The growth system comes at the age of 30

Chapter 314 Coming to Northeast China boils down to one word: food! (5.3K)

It was already 9:30 pm when we landed in Harbin.

After saying goodbye to Cui Wenyao, Chen Jingle and Li Beixing got into the hotel shuttle bus to check in and put their luggage away.

A few days ago, Harbin was so hot that students from several universities couldn't stand it and went to sleep on the lawn outside. This even became a trending topic on social media.

It's a little better today.

It's much better than Jiangbei, at least. The outdoor temperature feels like 25 or 6 right now.

He decided not to stay at the Ritz-Carlton this time. After staying there in the provincial capital last time, he remembered that Marriott International, the idiot parent company of the Ritz-Carlton, had made inappropriate remarks about my country's territory, and the subsequent apology was very perfunctory.

Let's just switch to another one.

It doesn't have to be the absolute top-tier hotel; he can stay in any other five-star hotel, or even an economy chain. He's just worried that Teacher Li might not be comfortable.

They stayed at the Sofitel this time.

Seeing that Teacher Li was yawning and looking sleepy, Chen Jingle had no intention of going out for a stroll. After washing up, he quickly went to sleep and planned to go out to find food the next day.

……

I woke up early the next morning to find it already bright outside.

It gets light earlier here than in Jiangbei.

I patted Teacher Li's bottom to wake her up, so she could wash up and get ready to go out.

Our exploration of Northeast China begins now.

When visiting Northeast China, experiencing the morning markets is a must!

Every area has its own morning market, so there's no need to go to a particular trendy street.

The once-popular morning market street now resembles a tourist attraction food street with a strong commercial atmosphere, and even pre-made breakfasts are now being sold, and not just one or two shops. It can be said that it has basically lost its local cultural style.

Given the long queues for everything, Chen Jingle would only go to places like that if he had nothing better to do.

He and Li Beixing were nearby, and they found a morning market that only locals frequented, planning to eat their way from one end of the street to the other.

The two strolled hand in hand, looking around leisurely.

The morning market was crowded, mostly with locals, and elderly people or groups of elderly people with young children were the most common, with a very small number of young tourists like them.

It wasn't peak tourist season in Northeast China, but the two of them standing there made them stand out from the crowd.

Let's start with some steamed buns!
His favorite is steaming hot, oily beef buns. They have thin skins and generous fillings. One bite fills your mouth with the aroma of meat, and you can eat one in two or three bites.

"Great, delicious!"

Chen Jingle nodded vigorously.

These high-quality meat buns are rarely bad. He watched as the stall owner and his family made and steamed the buns on the spot. The stainless steel bowl containing the beef filling was placed in front of them. The bun skin was so thin that the filling was already overflowing, but they kept stuffing more in.

Two words: Great value!
It would feel even better to eat it on a cold day.

However, you can't eat too much; you have to save room for something else.

Let's have a sizzling, fragrant beef pie too.

It was also made on-site, and there was a lot of beef in it.

Chen Jingle, a country bumpkin from Jiangbei, had never seen such a scene before.

Except for the fact that beef is slightly cheaper this year, beef in Jiangbei used to cost more than 50 yuan per jin (500g). Those breakfast shops wouldn't use that much pork in their meat buns.

The beef here seems to be free.

If he didn't need to save room for other things, he would have liked to eat more.

Li Beixing would only take a small bite of each item before handing it to Chen Jingle, unless it was something he particularly liked, in which case he would take a few more bites.

After trying the famous donkey roll, I was somewhat disappointed.

It's too sweet, and the soybean powder is choking, just like the mung bean cakes I ate when I was a kid—it gets stuck in my throat!

Chen Jingle had previously thought that "donkey roll" was similar to "donkey meat sandwich," both made of donkey meat, but he later discovered that it wasn't.

It was somewhat laughable.

He saw a tofu pudding vendor ahead, and there were quite a few people gathered around. Since he was a bit thirsty, he went over and asked, "Boss, is your tofu pudding sweet or savory?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the uncles and aunts who had initially admired the two men's appearance immediately began to look at them with disdain.

Without a doubt, they're from the South!
In Northeast China, who would eat sweet tofu pudding? That would be a complete idiot!

To his surprise, the proprietress glanced at him and said with a smile, "We can have sweet ones."

Well, it seems that in order to attract and retain tourists, Northeast China has chosen to compromise on whether tofu pudding should be savory or sweet.

There was no way around it; the 60 billion yuan in spending over three days made Xiao Ji next to him drool with envy, saying, "I can negotiate too; my tofu pudding can be sweet too."

After all, its annual tourism revenue is less than 180 billion, while the leader made a third of that in just three days.

Make money, not shabby.

Chen Jingle thought for a moment and said, "Give me a bowl of savory tofu pudding, I'd like to try the savory tofu pudding from the North."

Just one bowl?

"Okay, one bowl will do. And another serving of soy milk and fried dough sticks."

Teacher Li might eat a couple of bites at most, but the rest would end up in Chen Jingle's stomach; one bowl was enough.

"Okay, just a moment."

"..."

After receiving the tofu pudding, Chen Jingle smelled the aroma; the broth smelled quite good. He gave Teacher Li a bite first.

"It's not bad, is it?" he asked curiously.

"It's alright. Although it took a little getting used to at first, it's not bad. It's a rather novel flavor." Teacher Li nodded.

"I'll try too."

Chen Jingle took a bite and, unexpectedly, found it quite palatable, something he hadn't expected from someone from the South.

"It's quite interesting. The sauce is similar to the sauce for rice noodle rolls from my hometown in Jiangbei, but it has added eggs, cilantro, carrots, wood ear mushrooms, garlic juice, and it seems to also have the flavor of chives and thirteen-spice powder."

Chen Jingle's tongue could tell the difference immediately.

Seeing that the people next to him were adding chili oil, he added some too, and it did taste pretty good.

Soy milk and fried dough sticks are nothing special; they're the same all over the country.

After finishing our meal, we'll have a Northeast-style savory pancake, a fried rice cake for one yuan, four ears of corn for five yuan, and a bowl of mutton soup for seven yuan.

Chen Jingle tried them all, consistently demonstrating his super gluttonous nature.

I won't eat the egg burger. You can buy it in Jiangbei, or even all over the country. They're pretty much the same.

Besides the snacks, there are also local specialty smoked and braised meats, which smell delicious from afar.

"You slutty meat sauce, all you know how to do is seduce people!"

Chen Jingle, a meat lover, stared wide-eyed.

However, eating all meat first thing in the morning can be a bit too much. Carbs are more suitable for breakfast. For lunch or dinner, I can just order a smoked and braised platter.

……

Prices in Northeast China are really cheap.

Even in a provincial capital like Harbin, the cost of living is much lower than in Jiangbei, a city that's barely a fifth-tier city.

If it weren't so far from home, settling here would actually be a good choice.

Aside from the bitterly cold weather, it has all the advantages.

Besides, it's cold in winter, but he doesn't need to go out to work. His home is so comfortable with heating, unlike Jiangbei, where it's freezing cold indoors in winter.

Moreover, the city is highly developed, with convenient transportation, affordable housing, decent medical care, and good educational conditions. A score of 300 or so is enough to get into an undergraduate program, 500 or so is enough to get into Jilin University, and a score of just over 600 is enough to get into Harbin Institute of Technology.

Why bother competing head-on with millions of test-takers from the south and east?

Of course, there will definitely be fewer test takers in South East Province in 20 years.

However, the difficulty of college admission is likely still among the highest in the country.

Because there aren't many provinces with positive population growth.

"What are you thinking about?"

Seeing that he wasn't eating what he was holding and seemed to be thinking with his head down, Li Beixing asked him curiously.

Chen Jingle breathed a sigh of relief and grinned at her: "I was thinking about the children's schooling in the future."

Teacher Li rolled her eyes at him and said reproachfully, "It's still early!"

"A person who doesn't plan for the future will have trouble in the present," Chen Jingle replied with a smile.

He quickly finished the food in his hand and continued walking.

……

The morning market doesn't only sell breakfast.

They sell everything from clothes and socks to eggs, fresh meat, hardware tools, and shoe repair shops.

It's basically a large market.

He had forgotten how long it had been since he last visited a market.

There's nothing worth visiting at the market in my hometown; the countryside is almost deserted now.

"Indeed, travel is about going to places that others are tired of to see new scenery."

Of course, travel is not just about seeing different scenery, but more about experiencing different historical and cultural heritages. Combining this with knowledge you've read in books will bring a richer experience to your journey.

Look at Northeast China. From the harsh and cold land beyond the Great Wall to the Great Northern Wilderness, this rich black soil is something Chen Jingle, who came from the barren red soil, envies. Similarly, the high degree of urbanization here is something Chen Jingle, who came from a backward small town in Jiangbei, envies.

To broaden one's horizons is to experience different aspects of the world.

There are also ginsengs for sale at the morning market.

"This is real ginseng? How come it's so cheap?" Teacher Li's eyes widened.

Can you believe a ginseng root costs only 5 yuan?

Could it be a radish disguised as one?

“It’s ginseng, but it’s not very valuable.” Chen Jing chuckled. “This kind of plump ginseng with many short roots is a typical garden ginseng, grown with chemical fertilizers. Its nutritional value is probably not even as good as a radish.”

After saying that, he gestured with his chin: "The pile next to it that is also slightly plump, but with sparser and longer roots, looks a bit better. It's called 'pa huo' or 'yi shan ginseng.' It's grown in a greenhouse for a period of time before being moved to the mountains. This kind is worth a bit more."

A slightly better option is the forest-grown ginseng shown on the red cloth. The best forest-grown ginseng available to the average person is the kind where the seeds are simply sown in the mountains and forests, allowing it to grow naturally. This type of ginseng is characterized by its sparse yet long roots, giving it a more vibrant appearance. Because the growing environment of forest-grown ginseng is almost identical to that of true wild ginseng, ginseng grown in forests for 15 years or more is generally considered wild ginseng.

Transplanted ginseng costs 30 yuan a piece, which isn't very valuable; wild-grown ginseng is slightly more expensive.

The main problem is that their appearance is not very good.

If Chen Jingle wants to buy something, it's more suitable to buy dried goods. They are good choices for making tea, wine, or soup.

It definitely has medicinal effects, but many online sellers are selling cultivated ginseng as wild ginseng, deceiving novices. Some even pass off Saposhnikovia divaricata as ginseng.

It can only be said that not everyone has a conscience.

"When we leave, we can buy some to take back with us."

Chen Jingle said to Li Beixing with a smile.

The ginseng here is relatively cheap, and you can buy good quality ginseng. It's a good choice whether you're giving it as a gift or keeping it for yourself.

If it's for personal use by an ordinary person, you can buy the cheap, wild-grown ginseng residue, which is very cost-effective.

There are also flowers for sale at the morning market, and they're just as cheap.

Upon seeing this, Chen Jingle promptly bought a bouquet for Teacher Li.

"Who goes around eating while holding a bouquet of flowers first thing in the morning?" Teacher Li said reproachfully.

"Look, isn't that the lady over there?" Chen Jingle said with a smile.

The flower-selling auntie glanced at the two of them and clicked her tongue, saying, "This young man and woman are really good-looking. Where are you two from?"

“From Nandong Province,” Li Beixing replied with a smile.

The aunt had a very loud voice: "I can hear your accent a little. Why don't you come in winter? Winter is so much better. It's more lively then, and you can see snow. Last year during the Spring Festival, Harbin was full of you southerners, going to see the Ice and Snow World, skiing, ice skating, and stuff like that."

Chen Jingle replied with a smile, "I didn't have time last year, but I'll come again at the end of this year when I have more time."

"Alright, welcome to the Northeast! Here are two more flowers for you two!"

"thanks, thanks!"

Don't be shy~

"..."

Aside from the food, the most interesting thing is the people from Northeast China.

Humorous, enthusiastic, generous, and outgoing; an excellent conversationalist with a constant stream of topics.

As for bad people, they exist everywhere; it's a people problem, not a geographical one.

……

Many people say that when you come to Northeast China, you must experience the local bathing culture.

However, Chen Jingle was not interested in this at all.

One reason is that I'm not used to it; being completely open with strangers is still too difficult for someone from Jiangbei.

I can't get past that mental hurdle.

Another issue is that bathhouses are places with many strange and unpleasant people. If you happen to encounter a weirdo, you might feel disgusted for the rest of your life.

When he goes out to play, he tries to avoid crowded places and pays attention to his personal privacy.

Food is still the main focus.

Northeastern cuisine was his real purpose for this trip!

Whether it's Northeastern cuisine, Northeastern boxed lunches, or Northeastern barbecue, he hopes to eat something that satisfies him.

I spent a full two hours browsing the morning market, then strolled around the nearby attractions to digest my food before having lunch.

For the main meal, Chen Jingle specifically chose a nice restaurant.

Zhiyin Restaurant.

This restaurant is highly recommended by locals and is said to be the representative of Northeastern stir-fry cuisine in Harbin, especially their sweet and sour pork.

Since everyone says so, I have to give it a try.

The two of them ordered four dishes.

The waitress kindly reminded us, "For the two of you, three dishes should be enough. I don't think you can finish three dishes."

Chen Jingle waved his hand with a smile: "It's okay, I have a big appetite, one is enough for two people. If I really can't finish it, I can take it home."

"alright."

The waitress shook her head inwardly. She had seen too many tourists from the south like this, who were full of confidence before the food was served, but were dumbfounded afterward.

While waiting for the food to be served, Chen Jingle and Teacher Li exchanged a glance and couldn't help but smile when they heard the guests chatting in Cantonese not far away.

It feels like the world is one giant Lingnan region, and you can meet Lingnan people everywhere.

The food was served shortly afterward.

First up is the "Three Treasures of the Earth" dish, which costs 26.8 yuan and is a very large plate.

The "three delicacies" refer to eggplant, potatoes, and peppers. Chen Jingle could tell at a glance that the cooking time was well controlled.

A thin layer of oil shines through the eggplant. Take a small bite of the eggplant, add salt, MSG, soy sauce, sesame oil, and a pinch of pepper—the flavor is perfectly balanced.

Moreover, this restaurant uses a blower stove, which makes sense because the stove has a strong heat that can quickly set the sauce.

It tastes really good and goes well with rice.

Teacher Li picked up several pieces of eggplant.

Northeastern cuisine is characterized by its salty, savory, and savory flavors, unlike Cantonese and Sichuan cuisines which are more particular about taste.

Next up was braised pork heart with tofu sheets, priced at 38.8 yuan, which was also a very large plate.

It's cooked in a pressure cooker, which perfectly blends the aroma of meat and tofu, with a slightly spicy and numbing flavor, probably from hot pot broth or a special seasoning made by the restaurant.

Chen Jingle felt that the tofu was even tastier than the meat; it absorbed the broth very well and was very flavorful.

Salty, savory, and slightly spicy, this dish is incredibly delicious with rice.

Next up was the sweet and sour pork that Chen Jingle was really looking forward to, which cost 46.8 yuan and was quite a large plate.

The price was a bit high compared to other small restaurants or stalls, but after Chen Jingle tried it, he felt it was at least worth the money.

It wasn't bad to eat, but he wondered if it was a quality control issue. He felt that the oil temperature was too low when frying his plate, and the crust wasn't crispy enough.

And this place uses orange juice, which was a bit unexpected, but the taste was fine.

Actually, whether it's traditional 9-degree white vinegar, orange juice, or tomato juice, they all have their advantages; it depends on personal preference.

As long as it tastes good!

The last dish was Demoli stewed fish, which cost 68.8 yuan.

The name Demoli means "ferry crossing" in Manchu. It comes from a village called Demoli on the banks of the Songhua River, and this fish is a local specialty.

This restaurant uses carp.

People in Lingnan don't eat carp much, believing that carp is highly toxic. This belief mainly stems from the fact that carp is considered a "trigger food" (food that can exacerbate certain conditions), and due to the climate in Lingnan, it's believed that wounds are more likely to worsen.

Another issue is the constitution of people from Lingnan. Many people experience heatiness and internal heat after eating carp, ranging from mild fever to high fever.

Chen Jingle, on the other hand, had no taboos.

He doesn't really like eating fish, but he ordered it because it was a specialty dish.

However, the side dishes in this dish are delicious, just like when he eats Wanzhou grilled fish, he prefers the side dishes.

The overall flavor is quite rich. It should be that the fish is first fried with scallions, ginger, garlic and star anise to bring out the aroma, then the fish is fried until golden brown on both sides, then bone broth is added and stewed, and finally tofu and glass noodles are added. Before serving, some minced garlic and cilantro are sprinkled on top, and this brings out the complex aroma.

"However, one thing is still missing. The artemisia."

Artemisia is a plant belonging to the patchouli family. It is a traditional Chinese medicine and can also be used as a condiment.

Adding a handful of wormwood to Demoli stewed fish is a secret recipe that top chefs used to keep to themselves, but now it's being openly shared so anyone who wants to learn can do it.

Fish needs to be stewed until it's very tender to taste good, but the fish meat was obviously not as flavorful as the side dishes like vermicelli and tofu. In the end, after the side dishes were all eaten, Chen Jingle reluctantly picked up a few more pieces of fish meat.

We had four dishes and were very satisfied with our meal.

Teacher Li ate quite a lot, but most of it ended up in Chen Jingle's stomach.

Moreover, the price is quite affordable. If four people come to eat, it will only cost 45 yuan per person. You can't find such a cost-effective restaurant in Jiangbei or the provincial capital.

When it came time to pay the bill, the waiter secretly glared at the two of them as they finished off the food meant for three or four people. He glanced at Chen Jingle several times, surprised that this handsome guy, who didn't look very big, could eat so much.

It’s true that people cannot be judged by their appearance.

After a short rest at the hotel in the afternoon, the two of them opted for a casual dinner at a self-service boxed lunch restaurant near the hotel.

When you come to Northeast China, you have to try the self-service boxed lunches, or at least give them a shot.

You can order four meat dishes for 10 yuan, what more could you ask for?

Even if it were zombie meat, Chen Jingle would accept it, let alone the fact that they didn't use zombie meat, just fresh frozen meat.

As for the taste alone, it's definitely not great, but it's not bad either. More importantly, it only costs 10 yuan!

Even the school cafeteria isn't this cheap!

In Jiangbei, you're lucky if you can buy a boxed lunch with one meat dish and one vegetable dish for 10 yuan.

Chen Jingle's own fast food restaurant charges 12 yuan for a serving of braised pork rice.

A food can be expensive or not tasty, but it cannot be both expensive and not tasty!

After a quick bite, I wandered around, saving room for a late-night snack.

……

Meanwhile, Cui Wenyao worked overtime to finally edit and send out the interview video from yesterday's flight.

"It's done!"

He stretched, went to the video through his personal page, and gave himself the first like.

I'm really looking forward to seeing how much of a reaction this interview will generate.

(End of this chapter)