Cooking System: Street Food Rules

The street was absolutely packed, completely blocked.

More and more people kept squeezing into the small shop.

Outside the store, the line was exceptionally long.

Everyone was clamoring to see the Culinary God.

Jiang Feng was indeed very popular now. First, there was the cooperation with the tourism bureau. Then, when he opened the Zhejiang Cuisine Restaurant, he made many exquisite imperial court dishes, almost instantly making him a household name.

For many people, eating is not just about satisfying their hunger but also about pursuing something on a spiritual level. For example, many wealthy people are willing to pay for top-notch, fanciful meals. Because the cook is some kind of star-rated chef, just hearing the title makes them think the taste will be good. Eating it provides an even fuller experience.

And Jiang Feng could make many state banquet dishes, with videos of them circulating online. He possessed such skill at a young age, coupled with a good image. He even set up a stall in the common market, causing his fame to soar.

Are there really this many people?

Looking at the impenetrable crowd outside, Jiang Feng couldn't help but wear a pained expression. However, his expression remained calm, his brow only furrowing slightly.

Jiang Feng didn't understand. Why was he so popular?

Sun Zhuangfei was still by his side, flattering him.

"Boss," he said, "I've been watching short videos for the past few days—so many of your videos! Everyone calls you the Culinary God."

"What they're saying is absolutely true."

"I think they have a point."

Jiang Feng was caught off guard. Me, a street vendor, became a Culinary God?

"There's nothing so divine about it; at best, I'm a restaurant owner."

"The internet hype is exaggerated; it's best to take it with a grain of salt."

"Everyone is probably just caught up in the excitement."

Jiang Feng didn't care much for titles. They were of no use.

The area in front of the small shop was swarming with people, all taking photos with their cellphones. Some people even greeted Jiang Feng from time to time, and he responded politely.

At this moment, a customer asked earnestly, "Boss Jiang, I've had pig trotter rice many times before, but yours is really different."

"I genuinely want to know, how do you make it so delicious?"

"From texture to taste, it's simply incredible!"

This customer's question successfully caught Jiang Feng's attention.

Jiang Feng wanted to say, "You have good taste," but thought it sounded too arrogant.

So he explained seriously, "My costs might be a bit higher. Actually, the ingredients themselves are crucial to whether a dish is delicious or not."

"Take the pork hock in the pig trotter rice, for example."

"I select cuts with the optimal fat-to-lean ratio."

"These parts include not only the soft, glutinous pig skin and tender pork but also tendons and ligaments."

"When you take a bite, the varied textures of these ingredients all come through at once."

"That's how you get the best flavor."

"The rice is also specially selected Wuchang rice, which is fragrant, finer in grain, and has a stronger aroma."

"Plus, the broth is carefully simmered, so the flavor is better."

He had barely finished speaking when several girls in the crowd exclaimed, "WOW!" their voices mingling with words of praise.

It felt a bit like he was a pop star. If you're handsome, whatever you say is right.

Fortunately, Jiang Feng had a good mentality and was not disturbed by such voices; he remained composed.

There were a lot of people on the scene.

Jiang Feng, being smart, had hired two security guards. That's right; he had been compelled to hire two security guards to maintain order at his small eatery.

The security guards had a simple task: only those queueing to enter the shop were allowed in; no one else. If you wanted to come in, you had to get in line. This also prevented crowds of people from gathering just for the spectacle rather than to eat.

With the two security guards stationed there, the atmosphere was indeed different.

It couldn't be helped. Yesterday, with no one managing the crowd, people had desperately squeezed in, nearly causing the shop to burst at the seams. Some people even tried to get behind the counter. It was truly outrageous.

The order today was much improved.

Jiang Feng glanced up and, amidst the bustling crowd, noticed many small yellow and red hats bobbing about.

That's right, the tour groups had come again. They were genuinely treating his shop like a tourist attraction.

He didn't know which travel agency was this audacious, promoting check-ins at the "Contemporary Culinary God," the star chef who cooks imperial court cuisine. And the tourists were happy to do so.

Jiang Feng concentrated on preparing the pig trotter rice; focusing on it helped him relax a little.

Wafts of fragrance continuously drifted from the pot. The scent carried far.

For many who caught the scent, their stomachs immediately churned with an indescribable hunger.

"Damn! I wasn't that hungry, but smelling his pig trotter rice has suddenly made me ravenous."

"Me too! It's just like people say online; the food he makes really does smell incredible."

"I used to think the descriptions were exaggerated, but it turns out they're true!"

"Snap a photo to mark the visit, then eat a serving of pig trotter rice—perfect!"

The customers waiting in line chatted excitedly. It was evident that everyone was very happy.

The pig trotter rice was mostly prepared in advance, so there wasn't much cooking to do on the spot. It was mainly a matter of plating the rice, slicing the pork hocks, and ladling the soul gravy over it.

This bowl of rice wasn't just delicious because of the pork hock; the rich broth also soaked the rice, giving it a deep, soy-sauce color. The broth contained gelatin rendered from the pork hocks, making it more viscous than ordinary meat broth. When stirred into the rice, it caused the grains to cling together naturally.

Once in the mouth, the rice was suffused with a meaty fragrance, its surface smooth, enhancing its chewy texture. It was simply a perfect treat.

At the tables, customers shoveled rice into their mouths, occasionally taking a bite of the soft yet chewy pork hock.

Their pupils even dilated slightly as they inwardly exclaimed, "A top chef is truly a top chef! This flavor is just too good."

"I've never eaten such delicious rice!"

"How exactly does he do it?"

Mastering culinary skills is by no means easy, and reaching the pinnacle of the art is even more challenging. Even if cooking methods appear similar, numerous subtle details can affect a dish's final flavor. These include the stock recipe, the simmering heat and duration, the proportion of seasonings, and so on. Achieving the most perfect and delicious result requires a chef with immense experience and skill. Moreover, the flavor might differ slightly each time something is braised.

That's considered normal. Some top-tier imperial court dishes not only demand high-quality ingredients but also have specific requirements regarding climate and temperature. However, these requirements are exceedingly stringent, which is why many imperial court dishes have been lost to modern times.

At the very front of the line stood a very young man.

He looked at Jiang Feng and shouted loudly, "Boss Jiang, can you give lessons? I'm willing to pay 50,000 to learn; just teach me one dish."

Jiang Feng had encountered this kind of eagerness to become an apprentice many times before. Once, while walking his dog in the park, a young man had appeared out of nowhere, knelt on the spot, and begged to be taken as an apprentice.

Simply put, it was all about personal gain. If one could genuinely become Jiang Feng's apprentice, they could earn a lot of gifts. Even without learning a single dish, simply starting a live broadcast on Douyin with "(Apprenticed to Jiang Feng)" or "(Disciple of Boss Jiang)" in the title would suffice.

Jiang Feng saw right through it. People are all driven by self-interest. They were all after fame and fortune.

"Sorry, I have no intention of taking on apprentices right now," Jiang Feng declined directly.

The young man, clearly not ready to give up, immediately said, "Boss Jiang, how about this: I'll work for you, just like him." He pointed at Sun Zhuangfei, his gaze exceptionally sincere. "I don't want a salary—not a single penny. You can even charge me money."

"I just want to work, work for free!"

Sun Zhuangfei was instantly stunned.

Good grief, he's targeting my job! Work without salary? Does he have no shame? How can someone be this competitive? Paying to work?

Jiang Feng replied calmly, "Sorry, we're not short-staffed."

"Are you here for pig trotter rice? If not, please make way for the people behind you."

The young man, seeing Jiang Feng's indifferent expression, knew there was no opportunity left.

"Alright then, give me a bowl of pig trotter rice."

"Okay, just a moment."

Jiang Feng remained calm.

Sun Zhuangfei, however, felt conflicted. Someone wants to pay to work here! Is the boss paying me too much? As this thought crossed his mind, it did seem that Jiang Feng paid him a handsome salary. Sun Zhuangfei felt a twinge of guilt; he was the kind of person who easily felt burdened, and the young man's bold offer had left him feeling quite awkward.

Jiang Feng noticed Sun Zhuangfei's change in expression and said, "Sun Zhuangfei, I hired you. Just do your job well. That's all that matters."

"I set your compensation, and I have the final say."

"As for people like him who eagerly offer to work, they're not just interested in working."

"They're either trying to steal recipes or want to start live broadcasts to gain followers."

"They have bigger motives; they're full of schemes."

"If we actually let them work, who knows what kind of trouble they'd stir up!"

Hearing Jiang Feng's words, Sun Zhuangfei nodded.

"Boss, the pay you give me is just too generous; I feel embarrassed."

"Embarrassed? I was planning to give you a bonus at the end of the month. Do you want it or not?"

"Yes, yes, yes! Boss, whatever you say, I'll do it well."

"Just focus on your current tasks, and let's get through this week."

"Okay."

The two continued their busy work.

People kept flooding in.

The pork hocks in the pots were running low.

Once all the pork hocks and pig's feet were sold out, Jiang Feng announced to the crowd outside that they were closing. Then, as usual, he walked around outside, allowing those who had come specifically for him to see or photograph him. This way, they wouldn't leave disappointed. Jiang Feng still had a kind heart.

After finishing up, Jiang Feng got into his car and drove away from the small shop.

At that moment, the young man from before came over again, this time looking for Sun Zhuangfei.

"Buddy, thinking about doing live broadcasts?" the young man said, getting straight to the point. "Sign with our agency, and we can offer you an annual salary of 1.5 million. If you're willing, we can transfer the money right now. This is absolutely genuine."

Sun Zhuangfei glanced at him and cursed, "Scram!"

Sun Zhuangfei might seem a bit foolish, but at times he was incredibly shrewd. He knew what being a streamer entailed: it meant performing. The more exaggerated the performance, the better the effect, and the more viewers it would attract. He had no interest in that.

Working with Jiang Feng, he could learn the culinary arts he loved most, and also travel to many places and broaden his horizons. Moreover, Jiangyue Terrace Sichuan Restaurant provided benefits, including contributions to his social insurance and housing fund. Where else could he find such a job?