flstandardbreds Chapter 182 The Ancients' First Taste of Stinky Tofu: A Warning of Its Deliciousness
Chapter 182 The Ancients' First Taste of Stinky Tofu: A Warning of Its Deliciousness
"Uh...is it just my imagination? This stinky tofu...smells kind of delicious?"
A customer in line for instant noodles couldn't help but swallow hard as he smelled the unique aroma wafting through the air.
"It's really strange. How could this tofu, which originally smelled bad, become so fragrant and delicious after being fried in oil?"
The speaker stared intently at the sizzling oil in the pan, his mouth involuntarily drooling profusely.
"Ah~ This aroma is so irresistible! Just hearing the name made me lose my appetite, but now, smelling this stinky yet fragrant scent, I'm practically being bewitched..."
This diner went even further, his body involuntarily moving closer to the stinky tofu, his nose desperately inhaling its unique aroma, his face beaming with an expression of pure bliss.
At this moment, the most excited person was none other than the customer who bought the stinky tofu.
He rubbed his hands together incessantly, his face full of anticipation. "Oh dear, why isn't it ready yet? Looks like I made the right choice this time. Just by smelling it, I know this stinky tofu is going to be delicious!"
Under everyone's watchful eyes, a crisp "ding" rang out, and the stinky tofu was finally fried!
The robotic arm skillfully lifted the square mesh bag containing half a portion of stinky tofu to filter out the oil. After gently shaking it up and down a few times to remove the excess oil, it quickly transferred it to a pre-prepared oil paper bowl.
The half-portion paper bowl box is relatively short, with a round and flat cylindrical design, and oil-absorbing paper is thoughtfully placed at the bottom.
With a smooth movement of the robotic arm, the stinky tofu was placed steadily in the paper bowl.
"Do I need to add both sweet sauce and chili sauce?" the stinky tofu machine asked.
The customer was a little confused by the sudden question. He had never tasted stinky tofu before, so he had no idea what sauce to add.
But he quickly made a decision, "Add them all!"
Since there were other options, he figured he might as well add them all; maybe it would even make the flavor richer.
The robotic arm quickly operated with both hands, simultaneously spreading a layer of brownish-red sweet sauce and bright red garlic chili sauce over the stinky tofu, ensuring that each piece was evenly coated with both sauces.
A steaming, fragrant plate of freshly fried stinky tofu is ready!
As the robotic arm slowly pushed the packaged paper bowl to the exit, the adventurous customer couldn't wait to take it in his hand.
Inside the paper bowl, neatly arranged square pieces of stinky tofu presented an enticing golden color.
The outer layer is crispy, as if covered with a thin layer of sheen, making it look very appetizing.
The aroma of stinky tofu, which was right next to me, grew stronger and stronger, hitting my nose directly.
The unique pungent smell intertwines with the aroma of fried food, creating an irresistible temptation that makes one's mouth water involuntarily.
"Hurry up and try it! I'm waiting to buy some..."
The customers next to him were even more anxious than he was, wishing they could have a taste for him!
He finally picked up the bamboo skewers from the paper bowl, carefully poked a piece of stinky tofu with the tip of the chopsticks, and then slowly put it into his mouth with a slight hesitation.
Upon taking a bite, the first sensation was the crispy texture of the outer layer and the slightly hot temperature on his tongue, which made him hesitant to chew too quickly.
He puffed out a few breaths to dispel the hot air from his mouth, and once the stinky tofu had cooled down a bit, he began to savor it.
As you chew slowly, the tender and juicy interior of the tofu gradually reveals itself, bringing an indescribable and wonderful taste.
The sweetness of the sweet sauce and the spiciness of the chili sauce blend perfectly, adding rich layers to the stinky tofu!
The sweetness is subtle yet perfectly balanced, subtly softening the unique pungent smell of the stinky tofu and making it more mellow and appealing; the spiciness spreads like flames in the mouth, stimulating the taste buds and bringing waves of exhilarating sensation.
The diner nodded repeatedly in delight, chewing incessantly. The freshness of the tofu and the rich aroma of the sauce gradually released, as if awakening all his taste buds, making him unable to stop eating.
Every bite was a new surprise, and he just wanted to keep savoring it, unable to stop, completely immersed in the exquisite flavor, as if no one else was around.
"Hey buddy, stop eating all by yourself! At least give us a word!" the crowd around urged anxiously.
They watched as the diner closed his eyes and savored the food, as if he were enjoying some rare delicacy. But after waiting for a long time, he still didn't say anything to comment, and they were getting impatient with their own cravings.
Judging from the diners' expressions, this stinky tofu must be very delicious.
However, most people remained skeptical and unwilling to believe that something that smelled so bad could possibly taste delicious. It just didn't seem like a likely solution...
The half-portion of stinky tofu was quickly devoured, and only then did the man suddenly come to his senses.
His first reaction after regaining consciousness was to quickly pull out eight more copper coins, eager to buy another serving.
"Oh dear, I overpaid! If I had known, I could have bought a whole serving for just three more coins!" he muttered to himself in frustration.
This crispy and delicious stinky tofu is definitely not enough with just half a portion!
After he tossed in eight more coins and pressed the "Confirm" button, he turned around and began to answer the questions from the crowd.
"Listen to me, everyone," he said earnestly, "this stinky tofu may smell awful, but it tastes absolutely delicious! I dare say that you'll regret it if you don't try it!"
After saying that, he stared longingly at the stinky tofu that was being fried, his eyes filled with anticipation.
"Never mind, I'll have one too! My mouth is watering just looking at it..." Someone immediately put in a coin and bought one.
"I'll have one too! I trust this young man won't cheat us."
At this moment, the stinky tofu machine issued a reminder: "Please line up in the order of your order. We will be making the first five orders first. Please wait a moment."
The robotic arm flexibly branches into several arms, operating simultaneously without appearing chaotic. The compartment in the middle of the net rises up, allowing five portions of stinky tofu to be fried at the same time.
Those eager to try it have already paid and are waiting in line, while those who are hesitant and observing are still wavering...
"To the five customers ahead of us, please let us know in advance whether you would like sweet sauce, hot sauce, or both?"
The self-service snack machine has a memory function, so as long as the customer tells it their preferences in advance, it can make the food accurately without making a mistake.
"Um, could the guy who just tried it give me some recommendations? What's the difference between these two sauces?" someone asked.
The diner who had tried the stinky tofu explained, "If you can handle the spiciness, I highly recommend adding both sauces. Both flavors have their own merits; it just depends on whether you can handle the spiciness."
"Then give me both!"
"Me too!"
"Uh, I can't eat spicy food, so just add sweet sauce."
“I’ll buy it so my grandchildren can try it too, but I won’t add any spice.”
"Okay!" The stinky tofu machine records the instruction to ensure that each person gets a portion that matches their taste without making a mistake.
The guests were finally able to enjoy the stinky tofu, and they couldn't wait to taste it.
"Mmm! It's absolutely delicious! I never expected it to taste so good, not at all smelly, but fragrant!"
"That's right, little brother, you weren't lying to me. Luckily, I acted quickly. If you don't have any food, I advise you to hurry up and buy some so you can enjoy it sooner!"
"I never expected this stinky tofu to be crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and it even bursts with juice when you bite into it! It's so delicious!"
"Ah, I can't resist anymore, I have to have one to try!"
……