Chapter 172: Chapter 172: I Suspect Boss Jiang Grew Up Eating Sichuan Cuisine Since Childhood!
Taste of Yore Sichuan Restaurant was packed, inside and out.
Shen Hai brought out some stools for the people queuing outside, forming two lines.
Everyone either played with their smartphones or chatted idly, all waiting to enter the restaurant.
Though it was named Taste of Yore Sichuan Restaurant, it was now more like "Jiang Feng’s Private Kitchen Sichuan Restaurant."
The private dishes of a top chef usually cost, on average, over 800 per person.
Here, you could enjoy a top chef’s private recipes at affordable prices, so naturally, many people came.
In the kitchen, Jiang Feng stir-fried with steady hands.
In the main hall, Shen Hai spoke to the customers, "Everyone, we have too many people today, so the serving time might be longer. Please bear with us."
Hearing this, the patrons did not show any dissatisfaction, but instead looked even more expectant.
"It’s okay, as long as we get to eat," one said.
"Take your time. As long as it’s cooked by Boss Jiang, we don’t mind waiting a bit," another added.
Seeing the customers’ excellent attitude, Shen Hai was deeply impressed.
A top-grade chef truly makes a difference; even the customers’ demeanor is different.
On a normal day, if the dishes were slow to come out, most customers would get impatient. It would be considered good if they didn’t start cursing.
The Sichuan Restaurant had already stopped giving out queue numbers because business was too overwhelming to handle.
After news about Jiang Feng appeared online, it drew in a large crowd of food lovers.
Shen Hai went to the kitchen.
"Boss Jiang, there are too many people. Do you need to take a break?"
"You’ve been cooking all afternoon; that must be tough."
Shen Hai felt a bit bad. After all, with business this good, it was undoubtedly strenuous for a single head chef.
Jiang Feng, however, was quite calm, as he was used to it.
Back at Jiangyue Terrace, he had worked much harder. Besides, Taste of Yore Sichuan Restaurant was just a small eatery with ten tables at most; he could handle it perfectly.
"No problem. Aren’t there still over twenty tables queued up? The sooner I’m done, the sooner I can get off work," Jiang Feng responded calmly.
He always tried his best to meet the diners’ expectations, especially when he was cooking.
Jiang Feng felt that as he cooked more frequently, he would enter a strange state. It was like his mind went blank when driving. He didn’t need to think; his body automatically reached for seasonings and stir-fried the ingredients. It felt pretty relaxing.
「At this moment, outside the Sichuan Restaurant.」
A young man hurried over and asked a customer by the roadside, "Is it really Boss Jiang? Does he still sell crawfish?"
Hearing his question, the customer replied, "The crawfish are small this season; no one’s really eating them anymore."
"Boss Jiang is concentrating on Sichuan cuisine now; I hear it’s quite authentic."
"Sichuan cuisine?" The young man’s interest was piqued. "Then I must have a taste."
He wasn’t yet aware of the gravity of the situation.
The customer calmly said, "Forget about it today. Look at what’s written at the counter: ’Due to an overwhelming number of guests, we’ve stopped giving out queue numbers for today. Thank you for your cooperation.’"
The young man looked towards the counter. A paper sign posted there clearly stated they were no longer giving out numbers for the day. He stood there, dumbfounded.
What the hell?
Can’t even get a number?
What’s going on?
Seeing the young man’s stunned expression, the customer added, "This restaurant only has Boss Jiang as the head chef, and everyone is queuing to order."
"After all, when you can get dishes made by a top chef for regular prices, who wouldn’t be excited?"
"But, I’ve got a suggestion for you: each number can seat four people."
"If you see a table with fewer people, you can offer to pay to join them."
"But it also depends on whether others are willing."
Hearing the man’s suggestion, the young man’s eyes brightened a bit.
Pay to share a table?
That sounds a bit like looking for scalpers at a concert, doesn’t it?
No way, do I have to find a scalper just to eat?
Is it really that absurd?
Still, it’s an idea. I have to try.
The young man looked at the man, his eyes bright with anticipation.
"Big bro, why don’t you help me all the way and let me join your table?"
"I’ll chip in for the cost."
The man immediately shook his head. "It’s not that I don’t want to help you, but my friends are coming soon, and the four of us will be just right."
"You should ask someone else."
The young man then looked towards other customers. "Anyone want to share a table? I’ll pay an extra 100 for the seat."
People came to eat for comfort, and having strangers at their table would definitely be uncomfortable. So, even though the young man was willing to pay to share a table, others weren’t willing to accept the money.
No one responded to him.
"Unbelievable, I can’t even find a scalper!" he lamented. "This is ridiculous!" He sighed in frustration.
Eating a meal is really tough!
There’s no helping it; good things always have to be fought for.
Today’s orders were indeed full. The last orders were estimated to be after 9:30 p.m., which was also when the Sichuan Restaurant closed. There was no hope of getting a number.
Those who had already gotten a number felt a surge of satisfaction seeing the young man’s predicament.
Good thing I came early, otherwise I wouldn’t even have a queue to join!
Jiang Feng was busy in the kitchen.
The Sichuan Restaurant had its advantages; the kitchen was more peaceful. It wasn’t like setting up a stall outside, where many influencers would be filming with their phones, which still felt a bit awkward. Nowadays, any popular place inevitably attracted many live-streamers. It wasn’t a good trend, but there was no way around it.
"Boss Jiang, there are about ten orders left."
"So many people," Shen Hai, helping serve dishes in the kitchen, remarked.
Jiang Feng nodded and smiled. "It’s normal. I’ve gotten used to it."
"Once one regular customer discovers this place, an endless stream of other regulars will follow."
"I’ll try my best to cook; after all, the customers come here for the dishes I make."
Shen Hai nodded. "Yeah, many regulars want to queue for another number."
"I still need to go out and take a look. You carry on with your work."
The Sichuan dishes made by Jiang Feng sold extraordinarily well. Almost every dish had someone ordering it.
Many local regulars originally thought Jiang Feng was best at making snacks. After tasting the Sichuan cuisine prepared by Jiang Feng, they discovered his Sichuan dishes were so authentic.
No wonder he was called a "great chef"—he was the real deal.
Every dish was exceptionally fragrant. Moreover, they weren’t greasy, feeling very refreshing and clean.
"It’s really delicious!"
"I have to come again tomorrow!"
"It’s not easy to get a top chef’s cooking at such affordable prices."
"Sometimes, even if you go to a hotel, you might not get to eat dishes made by such a high-level chef. I really hit the jackpot this time."
"I thought he was a Shandong Cuisine chef! How can his Sichuan dishes be so authentic? They’re completely professional—the most genuine Sichuan flavor!"
The customers discussed among themselves.
The news that Jiang Feng could make authentic Sichuan cuisine began to spread by word of mouth. Local customers gained a deeper understanding of him.
It was an especially lively night in the "Find Boss Jiang Information Group."
Many people left messages in the group.
"Lucky to have gotten a number! So delicious! This Spicy Chicken is the best I’ve ever eaten—so amazing and perfectly chewy!"
"Confirmed! Highly recommended, straight from the heart. It’s a real shame if you can’t try it!"
"I suspect Boss Jiang grew up learning Sichuan cuisine from childhood!"
"Everyone says he’s a Shandong Cuisine chef, but I think he’s truly a Sichuan Cuisine chef!"
"Absolutely! The Husband and Wife Lung Slices and Twice-Cooked Pork are must-orders here. Super delicious!"
Many who couldn’t go to the restaurant were green with envy after reading these messages.
"Damn, I went to queue today, but they had already stopped giving out numbers. Didn’t get to eat!"
"I went but didn’t get to eat either!"
"It’s too popular, so many people went!"
"So many people go just for his reputation!"
"Because his food is genuinely delicious! Whatever he makes is delicious. How could they not be drawn to that?"
"That’s what I think too. After watching his videos, I feel like he can do anything, and everything he makes is delicious, so I wanted to try what he’s been making recently."
The people in the group chatted vigorously.
This was just a microcosm; Jiang Feng had now become a frequent topic of conversation for many people in their leisure time.
When Liu Lei got off work and returned home, his wife was cooking and their child was doing homework—a simple, peaceful, and happy family life.
During dinner, Liu Lei said, "Honey, do you know where Boss Jiang is now?"
Liu Lei had previously passed by the back street on his way home from work and bought crawfish, youtiao, and hand-pulled noodles made by Jiang Feng. His whole family especially loved them, and the crawfish made by Jiang Feng had left a deep impression.
Upon hearing the topic of Jiang Feng, Liu Lei’s wife eagerly asked, "Where? Is he still selling crawfish?"
Liu Lei laughed and said, "He’s now the head chef at a Sichuan restaurant, making Sichuan cuisine. That place has blown up these past few days, with people queuing all over."
"Isn’t tomorrow the weekend? I was thinking we could go in the early afternoon to get a number, then do some shopping, and afterwards go eat Sichuan cuisine."
"His Sichuan dishes have a really good reputation; let’s give them a try."
Upon hearing Liu Lei’s suggestion, his wife immediately agreed, "No problem, it’s settled then!"
"Tomorrow we’ll have Sichuan cuisine!"
Their family highly regarded Jiang Feng’s culinary skills. Given such an opportunity, naturally, they wanted to savor the taste.
The dishes Jiang Feng made connected many people and many families, bringing them joy. This could also be considered a benefit to society.