Read Novel Full Vol 20 Chapter 10
Vol 20 Chapter 10
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Chapter 10 – This Is Monjayaki!
The flying yacht I offered as an apology was more popular than I had imagined, and with this newfound confidence, I decided to go ahead and summon a houseboat. Today’s lunch is monjayaki. I’m going to show them the true power of B-grade Japanese gourmet food.
First, I order a traditional monjayaki from the summoned Saporabi.
As it arrives, I light the grill and add oil. The preparations are now complete.
Saporabi brings the food, and I get into the mood with two spatulas in my hand.
“Now, I’ll explain while I cook. It’s easy, so just watch and learn.”
My words caught the attention of the women, and among them, Carla-san and Claretta-san leaned forward to pay close attention.
I think Claretta-san was curious about the new cooking method, and Carla-san was interested in the monjayaki, which I am confident about. These two things seem similar, but they are slightly different.
“First, take the ingredients out and lightly fry them on the griddle while chopping them with the spatula.”
I took the ingredients, which were piled high in a bowl, out with two spatulas and chopped them up while frying them, just as I said.
Look at this beautiful spatula work!
I personally gave myself a perfect grade for the rhythm.
“Wa-Wataru, is it okay to be so rough? You can’t play with food.”
Claretta-san replied with a straight face.
It seems that my spatula skills were not recognized as elegant but as a play. It’s so sad.
“No, I’m not playing. This is how this dish is made.”
“Is that so? …I see.”
Claretta-san nodded with a questioning look on her face. She’s backed off for now, but it looks like she’s not convinced.
Maybe Claretta-san is a very strict judge when it comes to food. She seems a bit scary, but I’m sure she’ll be satisfied once she’s eaten it.
“Uh… You arrange the ingredients in a circle like this.”
…Oh no, it looks like I’m just playing around, and the ladies’ eyes seem to be getting colder.
My heart is breaking.
Should I appoint them all as staff and prove that I’m not wrong?
No, I can’t give up now. In fact, this is my chance.
Surprise requires a difference between high and low, and right now, although it’s unexpected, the expectation value has dropped to a surprising degree.
But I know. Monjayaki is delicious and fun.
If I can get through this painful time, then, lo and behold, this delicious dish will become wonderful.
So it’s okay. I can still go on.
“Th-then pour the dashi into this circle.”
The sound of the sauce sizzling spreads throughout the ship. The ladies’ expressions relax a bit at the smell.
“And when the dashi has warmed up and thickened, you can spread it out again while quickly stirring in the ingredients.”
Ah, the women’s expressions have relaxed a bit. Is it the part where I cut up the ingredients and stir them that they don’t like?
It’s strange because I’m sure they’ve all had hamburgers and gyoza before.
Well, it’s ready now; just sprinkle the aonori seaweed on top, and it’s ready to eat. After they eat it, they can praise me all they want.
“Yes, it’s done now. After that, you can use the small spatula next to it to press down on the ingredients and eat them. It’s like this.”
I took the mini spatula and pressed down on the ingredients while pulling them together.
Then I popped them into my mouth.
“Ouch! Ah, hah, hah… yeah, it’s delicious…”
I popped it into my mouth before it had a chance to cool down because I wanted to get out of the awkward situation as soon as possible. It’s burning hot in my mouth.
But it’s delicious.
The robust flavor of the sauce, the umami of the small shrimp and dried squid, and the sweetness and crunch of the soft cabbage all combine to make my mouth happy.
Yes, this is monjayaki.
It’s a rather junky-tasting dish, but that’s why it’s addictive, and like potato chips, it’s a beguiling taste that makes you want to eat more and more.
But…
“Well, aren’t you going to eat it?”
The women stopped moving. No, Carla-san already has her mini-spatula and is ready to go, but Claretta-san stopped her after hearing what she had to say.
“It smells good, and I can see from the ingredients that it’s not something you can’t eat. But somehow, it doesn’t look appetizing. To be honest, it looks like vomit.”
What?
This delicious-looking food looks like vomit?
Hmm, that’s not far off. Come to think of it, I’ve heard that before monjayaki became popular, it was often criticized in this way.
The criticism was especially strong from people in the Kansai region, and those involved in monjayaki were said to have felt frustrated.
But they didn’t give up.
They took pride in the fact that monjayaki had been around since the Edo period, even though the shape was different, and they didn’t give in to the criticism, and they sublimated it into a great dish that everyone knew.
Until now, I would have tried to be humble and say that as long as people eat it, it’s okay, but somehow I found myself imagining the history of monjayaki and getting emotionally involved, and I felt that being humble wasn’t the right thing to do.
Yes, as the only Japanese person in the world, I can’t help but understand the feelings of those who have continued to work hard despite the criticism.
Because I’m the only one, I represent Japan. Well, I’m from a region that has nothing to do with Edo.
“I see. This dish is very popular in my country, but if you don’t like the way it looks, I can’t help it. All right, there are other delicious dishes besides monjayaki, such as tempura and sashimi, so let’s prepare them.
I thought the height difference was important, but it seems that the first one is too low, and I can’t use the gap yet. I look at the menu and order the main dishes eaten on the houseboat.
But that doesn’t mean I’ve lost.
It’s just a temporary retreat because I believe in the power of monjayaki. Even if I don’t flatter her, Carla-san will definitely take a bite.
Tempura and kaiseki dishes are lined up, and a slightly luxurious lunch by the sea begins. Well, in my case, I basically live on the sea, so I eat on the sea almost every day.
Ines and Felicia were also put off by the appearance of the monjayaki, so I urged them to eat with Alessia-san and the others without hesitation.
It was a miscalculation that Rimu and Pent also went over there, but I think they’ll be back soon, so it’s okay. I’m not lonely.
Anyway, monjayaki… doesn’t even look tasty to monsters…
As I watch Alessia-san and the others cheer at the Edo-style tempura, I continue to enjoy the bliss of eating piping hot monjayaki and washing it down with draught beer.
Simply put, it’s the best.
“…Is it delicious?”
“Whoa, ah, Carla, um, it’s delicious, you know?”
I’m in trouble. I was so engrossed in the monjayaki that I didn’t notice Carla-san standing next to me.
Carla-san looks at me with sparkling eyes.
“Do you want some?”
I had already prepared myself for the fact that Carla-san would not be able to resist and would come over to me, so I offered her some monjayaki.
“Yes!”
I handed her a mini spatula and, having clearly learned from my actions, she reached for the monjayaki without hesitation.
Carla-san cooled the heat by blowing on it and then put the monjayaki in her mouth.
After munching on it, she brightened up. She twitched her bear ears as she put the monjayaki in her mouth one after the other.
It’s so cute. But it’s no good.
Monjayaki are strong enough on their own, but if you have a draught beer next to them, their fighting power will increase even more. If you can drink alcohol, it’s no exaggeration to say that draught beer is a must.
“Here you go, Carla-san.”
When I handed the draught beer I ordered to Carla-san, she immediately decided to drink it, and without hesitation, she put it to her lips.
Amazingly, the medium-sized beer cup was empty in an instant. I quickly ordered another draught beer and placed it in front of Carla-san.
This time, instead of drinking it all at once, she alternated between the draught beer and the monjayaki.
Kukuku, the infinite loop is complete. Now Carla-san is a slave to monjayaki.
“Oh, Carla, try scraping off the burnt bits with the spatula and eating them.”
“You want me to eat them too?”
Despite her doubts, the honest Carla-san obediently tried the burnt bits as she was told.
“Delicious!”
That’s the natural reaction. The burnt bits of monjayaki are extraordinary.
“H-hey, Carla, is it that delicious?”
Carla-san’s voice was heard, and Claretta-san came over. Just as I expected.
Luring Carla-san and then convincing Claretta-san, who loves to cook, to eat.
“Yes, it’s really delicious. I love this.”
Carla-san doesn’t stop eating while talking. She’s doing a good job.
“Wataru, can I have some too?”
Seeing Carla-san like that, Claretta-san asks me with a determined look on her face. Monjayaki isn’t really a food that requires that kind of determination, though.
“Yes, I made it for everyone to eat, so please help yourself.”
Since this is an apology meal, I don’t say anything sarcastic like, “Is it okay to eat something that looks like vomit?” But I give her a mini spatula and encourage her to eat.
Claretta-san puts the monjayaki in her mouth, imitating Carla-san.
“…..It’s incredible. Even though it’s made like this, it has a habit-forming taste. It’s different from the finest cuisine, and it’s a deliciousness that appeals to your instincts.”
She’s hooked.
Just like Carla-san, I offer her a draught beer.
And Claretta-san has also entered an endless loop from which there is no escape.
When the very reliable Carla-san and Claretta-san are hooked, the other women become curious.
“Wa-Wataru, we’d like to try some, too. Is that okay?”
They’re hooked. There’s a lot today.
“Sure, that’s fine. First, please try the classic monjayaki with Carla and the others. I’ll prepare the next batch while you eat this one.”
Well, what should be next? The mentaiko mochi cheese is the best, and the seafood variety is also exciting. The unusual snack type monjayaki is also hard to resist.
…There are a lot of people and a lot of tables. I’ll take all the ones that look interesting to all of them. And I’m going to drown them all in the monjayaki swamp.
I won’t let them say it’s vomit again.
This is the fundamental strength of monjayaki, which has evolved since the Edo period.
Wait, Edo?
…I thought monjayaki was a B-grade gourmet food, but could it be a traditional dish?
…Well, it doesn’t matter. Monjayaki is delicious. As long as you know that, that’s enough.
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