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Chapter 18 - Chapter 18: The Small Eatery Hailed as a Food Paradise

In comparison.

Ye Chen's Roast Whole Pig possesses an unparalleled deliciousness, its flavor surpassing that of Peking roast duck by a hundred thousand miles.

Moreover.

Although the Roast Whole Pig is fierce.

It is not an omnivorous or carnivorous animal, but rather a herbivore, primarily feeding on herbs and a strangely shaped Monster Truffle.

The herbs on Hankelira Island are the same as those in the real world, namely rosemary, lemongrass, cumin, basil, and mint.

When these herbs are absorbed by the Roast Whole Pig.

Its meat.

Naturally contains aromatic essential oils.

That is why just the aroma can intoxicate people and greatly stimulate their appetite!

As for the Monster Truffle, it is a unique species from Toriko, though detailed information is not provided.

According to Ye Chen's own speculation, the so-called Monster Truffle is likely a truffle with legs, still belonging to the fungi category, typically growing in pine or oak forests.

During cooking.

Slicing the truffle thinly and adding it to the meat while roasting.

Allows the meat to emit a special, rich aroma combining mushroom and garlic notes.

Therefore, once you obtain the meat of the Roast Whole Pig, even without adding any seasonings, its flavor is exceptionally delicious, surpassing any meat in the real world!

Indeed!

Beyond the fragrance of herbs and Monster Truffle.

The Roast Whole Pig's inherent sweet fat slowly melds into the meat as the blood temperature rises.

This is why, when Ye Chen roasts the Whole Pig over charcoal, one can hear the delightful sizzling sound of the fat!

...

Nothing in the world is flawless.

While the meat of the Roast Whole Pig is indeed comparable in quality to Jewel Meat, it does have some shortcomings.

The meat, though fragrant, fresh, and tender, lacks sufficient saltiness and spiciness, which might make it seem somewhat bland to those with a preference for strong flavors.

However.

This issue.

Is trivial in Ye Chen's eyes.

He uses specially made Chu Hou Paste, Red Fermented Bean Curd, and other Cantonese sauces to create a marinade suited for the Roast Whole Pig.

And when the sauce begins to meld with the meat, the flavor becomes even more intense!

"With just a light press of the tongue."

"One immediately feels the meat's interior, brimming with juices, instantly filling the entire mouth."

"Moreover."

"It must be said."

"Ye Chen, your knife skills."

"Even I, as a gourmet association president, am deeply impressed!"

"After removing the tendons and bone fragments, you actually used that specially made foot-long steel knife, employing the 'one cut, three tremors' technique to slice the meat into willow-leaf-shaped pieces—thin yet intact, uniformly sized, with a perfect balance of lean and fat."

"I estimate that from one jin of meat, you can cut about 150 slices."

"Thin!"

"And remarkably translucent."

"The sliced meat is so tender it rivals tofu."

Bocuse praised with great relish.

This truly moved him, firstly because the flavor of the Roast Whole Pig indeed matches that of the previous Jewel Meat.

Secondly, roasted meat knows no season and no age.

He is already over 70 years old.

Yet, he can still chew roasted meat with ease!

...

Beyond the quality of the meat.

What determines the deliciousness of the Roast Whole Pig is the sauce personally concocted by Ye Chen.

The Chu Hou Paste, made from soybeans and flour as raw materials, fermented and sun-dried into a paste base, then combined with lard, sugar, and sesame, and heavily steamed.

It has a reddish-brown hue.

A rich, fermented bean aroma.

A mellow taste on the palate.

And a fresh, sweet, smooth finish.

Among all seasonings, Chu Hou Chicken reigns supreme, making it a premium sauce in culinary arts.

By blending Chu Hou Paste with Red Fermented Bean Curd and brushing the mixture onto the skin of the Roast Whole Pig,

the aroma of the meat is further intensified under high heat, making every bite an unforgettable experience.

...

After finishing the Roast Whole Pig,

Bocuse leaned back in his chair, patting his rounded belly.

The lingering sensation of the golden, crispy suckling pig still danced on his tongue as he contentedly closed his eyes.

Suddenly, a breeze swept by, carrying a caramel-like sweetness that transported him to an emerald-green meadow, where dewdrops on the grass tips refracted a rainbow of colors.

Just as he was about to take a deep breath of the fresh, grassy air, a cloud of pink dust erupted on the horizon:

Over twenty Roast Whole Pigs!

They charged toward him in unison.

...

"What?"

"Where did all these pigs come from?"

Bocuse's exclamation caught in his throat.

The lead Roast Whole Pig was as large as a carriage, its pink hide glowing with tender meat, the scent of vanilla wafting over with each heavy pant.

Amber-colored lard

dripped like beads between its tusks,

and with every stride, it flung enticing arcs through the air.

"Roar!"

"Roar!"

"Roar!"

The Roast Whole Pigs let out earth-shaking roars, their hooves thundering across the plains like rolling storms.

Staggering backward, Bocuse watched as the plumpest of the pigs suddenly rose on its hind legs, slamming its front hooves down toward him.

At the critical moment,

Bocuse turned to flee but felt the world spin around him.

The "crack" of the hooves and his own "scream" echoed simultaneously.

He was tossed into the clouds like a withered leaf in the wind, catching a final glimpse of a sprig of rosemary wedged between one pig's hoof.

"So this is the true face of the Roast Whole Pig!"

Before his consciousness faded, he hazily saw the triumphant young Ye Chen standing atop the clouds, brandishing a giant meat fork and sneering with the air of a victor!

...

"Ye Chen."

"The aftereffects of your roast are truly intense!"

"After eating this Roast Whole Pig, I'm afraid I won't find anything else tasty for a long time."

Finally jolted awake, Bocuse chuckled and teased.

"Hmph."

"Then come here more often in the future."

"I'll definitely bring out more Fantasy Ingredients to treat you and ensure you're fully satisfied."

Ye Chen replied with a smile.

"I seem to recall you once said that Jewel Meat costs 5 million yen per 100 grams, so the meat in this Roast Whole Pig isn't cheap either, right?"

Bocuse thought for a moment before asking curiously.

"It's cheaper than Jewel Meat."

"Oh?"

"How much is it?"

"Market price is 6,000 yen per 100 grams, but I'll sell it to you for 10,000 yen!"

Hearing this, Bocuse fell silent. Was he really being treated like some naive Japanese guy?

...

In this small eatery,

there were no classes, no status, no hierarchies.

Everything was equal, everything was relaxed, everything was laid bare.

Failed blockchain investments, heavy losses from sports betting, a wife running off with a friend, a leather factory owner fleeing with his sister-in-law...

With a heart full of unspoken words and nowhere to voice them, he came to this little restaurant to speak his mind. Afraid to be unrestrained elsewhere, he came here to let loose.

A bite of meat, a sip of wine, sleeves rolled up, and hearts wide open for boasting.

Exactly!

In the hearts of the French.

Ye Chen's little restaurant was undoubtedly heaven, the truest form of relaxation!

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