Chapter 47
After Mineo served several glasses of drinks to Toriko, the Gourmet Hunter waited patiently while passing the time watching television. About an hour or so later, Mineo emerged from the kitchen, pushing a service cart laden with a feast of dishes.
"Mr. Toriko, sorry to keep you waiting so long. Everything is ready."
"Please, help yourself."
"It's finished?"
At Mineo's words, Toriko enthusiastically tucked a napkin into his collar.
"I've been waiting for this moment for a long time. I'm going to fully experience your culinary prowess, Mineo-kun."
Once Mineo had laid the dishes out on the dining table, Toriko impatiently lifted the cloches. Instantly, a glint of excitement, unlike anything he had felt before, sparkled in both of Toriko's eyes.
"Mineo-kun! The food you've made is just too beautiful! Everything looks absolutely delicious!"
"I can't wait to dig in."
"Is this Oden? I think I'll start by tasting this one."
Seeing Toriko about to reach for the Oden with his bare hands, Mineo gently stopped him.
"Mr. Toriko, please try this one first."
"This is an appetizer—a small fruit and vegetable salad I prepared specifically using the Banana Cucumbers you brought as the star ingredient."
"An appetizer first, huh? All right!"
Toriko immediately shifted his gaze as soon as he heard Mineo's suggestion. Before him sat a salad dish that was exquisitely presented.
After skewering a piece of the fruit salad with his fork, Toriko popped it into his mouth. A second later, his pupils dilated in shock.
"Hmm... this flavor is truly extraordinary!"
"Mineo-kun, you're amazing!!"
"These crispy, sweet shavings on top of the salad... is this grated white chocolate?"
"And this smooth, savory yogurt—it feels like you've intentionally added a touch of apple cider vinegar to it."
"Wow, I can't stand it, I have to have another bite!"
Faced with such delicacies, Toriko found it truly difficult to restrain himself. Watching him devour the salad with such gusto, Mineo said with a smile:
"In addition to the apple cider vinegar and chocolate shavings, I also intentionally added a generous amount of dried cheese."
"The cheese was soaked briefly in fresh lemon juice. This was done so the flavor would stimulate your tongue more quickly, Toriko."
"Mmm... a perfect explanation!"
"No wonder I felt a sensation like an electric current on my tongue earlier; it was that subtle acidity waking up my taste buds!"
"The aroma of the lemon mixing with the cheese resonates freely in my mouth. My appetite has been completely awakened at this very moment!"
Toriko washed it down with a glass of beer, looking utterly satisfied. A moment later, he immediately picked up a skewer of Oden.
"Is this... a fish ball?"
"Yes, those are fish balls made from the belly of the Tuna Octopus you brought. I ground it finely and mixed it with high-grade flour and baking soda."
"The baking soda causes the dough to expand during the fermentation process, creating many honeycomb-like pores inside the fish ball."
"When cooked, the aroma of the Tuna Octopus echoes through every part of the ball via those pores. To enhance the flavor profile, I've also prepared a special sauce for you."
Mineo spoke while picking up a small bowl. Inside was a thick, golden-yellow sauce. It appeared to be filled with countless tiny, transparent grains.
"I specifically simmered these fish balls in a broth made from large marrow bones. Next, Mr. Toriko, you can try dipping them slightly into this sauce."
"This sauce is a caviar made by boiling the fish eggs found inside the Tuna Octopus's body, to which I've added a hint of passion fruit."
Hearing Mineo's explanation, Toriko dipped the fish ball in his hand into the caviar. After placing the morsel into his mouth, Toriko let out another cry of admiration.
"This dish is also truly incredible!"
"The moment you bite into it, the rich broth immediately overflows in your mouth."
"It feels as if my tongue has been completely conquered by the deliciousness of this cooking!"
"The pairing with this caviar is also spot on."
"The sweet and sour notes combined with that fresh, savory aroma are like a sharp sword piercing through my desires for flavor!!
"I have to finish every last bit of this!!"
From then on, Toriko seemed to transform into a ravenous beast. One after another, the delectable dishes were ushered into his mouth.
Black pepper roasted meat made from the belly of a Regal Mammoth!
Seared seafood sushi crafted from Muscle Crabs!
A Mediterranean-style mixed seafood soup made from Fish Fin Mushrooms!
These dishes, personally cooked by Mineo, truly provided Toriko with a level of enjoyment that bordered on perfection.
While feasting on the delicious food, he also enjoyed various types of liquor served by Mineo. Toriko felt as though he never wanted to leave this restaurant.
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