Jiang Feng started to busy himself with the countryside stir-fried pork again.
First, he stir-fried the chili peppers in an iron wok, then removed them and set them aside.
Next, hot oil went into the wok, followed by the pork. Once the aroma of the meat began to waft through the air, he added green onions, ginger, and garlic, along with a bit of broad bean paste.
Finally, he seasoned it with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and salt before adding the reserved chili peppers. After a few more stirs, it was ready.
The stir-fried pork with chili peppers was done.
The scent of the stir-fried pork with chili peppers traveled even further; nearby stalls could now smell the delicious fragrance of Jiang Feng's cooking.
A man approached Jiang Feng's stall and asked, "Boss, how much is the rice combo set?"
As Jiang Feng continued to cook, he replied, "One meat and one vegetable dish is 18 yuan; two meat dishes and one vegetable dish are 25 yuan.
"Today's meat dishes are chicken legs, stir-fried pork, and Yuxiang Shredded Pork.
"The vegetable dishes are tomato scrambled eggs and mushrooms with greens.
"We also have seaweed egg drop soup in the pot, 3 yuan a bowl."
Hearing Jiang Feng's prices, the man hesitated. Over twenty yuan for a food stall rice combo set is a bit expensive. But the aroma of the stir-fried dishes is so enticing; it's making me hungry even though I wasn't before.
"Give me the stir-fried pork and tomato scrambled eggs, plus a bowl of egg drop soup," the man finally ordered.
"Alright, find a place to sit. It'll be ready in a moment," Jiang Feng said.
Jiang Feng got busy again.
A single batch of a dish could satisfy four or five customers, and he could cook eight or nine chicken legs at once, letting them simmer in the pot.
So, even though Jiang Feng was working alone, he could handle the workload.
"Boss, your cooking skills are impressive!"
"With talent like that, why are you running a stall instead of being a head chef in a restaurant?" the man chatted as he watched Jiang Feng cook.
It was mainly because Jiang Feng's cooking technique was excellent, and the food looked appealing—he was clearly a professional.
Jiang Feng smiled and replied, "To make money."
Hearing this, the man didn't dwell on it, simply giving a thumbs-up. "Young people today are truly remarkable!"
Before long, Jiang Feng had another rice combo set ready.
He placed the stir-fried pork with chili peppers and tomato scrambled eggs over the rice, then ladled some of the savory sauce from the pork on top, making it look incredibly appetizing.
The essence of a rice combo set was the delightful mix of rice and sauce.
Some preferred plain white rice, while others enjoyed it mixed, each offering a different texture and taste.
The man sat down, picked up his chopsticks, and mixed the stir-fried pork into the rice, ensuring the sauce thoroughly coated every grain before taking a large mouthful.
Instantly, the unique flavor of the mixed rice exploded in his mouth.
The spiciness of the chili peppers and the umami of the pork melded together.
With each chew, it felt as if every grain of rice burst, continuously stimulating his taste buds.
Moreover, the slight spiciness of the stir-fried pork with chili peppers made him salivate involuntarily, further whetting his appetite.
Even though it was afternoon, Jiang Feng's stall selling rice combo sets was bustling with customers.
The moment his stove flared to life, the distinct, mouthwatering aroma drew people in.
Diners ate and praised his food enthusiastically:
"Mm, this rice combo set is really good."
"Delicious!"
"Eating it hot is the best!"
Some people gathered around Jiang Feng, asking:
"Boss, do you do deliveries? Can I get your number?"
"Boss, do you have a restaurant? If I want to eat your food again, can I go to your shop?"
Hearing these questions, Jiang Feng responded, "I don't do delivery. It's just me, and everything is made to order, so I can't handle the extra volume.
"I don't have a permanent shop; I'll just be at this stall for the week.
"And please don't ask for my WeChat; I prefer not to be disturbed."
Hearing Jiang Feng's replies, many customers could only sigh. Young people these days certainly have strong personalities. With cooking skills this good, if only he were a bit more ambitious...
The roadside stall by the park was steaming, a hive of activity.
People tend to follow a crowd; seeing the long line here, many others naturally gravitated over.
Jiang Feng's food truck was quite large, equipped with two stoves. Condiments, side dishes, and fresh meat were neatly arranged beside them.
Just then, another customer approached. "Boss, I want a Yuxiang Shredded Pork rice combo set. Just that one dish, but make it a large portion. How much?"
Hearing this, Jiang Feng replied, "Yuxiang Shredded Pork uses high-quality ingredients, so ordering it as a single dish is more expensive. It'll be 28 yuan."
"Okay, I'll take it," the customer, clearly not short on cash, said immediately.
Different dishes were offered in varying portions according to their prices. Yuxiang Shredded Pork was the most expensive. Consequently, customers received a smaller portion of it if it was part of a rice combo set with one meat and one vegetable dish, or two meat dishes and one vegetable dish. Ordering it as a standalone dish meant a larger serving but at a higher price.
"Alright."
Jiang Feng immediately set to work preparing the Yuxiang Shredded Pork.
As soon as he began cooking, a crowd gathered, some even taking out their phones to record him.
The people eating here were mostly locals. They knew where to find good food and would surely tell their acquaintances.
And just like that, word began to spread, and his reputation grew.
Jiang Feng took out a piece of pork tenderloin and expertly sliced it into thin strips.
He seasoned it with salt, pepper, and Sichuan peppercorn wine to remove any gaminess.
Then, he coated the strips with a mixture of egg white and starch.
Finally, he drizzled a little oil over them to prevent sticking.
Pork strips prepared this way wouldn't clump together when stir-fried.
He took thin red chili peppers, sliced them open, and with a single scrape of his knife, removed all the seeds before mincing the flesh.
This was the source of the "Yuxiang" (fish fragrance) in Yuxiang Shredded Pork.
The Yuxiang sauce was made with five spoonfuls of water, four of vinegar, three of sugar, two of soy sauce, and one of starch.
Then, he heated oil in the wok and stir-fried the pork strips. He added pickled chilies and broad bean paste for color. Soon, the pale pink pork strips absorbed the reddish oil, turning a vibrant red.
Next, he flash-fried green onions, ginger, and garlic until their fragrance exploded.
He then added celtuce strips and wood ear mushrooms, finishing with a sprinkle of chopped green onions.
Done!
Traditional Yuxiang Shredded Pork contains no carrots. Nowadays, however, many restaurants not only add carrots but make them the predominant ingredient.
As a result, this famous delicacy has gradually lost its authentic flavor.
Rice had already been dished onto a plate.
The freshly cooked Yuxiang Shredded Pork was poured directly over it.
Each strip of pork glistened, coated in the steaming, aromatic sauce. Just looking at it, one could imagine how satisfying it would be to eat.
The fragrance of the Yuxiang Shredded Pork wafted in all directions.
Many people hadn't seen such authentic Yuxiang Shredded Pork in a long time.
The pork strips were almost translucent, enveloped in a delicate steam—a true work of art.
And this came from a roadside stall?
No one would believe it if you told them.
Was 28 yuan for a dish from a small stall too expensive? the customer had initially wondered. But after seeing the Yuxiang Shredded Pork rice combo set Jiang Feng had made, he could only think, It's worth it! So damn worth it!
The Yuxiang Shredded Pork rice combo set was placed on the table. The customer, unable to wait, picked up his chopsticks, grabbed several strips of pork, and put them straight into his mouth.
The pork, fresh from the wok, was still sizzling hot.
The first bite was intensely fragrant and scalding, making him chew hastily while puffing out breaths to cool his mouth.
It was a delightful agony.
As the burning sensation subsided, he finally savored the true flavor of the Yuxiang Shredded Pork.
With each bite, his mouth filled with rich, savory juices. The taste of the pork was perfectly complemented, growing more delicious with every chew.
Swallowing it sent a wave of satisfaction from his throat all the way to his stomach.
The customer's face lit up with pure enjoyment.
Seeing how delicious the Yuxiang Shredded Pork rice combo set looked, others around called out:
"Boss, I want a Yuxiang Shredded Pork rice combo set too!"
"Get me one as well!"
"I'll have one too, and add an extra chicken leg!"
Just then, the pancake vendor from the next stall, witnessing Jiang Feng's booming business, put down his tools and walked straight over to Jiang Feng.
Seeing him approach, Jiang Feng thought, He wondered what this was about.
The vendor spoke directly, "Give me a Yuxiang Shredded Pork rice combo set too. What you're cooking smells too good to resist!"
Hearing this, the surrounding crowd burst into laughter.
Was there even a need to ask if it was tasty? Even a fellow vendor had become a customer!