Lin Yan asked Zhao Shiyun to take some time to take two plates of tofu to Amo's stall. Today was the first day of business, and many people didn't know about it. Some people who wanted to buy tofu should still go to West Street. He would ask Amo to help promote the stall then.
At 9:00 PM, few people were left buying breakfast snacks. Lin Yan took a quick look and saw less than ten pumpkin cakes left. The steamed buns were all sold, and only a few of the soy milk and tofu pudding were left. Lin Yan quickly kneaded the dough and made another twenty or so steamed buns, as some people might want some for lunch later. He asked Zhao Shiyun to continue selling the fragrant tofu at the door while he began preparing lunch.
Lin Yan had soaked the dried bean curd sheets in the morning, drained them, and cut them into small pieces. He had already cut up enough meat, including minced meat and sliced meat, when preparing it that morning.
For lunch today, I will make three meat dishes: stir-fried meat with bean curd sheets, minced meat with tofu, and tofu and meat soup; and two vegetarian dishes: stir-fried black fungus and braised winter melon.
With Yu Ge'er and Li Yuemei helping him, Lin Yan worked quickly, and by noon, the food was almost ready. He placed it in a large basin on the stove. There was a window on the wall between the front hall and the stove, but Lin Yan had left it curtained, making it easier for guests to choose their dishes.
Soon, the crowds began to gather. People looking for lunch and workers unloading from the nearby docks all poured into the street. The aroma of Lin Yan's cooking filled the air, and some passersby, noticing the aroma, couldn't help but enter the shop to inquire.
"Boss, I'm starving. What delicious food do you have?"
"Sir, our meat dishes include fried bean curd sheets with meat, minced meat tofu, and tofu and meat soup, all for ten coins a portion. Our vegetarian dishes include stir-fried black fungus and braised winter melon, both for six coins a portion. We also have steamed buns and rice, steamed buns for one coin and rice for two coins. What would you like to eat?"
The workers at the nearby docks only earned fifty or sixty cents a day, and usually just ate steamed buns and pancakes. However, the food in this restaurant was so delicious that he gritted his teeth and decided to order some meat dishes to satisfy his hunger.
"What is this yuba? I've never heard of it. Let's have one serving of it, plus some rice."
"Okay, please wait a moment." Lin Yan returned to the kitchen and scooped a large spoonful of rice onto the plate, then scooped another large spoonful of fried bean curd with pork onto the rice. The rice was soaked in the soup, and the light yellow bean curd had a rich bean aroma, paired with the fat and lean pork, making one want to eat it just by looking at it.
Lin Yan brought the food to the customer's table. The customer took a look and said with a smile, "Shopkeeper, your way of eating is quite unique. The dishes are placed on the rice." Lin Yan smiled and said, "Yes, we have rice bowls. The bean curd sheets are unique to my family. They are delicious."
The customer eagerly picked up his chopsticks, picked up a piece of yuba, and placed it in his mouth. He first savored its unique texture: chewy yet tender. Then, as he chewed, the aroma of meat and beans permeated the air. "Hmm, really good! This is the first time I've ever had yuba, and it's surprisingly delicious," he exclaimed as he ate. Other diners who had entered the restaurant, upon hearing this, looked over curiously.
"Shopkeeper, I also want a serving of fried bean curd with pork and some black fungus." Someone who had plenty of money ordered one meat dish and one vegetable dish.
The group that came with them discussed how many dishes they wanted so they could share. "Please ask for stir-fried pork with bean curd sheets and minced pork and beans. We also want some vegetables, but no rice. Just four steamed buns so we can share."
The food arrived quickly, and the hungry customers quickly began to dig in. "It smells so good!" they exclaimed, "This bean curd sheet is really delicious! I've never had it before." With the diners' praise, more and more people began to order this dish. Soon, the large bowl of stir-fried bean curd sheets and pork was empty. Lin Yan was secretly delighted. This dish seemed to be very popular and could be considered for daily use. The dock worker who had first eaten the bean curd sheet and pork rice bowl wiped his mouth with satisfaction after finishing his meal, thinking that if he earned more money tomorrow, he would definitely come back to try other meat dishes.
At noon, the number of people looking for food gradually decreased, leaving only those who came to the market to eat. The fried bean curd with pork was sold out. Lin Yan took the opportunity to recommend the tofu and pork soup. The women and husbands liked this dish more, while the men preferred the minced meat tofu and the fried bean curd with pork. The unexpected vegetarian dish was also quite popular. Li Yuemei narrowed her eyes and said, "Thanks to Brother Yan's good cooking skills."
The pumpkin cakes and steamed buns have been sold out, and Lin Yan doesn't plan to make more. He guesses there won't be many customers soon, so there will only be a little rice left. Lin Yan steamed a mixture of brown rice and white rice, which is just as delicious.
Yu Ge'er was very excited. Although he was a little tired today, he made money and his business was so good. It was a good start!
"Goff, are we still going to make these dishes tomorrow?"
Lin Yan nodded. "Let's make these for now. We'll change them up every ten days to give customers a sense of freshness. But we can keep selling the fried bean curd sheets and pork."
Li Yuemei agreed. She held Yan Ge'er's shoulders and asked him to sit down and rest: "Yan Ge'er, you are exhausted today. Take a rest. I will go to the market to buy ingredients for tomorrow."
"Mo, I'll go with you." Yu Ge'er volunteered.
There is still one plate of tofu left, and Lin Yan plans to use it all to make fragrant tofu, and close the stall after selling it all.
Zhao Shiyun discussed with him: "Brother Yan, I'll go buy a bed and put it in the small room at the back, okay? Then you can lie down when you're tired."
Lin Yan hesitated. The business had just opened and the rent hadn't been earned back yet, yet he was spending so much money. "Brother Shi Yun, let's buy it later. Once our business is on track and we're making money, we can buy whatever we want."
Zhao Shiyun agreed, but he was thinking that when he had time he would go to the mountain to chop some wood and make one himself, so that Yan Ge'er would have nothing to say.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
