Chapter 367 - 193: Linjiang Shanshi Noodles, Who Could Resist This

Chapter 367: Chapter 193: Linjiang Shanshi Noodles, Who Could Resist This

Qian Siyuan froze for a moment, looking up at Xiao Lei. He remembered now. When his mother had talked about this dish all those years ago, she had said something similar, in almost the exact same accent and tone.

Yes!

Their accents were similar, different from other parts of Sichuan.

"The best way to eat these eel threads is to go for pure satisfaction," Xiao Lei said, demonstrating. "Grab a whole bunch with your chopsticks, get it all in one bite, and just experience the flavor." He lifted a heap of the eel into his mouth, his face instantly lighting up.

Qian Siyuan followed his lead, picking up three threads of eel that were thoroughly coated in the thick sauce and spices, and brought them to his mouth.

The eel threads, sliced long and uniformly thin, were drenched in the rich sauce. A burst of savory, fragrant, numbing, and spicy flavors exploded in his mouth.

’It’s so tender and springy, and there aren’t any bones!’

It was like slurping noodles; he drew them into his mouth in a single motion.

The eel’s texture was silky and delicate. It was soft but held its shape when chewed, yielding a uniquely tender and satisfying bite.

It was completely different from the slimy texture he had imagined.

That one bite was so incredibly satisfying!

Truly satisfying!

He understood...

He finally understood now, why his mother, even after decades away from her hometown, could never forget this Linjiang Shanshi.

Perhaps it wasn’t just because it was delicious, but also because of a deep longing for her home.

’I just can’t imagine how those hideous-looking yellow eels are transformed into something so delicious.’

’Sichuan Cuisine chefs are incredible!’

It was like they had the power to turn the mundane into the magical.

This was the taste of his mother’s hometown.

The Linjiang Shanshi that had haunted her dreams and that she had longed for.

Now, more than twenty years later, he had come to the land of Jiazhou and was finally eating it.

Tears streaming down his face, Qian Siyuan looked up at Xiao Lei and said, "Master Xiao, thank you. Thank you for letting me taste the flavor my mother could never forget."

Xiao Lei, who was in the middle of enjoying his meal, had no choice but to set down his chopsticks. He consoled him earnestly, "Don’t mention it. Since you’re sure this is the hometown delicacy your mother yearned for, I’ll accompany you to Linjiang tomorrow to find your family."

Qian Siyuan nodded. "Okay, I’ll come pick you up first thing tomorrow morning. I’m sorry to trouble you to make the trip with me."

"Fantastic! We finally have a solid lead. We might actually get somewhere in Linjiang!" Lin Zhiqiang said, sounding excited. Even though the official business wasn’t settled, the whole affair was still thrilling.

Zhou Yan was also thrilled.

’The search for family, guided by a search for flavor, has made real progress. There’s hope for completing the mission!’

With his worries eased, he also picked up a clump of the eel threads and put them in his mouth.

The eel, coated in sauce, was like thick noodles. The moment it entered his mouth, the savory, fragrant, numbing, and spicy flavors exploded on his tongue.

The flavor and texture of authentic, local swamp eels were truly on another level. They were tender and bouncy, soft without being mushy, and incredibly smooth.

’The flavor is so fresh! From paddy field to wok in less than two hours.’

The aroma of the hyssop was particularly prominent, lending the dish its unique character.

’This is so damn satisfying!’

’And a Linjiang Shanshi like this still isn’t considered perfect?’

Zhou Yan raised an eyebrow. ’The Identification is still too strict.’

The Linjiang Shanshi earned nonstop praise from everyone at the table.

Halfway through the meal, Zhou Yan went into the kitchen, took the proofed dough, and pulled it into thin noodles. Thin noodles would hold the sauce better.

By the time he came out with a bowl of cooked noodles, more than half of the eel in the basin was already gone.

"Now, using this sauce for noodles, that’s the life!" Xiao Lei said with a laugh, and everyone’s eyes brightened.

The eel was delicious, but it felt like something was missing.

’So that’s it! It was missing a staple food!’

Saving the sauce for noodles is the highest compliment you can pay a dish.

This Linjiang Shanshi definitely earned that compliment.

Zhou Yan put the noodles into the eel sauce, gave them a stir with his chopsticks, and the snow-white pulled noodles were immediately coated in red chili oil, soaking up the savory sauce and the fresh flavor of the eel.

"Here, let me serve you," Zhou Yan said with a smile, portioning out a bowl of noodles for everyone.

The air immediately filled with a chorus of slurps and sighs of appreciation.

He served himself a bowl, picked up a strand of eel with the noodles, and took a loud slurp.

’The numbing, spicy, savory deliciousness hits you right in the soul!’

’Paired with the succulent eel, this is just pure bliss!’

’I can’t stop, one bite after another!’

’Linjiang Shanshi Noodles... who could possibly resist this?’