In Liyue, culinary traditions are generally divided into two schools: Li Cuisine and Yue Cuisine.
Li Cuisine chefs are known for their rich, bold flavors and varied tastes, specializing in dishes made with mountain delicacies.
Yue Cuisine, on the other hand, emphasizes light, fresh flavors that highlight the natural taste of ingredients—especially seafood, which has its own unique preparation methods.
Setting aside deeper cultural reasons, the rivalry between the two can be boiled down to a simple debate: mountain delicacies vs. ocean treasures.
But Bai Mo didn't care about any of that. His only goal was to savor delicious food!
And now that he had arrived at Chihu Rock, there was one dish he absolutely had to try—Grilled Chihu Fish, one of the area's most famous specialties!
The best place to get it was Kuai Dao Chen's stall, which had been serving grilled fish in Chihu Rock for hundreds of years. This was the true taste of Liyue Harbor's street food.
Following the directions he'd been given, Bai Mo arrived at Kuai Dao Chen's shop and immediately caught the aroma of fish sizzling on the grill.
This smells amazing!
"Ah~ Young man, care for a Grilled Chihu Fish? Freshly caught and marinated just a few hours ago!"
"How much?"
"38 Mora per fish!"
"Then I'll take one~"
"Here you go—I'll pick out a big one for you!"
Under Kuai Dao Chen's skilled hands, a marinated Chihu Fish was swiftly placed on the grill.
Freshness was key for Grilled Chihu Fish.
The fish, freshly caught and marinated in a secret blend of spices, was scored in a diamond pattern to let the flavors seep in. It was then split in half, stuffed with scallions for extra aroma, basted with oil and seasonings, and roasted over an open flame.
Once grilled to perfection, it was brushed once more with the secret sauce and served piping hot.
For those who liked spice, a sprinkle of Jueyun Chili powder and a dash of chopped scallions completed the dish.
Bai Mo took a deep whiff—the rich scent of spices filled his nose.
Around Kuai Dao Chen's stall, numerous cats lounged about, clearly drawn in by the irresistible aroma.
The fish had quite a few bones, so Bai Mo started with a bite from the belly. The first sensation was crispy and slightly charred skin, bursting with flavor between his teeth.
Then came the intense, savory marinade, which somehow didn't overpower the fish's natural sweetness. Instead, the two flavors harmonized perfectly.
No wonder this place has been around for centuries!
Of course, what Bai Mo was eating wasn't the true Chihu Fish—the original species had nearly gone extinct long ago due to the decline of its symbiotic sea beasts.
Kuai Dao Chen's version was an adapted recipe using common sea fish, but the taste was still authentic enough to satisfy.
[Ding~ Congratulations, Host! You have tasted a Green-tier dish—[Secret Grilled Chihu Fish]! Obtained 80 Deliciousness Points!]
[Recipe successfully recorded!]
[Grilled Chihu Fish]
[Ingredients: Fresh sea fish]
[Method: Grill after marinating with a special sauce made from Jueyun Chili, garlic, sesame oil, and Qingxin herbs. Roast over a wood fire for 7-10 minutes.]
Bai Mo nodded in satisfaction as the system logged the recipe.
There were still so many dishes in this world waiting to be discovered!
After finishing the fish and leaving the bones in a bowl for the cats, Bai Mo leisurely strolled deeper into Chihu Rock's streets.
His next destination: Wanmin Restaurant, a time-honored eatery in Chihu Alley.
The current head chef was Chef Mao, who didn't bother with the Li vs. Yue Cuisine divide. At Wanmin, if the customer wanted it, and Chef Mao could make it, it would be served.
Compared to high-end establishments like Xinyue Kiosk and Liuli Pavilion, Wanmin's prices were much more affordable—perfect for Bai Mo's currently light wallet.
Wanmin Restaurant occupied two shopfronts in Chihu Alley. Inside, every seat was taken, and even the outdoor seating was nearly full.
After finding an empty table, a cheerful girl with twin buns and traditional Liyue attire approached Bai Mo.
"Welcome, traveler! Haven't seen you before—how about trying our signature Spicy Boiled Fish? Guaranteed to be numbingly spicy and delicious!"
"How much for one?"
"260 Mora! Want to give it a try?"
"Sure, I'll take one. Also, could you recommend a few other specialties? My budget's around 1,000 Mora."
"No problem! Leave it to me—Xiangling will whip up some of Wanmin's best dishes for you! Any dietary restrictions?"
"I'll eat anything~"
Watching Xiangling skip away excitedly, Bai Mo couldn't help but smile.
Back when he was grinding through the game, he'd relied on her "Pyronado" to carry him through tough fights. Who'd have thought he'd meet her in person one day?
As Bai Mo waited for his food, a tall, composed man took the seat across from him.
"Pardon me, young man. Since there are no other seats, would you mind sharing your table?"
"Not at all," Bai Mo replied, sipping his tea. "Dining is always more lively with company."
"You're quite easygoing. My name is Zhongli, a consultant at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. And you are…?"
"Bai Yujing. Just an ordinary traveler."
"Ah~ Your attire does seem different from Liyue's. May I ask which nation you hail from?"
"Donghuang. Ever heard of it?"
"Can't say I have. Would you mind telling me more?"
Faced with the Geo Archon's questioning, Bai Mo felt a slight sweat break out.
Well… time to improvise a backstory.
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T/N:
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