Gourmet: From a Stall in Northern Europe-Chapter 59: Iced Osmanthus Red Bean Tangyuan

"Drink?"

Both Jade and Lina immediately looked up. Being girls, they had absolutely no resistance to sweets, which were even more enticing than gourmet food.

In front of Lucas were two rows of disposable plastic bowls filled with red bean soup, the surface of which was floating with many white round balls and half-melted ice cubes, looking rather ordinary. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Having deeply experienced Great Xia’s cuisine which defied appearances, Jade didn’t hesitate at all and picked up a bowl to drink.

"Gulp...gulp..."

The icy sweet soup flowed down her throat all the way to her stomach, just right to dispel the slight greasy feeling in her mouth.

Although lard mixed rice is indeed fragrant, eating too much can be greasy, and that’s when a bowl of chilled red bean soup feels like a pinnacle of life enjoyment.

Some of the red beans had completely turned into a sandy texture dispersed in the soup, emitting a rich red bean fragrance, refreshing and thirst-quenching, coupled with the delicate scent of osmanthus, leaving a lingering floral fragrance in the mouth after swallowing.

Sweets made with red beans are quite familiar to foreigners; many Asian supermarkets sell them.

However, she’s drinking red bean soup for the first time, especially with this magical floral scent that made her open her eyes wide in disbelief.

"Quick, Lucas, tell me what kind of nectar this is, why is it so fragrant, I’ve never smelled it before!"

"This is osmanthus, a flower unique to Great Xia that only blooms in autumn, its fragrance travels for miles, which is the scent you’re tasting; during that season, the streets of Great Xia are filled with this aroma."

Lina, being a professional foodie, hurriedly picked up a bowl too after hearing Jade mention that the soup contained special nectar.

After just two sips, she experienced that rich fragrance.

Moreover, the white balls floating in the red bean soup tasted chewy and stretchy, reminiscent of eating pearls.

In recent years, some well-known bubble tea brands have opened branches abroad, causing a sensation and gaining many enthusiastic fans.

They may not be familiar with other things, but when it comes to pearls in bubble tea, they’re closer than big potatoes.

A sip of chilly red bean soup, a bite of slightly sweet bean paste with chewy small balls, feeling the rich floral flavor blossoming in their mouths, the fabulous taste made them press their cheeks and exclaim uncontrollably.

The diners behind them in line received their own lunch boxes one after another, mimicking them and offering their first bite to the tomato and scrambled eggs.

"Oh my god, how can this be so delicious? It looks just like simple tomatoes and scrambled eggs!"

"The sweet and salty sauce combined with the rice, it’s so satisfying, I’ve never had such delicious mixed rice in my life."

"Extra rice! Boss, I want extra rice!!"

Frustrated, Lunard discovered that the number of customers in front of his food truck was dwindling, eventually completely disappearing, and not a single person showed up for more than ten minutes, he could only see hurried footsteps heading next door.

He wasn’t annoyed; instead, he cheerfully opened the truck door and stepped out, joining the crowd at the back to queue, curious to taste what else Lin had concocted.

"Whoosh"

A dazzling flare burst out, eliciting gasps from the surrounding crowd. He too was startled.

Focusing his eyes, he saw Lin Chen tossing a large wok at the window, seemingly with strands of yellow thin silk flipping and flying in the flames.

"Holy crab! Not seen for a day, yet evolved to this level?"

No wonder he had no customers; with such a show, who wouldn’t come?

"Hm?"

The commotion from the stir-frying was so loud that all passersby stopped to watch, and the entire street corner was filled with onlookers.

A man and a woman also emerged from the Sakura Food Truck next door, looking towards them with curiosity.

"What’s going on, why...?"

"Mr. Nakamura, if I recall correctly, isn’t that truck the newly arrived Great Xia Food Truck?"

"Indeed, you’re right."

The man nodded, his pupils reflecting the orange-red firelight.

"Looks like we’ve met a strong competitor, being able to handle fire so skillfully."

Curiosity was filled in the woman’s eyes: "Such skills seem to be present in domestic Great Xia culinary restaurants, I’ve seen them quite a few times, I didn’t expect it in Northern Europe. Should we buy two portions to try?"

"I think we should, but I have to record a video first and send it to the general to see if he might be interested in trying it too."

One side taking out his phone, looking seriously: "Also, Ai, you should have heard the news of the Kimchi Food Truck being fined five thousand euros, right?"

"In the food and beverage business, one must not have a mindset of luck; hygiene must be maintained, and it’s essential to observe competitors around and learn from their strengths."

"This Great Xia Food Truck, having only been here for a week, has already attracted so many customers, must have something unique. Although not directly competing with our sushi, it’s worth learning from, might even find some inspiration."

The two were wearing distinctive Japanese uniforms, instantly recognizable to those familiar.

Lucas happened to be introducing his dessert drinks to curious passersby, inadvertently noticed the two taking a video aiming towards them, his mind becoming cautious.

Compared to some Kimchi Ladies with no lower limits, this sushi-exclusive food truck always kept mutual respect, Lunard also said there had never been any conflict with their family, each selling their own.

Now even they’re starting to pay attention here; it’s hard to guarantee nothing will happen, must stay alert.

"Hey fellow! Those two little days are filming us over there, what do you say?"

"Hm?"

Lin Chen just finished stir-frying a pan of shredded potatoes, heard the words, turned sideways to peek through the car door gap, shook his head at him.

"Let them film as long as it doesn’t affect our business, let it be."

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw the woman in the dark blue patterned uniform stride towards them, without uttering a word, quietly joining the queue at the back.

Lin Chen’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Here to gather intel, huh?

He’s completely unconcerned. Despite the international reputation of their culinary culture, they mainly revolve around sashimi sushi and ramen, and the pub culture.

Those colorful sushi rolls in various commonplace Japanese buffets are actually inventions modified by Great Xia people, not much relation to Japanese sushi.

Authentically operated sushi stores by Sakura people mostly serve sashimi over vinegar rice or grilled sushi.

Perhaps influenced by Great Xia people’s sushi shops, many overseas Japanese sushi shops also began to make those flashy sushi rolls, purely for good sales and profit.

The two aren’t even in the same race track; they couldn’t learn Great Xia’s stir-frying techniques on the spot, what’s to worry about?

Moreover, most Sakura culinary people have their pursuits, the so-called spirit of craftsmanship, unlike Kimchi People who have no boundaries, adhering to the doctrine of taking and using.

If engaging in interactions, Lin Chen would still prefer exchanges with Little Days chefs.