Chapter 293: The Douluo Continent Version of Stinky Tofu?
The cooking of the Mo Wu Tuan was not yet finished.
But at this moment, the air in the surrounding area was already filled with its unique aroma.
Just as Ye Lingqing had said, this smell was difficult for many people to accept.
"Meow!"
Pururu couldn't stand the smell. It suddenly leaped out of Qi Han's arms and dashed onto a nearby wall, perching there while keeping a wary eye on the stall emitting that strange odor.
Cats have a more sensitive sense of smell than dogs, and this scent was definitely unbearable for Pururu.
Qi Han was momentarily distracted by Pururu's reaction, but once he confirmed the little creature was fine, his attention quickly returned to the stall.
Taking a deep sniff, Qi Han's expression shifted into one of disbelief.
Could this be… stinky tofu?
Indeed, the peculiar scent in the air bore at least an 80% resemblance to the stinky tofu from his previous life on Earth.
This coincidence made Qi Han even more intrigued. He stood up and asked, "Can I watch from the side?"
"Of course," Ye Lingqing replied with a smile. "Many people in our village know how to make Mo Wu Tuan. It's not a secret recipe."
With Ye Lingqing's permission, Qi Han moved closer to carefully observe his actions.
The cooking process was nearly finished. Ye Lingqing used a specially designed spherical slotted spoon to slowly scoop a black, coal-like ball from the hot oil, placing it into a bowl. Then, he ladled some broth from another pot and poured it over the dish, sprinkling it with seasonings before smiling. "Boss Qi, would you like to try it now?"
"Sure."
After taking a deep look at the black sphere in the bowl, Qi Han picked it up and sat down nearby.
Bringing it closer, the familiar stinky aroma flooded his senses.
Anyone who had eaten stinky tofu before could detect the faint underlying fragrance hidden within the strong odor, and Qi Han was no exception.
Looking at the fist-sized black sphere, its crispy surface slightly puffed from frying, the feeling of familiarity grew even stronger.
Could this really be stinky tofu?
Apart from the shape not quite matching, the Mo Wu Tuan in front of him was almost identical to the stinky tofu he remembered.
"Boss Qi, traditionally, Mo Wu Tuan is eaten with a small spoon. But since coming to Shrek City, I've found that your chopsticks work even better for tasting it. So… I hope you don't mind?" Ye Lingqing asked, a little nervously, as he handed over a pair of chopsticks.
From his tone, it seemed he felt a bit embarrassed about using the chopsticks Qi Han had introduced.
"Of course not," Qi Han chuckled and took the chopsticks. He carefully pierced the surface of the Mo Wu Tuan.
Crack!
With a light crisp sound, the black, crispy outer layer easily broke open, revealing a soft, pale yellow interior. The rich, pungent aroma intensified, flooding Qi Han's nose.
Without hesitation, he picked up a piece with his chopsticks and placed it into his mouth. After chewing slightly, he nodded inwardly.
The cooking process was indeed similar to that of stinky tofu.
Although Mo Wu Tuan was slightly different from true stinky tofu, the fundamental principles behind them were likely the same.
The signature black color of stinky tofu and its strong smell came from the fermentation process in brine.
Traditional stinky tofu brine contains fermented black soybeans. After fermentation, the brine turns dark, and when fresh tofu is soaked in it for a while, it takes on a deep black color while developing its distinctive odor.
Given that Douluo Continent already had the basic technique of making tofu with brine, if someone had accidentally discovered this blackened brine, then it made sense that a dish similar to stinky tofu could emerge.
Qi Han wasn't sure who in Ye Lingqing's Zhilán Village first discovered this, but it was clear that Mo Wu Tuan was essentially the Douluo Continent's version of stinky tofu.
Taking another bite, he chewed as the initial pungent scent gradually faded, giving way to a deep, lingering umami. The porous structure of the Mo Wu Tuan had fully absorbed the broth, making every bite rich and flavorful.
As he continued eating, Qi Han noticed more differences between Mo Wu Tuan and traditional stinky tofu.
While their brine might share some ingredients—leading to the similar smell—the overall flavor profile differed due to other unique components.
Of course, this wasn't a flaw; it simply meant that Mo Wu Tuan had its own distinct taste.
Meanwhile, Ye Lingqing, who had been watching Qi Han's reaction intently, had been filled with anticipation from the moment Qi Han took his first bite without hesitation.
Boss Qi didn't mind the smell of Mo Wu Tuan!
Would he actually like it?
Seeing Qi Han eat another bite with a relaxed expression, the young man grew even more excited.
He didn't dare to speak, waiting patiently until Qi Han finished the dish. Only then did he cautiously ask, barely able to suppress his excitement, "Boss Qi, what do you think of Mo Wu Tuan?"
Qi Han snapped out of his thoughts, realizing he had yet to respond to the anxious-looking youth beside him.
Offering a small, encouraging smile, he said, "It's very good."
Boss Qi really likes Mo Wu Tuan!
Ye Lingqing's eyes lit up. With Qi Han's approval, all the grievances he had previously endured seemed to vanish in an instant.
After all, this was the best chef in Shrek City, and he had just praised Ye Lingqing's Mo Wu Tuan!
Could there be anything more exciting than this?
"However..."
Qi Han's words suddenly took a turn, making Ye Lingqing, who had just relaxed, tense up again.
Seeing the young man grow nervous once more, Qi Han chuckled. "No need to be so tense. I just have a small suggestion."
"Small suggestion?" Ye Lingqing instinctively repeated before realizing what Qi Han meant. His eyes lit up even more.
Was Qi Han giving him advice? Would that make Mo Wu Tuan even more delicious?
"You deep-fry Mo Wu Tuan in hot oil, right?" Qi Han paused briefly. "Perhaps you could try frying it just until it holds its shape, then take it out to drain the oil. Once the oil reaches its highest temperature, put it back in for a second fry."
Qi Han didn't actually know much about stinky tofu, but he could at least offer some advice on improving the texture.
From his earlier observations, he noticed that Ye Lingqing wasn't aware of the double-frying technique. In reality, this step was the key to achieving the perfect crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender—a method commonly used for many deep-fried foods.
Since fried foods were quite rare on Douluo Continent, it made sense that such a simple trick hadn't been discovered yet.
"Drain the oil… and double-fry?" Ye Lingqing scratched his head in confusion.
Although some of Qi Han's words were unfamiliar, he grasped the general idea.
So, he should take the Mo Wu Tuan out halfway through frying, wait for the oil temperature to rise, and then fry it again?
Could such a small change really make Mo Wu Tuan taste better?
He was a little skeptical, but since the suggestion came from Qi Han, he chose to trust him.
"Boss Qi, please wait a moment. I'll try it right now!"
Eager to experiment, Ye Lingqing rushed back to his stall and followed Qi Han's instructions.
Before long, a new batch of Mo Wu Tuan was freshly fried.
Aside from the changes in the frying process, everything else remained the same.
Yet, the Mo Wu Tuan in the bowl now had a noticeably better color—it looked even more appetizing.
Ye Lingqing carefully picked up a piece with his chopsticks and took a bite. After a brief chew, his eyes widened with delight.
The exterior was even crispier than before, while the inside had become softer and more delicate. The contrast in textures had elevated the overall taste to a whole new level.
Could such a minor adjustment really make such a huge difference?
At that moment, Ye Lingqing's respect for Qi Han grew even deeper.
No wonder he's the best chef in Shrek City!
Watching the entire process and confirming that the young man understood his point, Qi Han smiled. "Alright, it's time for me to go."
"Boss Qi, let me see you off—"
"No need." Qi Han waved a hand. "Just focus on serving your customers. Who knows, maybe you'll get a surprise tonight?"
With that, Qi Han turned towards the alleyway, scooping up Pururu, who had jumped back into his arms. His face carried a hint of amusement.
Perhaps, during tonight's service, he could recommend Mo Wu Tuan to his customers?
He hadn't originally considered it, but after tasting this Douluo Continent version of stinky tofu, the idea of introducing this delicacy to his patrons…
Seemed pretty interesting.
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