Food Wars: Tavern

Late at night, the world was silent. 

It was as if the world had been gently draped in a soft, dark veil.

Stars twinkled in the distant sky, like ancient and mysterious lighthouses guiding the journey of the night.

Moonlight, like water, filtered through the sparse clouds, casting dappled shadows and draping the earth in a layer of silver-white gauze.

On the food street, the streetlights glowed warmly, casting long shadows of the passersby. Occasionally, a few late-night cars would drive by, leaving behind streaks of light and shadow, only to quickly fade back into the tranquility of the night.

The wind, carrying the coolness of the night, gently rustled the treetops, producing a soft, whispering sound.

It was as if the night itself was murmuring, telling stories known only to the darkness.

Most of the restaurants, eateries, and late-night diners had already turned off their lights, with only a few scattered lights still shining. Perhaps these lights were for those who hadn't yet gone to bed, or maybe they were a beacon for some lonely soul.

These lights stood out starkly in the darkness, like the brightest stars in the night sky, offering a touch of warmth and hope.

...

At the tavern, Leonora was surprisingly still eating, having devoured two whole plates of the crab yolk tofu. The long-missed feeling of fullness, combined with the deliciousness of the dish, made this foreigner savor every moment, leaving her utterly satisfied.

"Mmm~"

"That was so satisfying!"

"Only Zane's cooking can truly satisfy me!" 

Still not entirely satisfied, Leonora rubbed her now full belly, her eyes half-closed in contentment.

Then, she quietly sipped on her drink, occasionally glancing over at Zane.

...

His face was clean and delicate, his eyes revealing a passion and dedication to life and work. He always had a smile on his lips, giving off a warm and approachable vibe.

His features were sharp, and his deep, dark eyes sparkled like black crystals.

It wasn't an exaggeration to say that someone like Zane could easily be described as a "handsome man."

In the tavern, he was always diligent, never afraid to get his hands dirty or tired, demonstrating his love for cooking and respect for his customers through his actions. Moreover, he always exuded a calm and wild charm, a quality that even made Leonora stare in awe.

Perhaps it was his magnetic personality that drew so many people to his tavern, making them reluctant to leave.

...

Indeed! With Zane's current abilities—oh, no—with his culinary skills, he could easily conquer anyone in the world.

What made him even more extraordinary was the mysterious air that always surrounded him. No one could ever fully grasp the extent of his power.

Take, for example, his duel with Asahi. The dish that controlled Mana's mind, the "Eight Trigrams of Exorcism," still left Leonora deeply shaken whenever she thought about it.

How could there be such a stunning dish in this world?

And the crab yolk tofu she had just eaten, though a simple dish, was incredibly delicious.

If it wasn't, how could someone like Leonora, a native of Northern Europe, have eaten two whole plates?

It could be said that by the standards of a normal chef, Zane was by far the strongest!

Whether it was his innate talent or his acquired skills, Zane had earned the recognition of Mana, Leonora, Erina, Rindo, and others.

...

"Hey!"

"Zane, aside from salted egg yolk, what other ingredients can be used to create a crab yolk flavor?" 

After pondering for a moment, Alice curiously asked Zane.

"Carrot puree and regular egg yolk will do."

"You can peel the carrot, grate it into a puree, and then stir-fry it with cooked egg yolk to create a substitute for crab yolk."

"Of course."

"This method might not fully replicate the texture and flavor of real crab yolk, but it's an economical and practical alternative."

Zane explained.

Tofu is probably the most humble of all ingredients.

On the dinner table of a Chinese household, there might be many things missing, but tofu is never absent.

After all, tofu has been eaten for over two thousand years, and people never seem to get tired of it, perhaps because it's so versatile and can fill anyone's stomach without requiring much skill.

Whether it's fried, boiled, stewed, or served cold, tofu dishes are easy to prepare and hard to mess up.

Yet, tofu is so commonplace that many people wouldn't expect it to bring anything new to the table.

Every day of the year, tofu always looks the same!

And while dishes like Mapo tofu are famous and widely available, this crab yolk tofu without any actual crab yolk has become a favorite among many.

Especially the way Zane makes it, the dish feels like a refreshing day at the beach, with a few crabs scuttling along the shore.

Yes, that's the essence of summer.

Aside from being delicious, this dish is also highly nutritious.

Tofu is rich in high-quality protein and various trace elements that the human body needs. It can strengthen the spleen and stomach, clear heat, and detoxify the body.

The salted egg, being preserved, retains a good amount of minerals, with its calcium content significantly increased. When paired with tofu, it also has excellent benefits for bone health.

...

[Ding!]

"Host, you have successfully signed in."

[Ding!]

"Congratulations, host! You have received 1,000 food points, a special recipe for 'National Treasure Noodles,' and 50 pounds of special ingredient, Gem Meat!"

"National Treasure," a term used to describe the top talent or outstanding work in a particular field.

When applied to noodles, it signifies a dish of the highest quality and expectation.

In the original storyline, "National Treasure Noodles" referred to a dish representing the great general Han Xin, who was instrumental in founding the Han Dynasty.

Han Xin was called "National Treasure" because, as a military commander under Liu Bang, he demonstrated both courage and wisdom. He mastered military strategies and used them to their fullest potential, commanding a million soldiers with unbeatable success, conquering territories, and defeating every enemy.

He launched campaigns from Chen Cang, secured the Three Qins, captured Wei Bao, defeated the Dai region, destroyed the Zhao state, subdued the Yan state, conquered the Qi state, and killed Long Ju. 

Finally, he surrounded Xiang Yu at Gaixia, leading to the annihilation of the Chu army.

It can be said that during the Chu-Han contention, Han Xin was undefeated in all major battles until Xiang Yu's defeat and suicide at Gaixia.

Moreover, after Liu Bang first took away his military power and ordered him to lead the northern campaign, Han Xin almost single-handedly rebuilt the army and recaptured the Qi region. Such a strategic and military genius was rare in the late Qin and early Han periods.

In the entire Qin-Han transition, there was no one comparable to him, making the title "National Treasure" a well-deserved honor!

...

As for the "National Treasure Noodles," the preparation should be relatively straightforward.

First, mix flour, salt, and eggs, adding a suitable amount of water or alkaline water to knead into a smooth dough.

Then, let the dough rest for a while to allow it to relax and ferment.

Roll out the dough into thin sheets, then fold and cut it into fine strips to form the noodles.

Next, cook the noodles in boiling water, possibly adding water several times to maintain the boiling state, and control the cooking time to achieve the desired texture.

Prepare the broth and toppings according to taste.

For example, lard and fatty meat can be used to create a rich broth, with green onions, ginger, and garlic added for aroma.

Also, prepare various toppings, such as stir-fried crab roe or traditionally stewed meat.

Finally, remove the cooked noodles from the water and drain them before placing them in a bowl.

Add an appropriate amount of broth and toppings, and season with soy sauce, vinegar, or other condiments to taste.

In general, "National Treasure Noodles" have fine, elastic noodles with a smooth and non-greasy texture.

With the addition of various ingredients and seasonings, the dish offers a rich and diverse flavor profile, combining the wheat and egg aroma of the noodles with the savory and rich taste of the toppings and broth.

As a dish with cultural significance, "National Treasure Noodles" not only satisfy the palate but also embody the pursuit of a better life.

...

"Oh?"

"Today's sign-in reward is quite surprising."

Upon realizing that he had received not only the special recipe for "National Treasure Noodles" but also 50 pounds of the special ingredient Gem Meat, Zane couldn't help but pause in surprise.

The Milk Bananas he received earlier had already caused quite a stir in the culinary world.

So he could only imagine what kind of ripple effect the appearance of Gem Meat would create in Japan and the wider culinary world.

Gem Meat, as the name suggests, looks as dazzling as a gemstone.

When this massive piece of meat is revealed, it shines with a brilliant, colorful glow. This glow isn't as harsh as that of ordinary gemstones but has a gentle and mysterious quality.

The entire piece of meat seems to have a life of its own, exuding an irresistible allure.

Under different lighting, the color of Gem Meat subtly changes, like the most exquisite palette of nature.

...

The texture of Gem Meat is unforgettable as well.

The meat is extraordinarily soft, almost melting at the touch of a finger, yet it retains enough elasticity and chew

iness to provide a deeply satisfying eating experience.

This unique texture makes one marvel at the wonders of nature.

When it comes to flavor, Gem Meat reaches the pinnacle of culinary excellence.

It's not just an ordinary ingredient; it's something that can unlock human potential and awaken dormant taste buds.

When Gem Meat is cooked into various dishes, its flavor bursts in the mouth like fireworks, creating an unparalleled feast for the senses.

This flavor is both refreshing and rich, both savory and full-bodied.

As you savor it, you feel as if you've entered a world filled with happiness and contentment.

...

In the "Toriko" storyline, Gem Meat comes from a mammal called the Regal Mammoth.

Regal Mammoths grow rapidly, reaching a length of 50 meters within weeks of birth, though they are about 10 meters long at birth.

Moreover, they grow fast and live long, often reaching an age of over 500 years, continuing to grow throughout their lives.

Somewhere inside the Regal Mammoth's body, there's a piece of meat that combines the best flavors from all parts of its body—this is the "Gem Meat."

This meat, named for its jewel-like sparkle, is extremely rare and considered a top-tier ingredient.

Due to the different individual characteristics of each mammoth, the location of the Gem Meat varies, making it incredibly difficult to find.

But because of its rarity and value, it was not only used for the highest-level feasts in ancient times but also as a material for wedding rings due to its brilliant appearance.

Economically, Gem Meat is extremely valuable.

Reportedly, 100 grams can fetch 5 million yen, and even the less premium parts still command a price of 1.5 million yen per 100 grams.

...

For those with Gourmet Cells, consuming Gem Meat can not only enhance cell levels but also break through the walls of Gourmet Cells, making it a game-changer that dramatically boosts combat power.

For example, in the story, Toriko's maximum Five-Fold Nail Punch increased to 10 after eating the meat, significantly boosting his combat strength by two-thirds.

Such an enhancement is undeniably terrifying.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully purchasing 10 Cream Matsutake Mushroom seeds, costing a total of 1,000 food points. The remaining balance is 0!]

Finally, Zane spent his food points in the Food Shop to purchase seeds for a special ingredient, Cream Matsutake Mushrooms.

Cream Matsutake Mushrooms, as the name suggests, are matsutake mushrooms with a creamy flavor.

Shaped like an umbrella, with vibrant colors, the cap is brown, and the stem is white, all covered with fine, fibrous hairs.

The flesh is tender and thick, with a delicate texture and a rich, unique aroma.

However, this aroma isn't the typical matsutake flavor but rather a sweet, creamy scent.

Yes, just like the Milk Bananas from before.

Matsutake mushrooms with a creamy flavor are incredibly rare.

It's no exaggeration to say that such mushrooms are completely unheard of in the world of "Food Wars!"

Adding a bit of honey to Cream Matsutake Mushrooms would further elevate their flavor, making it irresistible.

...

Without a doubt, in the "Toriko" world, any ingredient can drive people crazy, and Cream Matsutake Mushrooms are no exception.

It's hard to imagine that cream and matsutake could ever be combined.

However, the Cream Matsutake Mushrooms Zane purchased perfectly blend the two, creating a unique ingredient that would cause as much of a stir as the Milk Bananas.

Not only are the Cream Matsutake Mushrooms eye-catching and vibrant, but they also exude an inviting creamy aroma.

It's often said that the aroma of food is the first step in savoring a dish.

Clearly, the scent of Cream Matsutake Mushrooms perfectly embodies the concept of flavor above all else.

[Ding! 10 Cream Matsutake Mushroom seeds have been planted and will mature in 48 hours. Please don't forget to harvest them when ready, host.]

After planting the seeds in the planting space, Zane contentedly returned to his room and went straight to sleep!