Chapter 105 Braised Lion's Head Meatballs
Yu Miaoyin went to the market to buy water chestnuts. She had already pre-ordered the pork, and the pork vendor would deliver it.
The meat chosen was a 3:7 fat-to-lean ratio. Yu Miaoyin didn't use a meat grinder; instead, she chopped it into small pieces with a knife. Machine grinders grind meat too finely, and chopped pieces have a better texture. The diners with their number tags didn't leave; they all huddled inside the small restaurant waiting for their food.
This group of people hadn't even had breakfast; they were just waiting for lunch.
"The owner is so kind, he chopped it himself. Other places would have used a meat grinder. I just don't know if the owner gets tired from doing so much," a customer said worriedly. But seeing how good Mr. Yu's knife skills were, he felt that his worries were unnecessary.
"I once ate at a place where the lion's head meatballs were basically just starch, with no meat at all," one man shook his head. "But even if there was meat, I wouldn't dare eat it. Who knows what kind of meat it was?"
The meat that Boss Yu chose looked very fresh.
"Yes, it's rare to see such a conscientious shop these days. It's really great that it's become so popular." Speaking of this, the older brother recalled a shop he used to love. The owner insisted on using fresh ingredients and cooking over an open flame, but the shop closed down in less than three months.
After saying that, the older brother chatted with the others about everyday things. He said he came from a city in the far north, and after seeing pictures of the delicious food at this small restaurant online, and noticing that celebrities liked it, he came all this way. Although he hadn't eaten there yet, it seemed like the trip was worthwhile.
Many people in the shop were tourists like him, and they all agreed after hearing this. Some of them had tried the chicken biscuits before and nodded in agreement, saying, "It's totally worth it to be able to eat food made by the boss from Shangyu."
After chopping the meat into small pieces, Yu Miaoyin mixed the chopped water chestnuts with the chopped meat, then added seasonings and cornstarch, stirring in one direction until the mixture became sticky, making the lion's head meatballs taste better.
Once the meat chunks and water chestnut pieces are mixed together and stirred until they become slightly sticky, Yu Miaoyin takes out an appropriate amount of minced meat and pounds it with both hands alternately until it is shaped and tightly packed together.
Mr. Yu handled the task with ease, drawing the attention of the diners. They watched as he swiftly tossed the irregularly shaped meat patties from his left hand to his right, and then back again. The patties instantly transformed into plump meatballs, which popped out of his hands one by one.
As the diners watched Mr. Yu's movements, they began a pantomime, imitating his actions of slapping the lion's head. Mr. Yu did it with such ease, as if he were playing ping-pong.
She was making braised lion's head meatballs, which required frying. Yu Miaoyin heated the oil and slid the pounded lion's head meatballs into the oil. Hearing the sound, the diners all craned their necks to look at what was happening in the kitchen.
Before long, Yu Miaoyin took the lion's head meatballs out to drain the oil. The crispy meatballs made a crisp sound as they touched the iron plate. The diners imagined that if they took a bite, wouldn't they be so crispy that they would crumble?
After frying, it will be stewed, making the diners' mouths water. Smelling the aroma of Boss Yu's prepared braising sauce, they all twitched their noses like pigs.
I really wish I could lie down in the small restaurant and take a nap until the braised lion's head meatballs are ready, because the waiting process is too unbearable.
Yu Miaoyin went to attend to other matters, and some diners, unable to sit still, went outside to cool off in the cold air to calm themselves down.
...
After simmering over low heat until the flavors were fully absorbed, Yu Miaoyin lifted the lid, and an extremely powerful and intense aroma immediately filled the air, mingling with the howling cold wind outside. Because it smelled so good, everyone couldn't help but sniffle, inhaling the cold, dusty air along with the aroma.
Yu Miaoyin wrote down the price: Braised Lion's Head, 12 yuan each.
"Boss, boss, I'm number one! I'm number one!" The guy holding the number one number rushed up and shouted, "Give me three lion's head meatballs, and extra sauce!"
"OK."
This lion's head meatball wasn't cheap, but Grandpa Xu felt it was worth it. After all, Xiaoyin used good ingredients, and her skills were so good; other places would probably charge double.
The lion's head meatballs were transferred from the pot of bubbling braising sauce to a bowl. The first man to arrive blew on them twice, took a big bite, and popped it into his mouth. The scalding hot broth and meat juices overflowed, and the man fanned his mouth with his hand, unwilling to spit it out despite the heat.
So hot, so fragrant! The fried surface is slightly crispy, while the meat inside is both loose and firm, tender and chewy—completely different from those lion's head meatballs made with starch. Twelve yuan is such a great deal! The man ate the braised lion's head meatballs, then shoveled a big mouthful of rice—so satisfying!
The older brother nodded repeatedly as he ate, as if talking to himself or seeking approval, "This trip to Yuncheng was really worth it. I ate such delicious braised lion's head meatballs and saw such beautiful scenery."
The guy at the next table kept talking, mumbling, "I'm here on vacation too. I thought everyone was exaggerating, but I never expected it to be so delicious. Tsk tsk, how come Boss Yu is such a good cook?"
This braised lion's head meatball looks like just a plump, round meatball with a rich, dark brown color, seemingly requiring little skill. But to make it delicious, there's a lot to consider. A poorly made one doesn't deserve to be called a lion's head!
This dish is one of the famous dishes served at state banquets. They're incredibly lucky to be able to enjoy such delicious braised lion's head meatballs in such a small restaurant. But the owner is really wasting his talent by opening a shop right in front of this high school; he says he should open it right in front of his house!
Grandpa Xu scooped up the lion's head meatball with a spoon, looking at it from left to right. The rich sauce clung to the uneven surface of the braised lion's head meatball. The meat wasn't minced, and it also contained water chestnut pieces, so it wasn't slippery at all.
After watching for a few seconds, he lowered his head slightly to bite into the braised lion's head, and also caught the sauce that was about to drip into his mouth. This action was very similar to the "top green" part of a lion dance.
Wow, this is amazing, so worth it! Waking up early and queuing for so long was totally worth it. Especially the braised lion's head meatballs, which even have water chestnut pieces inside. Even after stewing, they're still crunchy, and when you bite into the water chestnut pieces, the refreshing juices burst out, perfectly cutting through the richness of the meat.
Moreover, this braised lion's head meatball is quite large; one is enough for someone with a small appetite.
It's tender yet firm, soft and flavorful, especially the braising sauce, which is evenly incorporated into every inch of the lion's head meatballs. The outside isn't overly salty, and the inside isn't bland either.
The braised sauce is also great with rice; the glistening rice is so delicious, you can eat it in one bite and feel incredibly satisfied.
When Lu Jingming arrived, the group of high school students had not yet finished class. This time, he also brought his mother with him.
Although he came here primarily to have a meal with his mother, he also had work to do. The two had signed a contract the day before yesterday, and this time, Lu Jingming wanted to take Boss Yu on a tour of the factory.
After getting out of the car, Ms. Lu stood in front of it, looking at the unremarkable little restaurant. She had just returned from a trip; with so many Michelin-starred restaurants in China, why had her son brought her to this tiny place?
Lu Jingming turned around and called out to her, "Mom."
"You're coming here to eat?" Ms. Lu shook her head and asked him in English, "Are you sure?"
"Yes, I brought you here specifically," Lu Jingming said.
Ms. Lu reluctantly followed her son into the small restaurant.
She suspects that her son's loss of taste is due to spending too much time abroad!
"Mom, you're dressed like a nouveau riche." Lu Jingming glanced at her entire outfit, from her clothes to her shoes to her hair clips, all of which had brand logos.
Ms. Lu shook her head: "If I don't wear it out, how will anyone know I'm rich?"
The two walked into the small restaurant together. Lu Jingming greeted Yu Miaoyin and looked at the menu: "Boss Yu, give us four lion's head meatballs and a serving of stir-fried rice noodles."
She remembered that her mother especially loved fried kway teow.
"OK."
Ms. Lu put her bag on the ground. The lion's head meatballs were 12 yuan each, quite cheap, but the taste probably wasn't very good.
Even if it smells very good.
She loves traveling and food. Every time she goes somewhere, she checks Dianping (a Chinese review platform) and tries all the recommended restaurants. She's quite picky about food. This lion's head meatball is a famous Huaiyang dish; she had it while traveling there, though it wasn't braised.
She remembered the lion's head meatballs she ate in Huaiyang, with an exceptionally delicious chicken broth that truly melted in her mouth.
"The dishes are ready." Yu Miaoyin knew that Lu Jingming wanted to talk to her, so she brought out the dishes. "Is there something important?"
Lu Jingming said, "I would like to invite Mr. Yu to visit our factory."
“Okay, wait until I’m done with my work,” Yu Miaoyin said.
Lu Jingming pushed the stir-fried rice noodles in front of Ms. Lu and thoughtfully scooped out two bowls of rice, saying, "It smells delicious, have a taste."
Looking at the beautifully presented braised lion's head meatballs, and with their enticing aroma, Ms. Lu thought, "It should be quite delicious, right?"
Ms. Lu picked up a spoon, scooped a spoonful and put it in her mouth. She gently licked it, and the meat seemed to melt in her mouth. It was so tender and soft that Ms. Lu felt like fireworks were exploding in her mouth. Moreover, the braised sauce prepared by the owner was especially fragrant.
"Delicious." Ms. Lu withdrew her prejudice and began to eat the braised lion's head meatballs in small bites. After scooping out most of the meatball, she looked at it again and saw that the inside of the meatball was also a rich red color, with clearly visible pieces of meat and water chestnuts. They looked separate, but in fact they were tightly packed together. You could see the high-quality ingredients, and the meat juice, water chestnut juice, and braising sauce were all dissolved in this meatball.
She unconsciously compared it to the lion's head meatballs she had eaten before. Compared to those made by chefs who served at state banquets, Boss Yu's meatballs were in no way inferior, in every sense. The lion's head meatballs made by those master chefs were also delicious, but Boss Yu's seemed to be even better, a step above, with an exceptionally strong aroma and texture.
"My goodness, this is the best dish I've ever eaten, bar none," Ms. Lu said without exaggeration. She had been trying to be dignified by eating in small bites, but now she was completely unconcerned and enjoying the feeling of eating heartily.
And this fried kway teow smells so good! After gulping it down, Ms. Lu looked around the small restaurant and then turned her gaze to Boss Yu.
The owner was so young and beautiful! She had imagined that someone who could make such delicious lion's head meatballs would be a serious old man; it seemed she was too naive.
If only we could take over this shop, or invite Boss Yu to cook for her at home, that would be great. Money wasn't an issue; her family had plenty of money to spare. With this in mind, Ms. Lu discussed it with Lu Jingming, asking him if it was feasible.
Lu Jingming grabbed her arm: "Mom, what are you thinking about?"
Ms. Lu tidied her hair, recalling her conversation with Boss Yu, and asked, "Did you discuss cooperation?"
"Yes, Mr. Yu contributed his technology as equity."
Ms. Lu slammed her hand on the table. "This is a good thing! Our Lu family is benefiting from this!"
Lu Jingming pushed the remaining lion's head in front of Ms. Lu, silencing her.
After finishing their lunch, the two did not disturb Boss Yu and went back to take care of their own business.
At this time, high school classes also ended. Jiajia and Xiaodu rushed out of the gate of No. 1 High School. During class, she could smell the delicious aroma wafting from the small restaurant, which made her distracted in class. When the teacher asked a question, she was still offline.
The English teacher teased Jiajia during class, asking if she had been distracted by the aroma. The honest Jiajia nodded. The teacher then asked the students if they were hungry, and they all nodded honestly, shouting that they were. She smiled, "I'm just as hungry as you are. Hang in there, everyone, we can go eat after class."
The aroma made the forty-minute English class feel especially unbearable.
"Braised lion's head meatballs, 12 yuan each." Jiajia read out the menu as she stood in front of it. With the end of the semester approaching, she didn't have much pocket money left, and 12 yuan each was indeed a bit expensive for her.
However, this is braised lion's head meatballs made by Sister Ayin. If you can't afford it, it's not Sister Ayin's fault for setting the price, it's her wallet's fault.
Xiao Du ordered two without hesitation, saying, "I have to treat myself well. I only have one mouth, and I'm preparing for exams. How can I study if I don't eat something good?"
Hearing her say that, Jiajia quickly ordered two more dishes. After all, Sister Ayin's dishes are limited editions, and if you miss them, you won't be able to eat them anymore, which would be even more of a loss.
Yiling had a lot of living expenses, so she didn't hesitate and ordered two items as well.
"At our school, braised lion's head meatballs cost four yuan for two. This shop is so expensive," the girl muttered to herself.
"You don't understand. How can this shop's braised lion's head meatballs compare to the starch balls at our school? This shop's braised lion's head meatballs are worth three times the price," said a boy who often eats here.
They carried their food and sat down opposite Jiajia.
The girl first ladled the broth onto the rice, then took a small bite of the lion's head meatball to try it.
It melts in your mouth, has a distinct grainy texture, and is slightly chewy; her eyes lit up.
"How is it? Doesn't it smell delicious?" the boy said, looking smug.
"It smells so good! So this is what lion's head meatballs taste like." The girl kept eating and talking, the aroma spreading layer by layer in her mouth.
The boy had never eaten authentic lion's head meatballs before, and his praise earlier stemmed from his trust in Boss Yu. Hearing the girl say that, he also picked up a spoon and began to taste it.
Mmm, this smells amazing! The taste is even stronger than the aroma. When they see the braised lion's head meatballs made by Boss Yu, will they feel ashamed that the soft, meatless ones they ate at school were just substitutes or inferior products?
Jiajia watched as the girl went from complaining about the price to feeling it wasn't enough and queuing up to buy another one. She couldn't help but smile. See? Everyone eventually changes their mind!
"Jiajia, if you don't want to eat it, I'll give you fifty yuan. How about you sell me your lion's head meatballs?"
“Who said I won’t eat it?” Jiajia quickly pulled the lion’s head meatball in front of her.
Xiao Du eats very quickly and finished the lion's head meatballs in no time. Now he can only watch Jiajia eat.
Looking at the braised lion's head meatballs, it would be a lie to say that Xiao Du wasn't tempted. He quickly took out his vocabulary notebook and quietly memorized words, using studying to calm his mind and reduce his desires.
A university in Yuncheng.
After the group meeting ended, Xiaowen felt a heavy weight lift from her shoulders. She let out a sigh of relief and replied to her boyfriend's message: "I've finished the group meeting. I just got yelled at by my advisor for ten minutes. Only ten minutes! I feel a sense of relief after being yelled at, because there are still people who haven't reported yet!"
As someone who has also been tormented by group meetings, Xiaowen's boyfriend understands her mental state very well. Who doesn't go crazy while doing graduate school?
[Baby, I've come to find you! Let's eat together. I brought you food from Yu Ji Restaurant; they have braised lion's head meatballs today. I put them in a thermos, so they're still warm.]
"It's from Yu's Little Restaurant," Xiaowen excitedly typed in reply, "I'm coming right now!"
She packed her things and prepared to leave when her junior sister came over to greet her: "Senior sister, are you going to eat?"
The junior student asked with a look of utter despair, "Xiao Wen understands her too well. In her first year of graduate school, she would secretly cry when her supervisor scolded her in a group meeting. In her second year, she could only smile foolishly."
Junior sister, clearly in the first stage, said, "Yes, want to walk together for a while?"
The junior sister shook her head and said, "I don't have an appetite. Senior sister, you go eat. I'm leaving now."
Out of love for her junior, Xiaowen pulled her aside and said, "My boyfriend brought me braised lion's head meatballs from Yu Ji Restaurant. They're really delicious. I'll share one with you."
Xiaowen was very enthusiastic, and the junior sister finally couldn't refuse. Afterwards, the three of them sat together in the cafeteria, drooling over the braised lion's head meatballs.
Xiaowen shared one of the lion's head meatballs with his junior sister, who then got a bowl of rice for two yuan and started eating.
When she scooped up a bite of the lion's head meatball with a spoon, she could clearly feel its soft and glutinous texture. Unexpectedly, the meatball melted in her mouth as soon as it entered her mouth. Her junior sister quickly scooped up a mouthful of rice and put it in her mouth. It was fragrant and delicious, and she could even bite into the water chestnut and meat pieces inside, with a distinct grainy texture and rich layers.
It was so delicious that the junior sister felt a brief moment of stagnation, as if she had lost internet access. She felt the intense and domineering flavor of the braised lion's head meatball fill her mouth. As it slid down her throat and esophagus, she felt her taste buds being activated. How could this braised lion's head meatball be so fragrant?
"Thank you, senior sister, this lion's head meatball smells so good." Strangely enough, the pain and sadness she felt after the group meeting seemed to have been swallowed down along with the lion's head meatball. The power of delicious food is so strong.
Xiaowen nodded and said, "Right? I feel like this restaurant is more like my therapist. When I'm in a bad mood, I go here for a meal and I feel full of energy. Junior sister, don't be too sad. Our supervisor is notoriously difficult. We shouldn't get upset during our graduate studies. Just eat well."
"Okay, thank you, senior sister. I'll eat well. Where is this restaurant? I want to eat here next time," the junior sister said. Indeed, only delicious food can truly soothe the soul.
Xiaowen sent her her name and location. After the meal, as a token of gratitude, her junior sister brought Xiaowen a cup of hot milk tea.
—
After the restaurant closed for lunch, Lu Jingming came to the small restaurant again and invited her to visit the factory together.
Yu Miaoyin tidied herself up and got into Lu Jingming's car. "Okay, thank you, Boss Lu."
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