Cooking System: Street Food Rules

Jiang Feng suddenly disappeared.

In the past, there were still occasional updates about Jiang Feng, but this time, he seemed to have stopped setting up his stall altogether.

Intelligence organizations from various places were inquiring every day.

The comment section under Jiangyue Terrace's video accounts was also filled with netizens' messages.

"Where's Boss Jiang? Where has my dear Boss Jiang gone?"

"Hurry up and tell your boss to come out and set up his stall!"

"After finishing with Zhejiang cuisine, isn't it time to come to our Guangdong?"

"The Grassland welcomes you!"

Each time they saw these messages, the operators of Jiangyue Terrace felt a bit helpless. All they could do was respond with a crestfallen reply, "We honestly don't know where the boss has gone; we're looking for him too."

The more pitiful the operator's responses were, the more excited the netizens became.

"You don't even know where your boss is, do you even want to continue working?"

"Has Boss Jiang learned to fly now?"

"Did he go somewhere to cultivate his skills?!"

"Little Jiang, you were given a chance and you didn't deliver, huh!"

The comment section was especially lively.

「At the same time.」

Nanjing, Good Fortune Cometh Restaurant.

The dishes at this restaurant were excellent, attracting a lot of regulars. Some people would take their families out for a meal here on a leisurely weekend. But today, when everyone arrived at the restaurant, they found a notice for renovation posted outside. It also stated that it would reopen in half a month.

The renovation team had already gone in to refurbish the interior. The kitchen, especially, saw the biggest change; much of the equipment was replaced with new items, including a brand-new cold storage room. This was no small undertaking.

Seeing this, the regular customers were somewhat heartbroken.

"Alas, such a good restaurant, how could it just close down like that!"

"Good Fortune Cometh had a good reputation, and it actually closed!"

"How could this happen? This place was doing so well; they should be making a profit!"

"I heard they've changed the boss!"

"Why change the signboard if there's a new boss? Wouldn't it be better to keep making money? Could the new signboard really be more effective?"

"I bet it's some rich person who doesn't know anything about the business. Changing the signboard means starting from scratch—why bother!"

The regulars were deeply regretful. This restaurant had quite good flavors, and now, just like that, it was gone.

However, just a few days later, these customers swiftly changed their tune.

Because the first step of the renovation was to redo the facade outside. A huge signboard was mounted above the entrance, with three bold and vigorous characters written horizontally: Jiangyue Terrace.

Beside it, in a line of smaller vertical characters, it read: Jiangsu Cuisine Restaurant.

The signs of the Jiangyue Terrace chain all followed this design, which had become a symbol.

When the regulars heard this news, they were incredibly surprised.

"Goodness, it turns out to be Jiangyue Terrace! Jiangyue Terrace has taken over Good Fortune Cometh!"

"The dishes at Jiangyue Terrace are amazing; they have top chefs with flavors that are said to be exceptional!"

"No wonder they changed the signboard; it really is something!"

"Wow, we now have a Jiangyue Terrace here too?"

"This is truly great news!"

As word of mouth spread, this piece of news hit the hot search listings. #Jiangyue Terrace Jiangsu Cuisine Restaurant Opening#

It was only then that netizens understood what Jiang Feng had been doing during the time he was missing. He had been working on a big project! Another restaurant had opened!

The Zhejiang Cuisine Restaurant had just opened not too long ago. At the entrance of that restaurant was a display cabinet with a Golden Leifeng Pagoda and a jade fish.

Now that another Jiangyue Terrace had opened its doors, many people visited every day, hoping to catch a glimpse of Jiang Feng. But Jiang Feng, who was very cunning, rented a chefs' training classroom, leading the main chefs of the Jiangsu Cuisine Restaurant in daily training and trial cooking. Those who went to Jiangyue Terrace couldn't find him at all.

During the training period, there were also company-paid trips and hot springs visits. The corporate culture was centered on enjoyment and relaxation.

Anyway, during this time, Jiang Feng also wanted some peace and quiet. He and the chefs thoroughly reworked the entire menu. He also shared the recipe for the Phoenix Egg, which was considered a specialty dish of Jiangyue Terrace.

Through this process, the head chefs grew increasingly admiring of Jiang Feng. Every suggestion for improvement that Jiang Feng brought up was met with awed respect from everyone.

And so, amidst the hustle and bustle, half a month passed, and the Jiangyue Terrace Jiangsu Cuisine Restaurant opened for business.

But this time, Jiang Feng did not appear at the Jiangyue Terrace Jiangsu Cuisine Restaurant.

The business at the Jiangsu Cuisine Restaurant was booming. Many people speculated whether Jiang Feng was in the kitchen, but the lobby manager told the guests that the boss was indeed not there. As to where the boss had gone, he didn't say, so none of them knew.

The only one who might know was probably Sun Zhuangfei. This young fellow was still in charge of ingredient preparation at Jiangyue Terrace Sichuan Restaurant. Occasionally, he also got to take the wok and stir-fry a couple of dishes, his culinary skills improving rapidly. He was especially proficient when it came to preparing ingredients.

Jiang Feng had been busy with the affairs of the two restaurants. Once everything settled down, he called Sun Zhuangfei to go out and set up a stall with him.

Sun Zhuangfei was naturally happy to do so. It was more enjoyable to set up a stall with the boss. And crucially, he could taste the wide variety of foods that Jiang Feng made. Jiang Feng's culinary skills were just too good; hanging around with him and occasionally sampling new and intriguing delicacies made for a superb experience.

The place they went to was Guangzhou.

Guangzhou is rightfully known as a food paradise, summed up with the saying, "Eating in Guangzhou." There were just so many things to eat here, and so many ways to do so. Moreover, in the culture of China's culinary world, Guangzhou's cuisine definitely shines brightly!

[Task activated: Set up a stall for seven consecutive days at a designated location, selling 100 portions of sizzling claypot each day]

[Task Reward: Enhanced Wrist Strength]

[Increased wrist strength makes wok tossing smoother and more sustainable.]

[Recipe Acquired: Sizzling Claypot Recipes*4, Sizzling Sauce Formula]

[Accept?]

The system task had appeared early on. It was only now that Jiang Feng chose to accept it.

The hustle and bustle of the restaurant had passed, and what followed was the daily routine of setting up the stall.

Sizzling claypot is a favorite of Guangdong people, named for the "sizzling" noise made by the ingredients in the claypot as the liquid evaporates during cooking.

To adapt to local customs, upon arriving in Guangzhou, Jiang Feng found somewhere to stay, and then, together with Sun Zhuangfei, set out to taste the local cuisine.

Jiang Feng discovered something very interesting. In the small eateries of Guangzhou, there was a flavor unique to each, yet present in all. This flavor was called: Kung Fu.

For example, Kung Fu Sea Bream Pot, Kung Fu Sizzling Claypot, Kung Fu White Cut Chicken, Kung Fu Cold Skin Noodles... Each place had its own Kung Fu, each unique.

Quite interesting.

Why not call my sizzling claypot the Kung Fu Sizzling Claypot? When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

Jiang Feng pondered. It has to be said, the term is quite impressive; it lends the dish an air of profound skill.

For this week, Jiang Feng was to work in a small shop designated by the system. The owner, preoccupied with other matters and planning to transfer the business, agreed to rent the premises to Jiang Feng directly, so there was no need for an extra business license—using the original owner's was fine. Recognizing who Jiang Feng was, the owner readily agreed.

Then there was the purchasing of ingredients and preparing the menu.

During this time, Jiang Feng also had the chance to experience Guangzhou's culinary culture, such as its morning tea.

While Jiang Feng and Sun Zhuangfei were having morning tea, they ordered many snacks and delicacies. At that moment, they noticed many patrons periodically glancing at them. Upon inquiry, they learned that locals, when having morning tea, really just drink tea, thus everyone definitely orders a pot. Sometimes, in fact, it's one pot of tea per person, with little to no eating.

Jiang Feng and Sun Zhuangfei, following Northern breakfast customs, had ordered noodles, cold dishes, chicken feet, and such without ordering tea, which the locals found unusual.

So there is a misunderstanding about Guangdong's morning tea among outsiders. While many think the wide array of delicacies is representative of Guangdong's morning tea, the locals actually refer to the practice of drinking a pot of tea, sometimes one per person.

Moreover, there is a "tea seat" charge for having morning tea: essentially, sitting there to eat, even without ordering anything and just drinking the complimentary tea water, incurs a fee. It's eight yuan per person at the cheaper places and about twenty yuan per person in slightly better establishments.

Sun Zhuangfei found it astonishing. "What? A tea seat fee? There's such a thing?" he exclaimed. "You have to pay just to sit and eat in a restaurant?" He couldn't help but complain.

Jiang Feng, however, remained calm. There's no helping it; it's the local culture, and one must adapt.

"With the variety and taste of Guangzhou's morning tea being so good, why hasn't it become popular all over the country?" Sun Zhuangfei wondered aloud as he sampled the delicacies from several steaming baskets on the table.

Jiang Feng explained, "Ordinary people don't have the time, you know? People eat breakfast—it's just buns, dough sticks, tofu pudding, and the like—and then they're off.

"Cantonese morning tea, accompanied by tea and congee, and enjoyed leisurely, takes a long time.

"It's also on the pricier side.

"Most people don't have that kind of leisure.

"However, some restaurants have turned morning tea into a regular meal, which is more popular and aligns with other regions' understanding of these dishes.

"Not many people have such a rich breakfast."

There was an amazing variety of delicious food around here, truly all kinds.

The char siu bao and wonton noodles Jiang Feng had made before were part of Guangdong cuisine and represented a type of Cantonese food. The sizzling claypot was also a Cantonese dish.

Jiang Feng had cooked Sichuan cuisine, Shandong Cuisine, and Huaiyang Cuisine, and now that he had arrived in the territory of Guangdong, he felt an indescribable excitement.

The cooking methods of the old Cantonese chefs were very unique and ever-changing. The trends in their culinary arts evolved rapidly over the years. Like morning tea, for instance, which traditionally had just a few options classified as small, medium, or large servings. Now, morning tea menus were dazzling, with sets featuring over twenty varieties.

"The shop's preparations are almost done; we can start business tomorrow," Jiang Feng said as he savored the morning tea, instructing Sun Zhuangfei.

"We'll introduce two types of sizzling claypot on the first day, and then I'll make some ginger milk curd and a pot of sampan congee.

"That should be enough.

"It's our first time in Guangzhou, so let's keep a low profile.

"Get a haircut, wear a mask.

"Try not to stand out too much."

Upon hearing this, Sun Zhuangfei immediately responded, "Don't worry, Boss, no problem."

The new life of running a street stall was finally about to begin. Jiang Feng was very much looking forward to it.

「The next day, ready for business.」

As soon as Jiang Feng entered the shop, he spotted Sun Zhuangfei's 3mm haircut, which was barely better than bald and particularly eye-catching.

Jiang Feng was taken aback. "What happened to your hair?" he couldn't help but ask.

"Ah? Didn't you say to get a new hairstyle, Boss? It's already summer in Guangzhou, and it's hot," Sun Zhuangfei replied somewhat proudly. "A buzz cut feels refreshing!"

Is that a buzz cut? That's practically a shaved head! Who cut it so short?

All I meant was a little trim. How did he end up with a haircut that makes him look like he was just released from prison?

Jiang Feng couldn't say much. This was just Sun Zhuangfei's style, sometimes exasperating. Anyway, as long as the customers didn't recognize them, it would be fine.