Whoosh!
It's glowing!
A red dragon slowly began to rise amidst the misty water.
Its scales shimmered with silver light under the illumination, as dazzling as diamonds.
Then, before Alice could react, a unique aroma, exclusive to shrimp dumplings, instantly burst forth.
Although this aroma was somewhat subtle, its allure far surpassed all the dishes she had ever seen or heard of before!
"It's glowing?"
"And this dragon really... really ascended to the heavens?"
At this sight, Alice Nakiri's eyes went wide, filled with both shock and excitement.
Indeed, this dish was completely on a different level compared to the Rising Dragon Dumplings Erina made last time, reaching a truly astonishing realm!
...
Afterward, she eagerly picked up her chopsticks.
After gently picking up a small shrimp dumpling, she tasted it under Sosuke's gaze.
First, she could feel the delicate and elastic texture of the two different dumpling wrappers slowly breaking in her mouth, instantly releasing the fresh flavor of the shrimp!
Then, the delicious shrimp meat was tender and smooth, with a rich and juicy taste.
The springy texture and mouthfeel perfectly complemented the delicate dumpling wrapper, forming a unique taste experience.
"Mmm~"
"I knew it!"
"How could Erina possibly have the skill to make such a dumpling that ascends to the heavens?"
Swallowing, Alice couldn't help but exclaim.
Only at this moment could she finally be certain that this miraculous dish was definitely not created by Erina, but rather came from Sosuke's hands.
When Erina had thoroughly taught her a lesson with the Rising Dragon Dumplings, she had already vaguely felt that something was amiss.
Later, after careful consideration, she thought of Sosuke.
Therefore, she rushed to the Izakaya tonight, wanting to see the true Rising Dragon Dumplings with her own eyes!
It must be said that Sosuke's dishes always brought her considerable shock.
And this dish, named "Rising Dragon Dumplings," far exceeded her imagination.
It's not an exaggeration to say that it was several, dozens, or even hundreds of times more delicious than the Buddha Jumps Over the Wall she tasted during her first visit to the Izakaya!
Immediately, she still felt unsatisfied and quickly picked up another small dumpling to eat.
"Freshly peeled shrimp is certainly important, but the addition of bamboo shoots and lard will also make the freshness and texture of the entire shrimp dumpling even more prominent."
"Every bite makes it feel as if the shrimp meat is coming alive in your mouth, extremely smooth, fresh, and fragrant."
"Mmm mmm mmm, this dish is simply too delicious!"
Closing her eyes deeply, Alice began to wholeheartedly experience the shock and deliciousness brought by the shrimp dumpling.
...
In fact.
Many chefs who engage in Molecular Cuisine.
Do not actually like the term "Molecular Cuisine" very much.
Firstly, all ingredients are composed of molecules, so why should a dish whose molecular structure has been altered be called "Molecular Cuisine"?
Secondly, so-called Molecular Cuisine does not involve cooking at a molecular level with a microscope!
So, in Alice's eyes, she preferred to call Molecular Cuisine "Modern Cuisine."
After all, its essence is to utilize advanced techniques and equipment, with a better understanding of the chemical and physical properties of ingredients, to cook with more appropriate methods!
Of course, thinking about it that way.
There are also many advanced things in a modern kitchen, such as freezers.
But it was precisely this so-called "modern" equipment and theoretical knowledge that always gave Alice a sense of superiority and vanity.
In her subconscious, she always believed that Molecular Cuisine would inevitably lead the new culinary era in the future.
Those traditional dishes that clung to old ways would slowly be replaced by the power of technology.
However, this naive idea was repeatedly shaken by Sosuke's dishes after she arrived at Totsuki!
"I never thought."
"So his dishes also have this kind that directly ascends to the heavens?"
Beside her, Rindo, who had been silently observing everything, couldn't help but have her eyes flicker.
She often came to the Izakaya, yet she had never discovered that Sosuke possessed such interesting dishes that glowed and ascended to the heavens!
...
"Sosuke."
"Erina, she... she..."
"After tasting the Dragon Whispering Strawberry, she commented that my Molecular Cuisine was flamboyant but impractical. What... what do you think?"
"Is my Molecular Cuisine really that useless?"
Finally, after finishing her meal, Alice began to express the frustration in her heart and her confusion about the future of Molecular Cuisine to Sosuke.
"Cooking techniques, in fact, are constantly progressing with historical development."
Looking deeply at the confused Alice, Sosuke continued: "Just like the Rising Dragon Dumplings you are eating now, when those so-called traditional dishes first emerged, they were also a form of modern cuisine!"
"To put it further, in ancient times when humans ate raw meat, if you used fire to cook meat, that was modernization."
"Those cheap steamed buns sold in cafeterias were also a remarkable technology 2000 years ago."
"Therefore."
"Traditional delicacies are all former Molecular Cuisine."
"I strongly agree with this concept."
"For a chef, it is indeed very necessary to embrace modern and technologically advanced Molecular Cuisine."
"But for now, Molecular Cuisine often overly focuses on the changes brought by technology, while neglecting the inherent essence that a dish should possess!"
"In short, whenever you can make Molecular Cuisine as shocking and delicious as this Rising Dragon Dumplings dish."
"Then, the value and charm of Modern Cuisine will truly be realized!"
...
Innovation!
Sometimes, it is regarded as heresy.
From raw meat to roasted meat, from flour to steamed buns, these are all advancements in cooking methods.
But it seems that from High Soup to concentrated soup, chemicals and technology have replaced food, leading many people to reject and misunderstand it.
Therefore, in Sosuke's personal understanding, Molecular Cuisine indeed has a long way to go, and it is also a challenge for Alice.
"Sosuke, I'm here again!"
At this moment, just as Alice fell into silence and contemplation.
Erina, and Hisako Arato, who was always by her side, appeared again at the Izakaya.
As soon as she entered, Erina actually took the initiative to greet Sosuke.
And on her pretty face, the urgent desire to taste the dishes was clearly evident.
Perhaps.
The current Sosuke.
Has already become very important in the heart of Miss Erina, hasn't he?
Hisako Arato, who was following closely behind, couldn't help but think to herself as she sensed a slight change in Erina.
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