Free Web NovelChapter 507: Chapter 507: A Worldly Delicacy
The fugu sashimi didn’t have the fishy taste one might expect, nor the so-called "numbing" sensation on the tongue.
It had an extremely firm texture, its elasticity far surpassing that of ordinary sashimi.
As he chewed, an indescribable sweetness exploded on the tip of his tongue. It was the purest umami of the fish itself, unhindered by any seasoning.
The more he chewed, the more fragrant and flavorful it became.
The moment he swallowed, the umami seemed to slide down his esophagus and into his stomach, leaving him feeling utterly relaxed.
"How is it?"
Elder Li looked at Li Xu expectantly.
"Elder Li, I’m convinced."
Li Xu gave a thumbs-up. "A taste like this is a rare find in this world. Compared to the exquisite flavor of this fugu, the risk of a little poison is definitely worth it."
"Hahahaha."
Elder Li laughed heartily. "That’s the spirit! Life is all about eating and drinking. If you don’t dare to take a little risk, what flavor is there to life?"
Just then, the housekeeper brought over an exquisite, warmed wine pot and filled their cups.
"Shirako sake."
The housekeeper introduced it with a smile, "This is also one of the master’s unique specialties. We take the finest fugu milt, or shirako, and steep it in aged white liquor after a special treatment process. Warming it not only removes any fishiness but also brings out its unique aroma."
Li Xu was curious and picked up his cup.
The liquid was clear with a faint yellow hue, emitting a delicate, mixed aroma of cream and alcohol.
He took a sip.
The warm liquor carried the small piece of shirako into his mouth.
The shirako tumbled on his tongue. He gave it a gentle bite, and its surprisingly springy texture was a delight.
As he broke the outer layer, a rich sweetness instantly flowed out, blending perfectly with the sharp, mellow liquor.
In that instant, a warm current shot down his esophagus into his stomach, quickly spreading to every corner of his body.
Li Xu instantly felt light-headed, as if he were adrift in a vast river. He could see countless fugu fighting their way upstream, and the indomitable life force and primal beauty they embodied were all perfectly captured in this single cup of sake.
’Sweetness and fragrance, a perfect match!’
"The fugu hot pot, please enjoy."
Before Li Xu could even recover from the lingering aftertaste of the shirako sake, the housekeeper brought out a copper hot pot.
The broth looked clear and simple, seemingly nothing special.
"The broth here is very special,"
The housekeeper lifted the lid, releasing a plume of steam. "We don’t use a traditional meat or bone broth, as that would overpower the fugu’s delicate flavor. Instead, this is made by simmering mountain spring water with cured deep-sea kelp. Then we add the deboned fugu skeleton, along with napa cabbage, crown daisy, and tofu to enhance the umami."
Li Xu picked up the small bowl he’d been served and first brought it to his nose to take in the scent.
A faint, salty aroma of kelp mixed with the fresh fragrance of cabbage and tofu. The utterly natural scent whetted his appetite.
He raised the bowl and took a small sip.
The silky broth glided through his mouth and down his throat.
The light sweetness of the cabbage and the soy fragrance of the tofu became more three-dimensional against the salty backdrop of the kelp.
After the fugu bones had simmered for a long time, the essence of their marrow had completely dissolved into the broth, bringing a deep, clear sweetness that continuously stimulated his taste buds.
Savoring it carefully, he realized that this seemingly simple bowl of soup actually had several layers of changing flavors.
"How does it taste?"
Elder Li came out from the kitchen, chuckling, holding the last few dishes.
Ding Kaifang, his mouth already glistening with oil from the food, gave a thumbs-up. "Elder Li, does your skill even need to be mentioned? Absolutely top-notch! I’ve eaten a lot of good food in my life, but this fugu feast is definitely number one."
"Good, good."
Elder Li laughed, clearly pleased with the praise.
He sat down and pointed to a white plate in front of him. On it were several coin-sized, brown pieces. His expression turned a bit mysterious. "This is the fugu liver, commonly known as Xishi’s Milk. Don’t underestimate these small pieces. Just forty grams is enough to kill fifty thousand people."
Hearing this, Ding Kaifang’s hand, which was reaching for more food, couldn’t help but tremble.
"Generally, no chef would dare serve this to a customer; the risk is too great. If something went wrong, it would be a homicide case," Elder Li said with a sigh. "But, once you’ve tasted it, the flavor is unforgettable."
"The usual method is to rinse it under running water for over six hours to dilute the toxins to a minimum, then carve out a fingernail-sized piece for the guest to taste. And only the most familiar patrons are given the privilege of experiencing such a delicacy."
Elder Li looked at Li Xu and the other two, a sly glint in his eyes. "But don’t you worry. The way I prepare it, it’s absolutely non-toxic."
"I’ll go first."
Song Sisi took a deep breath. Although her heart was pounding, she trusted Elder Li, and even more, she trusted that with Li Xu here, he absolutely wouldn’t let anything happen to her.
She picked up a piece and said with a smile, "I’ll try it first."
But Li Xu just smiled. "Sisi, no need to look like you’re marching to your death."
He looked at the liver on the plate and said with conviction, "If I’m not mistaken, although this liver is from a freshly prepared fish, Elder Li didn’t use the lengthy six-hour rinsing method. Instead, he used a more advanced technique."
Li Xu looked at Elder Li and chuckled softly. "It must have been soaked in herbs. Hmm... you used yuxingcao and white Chaihu, and added a little bit of licorice to neutralize the potent toxin, achieving a rapid detoxification effect. Am I right?"
"Hahaha..."
Elder Li was stunned for a moment, then burst into hearty laughter. "I knew I couldn’t hide it from Doctor Li! Your nose is even sharper than a so-called sommelier’s."
Li Xu smiled, picked up a piece of the liver, and placed it directly in his mouth.
An unprecedented, fragrant sweetness instantly spread from the tip of his tongue. The texture was fine and dense, like the highest quality foie gras, yet even more refreshing.
Moreover, although the trace amount of toxin had been neutralized, a faint numbing sensation still remained.
This feeling made his tongue tingle as if a light electric current were passing through it, creating a novel, stimulating experience that was simply addictive!
"Amazing, Doctor Li."
Elder Li gave a thumbs-up in sincere admiration. "I’ve made this dish for many people. After eating it, most of them just know to shout its praises, but no one has ever figured out my secret recipe. For Doctor Li to see through it with a single sentence today... I’m truly impressed."
Ding Kaifang and Song Sisi, on the other hand, weren’t surprised by this at all.
They had already witnessed too many of Li Xu’s miracles.
Besides, Li Xu was a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine; his familiarity with herbs was practically etched into his bones.
Identifying medicinal herbs by scent alone was practically basic stuff for him.
Song Sisi also quickly put a piece of the liver into her mouth, closing her eyes in enjoyment.
Her whole body felt as if it were bathed in sweetness. The flavor was indescribable, a hundred times more delicious than the finest bluefin tuna otoro she had ever eaten.
"Doctor Li, please try this dish."
Elder Li held a palm-sized celadon dish with both hands, presenting it to Li Xu. His eyes were filled with anticipation. "Please!"
In the dish were some translucent, crystalline yellow objects, each only about the size of a grain of rice.
