Chapter 801 Unable to repay the new store's stable business, Ma Hongxia and Liu Dong pondered how to create a memorable and strong brand.
Both of them are from Northeast China, and after discussing it, they decided to find inspiration in the flavors of their hometown.
"Pork stew with vermicelli? Too common, every family makes it." Liu Dong said, his brows furrowed as he smoked his pipe.
"Sweet and sour pork? It uses too much oil, and if the price is set too high, I'm afraid no one will order it." Ma Hongxia shook her head.
Just as she was worrying, Ma Hongxia looked out the window at the biting cold wind and suddenly had a flash of inspiration. She slapped her thigh and exclaimed, "I've got it! Let's make that stewed fish!"
Liu Dong's eyes lit up: "The way we do it back home?"
"That's right!" Ma Hongxia perked up, listing the benefits on her fingers.
"Fish is not a rare commodity, and the price is reasonable. Tofu, vermicelli, and cabbage are all staples for winter in northern China. They are cheap and substantial. They are simmered in a big pot until the soup is rich and flavorful, the fish is tender, the tofu soaks up the broth, the vermicelli is smooth, and the cabbage is sweet. A big pot of soup and vegetables is served hot, which is both satisfying and warming, and goes well with rice. It is perfect for winter in Beijing and is sure to be a hit!"
The more the two thought about it, the more reliable the idea of "stewed fish" seemed. But in their excitement, Liu Dong thought of a practical problem: "The idea is good, but where can we find so many fish of good quality and at a reasonable price? Good fish are not cheap in the capital. If we use inferior fish, it will ruin our reputation."
Ma Hongxia calmed down and realized that this was indeed a problem.
The next day, Liu Dong took advantage of Lu Qingyang's visit to the store and told him all his thoughts and concerns.
As Lu Qingyang listened, he tapped his fingers lightly on the table, a knowing smile appearing on his face.
“Your idea is great, down-to-earth, and unique. It will definitely work. As for the fish, don’t worry about it. Just focus on figuring out how to make the fish taste even better.”
Upon hearing this, Liu Dong and Ma Hongxia felt a huge weight lifted off their shoulders.
With Lu Qingyang's words, they felt reassured.
After returning, Lu Qingyang began making arrangements.
In the spiritually rich pond in the space, he specially designated an area and put in several kinds of tender, boneless, and mildly fishy fry, using spiritual spring water to accelerate their feeding.
In just a few days, the fish grew plump and strong, with tightly packed scales, bright eyes, and full of vitality, far surpassing the quality of fish sold in the market.
Liu Dong and Ma Hongxia couldn't help but marvel at the fish as soon as they saw it.
"Wow, this is good stuff. Just by looking at the meat, you can tell it's firm and has very little fishy smell."
With such a stable supply of top-quality ingredients, the couple became even more enthusiastic about researching cooking methods.
They repeatedly adjusted the sauce ratio, experimented with different cooking times, and recorded the impact of each stewing time on the texture of the fish.
"Don't add too much sauce, or it will overpower the freshness of the fish."
"The tofu should be added later than the fish, otherwise it will all fall apart during stewing."
"The timing of adding the glass noodles is crucial; adding them too early will cause them to burn, while adding them too late will prevent them from absorbing the flavor."
"The final sprinkle of cilantro and chopped green onions is the finishing touch!"
The kitchen was often filled with the rich aroma of stewed fish, and occasionally, the sounds of the couple discussing whether the fish was too salty or too tender, and whether it was cooked properly.
Finally, after countless attempts and adjustments, a unique dish belonging to the Xinweiju branch, "Liu's Secret Stewed Fish," was born.
When that steaming pot of stewed fish, with its milky white broth (or rich, savory sauce, depending on the final version), tender fish, and flavorful side dishes, is served, its enticing aroma and substantial presentation are enough to make one's mouth water.
The first group of customers who tried it were all captivated by its unprecedented deliciousness. The fish melted in their mouths, with no fishy taste whatsoever, and the tofu and vermicelli soaked up the essence of the fish soup, resulting in an extremely rich and complex flavor.
"Boss, where do you get this fish from? It's so fresh!"
"This taste is absolutely amazing! It's unlike any stewed fish I've ever had before!"
"This is such a big bowl, several people can't finish it."
Lu Qingyang knew how to attract customers to a business opening. Having a main dish wasn't enough; you also needed something that would catch people's eye and leave a lasting impression.
He used the high-quality ingredients in the space and some inspiration from Beyond Time to come up with a few small, exquisite, cost-effective, and unique "opening welcome snacks" for Liu Dong and Ma Hongxia, and decided to give away a small plate to each table for free for the first three days.
This delighted Liu Dong and Ma Hongxia, and the kitchen staff immediately began experimenting with it.
The first item is mini bite-sized pastries.
This thing looks ordinary, but it has a lot of secrets inside.
뇾놅 is made with low-gluten flour and animal butter, resulting in an exceptionally rich milky aroma.
There are two kinds of fillings: one is a savory and fragrant mixture of crushed jujubes and a little salt and pepper, and the other is a sweet and moist jujube paste with walnuts.
They're only the size of a coin, baked to a golden brown and crispy perfection, perfect for one bite at a time. Each bite is bursting with flavor, a delightful blend of salty and sweet, making them irresistible.
Another one is amber walnuts.
Select plump walnuts from the space, add sugar and a little water and simmer over low heat. The most crucial step is the instruction from Lu Qingyang: add a little lemon juice and a pinch of salt to the syrup.
The resulting candied walnuts have a crystal-clear sugar coating, with a color like real amber. When you bite into them, you first experience the crisp sugar shell, followed by the crunchy aroma of the walnuts. The taste is sweet but not cloying, with a very subtle hint of lemon freshness and saltiness, which cleverly balances the sweetness and instantly creates a more complex flavor profile, making them far superior to ordinary candied walnuts.
"Hey, what's this little flower-shaped dessert? It's so pretty and delicious!"
"These shortbreads smell amazing! This is the first time I've ever had savory biscuits, and they're really good!"
"These walnuts are so shiny, how do you make them? They're sweet, fragrant, and don't stick to your teeth!"
Guests raved about the complimentary snacks, especially those with children, who stared longingly at them.
These snacks not only taste great but are also exquisitely presented, instantly elevating the new store's ambiance by more than one level. Many people develop a deep and wonderful first impression of the Xinweiju branch because of these thoughtful little snacks that can't be found elsewhere, becoming repeat customers.
This new shop is so appealing, it's no wonder it's so popular.
Meanwhile, Zhou Zhe and Su Xiaowen's matter had already been settled.
Lu Qingyang noticed that Zhou Zhe worked even harder during experiments, and after finishing the experiments, he would come to the store to work part-time. He was also more frugal in his daily life.
Lu Qingyang sensed something was amiss: "What? Did things go well for you two?"
"Hehe, I'm not exactly a matchmaker, but for Qingyang, you're more like a matchmaker. Xiaowen and I have decided to invite you to dinner together."
Lu Qingyang smiled and said, "You're being too polite. My family owns a restaurant, so why would I need you to treat me?"
"But……"
Lu Qingyang had given him so much help that he sometimes felt he could never repay him.
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