MTLNOVEL Chapter 127.2
Rice Goes So Well With It — Let’s Enjoy Some Teriyaki Meat!
Yuuri carefully poured the seasonings into a small dish, mixing them with a spoon before tasting it. The sauce before being simmered tastes a little different, but still, the mixed seasonings blended together, creating a new flavor. Depending on personal preference, the balance can change if there is more soy sauce or mirin. If there’s more soy sauce, the flavor is slightly spicier, and if there’s more mirin, it becomes sweeter. Both variations are delicious in their own way.
By the way, Yuuri only knows how to make teriyaki with these three basic seasonings, but some people may add sugar, honey, or ginger juice. Teriyaki, too, has endless possibilities for variations. If you add things like doubanjiang, it could turn into a Chinese-style dish. Probably.
But for now, what Yuuri wanted was a basic, simple teriyaki. He had tried using sugar before, but the lack of mirin made it feel off. He couldn’t exactly explain why, but when he tasted it, the sweetness and spiciness felt wrong.
Of course, the teriyaki without mirin and adjusted with sugar was still enjoyed by everyone. Only Yuuri, who knew the original flavor, felt a little dissatisfied.
“Oh, I think it’s time to check if the meat is browned?”
With a sizzle, the frying pan emitted an appetizing sound. Yuuri peered into it, lifting the edge of the Big Frog meat with a cooking chopstick. Since the Big Frog meat had no skin, it wouldn’t have the skin side getting browned, but he could still see it turning a nice color. Smiling contentedly, Yuuri turned the meat over and pressed it firmly to ensure it absorbed the heat.
Afterward, he poured in the sauce he had prepared earlier, setting the heat between low and medium, allowing the sauce to bubble gently. After a while, small bubbles began to form, signaling it was simmering. Yuuri maintained the temperature.
He scooped the sauce with a spoon, pouring it over the meat and simmering it slowly. If he rushed and turned the heat up too high, the sauce would evaporate too quickly, and the meat would become tough with the flavors not properly absorbed. For Yuuri, the key to making teriyaki is to simmer it slowly, ensuring the sauce coats the meat evenly.
When he didn’t have time to constantly spoon the sauce, he would use a drop lid to let it simmer without excessive evaporation. The idea was similar to simmering in a pot. Since there was no other cooking to do, Yuuri took his time spooning the sauce onto the meat.
“All right, it’s ready!”
After simmering for a while, the sauce became thick, and as it almost evaporated completely, Yuuri turned off the heat. He took the meat from the cutting board and cut it into bite-sized pieces. Thanks to the slow simmer, the knife slid easily through the meat. Taking out the shredded cabbage from the fridge, he placed it on a plate and added the sliced Big Frog teriyaki on top.
Since it was just for tasting, he only made enough for two small plates, but the dish looked so delicious that Yuuri was satisfied. Lastly, he scooped the remaining teriyaki sauce from the frying pan and drizzled it over the meat. The thick sauce smelled sweet and savory, making it very appetizing.
“Hallow-san, please wait a moment.”
“I’ve been waiting.”
“Hmm?”
“No, it smells so delicious, I couldn’t help myself.”
Saying this, Hallow rubbed his stomach gently, as if to soothe it. Yuuri smiled slightly at his charming gesture. This traveling merchant was always a cheerful, fun person, no matter whether the other person was an adult or a child.
When Yuuri handed him the small plates and chopsticks, Hallow thanked him, muttering some kind of prayer under his breath. Yuuri knew that some people with specific religious backgrounds had food rituals, so he didn’t mind. In Scarlet Links, no one really practiced such traditions, so it was the first time Yuuri had actually heard it.
But honestly, it didn’t matter to Yuuri. Saying “Itadakimasu” with a strangely serious expression, he picked up his chopsticks and grabbed a piece of the Big Frog teriyaki. He decided to eat the meat first, leaving the shredded cabbage for later.
The teriyaki smelled sweet and savory. It was an enticing aroma that seemed to trigger the appetite. Yuuri smiled happily at the different smell compared to when he made it with sugar. This time, he was sure he could finally taste the teriyaki he had been longing for.
As soon as he took a bite, the rich flavor of the meat and the sweet-savory taste spread in his mouth, and Yuuri smiled broadly. This was exactly the teriyaki flavor he had been hoping for.
“Mmm, delicious!”
Yuuri, beaming with happiness, enjoyed the meal. The Big Frog meat tasted similar to chicken thigh, but being monster meat, it was packed with savory flavor. This meat, prepared in sweet and savory teriyaki, was absolutely delicious. From the second bite onward, he added the crispy cabbage, and the crunchiness of the cabbage perfectly matched the juiciness of the meat, making it even more delicious.
For now, Yuuri was fully satisfied with the taste he had been craving. About halfway through the meal, he glanced over at Hallow. The cheerful traveling merchant was eating the Big Frog teriyaki seriously, looking intently at his plate.
“…Hallow-san?”
“Yuuri-kun.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“Indeed, it’s a different kind of sweetness from sugar. It’s very delicious.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
Hallow smiled in satisfaction, and Yuuri smiled back. Hallow had already finished his teriyaki, cabbage, and all. Yuuri was pleased that it suited his taste. He was sure that now that Hallow understood the need for mirin in teriyaki, he would continue to stock it in the future.
This was not wrong, but Yuuri hadn’t expected it to turn into another “help with the taste testing” situation, just like with the miso before.