Chapter 207: Chapter 207: Surprise Preparation, Delicious Yuanxiao Dumplings!
Jiang Feng’s Lantern Shadow Beef became popular again.
Especially in dimly lit places, Lantern Shadow Beef looked like an exquisitely crafted lantern.
The taste of the beef was good as well.
Since it was fresh out of the pot, the seasonings were fresh, making the spicy and numbing taste even more fragrant.
After taking photos, many people couldn’t help but post them on their social media feeds with the caption:
"Boss Jiang’s new signature dish, Lantern Shadow Beef—the presentation is stunning!"
When many people saw the photo, they immediately commented:
"Oh my God, it looks so good! Which restaurant is this? I want to go too."
"Can’t make it today. Will it still be available tomorrow?"
"Is this a dish? It’s so beautiful!"
In response to these questions, those who had tasted the Lantern Shadow Beef replied:
"It’s available every day, but Boss Jiang only prepared it personally today. I don’t know how it will taste going forward."
Seeing this reply, other people could only sigh.
The dish also caused quite a stir online.
Many who saw the photo exclaimed:
"No way, is this also Sichuan cuisine? The effect is incredible!"
"The lighting really does make it look amazing!"
"This seems to be a famous intangible cultural heritage dish; it was chosen as a state banquet dish a long time ago."
"In the past, without an oven, making Lantern Shadow Beef would take at least three days to air-dry, and it used the best beef, which was very rare. Now, with modern equipment, ordinary people can also enjoy it."
"I just had it today—the taste is amazing! Truly worthy of being made by Boss Jiang!"
"Thanks to Boss Jiang, I’ve learned a lot."
Jiang Feng had virtually transformed into a master promoter of Sichuan cuisine.
Because he was so popular, people paid close attention to whatever he made.
This time, he showed everyone a different kind of beauty in Sichuan cuisine.
Many people’s understanding of Sichuan cuisine was limited to its fragrant spiciness, fish-flavored dishes, and various spicy snacks.
While that’s largely true, as one of the four great traditional Chinese cuisines, Sichuan cuisine boasts many dishes worthy of a state banquet.
Lantern Shadow Beef leans towards being a snack, yet its beautiful presentation led to its selection for state banquets.
After work, Jiang Feng went home to rest.
The business model of Jiangyue Terrace was mature. The manager Jiang Feng had hired was handpicked by him, highly capable, and didn’t require much of Jiang Feng’s oversight.
The restaurant was firmly established.
Jiang Feng heard that Lantern Shadow Beef was trending online and that many people were commenting on the beauty of Sichuan cuisine.
Jiang Feng didn’t think much of it.
Major cuisines no longer need deliberate promotion, he mused. They’ve become a part of people’s lives and will continue to be passed down.
The online clamor was just a small ripple in a vast ocean.
Jiang Feng continued as head chef at the Sichuan restaurant for seven consecutive days.
Business at Jiangyue Terrace was as booming as ever.
Having taken a break during the winter, Jiang Feng was particularly meticulous this week, and he felt quite good about his work.
In the afternoon, Jiang Feng summoned the restaurant manager, Wang Liang.
Wang Liang was someone he had specifically chosen for his restaurant management experience, his decisive and efficient work style, and his integrity.
Jiang Feng had actually used a headhunter at the time and selected Wang Liang from many candidates.
After all, as a boss, he definitely needed to employ people.
"Tomorrow is the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. The local custom is to eat tangyuan (sweet glutinous rice balls), right?" Jiang Feng asked Wang Liang.
Wang Liang nodded. "Yes, people do like to eat tangyuan."
"Alright then. Tomorrow, give every table of guests a complimentary serving of tangyuan." Jiang Feng then added, "It’ll be free, as part of the grand opening celebration."
"Okay, I’ll write it on the announcement board right away," Wang Liang said.
The next day, while business at Jiangyue Terrace wasn’t as explosive as the previous few days, many people still came.
The prices at the establishment were affordable, not much more expensive than smaller restaurants.
Therefore, people really liked dining there.
By everyone’s calculation, today was Jiang Feng’s eighth day as head chef, which likely meant he wouldn’t be cooking anymore.
But upon entering the restaurant, everyone still saw the sign:
Today’s Star Chef: Jiang Feng
Featured Dish: Tangyuan (Complimentary)
The guests were pleasantly surprised.
Someone asked a passing server, "Is Boss Jiang still the head chef today?"
The server, already aware of the restaurant’s plans, smiled and explained, "Yes, the boss is still cooking today. He’s making tangyuan."
"Any customer who dines here will get a complimentary bowl of tangyuan."
"It’s the Lantern Festival, after all! This is part of our grand opening celebration."
Hearing this, the guests were even happier.
Could this be true? A free bowl of tangyuan, personally made by Boss Jiang? This is exceptionally good treatment! It has to be Jiangyue Terrace; they really know how to do business!
At that moment, Jiang Feng was already in the kitchen, busy preparing tangyuan.
For him, making tangyuan was even simpler.
He brought a large pot of water to a boil, added tangyuan and jujubes, then later, fermented glutinous rice and white sugar, finally stirring in a starch slurry to thicken it.
Just before taking it off the heat, he drizzled in beaten egg, stirred a few times, and sprinkled a few goji berries on top.
This was the traditional way to eat tangyuan.
But since this was Chengdu, a city renowned for its snacks, the preparation of tangyuan was bound to be more creative.
Jiang Feng had also prepared some new ways to enjoy them:
For instance, coffee tangyuan.
Simply put, the tangyuan were boiled until cooked, placed in a bowl, and then drizzled with coffee.
It looked pitch-black, somewhat like an experimental dish, but it tasted wonderful, and it was a favorite among young people.
There was also stir-fried tangyuan.
This method truly tested one’s cooking skills.
Some people tried to follow online tutorials, only to end up with burnt, blackened results.
Properly stir-fried, they should only be a light golden-brown.
And so, Jiang Feng kept busy in the kitchen.
Meanwhile, journalist Guo Li, after a long day, arrived at Jiangyue Terrace with her cameraman, Xiao Sun.
She had just finished an interview with an elderly person living alone.
In a city like this, there usually wasn’t much major news, just trivial matters to report.
Guo Li now wanted to work for a bigger news platform, preferably one that would allow her to travel across the country.
She loved uncovering truths that others hadn’t noticed, or presenting authentic scenes to her audience.
After the two entered Jiangyue Terrace, they looked up.
Xiao Sun exclaimed with surprise, "Sister Li, Boss Jiang is still here today! And they’re giving away free tangyuan!"
Hearing Xiao Sun, Guo Li looked up.
Sure enough, Jiang Feng was still the head chef today.
Jiangyue Terrace had been too crowded the past few days, and they couldn’t get a table. Guo Li had also been busy, so she hadn’t come.
She hadn’t expected to catch Jiang Feng still cooking on the day she finally came.
He’s still here? I thought he wouldn’t be, Guo Li mused. What a coincidence.
A slight smile touched her lips.
Jiang Feng had left a deep impression on her.
People who genuinely love something are rare, she thought. Take me, for example. I love being a journalist—interviewing, investigating, and showing people the truth. And I can see that Jiang Feng genuinely loves cooking, whether it’s snacks or elaborate dishes. He truly enjoys seeing diners satisfied. That’s why I admire him.
Guo Li and Xiao Sun found a table.
A server came over. "Today we’re offering complimentary tangyuan, with several flavors to choose from."
"We have classic plain boiled tangyuan, tangyuan with fermented glutinous rice, jujubes, and goji berries, coffee tangyuan, and stir-fried tangyuan."
Hearing the options, Guo Li replied, "I’ll have the coffee tangyuan."
Xiao Sun said, "I want the stir-fried tangyuan."
Then, they also ordered a beef tripe hotpot and a dish of Fuqi Feipian (husband-and-wife lung slices).
While chatting, Xiao Sun asked, "Sister Li, you seem a bit down. Is something bothering you?"
Guo Li looked at Xiao Sun and smiled faintly. She seemed about to say something but then decided against it.
She wanted to tell him she’d sent her resume to several news companies in Capital City and two in Shanghai, all national outlets. She didn’t want to just cover minor local stories anymore. She yearned for a bigger stage. But it was better not to mention this to colleagues; it wouldn’t be good if word got out.
"It’s nothing. I just felt a bit sad for the elderly person I interviewed today, being all alone on the Lantern Festival," Guo Li said casually.
"Yeah, you’re right. Left-behind elderly and seniors living alone are major social problems these days," Xiao Sun agreed.
The Lantern Festival was very lively.
Many customers were coming and going.
The tables were nearly full, mostly with families out celebrating together.
Everyone was delighted to hear there were free tangyuan.
It was a festive occasion.
Soon, the coffee tangyuan Guo Li had ordered arrived.
A bowl of tangyuan was enveloped in coffee, looking pitch-black. Its color wasn’t particularly appealing.
It wasn’t a chocolate-brown; the black against the white of the tangyuan resembled ink.
Guo Li scooped one up and took a bite.
It tasted quite good.
The tangyuan were thoroughly cooked, soft and glutinous without being sticky. The coffee was fragrant, made from a high-quality brew.
Eating Jiang Feng’s food was still such a pleasure, Guo Li thought. She ate quietly, pondering her future. I’ve decided. I’m going to take the leap. Just like Jiang Feng.