Sukiyaki is a dish that originated from farmers using iron tools like hoes to heat meat during busy farming seasons.
Another theory is that due to the prevalence of Japan Buddhism and Shintoism at the time, Emperor Tenmu prohibited people from eating livestock, and only on occasions such as illness or celebrations would they eat "Sukiyaki"
However, during that time, Sukiyaki wasn't made with beef but with "chicken pot," also known as torisumi yaki. It was during the Meiji era that it transitioned from "chicken pot" to the popular "beef pot" we have today.
Therefore, eating Sukiyaki also has a celebratory meaning, similar to cooking red bean rice when discussing marriage prospects with family members.
Although they had just started dating, their parents accidentally found out about their relationship, but they obtained the approval of each other's parents. Such a joyous occasion is worth celebrating.
That's why Senichi suggested celebrating with Sukiyaki .
Many people mistakenly believe that Sukiyaki is a variation of hot pot because it requires adding soup to the pot. However, it is actually a type of pan-fried dish, and the ingredients should never be completely submerged in the soup. This is a fundamental principle of Sukiyaki .
So, if you eat Sukiyaki with a deep pot filled with soup, congratulations, you're eating a fake version.
Of course, Senichi and Ayako didn't need to worry about that issue.
After deciding to eat Sukiyaki, they agreed to try the taste at a Sukiyaki restaurant Ayako had read about in a gourmet magazine.
Upon arriving at the restaurant, they noticed that it was indeed crowded, even though it was still early.
After choosing a table in a corner, the two main ingredients were brought to them—free-range eggs and beef.
In Sukiyaki, beef is the main ingredient, but it is incomplete without eggs.
The fresh eggs had farm serial numbers printed on their shells, and they could even trace which chicken they came from. Strict procedures ensured the safety of consuming raw eggs.
Looking at the nearly red beef with small traces of marbling, they couldn't help but feel excited as they placed the ingredients into the pot.
It is said that the best texture for beef is when the fat and tendons are evenly interlaced, but this saying doesn't apply to Sukiyaki .
Because an excessive amount of fat can become excessive baggage in Sukiyaki , making it too greasy and affecting one's appetite after eating only a few slices.
Of course, it doesn't mean that leaner meat is better. The red meat also needs to be delicate and tender to provide a soft and tender texture.
They picked up a piece of pan-fried beef coated with egg and put it into their mouths. The sauce, the tender beef, and the freshness of the egg blended together, bursting with flavor on their taste buds.
"Mmm, it's delicious! The refreshing taste is superb," Ayako smiled, squinting her eyes. " Senichi-kun, let's come here again next time. I want to try the Kansai-style flavor."
"Sure, the taste is indeed excellent," Senichi agreed with satisfaction, then asked, "But you said they have Kansai-style here?"
"Yes, this restaurant specializes in various styles," Ayako explained with a smile. "There's the refreshing Kanto style and the rich Kansai style. People always have intense debates about it."
"Really? What's there to debate about?" Senichi was puzzled. Shouldn't a variety of flavors be welcomed for this kind of cuisine?
Even for hot pot, there are various styles like spicy, clear broth, and tomato-based. The extreme contrast between the two styles of Sukiyaki seemed exaggerated.
It's mainly because there's a strong sense of rivalry between the Kanto and Kansai regions, and they even have to differentiate themselves in terms of food.
"In part, it's also about the differences in ingredients. Besides the staple beef, shiitake mushrooms, Shingiku (garland chrysanthemum), and tofu, if they're not included, it can't be called Sukiyaki . The other auxiliary ingredients are completely different."
"Although tofu is included in the staple ingredients, the Kansai style uses white tofu."
Ayako picked up a piece of tofu and placed it in front of Senichi, explaining, "You see, what we're eating is the Kanto style, which is grilled tofu. It's different from here."
"Oh... I see," Senichi listened to Ayako's explanation while looking at the tofu handed to him and promptly ate it.
"Ah..." Ayako couldn't help but feel slightly shy when she saw the food she had picked up being eaten by Senichi.
Although her intention was just to show the ingredients to Senichi, who would have thought that her actions would resemble a couple feeding each other and he ended up eating it directly.
"Was it intentional? Or did I misunderstand?" Ayako's mind involuntarily wandered with random thoughts.
Currently, it wasn't the era where couples could freely post their kissing photos and openly display affection, so such intimate actions in public still made Ayako, who was a bit thin-skinned, feel slightly "stimulated."
Even though they had obtained Suzuki Tomoko's approval, their relationship was still relatively new, so Ayako felt a bit shy when making intimate gestures.
And Senichi noticed this, which is why he took the initiative to increase the sense of intimacy. Such interactions could deepen their relationship.
After all, men always need to take the initiative~
Seeing Senichi's casual demeanor, Ayako's accelerated heartbeat gradually calmed down.
Without hesitation, Ayako continued to pick up another piece of bamboo shoot and introduced, "Look, this is an auxiliary ingredient of the Kanto style, which the Kansai style doesn't include."
"Ah, I quite like this."
Senichi once again ate it without a word, feeling the taste similar to fish balls in his mouth. He nodded and smiled, "I really like foods like fish balls and fish cakes made from mashed fish."
Senichi said this because bamboo shoots are cylindrical and hollow, made from a mixture of fish, egg whites, and flour.
The outside of the bamboo shoot appeared to be grilled, with slightly browned wrinkles.
Foods made from mashed fish all have a unique fishy aroma when eaten, and Senichi quite enjoys this type of food.
"That's right. Sometimes, personal preferences for certain auxiliary ingredients can determine one's taste preferences," Ayako smiled and said, "But because the Kansai style is on the sweeter side, it has attracted many people."
"What... it's sweet..." Senichi paused for a moment, feeling conflicted. He said, "Well, I finally understand why there's so much debate about it. Now I can personally relate to it."
"Do you like sweet dishes, Senichi-kun?" Ayako couldn't help but ask.
"Well, especially dishes with a touch of sweetness, like sweet and sour pork, cola chicken wings, braised eggplant... Those are the dishes I really love~"
Senichi didn't hesitate at all and said, "As long as it's a dish with a sweet taste, I basically like it!"
Long live the sweet tooth!!
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