Food and desire are fundamental human instincts.
When people see beautiful things, they can't help but feel fondness—this is human nature!
The same applies to food and drink.
To determine whether a food is edible or delicious, it must first pass visual inspection. For instance, some people always like to take photos before meals and post them on social media—this is essentially to preserve their appetite.
So, how can one achieve an outstanding visual experience with food?
Hmm!
Traditional print media.
Is an excellent medium for presentation.
...
In Japan.
"Dancyu," first published in 1996, is one of the most popular food magazines locally.
Each issue focuses on a specific food theme, such as: Tokyo cuisine, Chinese dishes, Korean snacks, sake, grilled meat, curry, dumplings, sushi, and more. The layout is generous and lively, with highly appealing covers!
As for the content, it covers ingredients, recipe introductions, and local restaurant recommendations.
In short.
It's somewhat like a print version of a food and lifestyle public account.
This issue of "Dancyu" features the food theme: "The Dream Ingredient Shining in Paris, France—Jewel Meat!"
The content provides a very detailed account of how Ye Chen, the gold medalist of the Escoffier Junior Culinary Competition, used a piece of "Jewel Meat" to captivate all the distinguished guests at a banquet held at the headquarters of the Culinary Emperor International Gourmet Association.
Among the details.
Only a few lines were dedicated to Ye Chen's personal information.
However, the description of the "Jewel Meat" occupied at least 90% of the content.
...
"In truth, there are many top-tier foods in the world."
"Their rarity is often due to limited production, specific origins, and other factors. Yet, only Ye Chen's Jewel Meat is a Fantasy Ingredient that does not exist in this world."
"This piece of meat, shimmering like a jewel, is bound to spark a scarcity-driven culinary revolution worldwide!"
"Yes."
"All chefs."
"Will continue to advance under the influence of Fantasy Ingredients, crawling forward!"
Holding the "Dancyu" food magazine and carefully reading this concluding statement, Nakiri Senzaemon, the headmaster of Totsuki Academy, couldn't help but ponder deeply, feeling that there was still more to savor.
The reason "Dancyu" is a classic, why it has remained popular among food enthusiasts for nearly 20 years, lies in:
Its content.
Its descriptions of each type of food.
Reading it always fills one with imagination.
And this issue's coverage of "Jewel Meat" left the white-haired old man unable to let go of the thought for a long time.
...
"How fascinating."
"In this era where gourmet food reigns supreme, such a dreamlike ingredient has emerged!"
"The fact that the meat glows is one thing, but it's said that when eaten, one can taste the flavors and textures of various parts like tenderloin, sirloin, brisket, heart, and liver—essentially the deliciousness of the entire body."
"Oh!"
"And also..."
"A fragrance that rivals high-end perfumes, endlessly stimulating the primal appetite of living beings."
"Moreover, even when eaten raw without any seasoning, the purest flavor released by the meat in the mouth can bring immense joy to every cell in the body."
"Ah."
"Such an ingredient."
"Feels like it could even conquer the God Tongue!"
As he spoke, Director Senzaemon was visibly moved and emotional.
Humans!
Cannot imagine things they have never seen before.
Take the welcoming feast in Harry Potter:
Roast beef, roast chicken, pork chops, lamb chops, sausages, steak, boiled potatoes, roasted potatoes, french fries, Yorkshire pudding, pea shoots, carrots, gravy, ketchup... and peppermint candies.
These foods alone left him utterly astonished.
Because he had never imagined so many different dishes could be presented on a table at once!
...
Indeed.
When it comes to food.
Our pursuit of gourmet cuisine often transcends mere flavor.
Many premium ingredients are vastly overvalued—they might be excellent, but not worth their exorbitant prices. Or, even if offered for free, one might enjoy them occasionally but wouldn't want to eat them continuously, preferring variety instead.
To put it bluntly, many top-tier ingredients are inherently rare, things the general public may never encounter in their lifetime.
Hmm!
By the same logic.
Fantasy Ingredients like Jewel Meat.
Not only are they unknown to ordinary people, but even elites like Nakiri Mana, Nakiri Senzaemon, Saiba Asahi, Paul Bocuse, and Erina Nakiri—representing the upper echelons of society or culinary masters—have never seen them!
Thus, to them, Jewel Meat is naturally scarce, precious, and serendipitous.
Now.
Upon learning of Jewel Meat's existence.
The Director couldn't help but be filled with imagination, believing this ingredient could cure the ailments brought by the God Tongue!
"I must quickly share this news with Erina. If conditions permit, I must take her to Paris, France to search for this ingredient."
With that, the Director picked up the "Dancyu" gourmet magazine again.
He stood up promptly and left his office.
...
Meanwhile.
In a Gothic-style villa at Totsuki Academy.
The estate featured a three-acre garden with meticulously manicured English lawns, gleaming like emeralds.
On the lawn stood a cast-iron dining table and a carved dining chair.
"Is this the dish you prepared?"
A lace parasol cast rose-shaped shadows on the stone path, while Erina Nakiri, the God Tongue, seated in the carved chair, lightly tapped a gilded cloche covering the tablecloth with her ivory-handled folding fan.
"Y-Yes."
"Miss Erina, this is the dish I carefully prepared. I hope you will enjoy it."
A chef in pristine white attire beside her replied respectfully and promptly.
Then.
He bent slightly and lifted the cloche himself.
However, as the cloche was slowly removed, Erina's pale purple pupils suddenly contracted.
What met her eyes was a Japanese dish centered on salmon roe and eggs:
Salmon Roe Gunkan Maki!
The main ingredient, salmon roe, each bead plump and round, resembled shimmering pearls or rubies meticulously polished by nature.
They were arranged tightly and neatly, coated with a viscous membrane.
"Huh? This is..."
Erina was inwardly shocked. She leaned in closely and sniffed a few times.
...
Finally.
She closed her eyes, savoring the nuances.
Then, as if recalling something, Erina suddenly opened her bright eyes and said, "Salmon roe infused with truffle oil?"
"Or is this gel-like film extracted through low-temperature processing... Chicken Crest Oil?"
"No, no."
"Chicken Crest Oil comes from pigs."
"Specifically, it refers to the fatty strip along the edge of the upper lobe of a pig's lung."
"Ordinary people using this mesenteric fat from pigs is perfectly fine."
"But I'm a genius chef blessed with the God Tongue ability. You... couldn't possibly be that foolish, could you?"