A small rectangular white porcelain plate was filled with agate-colored crystal braised pork sliced into pieces and arranged like a book. Very thin slices of ginger were dotted on top, and a small dish of fragrant vinegar was placed on the side.
Crystal braised pork is another dish that Zhuang Zhebin is not unfamiliar with.
It can be said that Zhuang Zhebin grew up with his grandfather and father in his great-grandfather's kitchen since he was a child, so he is no stranger to braised pork.
Because now, with the state banquet dishes being made public, restaurants of all sizes across the country will actually serve a dish of braised meat as a cold dish.
However, the braised meat used on most hotel tables may be industrially mass-produced braised meat.
Zhuang Zhebin had seen his great-grandfather cook it in his great-grandfather’s restaurant, and he had also seen meat dishes made by some top chefs in some well-known restaurants with his grandfather and father.
If it was before he had eaten Yi Fu noodles, Zhuang Zhebin might still have looked down on it, thinking that braised pork was too common.
But now Zhuang Zhebin would not have the slightest disdain, because he had seen from his great-grandfather's eyes that Su Ji's Braised Pork was unique.
What's the difference
In fact, Zhuang Zhebin could probably guess it.
As the saying goes, “The quality of a cooked dish depends on the quality of its sauce.”
Obviously, the special thing about Su Ji’s crystal braised pork is the old sauce they use.
After observing carefully, Zhuang Daozhong raised his chopsticks, gently selected some, and finally picked up the last piece on the plate.
This piece of braised pork is pure lean meat with a thin bone attached to it.
Zhuang Daozhong looked at Su Jinrong and said, "Jinrong, your son-in-law is a little too polite. I really can't bear the extra candlestick you gave me."
Crystal braised pork can be divided into four types according to the level of lean meat: eyes, jade belt hooks, triangular edges, and lamp sticks.
The four different names of crystal braised pork are named after the shape of the lean meat.
As for the fourth type, which is made of pure lean meat, but contains a thin bone, it is naturally very rare. In the past, some teahouses in Jiangnan used to insert a thin chicken bone instead because it was difficult to obtain this kind of meat.
Because lamp sticks are rare and precious, they are usually reserved for the most distinguished guests in teahouses and restaurants.
Today, when Feng Yifan served a dish of meat to Zhuang Daozhong, there was actually a piece of lantern stick inside, which surprised the old man.
It was the first time that Zhuang Zhebin saw him, so he couldn't help but get close to his great-grandfather and observe him carefully.
Zhuang Daozhong looked at his great-grandson and asked with a smile, "How is it? Are you convinced now? Have you seen the specialness of Su Ji?"
Zhuang Zhebin also nodded subconsciously.
Zhuang Daozhong then said, "Okay, try it."
Zhuang Zhebin came back to his senses and reluctantly took his eyes off the lamp stick on his great-grandfather's chopsticks. He picked up a piece of jade belt hook dish and put it directly into his mouth without adding shredded ginger or vinegar.
Fragrant, fresh, crispy and tender, the taste of standard braised pork bursts out in Zhuang Zhebin's mouth.
The taste is really good, with the meat being fat but not greasy and crispy but not mushy.
After chewing, when the overall aroma of the braised meat came out, Zhuang Zhebin finally tasted a taste that was different from that of his great-grandfather and other major restaurants and hotels.
The combination of texture and taste brought such a delicious enjoyment that Zhuang Zhebin squinted his eyes unconsciously.
This is what delicious food is.
A treat on the tip of your tongue.
A soft and gentle beauty.
Just like the hazy scenery in the mist and rain between the Yangtze River and the Huai River, the charm of landscape calligraphy and painting, at this moment it blooms warmly between the lips and teeth.
After eating one piece, Zhuang Zhebin couldn't help but want to pick up another piece.
Zhuang Daozhong next to him was also ready to eat the second piece. This time he put some shredded ginger together, and then lightly dipped it in a little balsamic vinegar and put it into his mouth.
The slight flavor of shredded ginger, paired with the flavor of balsamic vinegar, and mixed with the flavor of the braised pork, is another picture on the tip of your tongue.
The grandparents and grandchildren were eating with great relish, which attracted the attention of the diners at the next table.
Soon a customer said to Su Ruoxi, "Madam Boss, is that braised pork made in-house? Can I order it?"
Su Ruoxi responded, "Yes, it's made by my husband himself, you can order it."
While having breakfast in the morning, Feng Yifan had already shared the prepared braised meat with his family, and also asked his wife to add the braised meat to the lunch side dishes.
The diners didn’t notice it before, but now seeing the old and the young enjoying the delicious food, naturally some people couldn’t help but order some.
Su Ruoxi also wrote down the order and then went to the kitchen to tell her husband.
Soon, Feng Yifan served the crystal braised pork to other tables. They were all served on rectangular plates, topped with shredded ginger and served with a dish of fragrant vinegar.
While people were ordering the crystal braised pork one after another, Zhuang Daozhong and his friends had already finished eating.
Zhuang Daozhong couldn't help but sigh: "It's worthy of being called 'Bright Red Tender Frozen Crystal Dish', delicious."
Zhuang Zhebin was now completely convinced. He really had never expected that Su Ji's crystal braised pork was so delicious. It wasn't that his great-grandfather didn't cook well, but Zhuang Zhebin really liked Su Ji's more.
Sure enough, the guests at the neighboring table who ordered the braised pork couldn’t help but praise the dish after eating it.
"Wow, this braised pork tastes so good."
"This braised pork tastes really different from what I've had in other restaurants."
"Yes, it is really unique and delicious. It is almost always available at wedding banquets, but this is the first time I have eaten something so delicious."
…
The diners praised and talked about it, but Feng Yifan did not stop in the kitchen, because there were suddenly more takeout orders today. It seemed that some office workers from nearby blocks also came to order food.
While waiting, some office workers saw people eating the braised meat in the store and couldn't help but want to order some to take away.
Of course, some diners really wanted to try it, but had to give up after seeing the price.
After all, eating fried rice and noodles for lunch is quick and easy, and also because they are not expensive.
Even the fried rice and E-fu noodles at Su Kee are still relatively affordable. So after Meng Shitong's video went viral, some office workers nearby came over to try the food during their lunch break.
After Zhuang Daozhong finished his meal, he sat next to Su Jinrong, looked at the diners coming and going in Su Ji, and felt a different kind of market atmosphere.
For a master like Zhuang Daozhong who is famous in the catering industry and has his own private restaurant, he has forgotten how long it has been since he last experienced such a city atmosphere.
Watching the comings and goings of people, the rush of office workers, the leisure of residents near the old street, and the busyness of the young couple Feng Yifan and Su Ruoxi.
In such a common atmosphere, Zhuang Daozhong seemed to suddenly understand the realm of the chef who had assisted him at the state banquet.
Just like a bowl of plain chicken sauce Yifu noodles, or the agate-colored, warm crystal braised pork. Hidden away in the city, it is simple and unrestrained, but uses the technique of giving simple ingredients gorgeousness, leaving every diner with endless beautiful memories.