Free Web NovelChapter 387: Chapter 247 This taste... could it be?!
"If only we had that what’s-its-name Paluda from last time, that would be perfect," Conan said with a hollow look in his eyes as he gazed at Chen Ze. He still wanted to turn back into Shinichi Kudo, as only by doing so could he root out the organization.
"Sorry, that was a random dish. Not all Paluda have that effect," Chen Ze shook his head; he was just a chef.
Although he had now leveled up to become a Dessert Master, it wasn’t as if he could just whip up a Paluda and produce an antidote effect at will.
"Ah... what a letdown. Just give me something random to eat," Conan said, flopping down on the table, his face a picture of boredom. He was only interested in a dessert that could restore his former self.
"I’ll have a serving of eel rice, and also a Magical Mapo Tofu," Ai Haibara remained as calm as ever, seeming only to become flustered when it came to people from the organization.
"Alright," Chen Ze nodded and then went back to the kitchen to prepare lunch for Conan and Haibara.
"Let me think, this nutty cutlassfish should be boiled, after all, the best way to cook it is to boil it," Chen Ze pondered the cooking for Conan, since Conan’s was random.
In the end, Chen Ze decided on what exactly to make for Conan: a nutty cutlassfish soup, topped off with a curry pork chop rice.
Chen Ze had originally planned to try making natto, but since he didn’t have that ingredient and its taste was quite peculiar, he ultimately abandoned the idea.
Once he decided what to make, Chen Ze’s speed in cooking shot up, his hands moving at a lightning pace as he processed the ingredients in front of him.
He slashed the pork chop, allowing flavors like curry to seep in more easily, enhancing the overall taste of the curry pork chop rice.
When making the grilled eel, he could make a few shallow cuts on the body of the eel, which would create a slightly crispy texture upon grilling, making it even tastier.
The Magical Mapo Tofu was the same old routine; Chen Ze just needed to keep an eye on the heat. Moreover, having gained a sensitivity to temperature, he did an even better job this time, although it was a pity he didn’t earn a perfect rating.
"Betty, come in and serve the dishes," Chen Ze clapped his hands and then proceeded to deal with the nutty cutlassfish.
Preparing the nutty cutlassfish was actually quite straightforward: just bring the water to a boil and toss in the fish. After that, the nutty and fishy flavors would slowly emerge in the soup. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com
Still, Chen Ze added some salt and seasonings, including finely chopped chives and spring onions, to make the soup’s flavor even richer.
"This dish... why is it glowing?" Ai Haibara looked at the Magical Mapo Tofu in front of her with a life-questioning gaze, utterly puzzled as to why a Mapo Tofu would glow.
"Generally speaking, glowing objects are radioactive substances, but none seem to be present here, though I can’t rule out grinding as a reason," Conan, too, found it strange, but he was busy wolfing down the curry pork chop rice in front of him—the flavor was really good.
"No, I don’t think this restaurant would do that, and the fact that the dish glows is not hidden at all," Haibara shook her head. She knew all about what Conan was talking about, but the dish in front of her didn’t seem to have been adulterated with such substances.
After hesitating for a while, Haibara still scooped up a spoonful of the Magical Mapo Tofu and took a bite...
Chen Ze took out a spoon, scooped a bit of the fish soup, and tasted it.
The flavor was quite nice, rich with the taste of fish and nuts, and the two flavors didn’t clash with each other at all, which pleased Chen Ze even more.
Then Chen Ze carried the pot of soup out, and as soon as he stepped out he saw that Haibara had already finished her eel rice and Magical Mapo Tofu.
"That fast? It’s fish soup," Chen Ze looked at Ai Haibara with surprise, originally thinking that after her body shrank, her appetite would diminish as well, but it seemed she still ate quite quickly.
"Manager Uncle, your cooking skills are really awesome," Conan gave Chen Ze a thumbs up. He had tasted countless dishes, and although he had frequented many Michelin-starred restaurants, none compared to Chen Ze’s culinary skills.
"Thanks for the compliment, but what I’m more curious about is, how do you plan to settle the bill this time?" Chen Ze looked at Conan and Ai Haibara with a smile.
"Don’t worry about that, I’ve got it covered," Conan said with a confident face. Although he hadn’t changed back, such delicious cuisine was worth it.
"Oh?" Chen Ze grew even more curious.
"It’s this!" Conan took out a black object resembling chewing gum.
"What’s this?" Chen Ze took it curiously, hoping it wasn’t some kind of prank gadget.
"I asked Dr. Agasa to make this, you just have to put the spice in, and it will automatically recognize what you’ve added," Conan explained seriously.
"Oh?" Chen Ze examined it and indeed there was an opening, which seemed to be where the spices went in.
Chen Ze went into the kitchen, then brought out a packet of five-spice powder, a widely used seasoning.
Next, Chen Ze sprinkled a little into the device and saw the chewing-gum-like object light up several times before a line of Japanese subtitles appeared. freewebnoveℓ.com
"...Looks like there’s nothing wrong with it, it’s Dr. Agasa’s invention after all," Chen Ze shrugged, grateful that he had access to a translator.
Chen Ze then rested the Spice Recognizer on the table, planning to check out its efficiency after Conan and his group left.
"This soup has a really strange taste," Conan smacked his lips, having just tasted a sip of the nutty Swordfish Soup.
"Indeed, there’s a nutty flavor, but it complements the fish perfectly without any clash, the texture is smooth and refined, and it’s very delicious," Ai Haibara also nodded her head in agreement, her face full of satisfaction as she served herself another bowl.
Betty wiped her mouth on the side, otherwise her drool would have leaked out.
A little while later, Conan and Ai Haibara left, leaving behind only an empty soup pot.
"Manager, these two kids can really eat," Betty couldn’t help but comment, she had thought they wouldn’t be able to finish.
"No, both of them are one a high school student and the other an adult," Chen Ze shook his head, they had just shrunk because of some drug.
Moreover, they have been elementary students for many years, if you look at it by age, they should be uncles by now, but that’s anime for you, always so unreasonable.
"Eh? The little girl too?" Betty asked curiously while doing the dishes.
"Yeah, she’s a scientist, her body also shrunk," Chen Ze nodded, and she was known in the world of Conan fans as ’Princess Ai’.
