Everyday Life Starting with Food Wars

The iron wok collided with the stove, and with the action of tossing the wok, the rice noodles in the wok tumbled and rolled in mid-air.

"Holy crap... This kid went to that academy for further studies and came back. The way he flips the wok looks a bit scary." Uncle Takahashi, who was sitting in a chair waiting, was stunned. The flames shooting into the sky reflected red on his face.

When the rice noodles are almost dry and brown spots appear on the edges...

Chen Yuxing picked up the condiment bottle next to him and poured a mixture of light and dark soy sauce around the edge of the pot.

The moment the soy sauce comes into contact with the scalding hot pot wall, the water evaporates instantly, turning into a very rich aroma of soy sauce and caramel, which is what street food stalls call "wok hei" (wok aroma)!

Pour the previously stir-fried, 70% cooked beef back into the pan, and at the same time grab a handful of washed bean sprouts, scallion segments, and chives.

Scallion segments, bean sprouts, and chives can enhance the crisp texture and aroma.

Chen Yuxing turned the heat up to the maximum, took a pair of long chopsticks with his right hand, and, with the help of his left hand to toss the wok, quickly mixed all the rice noodles, beef, bean sprouts, and other ingredients in the wok.

Flames shot into the sky, and the oil sizzled at the bottom of the pot.

Chen Yuxing worked quickly because the bean sprouts and scallions should not be stir-fried for too long to maintain their crispness.

With a swift flick of his left hand, Chen Yuxing poured a pot of bright red, steaming hot stir-fried beef noodles steadily onto a white porcelain plate beside him.

The rice noodles were distinct and intact, and the beef was coated with a layer of caramelized sauce, making it look very smooth and tender. The bean sprouts scattered among the rice noodles also looked very crisp.

"Your stir-fried beef noodles, eat them while they're hot."

Chen Yuxing pushed the plate in front of Uncle Takahashi, then took a towel from the side and wiped his sweat.

Uncle Takahashi's mouth was already watering from the aroma of caramelized sauce.

He picked up his chopsticks and eagerly grabbed a large mouthful of rice noodles, stuffing them into his mouth along with the beef and bean sprouts.

"Phew... It's so hot!"

Uncle Takahashi was panting from the heat, but he just couldn't bear to spit out the food in his mouth.

The bean sprout made a crisp "crunch" sound as it was bitten down.

Next, the soft and chewy rice noodles, along with the rich aroma of the sauce, unfold on the tip of the tongue.

The uncle's eyes lit up instantly when he bit into the beef.

It wasn't dry or tough at all; the beef was so tender it seemed to melt in your mouth.

The slightly charred edges on the outside of the beef provide a strong meaty aroma.

"Delicious! So delicious! I just can't stop eating it..."

The uncle didn't even have time to finish speaking; he used his chopsticks so fast they were blurry, and devoured the entire plate of beef noodles in a flash.

He didn't put down his chopsticks until he swallowed the last bite, still feeling a bit unsatisfied. A layer of sweat had already formed on his forehead.

"Ah Xing! Your cooking skills are amazing! This stir-fried beef noodles are so delicious! The noodles are dry and chewy with a wonderful wok hei (wok aroma)! It's absolutely amazing!" Uncle Gaoqiao gave Chen Yuxing a thumbs up and praised him loudly.

Uncle Gaoqiao walked out the door with the packaged beef noodles, and loudly praised Chen Yuxing's cooking skills to the neighbors who had come to eat.

Later, Mrs. Sato brought her grandson to eat sweet and sour pork, and Mr. Tanaka specifically requested Mapo tofu.

Even a few unfamiliar tourists, attracted by the aroma and Uncle Takahashi, curiously came in and ordered a few dishes.

"Chen Sang! You're finally back!"

Around 12:30 pm, a black sedan stopped outside the store.

Katsunori Okamoto, the TV program producer who recommended Chen Yuxing to study at Totsuki Academy, rushed into the store and hugged Chen Yuxing.

"I haven't had your Mapo Tofu for almost two weeks, and I feel like my life has lost its color! Quick! Give me an extra spicy one!"

Chen Yuxing stood in front of the kitchen counter all afternoon without stopping.

Customers kept coming into the store attracted by the aroma, or regular customers came in to eat after the store opened.

One after another, delicious and visually appealing Chinese dishes were served on the table.

Watching the diners sweat profusely and exclaim with delight as they ate, seeing the genuine satisfaction on their faces from enjoying the food, Chen Yuxing felt happy too, and a smile appeared on his face as well.

For him, running this kind of hole-in-the-wall restaurant, full of the hustle and bustle of the city and the warmth of everyday life, is what makes him feel most comfortable.

……

At 10 p.m., as the last guest left satisfied, Chen Yuxing finally pulled down the roller shutter.

"call--"

He took off his apron and put it on the chair, poured himself a glass of ice water, and gulped it down in one go.

His hands were a little sore, but although he was tired, he also felt very fulfilled.

Chen Yuxing sat in the chair and emptied all the money from the cash register that day, arranging it one bill at a time.

With the "special chef" fee deposited into his account by the Far Moon Resort, he now has a small savings account.

After settling the accounts, clean up the restaurant.

Chen Yuxing went upstairs to take a shower, then sat on the bed and fell into deep thought.

He closed his eyes, his consciousness sinking into the book "The Book of Gourmet" that shimmered with a faint golden light in his mind.

Through this period of training, whether it was completing daily tasks, winning consecutive battles in food wars, or finishing his accommodation training, he has unlocked many recipes for various cuisines in the Book of Gourmet Food, as well as special ingredient techniques. Compared to his previous life, he has improved a lot.

But Chen Yuxing also knew that this was far from enough, as he had not yet gained a deep understanding of Chinese cuisine in "this world".

For example, the Chinese cuisine research group led by Terunori Kuga, although in his opinion it was somewhat incongruous and only understood the numbness and spiciness, must have its own unique strengths since it was able to reach the top of Totsuki Culinary Arts.

Not to mention the restaurants in Yokohama Chinatown and the older generation of Chinese chefs.

"Perhaps we could go out and explore? I don't think I know that other countries haven't changed much either."

Chen Yuxing opened his eyes and tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

Now that we have a week and a half of vacation, why not go out and explore? Let's see what the world of "China" has become, and whether there are any new and different kinds of delicious food.

In its past, China boasted eight major cuisines, each with its own unique style, and its streets and alleys were teeming with hidden talents.

In this world where "the food tastes so good it's like being drugged," could the ancient Eastern continent hold even deeper culinary secrets?

Thinking of this, Chen Yuxing immediately took out his phone.

He opened the ticketing app and quickly scanned the screen.

"Chengdu? Beijing? Chaozhou? Or..."

Chen Yuxing's gaze finally settled on the name of a city.

Guangzhou.

This city, known as the "City of Chinese Cuisine" and the "International City of Gastronomy," is famous for its abundant ingredients, long-standing food culture, and diverse culinary choices. It also boasts a wealth of local specialties and numerous time-honored restaurants.

Whether it's street-side stir-fries or dim sum for morning tea, they are all good choices.

There's also a saying: "Born in Suzhou, die in Liuzhou, play in Hangzhou, and eat in Guangzhou."

"Eating in Guangzhou" refers to the Guangzhou people's love for food.

Chen Yuxing checked the ticket prices from Japan to Guangzhou. They weren't too expensive now, so he bought a ticket for tomorrow to Guangzhou.

"There's still more than a week of holiday left, so there's plenty of time. I can go to Guangzhou first, and if there's enough time, I can go to Sichuan or the Jiangsu and Zhejiang areas."

"Ding!"

Mobile payment successful.

Chen Yuxing got out of bed, walked to the balcony, and opened the window to let in some fresh air.

"Guangzhou... I wonder if there's anything special about Chinese cuisine in this world. I'm really looking forward to it..."

After putting all the clothes he would wear the next day and the luggage he would take into his suitcase, he went back to bed to rest.

Chapter 41 Food in Guangzhou

Before dawn the next day, Chen Yuxing got up, washed up briefly, and after making sure the water, electricity, and gas in the shop were turned off, he locked the door and set off.

The tram wasn't crowded in the morning. He found a seat, took out his phone, and browsed through some information about Guangzhou, such as some time-honored brands, old-fashioned teahouses, and hole-in-the-wall restaurants mentioned by many tourists and locals on forums. Then he made a travel itinerary.

Although it was early, there were still many tourists dragging suitcases in the airport terminal.

Chen Yuxing took out his boarding pass and followed the signs to find his flight.

"Hey, buddy, sorry to bother you for a second."

He was suddenly patted on the shoulder. Chen Yuxing turned around and saw a burly middle-aged man.

The man had messy red hair, wore a short-sleeved shirt, and had a travel bag slung over his shoulder. He looked travel-worn.

"Excuse me, buddy, do you know where the ticket office for the express train to the city is? I just got off the plane and have been looking for it for ages, but I can't find it anywhere." The uncle scratched his head and gave Chen Yuxing a hearty smile.

Chen Yuxing pointed to the passage on the left, "Walk along this road for about 50 meters, then go down to the B area basement level and follow the blue signs to find it."

"Thank you so much, young man, you've really been a great help." The man waved his hand and walked away in the direction the man pointed.

Chen Yuxing stood there, watching the man's back as he raised an eyebrow slightly.

He felt that face was familiar.

"Red hair, that unruly vibe, and those eyes... why does he look so familiar?" Chen Yuxing muttered to himself. "He looks like Soma from the original series. Could he be Soma's dad? Oh well, it doesn't really concern me anyway. I should get going."

He quickly shook his head, put the matter out of his mind, and turned to walk towards the security checkpoint.

The five-hour flight was a bit boring, so he took a nap on the plane after takeoff. When he opened his eyes again, the plane was just beginning to land, and he could clearly see a large area of ​​buildings outside the window.

As soon as I stepped off the plane, the humid and stuffy air hit me directly in the face.

The temperature in Guangzhou is much higher than in Tokyo. As soon as Chen Yuxing stepped out of the terminal, he felt that his collar was a little damp. He went to the restroom to wash his face, then took out his phone and switched the location to Tianhe District, Guangzhou. He found the hotel he had booked and then used the app to call a taxi there.

In the taxi, Chen Yuxing felt a sense of familiarity looking at the scenery outside the car. The streets were lined with banyan trees and rows of shops, each selling different kinds of food, such as roast meat, herbal tea, offal, and morning tea. The air was filled with the enticing aroma of food.

After arriving at the hotel, Chen Yuxing put his luggage away, changed into a dry short-sleeved shirt, and went out.

I haven't eaten all morning, and my stomach is already rumbling. Now is the perfect time to find an authentic restaurant to eat at.

He took out his phone and skillfully opened the Dianping app. A bunch of recommended restaurants in the surrounding business districts popped up on the screen. He swiped a few times and found the first restaurant he originally wanted to go to.

A long-established Cantonese restaurant called "Jumanlou" has a rating of 4.8 and ranks very high on the app. However, the comments from netizens are quite polarized. Some say that this restaurant is a "30-year-old establishment" and a "must-visit restaurant for tourists from other places". Others are sarcastic and say that "only locals can understand the food, so people from other places should not come here" and "it has been declining in recent years. The food is not as good as before. It must be because the kitchen staff has changed".

The more this happened, the more Chen Yuxing wanted to try it. He checked the location and saw that it was still a bit far, so he decided to call a taxi.

"Young man, are you here for tourism?" The taxi driver asked Chen Yuxing, who was getting into the car, in accented Mandarin.

"Yes, I'd like to try the food here." Chen Yuxing nodded with a smile. "Master, have you ever been to 'Jumanlou' restaurant, or do you have any other good food recommendations?"

"Jumanlou is a popular restaurant among tourists. They like to eat there and check it out, but for us locals, it's just so-so. Besides, the chefs have changed several times over the years, so it's not the same as it used to be." The taxi driver shook his head. "But it might be a nice change for you tourists. As for other places, you can try looking in Haizhu or Liwan districts. There are quite a few good restaurants there."

"Okay, I'll go check it out when I have the chance. Thank you, Master."

Chen Yuxing got out of the taxi and looked up at the facade of Jumanlou. The wooden plaque with black background and gold lettering was already a bit faded. It had the three characters "Jumanlou" written on it, and there was a signature next to it, a name he had never heard of before.

Upon opening the door, the interior was quite lively, with about a dozen round tables and booths in the hall, and almost every seat was occupied. Waiters were constantly moving through the aisles, announcing the names of the dishes.

Chen Yuxing was quite lucky. As soon as he entered, he saw a group of customers paying their bill and leaving. He walked over and sat down in an empty seat in the corner. A waitress carrying a teapot quickly came over, tidied up the table for him, and even rinsed the bowls and chopsticks with boiling water.

"Handsome, how many of you? What would you like to eat? What kind of tea would you like?"

Chen Yuxing had been to Guangzhou in his previous life, so understanding Cantonese was not a problem for him. He glanced at the menu and then named a few dishes he wanted to eat.

"I'm alone. Could you give me a serving of sweet and sour pork with pineapple, a serving of poached chicken, a serving of stir-fried beef noodles, and a bowl of today's soup? And for tea, I'd like Pu'er."

"Okay, just a moment, the tea will be served shortly."

The waiter quickly scribbled a few lines on the order form, then tore off the receipt, placed it on the corner of the table, and turned to get the tea. Soon, he brought over a pot of Pu'er tea and poured a cup for Chen Yuxing.

The tea soup is very dark in color, and you can taste the mellowness of aged tea when you drink it. The astringency fades quickly, and the aftertaste is long-lasting.

While waiting for the food to be served, Chen Yuxing glanced around at the other customers, feeling a bit bored. There were quite a few people at this time, including tourists and locals in vests and slippers. Several dishes and tea were laid out on the tables as people chatted, creating a pleasant atmosphere.

In the center of the hall, there was a table of guests surrounded by several people carrying tripods and lighting equipment.

A sweet-looking young female host is holding a microphone and talking non-stop into the camera.

"Good afternoon, viewers! Today, our 'Food in Guangzhou' program team has come to Jumanlou, a restaurant with over 30 years of history. As you all know, Jumanlou's traditional craftsmanship is highly regarded not only by local residents but also by tourists. Today, we'll conduct some random interviews with the diners on site to hear their most authentic feedback!"

After the female host finished speaking, she and the cameraman began randomly interviewing people in the lobby.

Chen Yuxing didn't pay much attention, since his seat was in a corner and the chances of being interviewed were quite small.

Just then, the waiter came over with the dishes he had ordered.

The female host's gaze swept around the room before finally settling on Chen Yuxing.