Chapter 6: Izakaya
After school that afternoon, Kogoro Mouri excitedly rushed to sign up for the Judo Club, Eri Kisaki went to the library with her school bag, and Lin Xiuyi went home alone.
The three-story building of the Mouri is located at 5-chome 39-banchi, Beika Town. The first floor is an Izakaya, the second floor is rented by Lin Xiuyi, and the third floor is the residence of the Mouri mother and son.
After putting down his school bag, Lin Xiuyi changed his clothes and went down to the Izakaya on the first floor.
Japanese Izakayas originated in the Edo period, initially mainly selling various alcoholic beverages, and later developed to offer small dishes to accompany drinks and some simple food.
By this era, Izakayas had become a must-visit place for office workers after work, even requiring them to move between three or four establishments in one evening to fully release work pressure.
Since Kogoro’s father passed away, the Izakaya on the first floor had not been open for business for over a month.
As Lin Xiuyi entered, he saw Kogoro Mouri’s mother sitting by the window, staring blankly in the direction of the main chef.
Mouri was around forty years old, her complexion was a bit pale, and her figure was very thin, looking rather unhealthy. Her gaze was kind, and she was a very gentle person.
“Alas, time passes so quickly; he’s already been gone for a month,”
Mouri sighed and took out a chef’s uniform from a bag beside her, handing it to Lin Xiuyi.
“This was his original work uniform. I’ve already washed it clean. It was originally meant for that child, Kogoro, but unfortunately, he doesn’t like cooking and insists on becoming a police officer.”
Amidst Mouri’s chatter, Lin Xiuyi changed into the chef’s uniform.
Although he was still a high school student, his well-developed physique was similar to Kogoro’s father’s, and the chef’s uniform fit him just right.
“After Kogoro’s father passed away, thanks to you and Eri, Kogoro was able to recover quickly…”
As she was speaking, Mouri suddenly began to cough violently.
Lin Xiuyi quickly stepped forward to pat her back and poured a cup of warm water, placing it on the table.
“Auntie, you’re not feeling well. Why don’t you go back to the third floor to rest?”
“It’s fine. Today is your first day as the main chef,” Mouri chuckled gently. “I have to watch a bit to feel at ease.”
The Izakaya’s kitchen was located directly in the main hall, facing the drinkers and diners.
Besides alcoholic beverages, the shop also offered some simple set meals and vegetables, such as omurice and donburi.
The past two days, Lin Xiuyi had already pulled Eri Kisaki and Kogoro Mouri to clean the Izakaya, and all the ingredients had been prepared.
The Izakaya typically opened for business around six or seven in the evening, and all ingredients for the day’s operation had to be processed in advance so that dishes could be served quickly when customers arrived.
Lin Xiuyi began to prepare the ingredients, and Mouri also got up to help.
Japanese people love to eat rice, and rice is an indispensable staple food in an Izakaya.
Lin Xiuyi gently rinsed the rice twice, then placed it in a basin and soaked it in water.
“This is…” Mouri paused, “Aren’t you going to steam it in the rice cooker?”
“Soaked rice cooks easily, is less likely to be undercooked, and the grains are soft and have a good texture,” Lin Xiuyi explained.
Although this was common knowledge for running a shop, Mouri rarely visited the Izakaya before due to her health, so it was normal for her not to know.
“So that’s how it is. No wonder Kogoro’s father’s rice tasted good, while mine was often a bit hard,” Mouri nodded in sudden realization.
Besides rice, eggs were also an essential ingredient.
Lin Xiuyi first cleaned the surface of the eggs to prevent dirt from staining the cookware.
Then, he added cold water to the pot, covering the eggs, and brought it to a rapid boil over high heat, while continuously stirring the eggs in the pot clockwise with a ladle, causing them to rotate.
The purpose of this was to ensure the egg yolks solidified in the center, making them look much better when sliced.
After three minutes, Lin Xiuyi reduced the heat, covered the pot, and let the eggs simmer. If cooked over high heat continuously, the eggs could easily crack.
After simmering for a moment, Lin Xiuyi scooped out the eggs and immersed them in cold water. This not only made them easier to peel but also preserved their texture and consistency.
Mouri reached into the basin, picked up an egg, peeled it, and sliced it with a knife. The layers of the egg were distinct, and the yolk was not only in the center but also perfectly soft-boiled.
“It’s perfect!” she couldn’t help but exclaim, “I could never cook such beautiful eggs… *cough cough*!”
Seeing Mouri start coughing again, Lin Xiuyi quickly helped her to the side.
“Auntie, please rest here,” Lin Xiuyi said with a smile. “I have no problem with the kitchen work.”
“I forgot, you used to often come to the shop to help when he was here,” Mouri nodded, then sat by the window, watching Lin Xiuyi skillfully prepare various vegetables.
As she watched, her vision blurred, and the person in front of her unconsciously transformed from Lin Xiuyi into her husband.
When Kogoro Mouri’s father was still alive, she would sometimes feel restless in her room on the third floor and would go down to the first floor, find a place to sit, chat with her husband, and watch him prepare for business.
After Kogoro’s father passed away, for the family’s livelihood, Mouri had originally planned to take over the Izakaya herself.
However, for someone who had never been skilled at cooking since childhood and was not in good health, this was clearly not an easy job.
If Lin Xiuyi hadn’t voluntarily offered to be the head chef of the Izakaya and try operating it for a period, Mouri had been prepared to rent out the shop.
...
In less than half an hour, Lin Xiuyi had finished preparing the ingredients and then began to prepare the alcoholic beverages for the evening.
The first floor of the Mouri building, in the original timeline, would eventually be converted into a cafe, so its area was not small.
Besides the central kitchen, the hall also had about ten tables, posters of drinks hanging on the walls, and a large handwritten menu.
“Since Kogoro’s father passed away, this shop has been quiet for over a month,” Mouri gently encouraged him. “I hope you can make this shop lively again.”
...
At six in the evening, just as the Izakaya was about to open, Kogoro Mouri ran in, panting, with his school bag: “Shuichi, how are your preparations? Do you need help…”
Before he could finish speaking, he saw the prepared ingredients on the kitchen counter.
“You’ve already finished? I was worried you couldn’t handle it alone, so I just finished Judo Club activities and rushed home with Eri.”
“Shuichi isn’t like you,” Eri Kisaki followed closely into the room. “You’re clumsy at everything you do.”
“Try this,” Lin Xiuyi brought out two plates of curry rice and placed them in front of Kogoro Mouri and Eri Kisaki. “See how my cooking is?”