Chapter 339: Chapter 339

In the days that followed, Jiang Feng became the head chef at the Chinese Restaurant. As expected, the restaurant was soon filled to capacity, with people even having to queue. Initially, everyone worried about not meeting the revenue target, but now, they just hoped for fewer customers. For several consecutive days, the Chinese Restaurant only operated during lunchtime and closed in the evenings, allowing everyone to eat and relax as they pleased. Due to staff shortages, they even invited some celebrities as guest stars, all of whom were very popular. Each visit lasted about two days.

Many celebrities in China were now vying for a chance to appear on the "Chinese Restaurant" show. This was partly because the program was a genuine hit and partly because they could savor delicacies prepared by Jiang Feng. Who wouldn’t want such an opportunity? After all, Jiang Feng’s reputation preceded him; he was a top-tier chef capable of creating dishes fit for royalty.

Jiang Feng looked at the order slips and continued bustling about.

"Chef, four orders of cola chicken wings!" Yeang Zi called out as she entered the kitchen.

"Got it," Jiang Feng replied, glancing at the order slip hanging on the wall. The cola chicken wings were still a hit.

"Sister Ying, hand me two bottles of cola," Jiang Feng shouted while stir-frying. The kitchen was abuzz with activity.

「Meanwhile, in the main hall.」

A customer was arguing with Wang Junkai. "I want General Tso’s Chicken! How can a Chinese restaurant not have General Tso’s Chicken?" the customer demanded.

"I’m sorry, but that dish isn’t on our menu. Perhaps you could choose something else?" Wang Junkai responded politely.

"I specifically came to the Chinese Restaurant for General Tso’s Chicken! How can you not have it?!" The customer was very stubborn. There are people like that everywhere.

Huang Xiaoming noticed the argument and quickly walked over. The camera crew also captured the scene. After some inquiry, Huang Xiaoming explained to the customer that the dish wasn’t on their menu. Neither Huang Xiaoming nor Wang Junkai had ever heard of General Tso’s Chicken; it wasn’t a known dish back in China. Even the director’s crew hadn’t anticipated such a situation.

Seeing the ongoing argument, Yeang Zi took the initiative to go to the kitchen and inform Jiang Feng.

"General Tso’s Chicken, right?" Jiang Feng said. "I know how to make it. Tell them to stop arguing. If a customer orders it, we should make it. After all, we’re running a business."

"Chef Jiang, you’ve heard of this dish?" Yeang Zi and Zhao Liying were both taken aback. It was the first time either of them had heard the name General Tso’s Chicken.

"Yes, I know it," Jiang Feng explained with a smile. "It’s a type of Chinese cuisine that’s quite popular abroad. Chinese cuisine is one of the top three cuisines in the world, and it’s bound to adapt when it goes international. General Tso’s Chicken is one such adapted Chinese dish. It’s not popular here in our country, but it’s very popular overseas—even more so than Kung Pao Chicken. I just happen to know how to make it."

His explanation was clearly recorded by the camera. The production team watching from backstage was dumbfounded. Indeed, he’s a top-tier chef! He even knows how to make this!

Yeang Zi and Zhao Liying looked on with admiration. Fortunately, Jiang Feng knew how to prepare it, preventing a dispute in the restaurant. Shortly after, Yeang Zi went out to share the news, and the issue was quickly resolved.

To put it simply, the so-called General Tso’s Chicken was a chicken version of Sweet and Sour Pork Fillet. It required a sweet and sour flavor profile with the meat coated in batter. For Jiang Feng, this was familiar territory. He selected two large chicken thighs, deboned and skinned them. Thigh meat is the tenderest, with an elastic texture and the best taste.

"Jiang Feng, talk about this dish. This scene is definitely worthy of being on camera," Zhao Liying reminded him from the side. She was always looking out for Jiang Feng, hoping he would get more screen time.

Jiang Feng laughed and said, "There’s nothing to it; General Tso’s Chicken is easy to make. This dish actually has no connection to General Tso himself. It was simply a name given by a Chinese person who went abroad. It first appeared in Taiwan, then spread to the US and Europe, where it became very popular. You just cut the chicken into pieces and prepare some chili peppers and minced garlic. Then, it’s a matter of marinating, coating in batter, and deep-frying."

Jiang Feng got busy. He cut the chicken thigh meat into small pieces, placed them in a bowl, then cracked in two eggs. He added salt, cooking wine, and other seasonings, mixing everything well by hand. Cooking is my expertise, he thought.

Actually, this recipe for General Tso’s Chicken was an extra reward from the system I received yesterday. I didn’t expect to use it so soon. This dish was, after all, developed by Chinese people and is Chinese cuisine; it’s just more popular abroad.

The camera clearly captured Jiang Feng’s actions. Without a doubt, this footage would be included in the show’s broadcast, likely with a caption like "Chef Jiang’s Mini-Classroom." That should be interesting to watch.

After a flurry of activity, a plate of vibrant, appetizing General Tso’s Chicken was ready. The chicken had an orange hue, similar to Sweet and Sour Pork Fillet, interspersed with pieces of potato and red and green chili peppers. It was glossy with oil and beautifully colored. A tempting aroma wafted through the air, making mouths water.

Zhao Liying watched from the side, her eyes practically glued to the dish. It looks so delicious! General Tso’s Chicken had a balanced sweet and sour taste; it was less sour than Sweet and Sour Pork Fillet but spicier. It was indeed a delicious home-style Chinese dish.

"Done! It can be served," Jiang Feng announced.

"Okay, I’ll take it out."

"There’s quite a lot in the pan, isn’t there? Leave a couple of pieces for us to try," Zhao Liying whispered with a sneaky, cute smile.

"Sure, I actually want to taste it too," Jiang Feng nodded.

A plate of General Tso’s Chicken was carried out. The customer who had ordered it was waiting eagerly. Upon seeing the vibrant, glossy dish, he immediately exclaimed excitedly, "This is it! This is it! This is General Tso’s Chicken! I knew it existed! This is authentic Chinese cuisine!" He had insisted on the dish mainly to show off his supposed knowledge of Chinese cuisine in front of his friends. In reality, Chinese cuisine as understood by foreigners can be quite different from authentic Chinese cuisine from China.

Nearby, Yeang Zi and Wang Junkai discussed quietly.

"So, this dish really exists!"

"I didn’t know, but Chef Jiang managed to make it!" This update is available on n0velfire.net

"The chef is amazing. We’re lucky to have him!"

"This dish looks delicious. Why don’t you ask the chef to make one for us too?"

"Well, I’m just... a waitress. You’re the floor manager."

"I don’t dare," Wang Junkai admitted.

Both laughed but were also eagerly anticipating the dish.

「Back in the kitchen.」

Zhao Liying and Jiang Feng were sampling the chicken. The flavor of General Tso’s Chicken was indeed excellent. The chicken was exceptionally tender, with a perfect balance of sweet and sour, and a subtle spicy heat. As they chewed, they could feel the tender chicken almost melting on their tongues. Chicken thigh meat is inherently delicious, so such results after meticulous cooking were to be expected.

"Mmm, this is so delicious!" Zhao Liying’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Jiang Feng with admiration.

"It’s really good," Jiang Feng nodded in agreement, also praising the dish. "Less sour than Sweet and Sour Pork Fillet, with a bit more spiciness. The spiciness complements the chicken perfectly. This dish is quite creative."

Regardless, Jiang Feng had easily resolved the crisis. It was a case of "an old hand is a jewel in the house"—having a skilled chef in charge of a restaurant certainly prevented a lot of trouble.

It happened to be a Friday, and the day’s events were quickly incorporated into a video by the show’s production team; it was all excellent material.

The new episode of "Chinese Restaurant" was broadcast on Mango TV. Netizens eagerly clicked to watch.

When viewers saw the dispute between the customer and Wang Junkai, a barrage of comments flooded the screen:

"Is this person looking for trouble? I’ve never heard of General Tso’s Chicken. What kind of dish is that?"

"Is he deliberately trying to make things difficult?"

"They said it’s not on the menu, but he still insists. Is he trying to pick a fight?"

"Probably just didn’t want to lose face in front of his friends!"

"They already told him it wasn’t available!"

Everyone was glued to the program, wondering how the Chinese Restaurant would handle the situation. This could easily turn into a nasty dispute! After all, difficult customers are everywhere.

But what happened next surprised everyone. The camera switched to the kitchen, where Yeang Zi explained the incident, and Jiang Feng calmly stated he could make the dish. The audience watching the show was completely stunned.

"Holy cow! Boss Jiang can make it?"

"This chef is amazing! He even knows how to make such obscure dishes?"

"That’s Boss Jiang for you!"

"Haha, with Boss Jiang around, you can order anything!"

"I was so on edge, and then the problem was solved just like that!"

Next, the show featured "Chef Jiang’s Mini-Classroom," with Jiang Feng’s explanations. Viewers learned that General Tso’s Chicken was indeed a real dish, just one that was very popular abroad. So, the dish has quite a backstory!

It had to be said, this episode’s content was very engaging. Jiang Feng’s versatility left everyone in awe. Many people posted comments asking:

"Is there anything Boss Jiang can’t do?!"

"I’ve seen him sell bubble tea, stinky tofu, even carve a phoenix! Now he can even make foreign Chinese dishes? This is too outrageous!"

"And he still claims he’s not a Culinary God? Culinary God, that title belongs to you and you alone!"