1984: Starting from a bankrupt Sichuan restaurant

Chapter 129 A Genius Among Ten Thousand in the Culinary World! (6.2k words, combined into one)

The pig's head meat, freshly scooped from the braising pot, was still steaming slightly, its surface glistening with a reddish sheen of oil. It trembled precariously in the strainer, looking incredibly tempting.

I replaced the bamboo winnowing basket with a deeper one, with the edges about ten centimeters high. I first laid a double-folded gauze underneath to prevent the braised meat from being scratched by the edges of the bamboo strips and ruining its appearance.

Once the braised meat is out of the pot, it's time to stack it like building blocks. The largest quantity of braised pig's head meat is placed to the side, with pig ears and pig snouts standing upright, and two pig trotters placed in the middle. The small basket is stuffed full and looks quite tempting.

Only a portion of the braised meat was actually taken out; less was sold at lunchtime because it would easily discolor if left outside in the wind. The peak season was in the evening.

"Master Xiao and Master Zheng are fully equipped, and they even hired an assistant. They look quite professional," Zhou Miao said to Zhou Yan as he returned and helped scoop out the braised meat.

“My master and his team have four banquets to hold this month alone, some with as many as thirty tables. They definitely can’t manage without hiring people,” Zhou Yan said with a smile. He had been a temporary helper at Zhou Hao’s wedding last time.

His master knew perfectly well how many people could accomplish what.

Having been a chef in Suji for half his life, finding a capable assistant shouldn't be difficult.

Zhou Yan lifted the winnowing basket and went out, carefully placing it on the small square table by the door. He then saw the Huang siblings slowly riding their bicycles towards him.

"Boss Zhou!" Huang Ying greeted him with a smile.

Huang Bing nodded to him. He felt that calling him Brother Zhou didn't suit his image. When he was out and about, people always called him Brother Huang.

"You've arrived early for lunch," Zhou Yan said with a smile, looking at the two of them.

It's clear that he didn't come in such a rush at noon today. Although his face was still sweaty, it wasn't as exaggerated as it was this morning, as if he had been pulled out of the water.

Huang Ying's eyes were already drawn to the basket of braised meat. As soon as she parked the car, she immediately came over, her mouth slightly open: "These braised pig's trotters look so delicious! And the braised pig's head meat looks so appetizing!"

She loves braised pork, but her family's restaurant doesn't make it!
I usually buy food outside, and I eat at Zhao Ji Braised Food in Chengnan several times a month.

Her father also loves braised meat, but every time he eats Zhao's, he complains while eating, saying that it's not as good as the braised meat made by Aunt Zhang in Suji.

Huang Ying had never tasted Zhang's braised food since birth, so she didn't believe it; she just loved Zhao's.

However, the braised meat that Zhou Yan made looks really good.

It has a bright red color and a rich, savory aroma.

Especially the braised pig's trotters placed in the middle, they're so plump and look incredibly tempting!
"What's so good about pig's trotters? How about cutting up a plate of pig snout and pig ears?" Huang Bing came over, and looking at the basket of braised meat, he couldn't help but swallow his saliva and suggested.

Huang Ying nodded and looked at Zhou Yan, saying, "Then I'll have a braised pig's trotter, and a plate of sliced ​​pig snout and pig ears."

"Alright, I'll cut two ounces for each of you and mix them into a plate." Zhou Yan nodded, a slight smile playing on his lips. He was right to order that; it would be even better if he could pack some for the old man to take home.

In collaborations, whoever takes the initiative first is at a disadvantage in negotiations.

The textile factory was about to close in a few minutes, and there were no customers in the store at that moment.

As the two entered the shop, Huang Bing paused at the door, looking at the large pot that Zhao Tieying was guarding, and asked curiously, "Aunt Zhao, what kind of soup is this? It smells so good."

"This is our shop's signature dish, 'Qiaojiao Beef Soup,' which contains beef intestines, tendons, tripe, and beef. The soup is fresh, delicious, nourishing, and helps to dispel dampness." Zhao Tieying looked at him and smiled, "With your small frame, you should drink a bowl every day to nourish yourself."

When Aunt Zhao spoke with a smile, she was incredibly friendly, making it impossible to refuse. Huang Bing said, "Then give me a bowl to try."

It's not that I wanted to replenish my fluids, it's just that I was a bit thirsty after riding my bike all the way.

Besides, this is a hidden menu item that we didn't get to try yesterday, so we definitely have to try it today.

“Sure, you can find a seat,” Zhao Tieying replied with a smile.

The two found a table near the menu and sat down. As soon as they sat down, Huang Bing stared at the menu on the wall and asked, "What two more dishes should we order?"

Huang Ying watched him start doing the math: "Mom gave me twenty yuan as our food expenses for three days, which is six yuan and sixty cents a day on average. We ate one yuan and eighty cents this morning, so we have four yuan and eighty cents left."

Pig's trotters are 1.2 yuan, braised pig's ears and snouts are 1.2 yuan, a bowl of braised beef with pork knuckles is 6 mao, and we have 1.8 yuan left. Are you going to order two more dishes? Are you even going to eat dinner tonight?

"Mom's so stingy! She won't even give me enough money for the meal." Huang Bing shifted his gaze from the menu to her face, thought for a moment, and said, "You ordered the pig's trotters separately, and you'll be eating them alone later, so it shouldn't be included in the food expenses, right? Let's save the extra 1.2 yuan for dinner, and order... a 40-cent dish of stir-fried cabbage with pork cracklings!"

"You said you don't eat braised pig's trotters, right?" Huang Ying nodded happily: "Okay, then the braised pig's trotters are on me, and I'll also add a serving of stir-fried cabbage with pork cracklings."

"But is this a new dish? I didn't see it on the menu yesterday." Huang Ying stared at the pork cracklings with cabbage at the end of the menu. At 0.4 yuan a serving, it was the cheapest dish on the menu, even cheaper than noodles.

Unfortunately, we don't have enough budget to order meat.

But just eating braised pork doesn't seem to be enough to go with rice, so ordering a cheap half-meat, half-vegetarian dish is just right.

"Yes, it's a new dish that was just served today." Zhao Tieying brought over the braised beef and gave them two small bowls and two dipping sauces.

Zhou Yan also brought out the pig's trotters, the sliced ​​braised pig's ears, and the braised pig's snout.

He overheard the conversation between the brother and sister, so he didn't cut the braised pig's trotter, but just heated it up and placed the whole thing in front of Huang Ying.

The steaming hot braised pig's trotters trembled slightly when the plate was placed on the table, and the aroma was even more tempting than the ones that had just been placed at the door.

Huang Bing couldn't help but follow it, his throat bobbed, and reason made him look away.

They cost 1.2 yuan each, and you have to pay for them yourself.

No no no!

He only has ten yuan a day for living expenses, which he has to cover to gas his motorcycle, buy small gifts for his girlfriend, and treat his buddies to drinks...

I don't have the budget to eat this big pig's trotter.

"This braised pig's trotter is amazing! I'll wash my hands and then I'll gnaw on it!" Huang Ying happily got up to wash her hands.

Huang Bing then turned his attention to the braised beef.

The earthenware bowl was overflowing with meat, with six slices of tender pink beef floating on top, a corner of tripe propped up on the side, translucent tendons that looked soft, and beef intestines. The aroma was irresistible and smelled incredibly fresh.

He picked up a spoon and ladled half a bowl of soup for himself.

He picked up the bowl, blew on it, and took a sip.

hiss!
hot!
The soup, freshly ladled from the boiling pot, was scalding hot.

But...it's so fresh!
After the taste buds on the tip of the tongue are slightly numb from the heat, they are quickly attracted by the umami flavor.

The delicious flavor of the beef bone soup was so outstanding.

This pot contains offal, tendons, and beef—a rather chaotic soup—yet you can't taste a trace of muttony flavor, only a rich and savory aroma!
Huang Bing blew on the hot water and drank it one sip after another.

Delicious!

After drinking half a bowl of soup, I felt warm all over, and a thin layer of sweat appeared on my forehead.

call--

Huang Bing breathed a sigh of relief. That felt so good!
This tastes much better than the bone-strengthening soup that their restaurant has been making for over a century.

He now strongly suspects that either his father didn't learn his grandfather's true skills, or their family's bone-strengthening soup still needs to be practiced.

"Is it really that good? You can drink it all in one gulp even though it's so hot?" Huang Ying sat back down, rolled up her sleeves, and looked at Huang Bing with a puzzled expression.

She had just seen Huang Bing wince in pain from the burn, yet he still couldn't bear to put down the bowl in his hand.

Huang Bing nodded: "No joke, it's incredibly fresh, much better than the bone-strengthening soup in our restaurant."

"Really? Our bone-strengthening soup is something many customers come to drink every week. It's been passed down for over a hundred years. Our ancestors started Feiyan Restaurant with just a pot of bone-strengthening soup." Huang Ying was a little skeptical. She stopped eating the pig's trotters and took a spoon to scoop half a bowl of soup for herself.

She had learned her lesson; instead of rushing to drink from the bowl, she scooped it up with a spoon, blew on it gently, and then fed it to her mouth, her eyes immediately lighting up.

Fresh! Fragrant!
How do you make beef bone broth with such umami and rich aroma?!
The soup looked very clear, but the umami flavor was so intense it was almost overwhelming, making my eyebrows feel like they were about to fly away.

Huang Ying has been a foodie since she was little and knows how to be charming. Her father would take her with him when he visited famous shops and chefs. Although she is only eighteen years old this year, she has tasted more delicious food than many gourmets.

She can tell whether something is good or bad just by tasting it.

This beef soup was indeed fresher and more refreshing than the bone-strengthening soup at Feiyan Restaurant. In addition to the freshness of beef bones and beef, she also tasted some special aromas, which felt like a mixture of Chinese medicine and spices. However, it did not stand out in the soup; on the contrary, it enhanced the freshness and aroma.

Of course, their bone-strengthening soup also has its unique features. It has been passed down for a century. In addition to its delicious taste, its main appeal lies in its bone-strengthening effects, which have won the hearts of many middle-aged and elderly people.

But she also heard what Aunt Zhao said. This braised beef is nourishing and removes dampness; it's also a medicinal dish!
Zhou Yan is amazing!

Not only are their stir-fries and braised dishes excellent, but their soups are also incredibly delicious.

He ate spoonful after spoonful, and soon half a bowl of soup was gone.

Huang Bing remained silent, only accelerating as he ate piece after piece of beef and offal from his bowl.

"Snapped!"

Huang Ying pressed his chopsticks down with her own and said coldly, "These three pieces of beef are mine! I just counted, there are six pieces in total, and you've already eaten three!"

Huang Bing said with a smile, "I'm your own brother, why are you being so calculating? You still have a big pig's trotter to eat."

"Beef is no good, but you can have a couple more pieces of the other cuts." Huang Ying quickly picked up a piece of beef and put it in her dipping sauce dish, coated it with chili powder, and tasted it first.

The beef slices are large, thin, and tender, and they are incredibly smooth and tender, even more so than the brisket cut for hot pot at home!

The heat control is perfect.

And this chili powder smells so good!

With a hint of numbing spiciness and a savory, salty flavor, it's the perfect finishing touch, adding extra flavor to this delicious beef.

This way of eating is similar to that of Lao Ma's Pig Trotters. The soup should be light and delicious, but it must be served with a flavorful dipping sauce. This is the way Sichuan people eat it.

She also tried the crisp tripe, the soft and chewy tendons, and the tender beef intestines, each with its own unique flavor.

"How is Zhou Yan so amazing? He can make everything taste so good?" Huang Bing leaned closer and whispered.

Huang Ying thought for a moment and said, "He is probably a genius among culinary masters, one in ten thousand."

This comment is completely devoid of any infatuation.

She had eaten many dishes made by famous chefs with her father, but in terms of sheer artistry, Zhou Yan's dishes were absolutely in a class of their own.

The cooking time and seasoning were perfectly controlled.

It's really a level.

"No wonder the old man values ​​him so much." Huang Bing pondered. Should he call him Brother Zhou or Brother Yan from now on? There are at least two or three hundred Brother Zhous in Suji Town. It would be better to call him Brother Yan, it would sound more intimate.

Genius, what a rare word.

Of course, we need to establish good relationships beforehand.

He grew up in a restaurant, and he learned about five or six parts of his father's manners and etiquette.

"I'm going to eat pig's trotters!" Huang Ying put down her chopsticks, solemnly picked up both ends of the braised pig's trotters, opened her mouth wide, and took a bite.

The trembling pig skin easily peeled off the bone, and the tendons were soft and chewy. With one bite, the meat juices burst in your mouth, making your soul tremble.

smell good!
One bite of this hot braised pig's trotter is so satisfying! Huang Ying loves braised pig's trotters. She eats one of Zhao Ji's braised pig's trotters every three days, and has been doing so for five years. It's her sweetheart.

She usually buys them cold, so she steams them herself to reheat them. She loves the soft, chewy texture that melts in her mouth.

But today...

Zhao's braised pig's trotters instantly dropped to second place in her heart.

Zhou Yan's braised pig's trotters topped the list.

She suddenly understood the old man's complaints.

The difference in brine is huge!

The braising liquid is the soul of braised food. It gives soul to ingredients like pig's trotters and pig's head, which were originally unpopular, making them loved by diners.

She had always thought that Zhao Ji's braising liquid was excellent, with a rich aroma and beautiful color, and the braised meat was quite fragrant, much tastier than other places.

But compared to Zhou Yan's braised pig's trotter, Zhao's shop instantly became just another roadside stall.

This is definitely a pot of old-fashioned braising liquid. The aroma of the braising liquid is very rich and the spices are perfectly blended. It is fragrant but not greasy, with a slightly sweet aftertaste because it uses genuine caramel coloring.

Huang Ying took another bite, and the more she chewed, the more fragrant it became. The taste was absolutely amazing.

Huang Bing didn't want to eat it at first, but Huang Ying's eating manner was too tempting. The braised pig's trotters looked so soft and fragrant, and they even trembled slightly when she held them.

Unfortunately, I'm short on cash and can't afford a braised pig's trotter for 1.2 yuan.

The factory workers had already finished their shifts, and the textile factory workers flocked into the restaurant, sat down, and ordered food.

"Aunt Zhao, do you still have pig's trotters today? We'd like one!" asked the female worker at the next table.

"Besides the ones we reserved, we have five more. Let me order them for you," Zhao Tieying replied with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Huang Ying raised an eyebrow, reached out and grabbed a piece of braised pig's ear, put it in her mouth, chewed and swallowed it, and immediately followed up, "Aunt Zhao, I also want a braised pig's trotter, a braised pig's ear, a braised pig's snout, and half a pound of braised pig's head meat."

Upon hearing this, Huang Bing's eyes lit up, and he smiled with satisfaction.

She has to be my own sister; I didn't spoil her for nothing when she was little.

But isn't this a bit too much? We haven't even tried their braised pig ears and braised pig snout yet.

"If we add more, you won't be able to finish it, will you?" Aunt Zhao looked at Huang Ying with some hesitation. This girl had a good personality and a sweet tongue, but even if she had money, she couldn't just waste it like that.

"Auntie, save this for me first. We'll pack it up and take it home after we finish eating." Huang Ying said with a smile, "My mom loves braised pig's trotters. I think your braised pig's trotters are so delicious. I want to take some home for my mom to try, and I'll also bring some snacks for my dad to go with his drinks."

Huang Bing stopped laughing.

The affection isn't for him, it's for Mom and Dad.

Bai was happy.

I spoiled you for nothing when you were little.

“Okay, I’ll save it for you,” Aunt Zhao replied with a smile.

In the kitchen, Zhou Yan smiled as the fish took the bait.

Stir-fried cabbage with pork cracklings was served. Huang Bing served himself a bowl of rice, picked up a piece of braised pig's ear to taste, his eyes lit up, then picked up another piece of braised pig's snout and exclaimed, "Braised meat is this delicious?!"

"Don't make a fuss, it makes us seem ignorant." Huang Ying rolled her eyes at him and said with a smile, "The braised pig's trotters are even better. They were specially heated before being served. They're soft and chewy, soaked in the braising sauce, and full of the aroma of braising and meat. The taste is simply amazing."

"Gulp..." Huang Bing swallowed hard, gritting his teeth as he said, "Huang Ying! You're deliberately trying to tempt me, aren't you!"

"One yuan and twenty cents each, that's so cheap! You don't know, Zhao's pig trotters are smaller and don't taste as good, but they cost one yuan and fifty cents each. Huang Bing, why don't you buy one to try?" Huang Ying's smile grew brighter, with a hint of teasing. "Oh, I remember now, you have ten yuan to buy cosmetics for your girlfriend and drinks for your younger brother. If you add a pig trotter, it might not be enough."

As Huang Ying spoke, she took another big bite and waved the pig's trotter in front of Huang Bing's eyes, "Smell it, it smells so good~ I can't resist it."

Chilling!
Huang Bing clenched his fist, made up his mind, stood up and shouted, "Aunt Zhao, I want a braised pig's trotter."

"Oh dear, why didn't you say so earlier? This beautiful lady was the last one to choose." Zhao Tieying replied with a smile, "Tomorrow, there aren't any left today."

“Okay…” Huang Bing slumped down.

Huang Ying burst out laughing.

"What are you laughing at!" Huang Bing rolled his eyes at her. He never expected that after making such a big decision, he would miss out on the last pig's trotter.

These pig trotters are selling so well!

"clang!"

Huang Bing's bowl now contains an extra pig's trotter tip.

Huang Bing looked up.

"Here's a taste for you. Don't worry, I broke it with my hands, I didn't bite it," Huang Ying said with a smile.

"Actually, I don't really want to eat anything..."

"Give it back to me then!"

"Eat, eat, eat!" Huang Bing reached out and grabbed the pig's trotter tip to gnaw on.

Mmm! It smells so good!

The skin is so soft! The tendon is chewy and a little sticky.

Braised pig's trotters are so delicious!

I have to eat one tomorrow!
This little sister, she was well taken care of.

After eating the pig's trotters and washing her hands, Huang Ying also ate a bowl of rice.

The stir-fried cabbage with pork cracklings was alright, not as amazing as the other dishes, just average, but it went well with rice.

For stir-fried vegetables, a standard, conventional approach is sufficient.

No restaurant can make a plate of vegetarian dishes that costs only three or four cents taste absolutely delicious, so how can they sell meat dishes?

After paying, the brother and sister took the packaged braised meat and rode their bikes back to the city.

"Running back and forth three times a day, she'll probably lose more than ten pounds in a month. That's great," Aunt Zhao said to herself with a smile, watching Huang Ying's large figure.

Huang Ying thought the ordinary stir-fried cabbage with pork cracklings was now a new favorite among the workers; almost everyone who came to eat in groups ordered a plate.

At four cents a serving, it's the cheapest among stir-fries and braised dishes!
The portion was generous, and it was very oily.

Among the textile factory workers, there are several who don't miss Master Xiao's stir-fried cabbage with pork cracklings.

"Yes, that's the taste! It's almost exactly the same as Chef Xiao's!"

"The price is cheap, but the taste is just as good! It's much oilier than what you get in the cafeteria, and the cooking time and texture are much better!"

"These pork cracklings smell so good..."

The workers were full of praise, and Zhou Yan was practically wielding a spatula so hard in the kitchen that sparks flew.

With the weather getting cooler, cabbage can be stored for three or four days, and beef brisket is also needed. Zhou Yan usually keeps two days' worth of stock on hand, replenishing as needed.

So no matter how much the customer orders, they can always have stir-fried cabbage with pork cracklings.

Cooking skills are something you develop by scooping and turning the food with a spatula.

A decent stir-fried cabbage with pork cracklings

He is now able to consistently serve meals, and each dish maintains a 'good' standard.

I felt it was right, and I even just cooked a pretty good stir-fried cabbage with pork cracklings.

Zhou Yan felt that as long as he kept cooking intensely every day, his skill level would definitely improve rapidly.

Indeed, practice makes perfect.

The new dish of stir-fried cabbage with pork cracklings will have a limited impact on revenue in the short term, and may even lower the average order value, leading to a decline in revenue.

However, a low-priced dish can lower the barrier to entry for customers to some extent.

For example, ordering a plate of stir-fried cabbage with pork cracklings and a plate of spicy pork liver will only cost 1.2 yuan for three people, which is only 40 cents per person, cheaper than eating noodles.

But once people develop the habit of coming here to eat from time to time, they can't possibly eat stir-fried cabbage with pork cracklings every time. In the long run, it's like attracting a new customer.

This is why many restaurants offer discounted dishes.

A serving of pork cracklings with cabbage costs four cents, but the cost is about one cent, so the gross profit can be three cents, which is a considerable profit margin.

The customers are happy with their food, and he's happy with his earnings—that's good.

He was now hoping that Huang He would come to Suji to find him after he tasted the braised food he made.

Will Feiyan Restaurant become the first customer of his braised food to leave Suzhou?

……

Feiyan Restaurant, first floor.

Huang He and Zhao Shulan sat behind the solid wood counter, looking at the four oil paper packages lined up on it, both showing surprise: "Takeaway braised meat? From Zhao's?"

Huang Ying looked at Huang He and said, "Old man, haven't you been looking into braised meat shops lately, thinking of hiring a braised meat chef or a braised food shop to supply braised meat?"

"Yes, that's a plan. Guests often ask if we should have some braised dishes with our drinks." Huang He nodded. He had discussed this with Zhao Shulan a few times at home, but he didn't expect Huang Ying to have taken it to heart.

"Take a look at this braised meat, what do you think?"

Huang Ying took four plates, unwrapped the oil paper packets, poured the contents into the plates, and placed them on the round table next to her.

Huang He and Zhao Shulan both came over, their eyes lighting up as they looked at the four plates of braised meat on the table.

The thinly sliced ​​braised pig ears are amber in color and dotted with white cartilage in the middle.

The braised pig snout is also sliced ​​very thinly, while the braised pig head meat is a bit thicker, with a bright red color and a glossy sheen, making it look quite tempting.

The most eye-catching dish was the large braised pig's trotter, lying horizontally on the plate, glistening with oil, looking delicious.

“This isn’t from Zhao’s shop, it looks really good.” Huang He looked around and nodded repeatedly. “The chef who cut the braised meat has excellent knife skills. The ear slices should be thin for a crispy texture, but the pig’s head meat should be thicker for a chewier and more flavorful taste.”

"Try it," Huang Ying said, handing him a pair of chopsticks.

Huang He first picked up a piece of braised pig's ear and put it in his mouth. He chewed slower and slower, as if he wanted to savor something, or as if he was thinking.

After swallowing, he picked up another piece of pig's head meat and put it in his mouth. After chewing it a few times, his expression suddenly changed drastically.

　Please vote with your monthly tickets! There will be an extra chapter tonight!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)