was something that could only be done once.

　Years ago, he had received a favor from the mother of the Hundred Bird Wings, who promised to help him once in the future. He never expected that she would use it in this way.

　To put a top-tier, four-star chef like him against a girl who hasn't even graduated high school is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

　It seems that the scions of large families are quite willing to fight tooth and nail for the inheritance.

　"You're the food battle opponent sent by the Hundred Torii Gate across the street?!"

　Tadokoro Megumi wasn't stupid. From the fact that the other party accurately judged the hidden flaws in her cooking and then brought up the food battle, it wasn't hard to guess that the other party was sent by Hyakutori Wings to have a food battle with them.

　"That's right, my name is Wang Zhi, a top-tier four-star chef. I have been invited by the Hundred Birds Pavilion to come and accept the challenge!"

　As they spoke, Wang Zhi stood up amidst the surprised gazes of the surrounding tourists, staring intently at Tadokoro Megumi, truly regarding her as an opponent.

　Although his opponent could only produce a top-grade dish at best, even a lion fights a rabbit with all its might, and he didn't want to lose the match due to carelessness.

　"Sorry, I'm not your opponent."

　Knowing that Wang Zhi was sent by Hyaktorii, Tadokoro Megumi's expression changed, and her tone turned cold.

　After all, the other party's purpose in coming here was to seize their family's hotel and drive them all out, so she naturally couldn't give him a friendly look.

　"Not you? Does this little inn have a second top-tier chef?"

　Upon hearing Tadokoro Megumi's words, Wang Zhi's expression froze for a moment, then immediately turned serious as he scanned the hotel room with his eyes.

　I thought it would be an easy battle, that a food war could easily crush an opponent, but now it seems that it is not so simple.

　If someone as skilled as Megumi Tadokoro is willing to stay behind the scenes and become an observer in a food battle, then the person who takes her place must be even stronger!

　Who exactly is this person who went into battle?

　Such a question arose in Wang Zhi's mind.

　"You can choose the theme for the dishes, and the competition will be held between the two hotels, with passing travelers serving as judges. What do you think of that?"

　During the conversation, Bai Yuan walked over unnoticed, speaking as he approached. The guests on both sides made way for him upon hearing his voice, watching everything with great interest, until he stood next to Tadokoro Megumi, confronting Wang Zhi.

　"Who are you?"

　“Just an unknown nobody, but also your opponent in this food battle. My name is Bai Yuan.”

　Bai Yuan spoke casually. Because of his rapid growth, he had been sidelined and few people knew about his deeds except for a few individuals.

　The young, four-star chef in front of him was clearly not among the select few. Wang Zhi was utterly surprised; he had expected to encounter a formidable figure, but it turned out to be just another young man.

　He had never even heard of such a guy. He wasn't some veteran master chef who wanted to graduate. He might be good enough for a regular food battle, but against him, he was no match. There were at least eighty or a hundred master chefs who had been defeated by him.

　It can be said that he is invincible below the Special Grade Five Star!

　“Wang Zhi”.

　Thinking of this, Wang

　Zhi introduced himself again, his face still bearing the same smile as before.

　"I have no problem."

　As for the theme of the cuisine, I had heard before coming that this town is located by the sea and surrounded by large tracts of farmland, and is famous for its seafood and local crops.

　If there are no objections, this time we'll focus on local seafood and native crops to create a dish with local characteristics.

　However, this dish must be original. It may reference some previous dishes, but the similarity cannot be too high; otherwise, it will be considered a loss.

　Seeing that Bai Yuan had asked him to decide the theme, and remembering that Zhuang Huiyuan had once produced a luminous dish, which itself possessed considerable depth, Wang Zhi did not refuse. After closing his eyes and thinking for a moment, he opened them and slowly spoke.

　In his opinion, even if Bai Yuan's cooking skills were excellent, his competition experience was lacking. After all, how old was he? He couldn't possibly be proficient in everything!

　"Great theme, let's leave it at that!"

　Upon hearing Wang Zhi's words, Bai Yuan's eyes lit up.

　He was worried about not having a gift for Tadokoro Mieko, and now, through a food battle with the person in front of him, he could make this newly developed dish the signature dish of the garden.

　"It's morning now, how about we set the time for this evening? An afternoon should be enough for you to prepare, right? If not, we can extend it a bit..."

　Wang Zhi tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table, making a crisp sound. He spoke provocatively, clearly intending to bully Bai Yuan and give him no time to prepare.

　Compared to a seasoned veteran, a newbie like Bai Yuan would need at least a day or two to prepare a decent dish.

　"I have no problem with it. I can start right now, since the final result won't make a difference."

　He thought Bai Yuan would refuse and ask for more time, at which point he could mock the other party for taking too long and thus gain the upper hand in terms of momentum.

　To his surprise, Bai Yuan simply shrugged and strode over to him, looking down at him.

　"Arrogant and conceited."

　Wang Zhi gave this assessment: compared to the humble and polite Tadokoro Megumi beside her, this young man who was only a few years older than her was far too arrogant!

　To prepare an impromptu meal for a competition, leaving no time for thought whatsoever—how little respect do they have for me?!

　Thinking of this, Wang Zhi's face darkened, and he decided to go back and prepare well, at least to serve up a dish that would make it impossible for this kid to ever turn his life around!

　"At dusk, at the street entrance, I hope you won't disappoint me."

　"Each each other."

　After saying that, Wang Zhi said nothing more and walked straight towards the door.

　Bai Yuan didn't try to stop him, silently watching him leave. They casually responded to each other's disdain, then looked at Tadokoro Megumi beside him, waved, and walked towards the door.

　Tadokoro Megumi immediately understood, took off her apron and handed it to the staff member next to her, then jogged after them, and the two quickly disappeared from sight.

　Now that it's just past lunchtime, the kitchen doesn't need many people, making it the perfect time for her to get away.

　“You know the surrounding shops well. I need the best ingredients to make the most exquisite dishes and make them never dare to mess with your shops again.”

　Leaving Zhuang Huiyuan and walking along the bustling streets, surrounded by the hawking of various shops, Bai Yuan glanced at Tadokoro Megumi beside him and said.

　If you're going to do something, do it to the best of your ability. Even though your opponents aren't as strong as you imagine, you won't underestimate anyone because you believe in the winner takes all.

　As the saying goes, even a lion uses its full strength to hunt a rabbit.

　Furthermore, he also wanted to use this dish to enhance Zhuang Huiyuan's reputation, attract more attention to it, and thus bring in more customers.

　The impact of this is profound and will not diminish with his departure; it can be considered a gift he gave to Mieko Tadokoro before leaving.

　“Okay, if you want to buy vegetables, Uncle Zagu’s is the best place. His vegetables are grown in his yard and he uses farmyard manure.”

　Upon hearing Bai Yuan's words, Tadokoro Megumi replied without hesitation.

　As an indigenous person who has lived here for over a decade, she has an incredibly clear understanding of who sells the best ingredients.