Chapter 476 - 226: The Brave Enjoy the World First

Chapter 476: Chapter 226: The Brave Enjoy the World First

The five-spice braised intestines were delicious on their own, but dipping them in chili powder added a fiery kick. Paired with a slice of garlic, every chew was unbelievably fragrant!

As a northerner, he lived by the saying: eating meat without garlic means you’re only getting half the flavor.

’Braised intestines with garlic... what a stroke of genius!’

’Amazing! Just amazing!’

Thanks to this discovery, the braised intestines had officially dethroned braised pig’s head in his heart, claiming the number one spot on his personal braised-dish ranking!

"Then I have to try," Xia Yao said. She picked up her chopsticks, lifted a piece of the braised intestine, hesitated, and then popped it into her mouth as if she were facing her own execution.

The memory of her last disgusting encounter with pig intestines was still fresh in her mind. But this was Zhou Yan’s cooking, after all, so she held on to a sliver of hope.

The moment the intestine entered her mouth, she bit down gently. The braising liquid exploded, and a rich, savory aroma bloomed on her palate. There wasn’t the slightest hint of any off-putting flavor! ’These intestines were cleaned perfectly!’

The texture was tender and rich, yet it had a satisfying, springy bite. Her teeth sliced through it cleanly and effortlessly.

It was fatty but not greasy, fragrant and delectable. The rich marinade had seeped into every crevice, leaving an unforgettable aftertaste.

’Delicious!’

That single bite of braised intestine completely shattered her previous, terrible opinion of the dish.

’So this is how delicious properly cooked intestines can be.’

’Chefs who don’t clean intestines properly, leaving them tough and unchewable, are truly the worst!’

She served herself a bowl of rice and shoveled in a mouthful. Then, she picked up another piece of intestine, dipped it in the chili powder, and popped it into her mouth.

It was the same chili powder served with the Kneeling Beef. The dip added a fragrant, spicy layer that was just as delicious.

"Is it really that good? You haven’t made a peep since you started eating," Meng Anhe remarked, watching Xia Yao who was engrossed in her rice and braised intestines.

"Auntie, just try it and you’ll see. You know my taste," Xia Yao replied with a grin.

"Alright, I’ll have a taste." Upon hearing that, Meng Anhe couldn’t help but pick up her chopsticks, lift a piece of braised intestine, and put it in her mouth.

’Mm!’

’This flavor is something else.’

The rich, savory marinade combined with the fatty intestines, creating a magnificent burst of flavor in her mouth that completely upended her preconceptions.

That’s right. There wasn’t any off-putting flavor at all.

These intestines were cleaned so perfectly.

She was a bit of a germaphobe and usually steered clear of offal.

Even when they had Kneeling Beef before, she wouldn’t touch the beef intestines, though she could tolerate crispy tripe.

’But these braised intestines are just too good!’

’The texture, the flavor—both are superb!’

"Try it with a slice of garlic. I guarantee it’ll open up a whole new world of flavor," Lin Zhiqiang goaded.

"Garlic is too pungent for me," Meng Anhe demurred, still hesitant.

Xia Yao had already followed his advice, picking up a slice of garlic with a piece of intestine, dipping it in the chili powder, and popping it in her mouth. After chewing and swallowing, her eyes sparkled. "It really is more fragrant! When you eat it with the intestine, the garlic’s sharpness mellows out. It’s really good."

The brave get to enjoy the world first!

One dish of braised intestines, three ways to eat it, each with its own unique flavor.

All of them delicious!

Meng Anhe hesitated for a moment longer but ultimately decided against trying it with garlic.

The plain five-spice version was delicious enough, and she was perfectly happy with that.

Customers at the neighboring tables had been watching and swallowing audibly. They had been hesitant about the new braised intestine dish, but the live review from Director Lin and his family was enough to dispel any doubts.

"Boss! Add an order of braised intestines!"

"We’ll have an order over here too! And give us plenty of garlic slices, please."

A flurry of new orders came in at once.

The regulars all knew Boss Zhou’s tradition: whenever he launched a new dish, the first day’s supply was always limited.

If you were too slow to order, you might not get to try it at all that day.

At the next table, Huang Chen and Wu Liwei were also eating with great relish.

"If it wasn’t a workday, I’d definitely be having a couple of drinks with this," Wu Liwei lamented. "Zhou Yan’s braised dishes are just on another level. I saw the braised pig’s head at that other table looked amazing too. I’m gonna get some to go, have a drink with my old man tonight. And I’ll grab an order of the braised vegetables; my Chen loves the braised lotus root."

"He really does make them well," Huang Chen agreed, nodding repeatedly. Today’s new dish was definitely not a dud.

Shen Shaohua swallowed a piece of Twice-Cooked Pork, his mouth glistening with oil. "I’m telling you," he said in admiration, "it won’t be long before Zhou Yan’s restaurant is famous all over Jiazhou."

The braised intestines were a huge hit. Before the lunch service was even over, all three and a half jin of it were sold out.

"It’s... gone?"

"Mrs. Zhao, you’ve got to tell Zhou Yan to make more! I’ve been waiting out here, craving it for an hour! My braised intestines..."

The customers erupted in a collective groan of despair. The intestine enthusiasts, in particular, looked like they were about to cry.

Making pig intestines at home was a huge hassle, and finding someone who could cook them well was even rarer.

Even at restaurants, you were more likely to get a disappointing batch than a good one.

Zhou Yan had prepared about ten servings for lunch that day, and nearly every customer who tried them was full of praise.

The reputation he had built with his braised dishes was rock solid.

"Ah, that was so satisfying! Getting to eat delicious food every day makes even work feel wonderful." As they left the restaurant, Xia Yao linked arms with Meng Anhe, her smile radiating contentment.

"It’s certainly a lot better than the cafeteria," Meng Anhe laughed. "But with your little intern stipend, you can’t afford to eat like this all the time."

"It’s fine. I still have a lot saved up from the living expenses my parents gave me, plus my New Year’s money. It’s more than enough for the internship period," Xia Yao said with a beaming smile. "I can even treat you guys to meals often."

"Sounds like your mother’s paintings are selling for a good price in Xiangjiang, seeing how generous you’re being," Meng Anhe teased.

"Auntie, that’s just because you weren’t willing to accept that job offer from the Hong Kong joint venture. Otherwise, with your position and skills, you’d definitely have more money than my mom," Xia Yao said, smiling.