Chapter 56: Simple Dishes, Extraordinary Flavors
It has to be said that often the simplest dishes can bring surprising enjoyment and satisfaction, and at this moment, the young woman—Shizuka Hiratsuka—was one of the people who could best embody this statement.
The uniquely flavored pickled scallions and the special miso sauce made what was originally a very common, almost home-style appetizer as praiseworthy and unforgettable as those famous dishes served in high-end kaiseki restaurants.
When Ren walked over with a tray, he saw Shizuka eating the pickled scallions one by one, alternating with sips of Hojicha. She was looking around the Restaurant with a relaxed gaze, occasionally letting out a sigh of appreciation that sounded like tension leaving her body.
Ren smiled and said, "It seems you really like these pickled scallions~. You're eating them with quite the rhythm."
Shizuka smiled, her cheeks slightly flushed from the warmth of the shop. "Yes! I haven't had such fresh pickled scallions in a long time. They usually taste like vinegar and preservatives. It seems coming here was the right choice~. Eh? By the way, what kind of sauce is this? Why is it a bit different from the miso dip I usually have? It has a depth to it."
Hearing this, Ren smiled and explained, "This? This is my unique sauce, I suppose. It's a blend of Moromi Miso—which contains whole grains of barley and soybeans—mixed with a little honey and sesame oil. It should suit most people's tastes while adding texture~."
Shizuka nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! You're right! This sauce is truly delicious! It's neither too salty nor too bland, and it has a faint spicy and sweet taste that balances the acidity of the scallions perfectly. I don't know why, but it feels... incredibly fresh. Shopkeeper, you're really amazing~."
Ren smiled and said, "Because fresh vegetables should be eaten with a flavor-enhancing sauce to be even more satisfying. The crispness of the vegetable and the richness of the sauce create a double layering of freshness and umami. This taste is absolutely impeccable, wouldn't you agree?"
Shizuka nodded and smiled, "Yes. Shopkeeper, you're right. Indeed, your Restaurant is not an ordinary establishment. Even the appetizers leave no room for criticism~."
Ren set the tray down. "Don't flatter me yet~. The main event hasn't even started. Here are your side dishes and sake. You seem very tired, so I haven't given you a high-proof sake that would knock you out immediately. This is a Junmai Ginjo, smooth and floral."
Shizuka nodded, looking at the exquisite, pale blue ceramic sake flask in front of her. She didn't know how it would taste, but she knew one thing: the three small dishes on the tray were truly captivating to both the eyes and the stomach.
The three small dishes had three distinct colors: red, green, and yellow. These three colors made the meal look balanced and appetizing at first glance. Her eyes had already told her tongue and stomach to prepare for a feast.
Ren didn't say much more to the young woman but returned to the kitchen to make the Omurice. The dishes she ordered were simple, yet they required precision to elevate them to delicacies.
Shizuka first picked up the small sake cup—an ochoko. She poured the sake from the flask. A rich, mellow aroma wafted up, making her momentarily lost in thought. She leaned in to smell it, her eyes closing.
"Ah~ It smells of cherry blossoms… and melon?"
To verify her thoughts, she took a sip. The moment the wine touched her lips, the sensation was pure elegance. It wasn't harsh or burning. It was just... fragrant.
The fragrance of this wine made Shizuka wonder if she was drinking some magical potion, but she quickly dismissed the idea. The aroma lingering between her lips and teeth was indeed the scent of cherry blossoms, a high-quality brew likely fermented with flower yeast.
"This is truly fine wine… Now, let's try the side dishes… This red one is…"
She picked up a thin, translucent red slice with her chopsticks. At first, she didn't recognize what it was, but after putting it in her mouth, she immediately knew.
She chewed. The resistance was perfect.
"Oh! It's Beef Tendon! I never would have thought!"
Tendon can be called the chewing gum of meats, especially spicy mixed tendon. This dish, one could say, gets more fragrant the more you chew it. The chewy, gelatinous texture of the tendon, combined with the unique flavor of the chili oil, the aromatic boost from the cilantro, and a hint of sweet and spicy from the onions, makes it a dish you'll fall in love with at first bite.
This was exactly how Shizuka felt at the moment, chewing the tendon with delight. It was the perfect accompaniment to alcohol.
However, her curiosity about the other two side dishes got the better of her. She forcibly suppressed her taste buds, which had been captivated by the spicy mixed tendon, with a cleansing sip of sake.
"Eh? This yellow one… is bamboo shoot, right… Is it bamboo shoot?"
Shizuka stared at the slightly yellowish side dish in front of her for a moment. It looked fibrous but tender. Finally, she picked up a few strands and put them into her mouth.
Crunch…
The crisp sound made her pause slightly. Then she quickly chewed twice.
"No way… This is Kimchi! But it's not cabbage! Is this bamboo shoot or…?"
Ren's voice drifted from the kitchen. "It is indeed shredded bamboo shoot, fermented kimchi-style. But there are also some pickled ginger threads inside to add a sharp kick. It's an excellent choice for a drink or a meal~."
Hearing Ren's words, Shizuka smiled and said, "Hmm! It's really very crisp and refreshing. It wakes up the palate. And this last green one, if I'm not mistaken, should be the leaves of some vegetable~."
Ren walked out carrying a steaming plate. He put down the Omurice and said with a smile, "They are Sweet Potato Leaves, blanched and tossed with garlic oil. They're also a very good side dish for drinks—healthy and savory. Well, the Omurice and all the dishes are ready. Please enjoy."
After speaking, Ren turned and returned to his seat behind the counter to continue reading his book. He respected the solitude of a tired worker.
On the other side, Shizuka tried the unfamiliar sweet potato leaves. She was captivated by their subtle sweetness and the garlic aroma. She felt that working overtime today seemed to have been the right decision just to end up here.
After a long internal debate about which delicious thing to eat next, she finally turned her attention to the Omurice.
It sat on the plate like a golden pillow. There was no writing on it—no ketchup hearts or messages—just the pristine yellow egg surface, glossy with a demi-glace sauce on the side. It was surrounded by two small cherry tomatoes, a few carrot slices cut into flower shapes, and a broccoli floret.
The clean and neat presentation made Shizuka's eyes light up. Sometimes, grandeur is not as comfortable to look at as simple and neat. This is true for rooms, for clothes, and also for cuisine.
She picked up her spoon.
"Oh!"
When Shizuka used the spoon to cut open the Omurice, it didn't just sit there stiffly like those sold in cheap diners where the egg is fully cooked.
Instead, it flowed like quicksand. The egg was semi-cooked, creamy and soft on the inside. The slightly glistening rice slowly slid out from the embrace of the egg wrapper, revealing itself.
A burst of steam hit Shizuka's hand, carrying a savory scent that invigorated her tired senses.
Ren glanced at the girl, who had gasped in surprise, and said with a smile, "That Omurice has a surprise for you~."
"Eh? A surprise?"
With curiosity, she scooped up a spoonful of the rice and egg mixture. Shizuka suddenly realized something: the rice in this Omurice was somewhat moist! It wasn't dry fried rice. It looked as if it were risotto-style.
She took a bite.
The rich, savory flavor exploded in her mouth. It wasn't just ketchup rice.
"Eh? This taste is… Beef Broth?!"
Ren nodded and said softly, "That's right. The rice hasn't just been fried; it has been strained and cooked through a rich beef consommé before frying. So the texture will be even better—fluffy but infused with flavor~. And it will be more satisfying with one bite, won't it? It comforts the soul."
Shizuka nodded vigorously, savoring the taste. "Hmm! That's indeed true. It's so deep and rich, yet the egg makes it gentle. Shopkeeper, you are really amazing~. This is exactly what I needed."
Ren just smiled and said nothing, turning a page of his book.
The shop returned to quietness, with only the occasional crisp chewing sounds of the girl eating her side dishes, the clink of the sake cup, and her involuntary exclamations of delight at the deliciousness.
For Shizuka Hiratsuka, the worries of ungrateful students and endless paperwork melted away, replaced by the warmth of a perfect late-night meal.
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