Cooking System: Street Food Rules

Jiang Feng renovated the little shop, and just like that, the business began. This week, they were selling Big Bone Soup. The accompaniment for Big Bone Soup was quite straightforward: a bowl of soup with beef and various ingredients. The main dish could be paired with flatbread or rice noodles. The essence of Big Bone Soup lay in the flavor of the broth.

Since he was going to make bone soup, Jiang Feng definitely needed to prepare a large quantity of high-quality beef bones. Therefore, he planned to go purchase the ingredients first. He had to pick out the best beef bones himself.

However, the shop was right next to a funeral parlor and a wreath shop, which made for a rather unsettling location. Thankfully, the customer flow was sufficient to sustain the business. This area was a small, less bustling town with many elderly residents who had been left behind, so the funeral industry was quite developed here.

Jiang Feng also called Sun Zhuangfei back. This guy was a heaven-sent worker—diligent and eager to learn—making him perfect as an assistant.

"We'll just stay here this time and complete the task quietly," Jiang Feng told Sun Zhuangfei, sharing his thoughts. "And try our best to avoid exposure. In a small town like this, it's unlikely anyone will recognize us."

"Alright, Boss," Sun Zhuangfei responded.

Jiang Feng hoped for a peaceful business, nestled in the small town, far from the hustle and bustle, allowing him to experience the slow-paced life of a small community.

Then, the two of them went to procure ingredients and tidy up the shop's supplies. Soon, the Big Bone Soup Shop was open for business.

Before noon, Jiang Feng sat in the shop, playing on his phone and amusing himself with his cat and dog. He had brought Little Black and the sheriff to the shop; in this small town, the rules weren't as strict, so the animals could roam freely inside.

From the outside, his bone soup shop looked almost identical to the neighboring stores—all appearing rather old and ordinary. The only difference was the newer signboard. However, the taste of his Big Bone Soup was likely to be quite different from that of the other shops.

Sun Zhuangfei ran to the entrance of the funeral parlor, peering inside curiously. At that moment, a hearse drove in, followed by two cars carrying men and women with grief-stricken expressions. Sun Zhuangfei returned to the shop.

Seeing this, Jiang Feng asked with a smile, "What's up? Interested in the funeral home?"

Sun Zhuangfei immediately replied, "Boss, it's my first time seeing a funeral home. I wanted to see how they operate and what kinds of jobs they have."

Hearing this, Jiang Feng continued, "They have positions like morticians, crematorium workers, hearse drivers, and funeral directors. All of them require specialized skills."

"The pay is quite good for those jobs. Want to give it a try?"

Sun Zhuangfei hurriedly waved his hands. "Boss, I'm too timid! Let's just try to finish work early today, shall we? I'm afraid something might come out at night."

The two chatted idly like this.

Soon, the first wave of customers arrived. The visitors were Wuh Wei, the hearse driver; Zhao Qiang, the boiler worker; and Niu Fang, the mortician. The three of them had come out for lunch and, noticing the newly opened Big Bone Soup Shop next door, decided to walk in.

"There's a new bone soup place here. Let's give it a try."

"Yeah, let's check it out."

"Let's go."

The three entered the shop.

The cost of living in the small town wasn't high, so the prices wouldn't be set too steep. The three glanced at the menu on the wall:

Fatty Beef Rice Noodles with Bone Soup (Clear, Mildly Spicy, or Spicy): Small Bowl 18, Large Bowl 20

Shrimp Rice Noodles with Bone Soup: Small Bowl 18, Large Bowl 20

Beef Roll Pao Mo with Bone Soup: Small Bowl 18, Large Bowl 20

Bone Soup with Vegetables (served with a plain flatbread): Small Bowl 18, Large Bowl 20

Beef Noodle Soup: Small Bowl 18, Large Bowl 20

In addition to these, side dishes could be added:

Rice noodles 1.5, greens 1.5, tofu skin 1.5, enoki mushrooms 1.5, wood ear mushrooms 1.5, fish 5, beef rolls 5.

What to eat was entirely up to personal preference.

"The price is a bit high, but still reasonable."

"Bone broth is bound to be more expensive."

"Selling bone soup outside a funeral home—this owner certainly has some interesting ideas."

Wuh Wei spoke to Sun Zhuangfei at the counter, "I'll have the Bone Soup with Vegetables and flatbread, large bowl."

The other two also placed their orders, "I want a large bowl of spicy Fatty Beef Rice Noodles."

"I'll have a small bowl of Shrimp Rice Noodles."

Sun Zhuangfei took their orders.

Jiang Feng, meanwhile, was inside preparing the ingredients. At this very moment, the bone broth in the pot had simmered to a thick, white consistency. Jiang Feng's skill in making broth was exceptional. All the bones were chopped, soaked to remove blood, and meticulously cleaned of any scum. Then, they were fried in oil until golden brown before being simmered to produce the rich, white bone broth. Yam and goji berries were added to the soup to enhance its flavor. This bowl of soup was pure essence, delicious and rich.

When cooking the rice noodles, he diced dried tofu and sautéed it. Then, chopped green onions, ginger, and chili bean paste were added to the wok, stir-frying until the red chili oil was rendered. Various spices, Sichuan pepper powder, black pepper powder, and chili oil were added next. Finally, the bone broth, rice noodles, beef rolls, wood ear mushrooms, greens, enoki mushrooms, and other toppings were combined. The result was a gourmet bowl of Fatty Beef Rice Noodles with Bone Soup. The price for this bowl of rice noodles was absolutely fair. The rice noodles fully absorbed the essence of the soup, becoming translucent and pleasantly chewy. The overall texture and taste were excellent.

Soon, three bowls of soup were served. Two were rice noodle dishes with an abundant variety of toppings. The other was a bowl of bone broth, also containing vegetables and a large, white bone that had been simmered for hours, served with a plain flatbread on the side.

The three were instantly captivated by the delicious sight in their bowls. The rice noodles looked especially translucent and glistening. They immediately began to eat.

Zhao Qiang, the boiler worker, had ordered the large, spicy bowl of Fatty Beef Rice Noodles. Being spicy, the bowl was topped with a layer of red chili oil. Visible within were chopped green onions, leafy greens, dried tofu, enoki mushrooms, and slices of cooked beef, along with the tender rice noodles.

Zhao Qiang gulped. He picked up his chopsticks, stirred everything in the bowl to mix the seasonings evenly, then picked up a mouthful of rice noodles and stuffed them directly into his mouth. With a single slurp, he drew them in.

SLURP!

The rice noodles disappeared into his mouth. Instantly, a fresh, aromatic, and slightly spicy flavor burst upon his taste buds. Zhao Qiang suddenly felt invigorated.

"This is delicious!"

He found it pleasantly surprising. He hadn't held high hopes, thinking it would be sufficient if the food was merely edible. Unexpectedly, it was exceptionally tasty. The rice noodles were cooked to perfection—firm to the bite and not easily broken. He had chosen the spicy flavor, and the chili oil was superbly stir-fried, imparting a fresh and distinct spiciness. The best part was the soup. Even the broth clinging to the noodles was incredibly fragrant and enticing.

Zhao Qiang wasn't a gourmand, nor was he the type to queue for good food; he was just an ordinary boiler worker. His daily task was to "bring warmth" to the deceased. He couldn't quite describe the taste of these rice noodles, but they were more delicious than any rice noodles or even regular noodles he had ever eaten. It felt as though his whole body was warming up.

The other two felt the same way. They sensed that this bowl of soup was quite different.

Wuh Wei tore off pieces of the flatbread and dipped them into the bone broth. The bread quickly absorbed the soup, and each bite was filled with the flavor of the bone broth. Finding it delicious, he quickly finished the flatbread and ordered another. The large bone in his bowl was also delicious, with plenty of meat on it. After drinking all the soup, he felt completely at ease. The feeling was akin to soaking in a hot bath after a long, tiring day, then sinking into a large, comfortable bed.

"Not bad at all."

"I think so too."

"This place is pretty good."

The three gave it high praise. They were all working men, typically eating just to satisfy their physical needs, and rarely discussed food. For them to express such admiration was rare.

Then, the three paid their bill and left, completely satisfied.

Jiang Feng came out, let the cat out of its cage, and allowed it to roam around the shop. Generally, cats were a common sight in shops in more remote small towns. The customers here wouldn't find it problematic, nor would they worry much about sanitation. They weren't too concerned about such things. This was especially true for barbecue stalls with outdoor seating, which commonly kept cats and dogs. It was precisely because of this that Jiang Feng had brought his two little companions. Had he opened a shop in the city, Jiang Feng wouldn't have brought them.

Not long after, a few more customers entered. These people were attending a funeral and looked mournful. Some hadn't eaten properly in days. Thus, they were in even greater need of food to energize them. They hastily ordered some rice noodles and sat down at a table, barely speaking.

Jiang Feng was busy in the kitchen. No matter what, once people stepped into his shop and placed an order, they were his customers. As a chef, it was only natural that he wanted his guests to dine well and be satisfied. That was his duty.

Quickly, bowls of bone broth rice noodles were served. What set Jiang Feng's rice noodles apart from others was this very soup. These customers all opted for the original flavor, perhaps because their sorrow made them disinclined to eat anything spicy.

Originally, they had little appetite. When people are upset, sad, or depressed, they often lose their appetite because their senses are consumed by emotions rather than hunger. However, contrary to expectations, as soon as they smelled the bone broth rice noodles, their stomachs suddenly started to rumble. They felt the pangs of hunger. It was quite remarkable. This bowl of bone broth rice noodles, skillfully prepared by the chef, reawakened their desire for food.

At the dining table, the customers began to eat the rice noodles.

"Eat up. You haven't had a proper meal these past few days."

"The rice noodles here taste pretty good."

"First Aunt, Second Aunt, you should eat something too."

"It's all over now. We need to eat."