Food Stall: Customers Chase Me across the Country

Chapter 748: Chapter 641: What’s in the Bowl Can’t Compare to What’s in the Pot, What’s in the Pot Can’t Compare to What’s Stolen

The video features a plain and simple kitchen, with professional-grade cookware distinguishing it from a typical home kitchen.

The lit oven, the constantly bubbling braised stew, the black clay pot emitting wisps of steam, and the chef who was busy yet orderly amidst the white mist.

There were no energetic songs or dances, nor anyone acting ridiculously or trying to look cool. Even the host seldom showed their face, yet this simple and tidy environment felt incredibly warm, and before you knew it, you’d become mesmerized.

"Seems I’ve picked up a hint here, and you know what, it’s quite intriguing."

"Yeah, it’s quite cozy, feels like that taste of human connection."

"This feels pretty simple, kind of like watching adults cook through a crack in the door as a kid, preparing to sneak some food."

"Simplicity is truth. If it’s too extravagant, it just feels fake, and that’s not really cooking."

Simple? Ordinary?

The veteran fans found themselves at a loss for words to describe their feelings at the moment.

With a motorhome worth millions serving as a mobile one-room unit, a fanatical attention to detail, the dazzling entrance where everything seemed fortuitous, and the irresistible appearance of each dish...

All of this seemed worlds apart from the keywords "simple" and "ordinary"!

Oh well, ignorance is bliss. Let’s allow these naive newcomers to remain happy for a while longer. Judging by the remaining time on the oven, the happiness for the newcomers won’t last long; once the dish is ready, they’ll know if Boss Wang is truly simple and ordinary!

Wang Fan placed another clay pot on the stove.

The bottom of the clay pot was covered with sand ginger, scallion sections, and some five-finger peach—a wild ginger, and the heat was turned up high, causing it to sizzle incessantly in no time.

Amidst the rich aroma of scallions and ginger, there was a hint of coconut milk fragrance. Only once the intensity of the scent had reached another level did Wang Fan add the freshly marinated flying dragon into the clay pot.

He lowered the heat to medium, donned heat-resistant gloves, and then lifted the lid of the clay pot stewing red-braised pork.

Half of the broth in the clay pot had evaporated, revealing the glistening dark-red braised pork beneath. The grass ropes binding the braised pork, tied in a butterfly knot, had absorbed the broth, which was slightly lighter in color than the pork itself.

Even though only a small edge was revealed, the sharp-eyed viewers still caught a glimpse of the braised pork’s true form, and some quick-handed ones had already managed to capture a screenshot.

"Wow... It looks so appetizing; the color is really stunning."

"It’s not even finished yet, and it’s already so tempting. I feel like I won’t be able to resist when I see the final dish."

"Why is the color so red? Could it be that some tricks have been added?"

"Yeah, sugar color and soy sauce shouldn’t produce this color."

"You’re ignorant, aren’t you? Ever heard of red yeast rice? When boiled in water and then stewed together, it creates this color."

"Boss Wang is known for his cleanliness; just because something looks good, don’t assume it’s tricks and fancy processes, and spread food anxiety everywhere."

Boss Wang built his reputation one step at a time, labeled as "value for money, clean and hygienic," and loyal followers wouldn’t just watch as others tarnished Wang Fan’s name.

"Don’t throw around new terms without knowing what they mean; Boss Wang is the last pure land in the culinary world."

"If you keep talking nonsense, I’ll pour the Soul Juice right over your head!"

Just then, three heads suddenly peeked in from beside the kitchen door, all with expressions of extreme desire—Zhuo Qianqian, Liu Hehe, and Zhou Ruoqing—all fixated on the clay pot under Wang Fan’s hands.

Initially, Zhou Ruoqing didn’t want to come. Being a guest requires a guest’s mindset, and basic etiquette and respect should be maintained.

But she just couldn’t resist that wave upon wave of aroma surging from the kitchen like tidal waves!

At first, she could hold back, but as time passed, the scents grew even more intense, and the mélange of aromas blended into an enchanting, soul-stirring fragrance, causing her, already hungry and awaiting the feast, to break down.

She could almost feel the craving transforming into a hand tugging at her stomach. She was just shy of shouting, "I want to eat meat!"

Zhuo Qianqian and Liu Hehe weren’t much better off. Good food doesn’t distinguish between acquaintances and strangers; the same aroma launches an indiscriminate attack, and the two exchanged glances, simultaneously signaling at the kitchen.

As the saying goes, leftovers in the bowl aren’t as enticing as what’s in the pot, and what’s in the pot can’t compare to the thrill of sneaking a taste...

The two gave Zhou Ruoqing a look too, and being tortured by the aroma to the point of wanting to gnaw on her hand, Zhou Ruoqing couldn’t resist; her feet were already following the two into action.

"Boss, is there anything ready for sneaking a taste?"

Zhuo Qianqian whispered, as though she were truly becoming a thief.

Without turning his head, Wang Fan replied, "Too early. There isn’t anything ready to eat yet."

While speaking, he added abalone to the clay pot and tossed a few preserved plums inside before putting the lid back on.

After completing this step, he turned around and said with a smile, "Go out first, and in another half hour, we can dine."

"Grr..."

"Grr..."

"Grr..."

Three simultaneous stomach growl protests, causing Zhou Ruoqing’s face to turn crimson to the base of her neck.

Zhuo Qianqian and Liu Hehe didn’t find it embarrassing at all and justified themselves boldly, patting their bellies: "Boss, I wanted to say yes, but my stomach doesn’t agree."

Backing her up, Liu Hehe said, "You know, Wang, my stomach doesn’t belong to me."

After speaking, the two looked at Zhou Ruoqing.

Zhou Ruoqing was so embarrassed she wished she could find a hole to hide in; however, with her two good friends staring at her like this, she felt obliged to say something to avoid feeling out of place.

After a moment of hesitation, she plucked up her courage, looked at Wang Fan, and said emphatically, "Yes!"

Wang Fan shook his head helplessly, "Alright, alright, I’ll let you have some saltwater duck; wait while I slice it for you."

"Oh yeah!"

The three of them cheered and applauded each other, with Zhou Ruoqing appearing especially excited. This was her first time doing something like this with others, and amidst the excitement, the deepest melancholy within her seemed somewhat alleviated.

Wang Fan picked up a plate of pre-sliced saltwater duck from the table and drizzled a spoonful of broth over it before handing it to them, "Take it out and share some with the elders too."

This plate of duck was prepped earlier to cater to his girlfriend and Liu Hehe, the two culinary enthusiasts.

He surely didn’t believe these two would resist sneaking a taste, though he hadn’t guessed Zhou Ruoqing would join them as well.

The dish was piled high with saltwater duck pieces, and as Zhuo Qianqian accepted the plate, she didn’t forget to give the duck meat a close-up with her camera before departing.

The skin was white, the meat red, and the bones green. Amidst the tender red meat, glimpses of transparent gelatin could be seen, accentuated by the spoonful of broth drizzling over it—the sight alone was enough to whet one’s appetite.

Some delicacies are evident as delicious simply from their appearance, particularly Nanjing’s famed saltwater duck, already renowned as a dish, and these blocks of duck that perfectly met the standard—who would doubt its flavor?

"You’re poisoning us! Boss lady, you’re too much!"

"Boss lady, put that plate of duck down—I’ve just merged it into my screen, it belongs to me now!"

"Seriously, can saltwater duck be this delicate and tender?!"

"There are times I realize you really shouldn’t see hometown cuisine at Boss Wang’s place—I’ve lived in Nanjing for 20 years, and I’ve never seen or tasted duck this tender!"

"Who hasn’t? We consume 40 million saltwater ducks a year here, and I just want to know who knows where to get this kind of effect?"

"Slurp... Is this why you said not to linger here? I admit, I’m drooling."

"Amazing! I definitely don’t believe this saltwater duck is bought, ’cuz none of the purchased ones look like this!"

"How is this even remotely close to being done? Just a single saltwater duck and you new folks already broke down. When the main dishes hit, won’t you be drooling three thousand feet?"