Ancient Foodie Survival Guide Chapter 93
Translated by Serena Love
Edited by Azure and CitrusP
Chapter 93: Instant Noodles
After Xie Xun recovered from his injury, Jiang Shuyao returned to her previous habit, spending a lot of time thinking about food all day. A while ago, Xie Xun went out of Chang’an on an official matter, but Jiang Shuyao did not have time to prepare, so she could only pack him sauces and bacon. Now that she had learned from the past, she began to think about making some portable and easy-to-make food.
Xie Xun often shared interesting things on the road with her during his recovery period, and Jiang Shuyao understood ancient people's habits better.
Most people don't bring some pots and pans with rice, meat, or vegetables as they travel. They only ate dry food. Xie Xun and the team didn't like to eat too much dry food, so they would soak their dry food with hot water to make it soft and eat it with over-rice sauce.
The more he talked, the clearer the thoughts in Jiang Shuyao's mind.
With only hot water, how can one make a delicious and easy-to-carry meal?
She has been busy in the kitchen these few days. After Xie Xun's injury recovered slightly, he followed her to the kitchen and stood aside, watching the excitement.
When Xie Xun stepped into the small kitchen, he saw a window panel was removed. A high wooden frame was placed in its place in front of the window with a lot of noodles hanging on it.
Jiang Shuyao removed the windows and fitted the mesh. By now, the noodles had nearly dried, perfectly timed for the next step.
"Why are you drying noodles?" he wondered.
While removing the noodles, Jiang Shuyao explained, "This is the dried noodles. This kind of noodle is easier to store after drying. Next time you want to eat noodles, you don't need to knead the dough. Just take a handful of instant noodles and cook it in the pot."
Xie Xun nodded and sighed, "So it can be like this." After finishing speaking, he paused and suddenly thought of something, "If it is like this, then I can bring some dried noodles and cook them next time I have to rush out, so I don't need to eat dry food?"
Jiang Shuyao smiled and said, "What's so delicious about plain noodles?"
"There is also over-rice sauce. I can cook the noodles and mix them with sauce, just right." He thought about food quickly, but he was a little hungry when he said that.
Jiang Shuyao thought for a while, "This is also okay."
There were many types of dried noodles, including red oil noodles, dried egg noodles, and wide noodles. In addition to noodles, there was also instant vermicelli, which can be enjoyed by boiling or soaking in hot water. However, when it comes to convenience, nothing beats the most popular instant food—instant noodles.
Instant noodles were different from the other foods mentioned. They were deep-fried, giving them a tougher texture and a richer fragrance once soaked. If there was no hot water available, they could be eaten dry, and the taste rivaled that of snacks, while also having a longer shelf life.
The dried noodles she prepared were the traditional, slender kind. She took them and cooked them in a pot, then removed them from the heat and drained them. Once drained, she poured a generous amount of oil into a wok and added the noodles.
The rich, oily fragrance overflowed with a loud sizzle.
Since Xie Xun had been lying down every day, Jiang Shuyao was cautious about his digestion and had avoided giving him heavy meals. Now, the moment Xie Xun caught the scent of the sizzling noodles, he couldn’t help but swallow in anticipation.
Once the oil splatters subsided, Jiang Shuyao used long chopsticks to carefully lift the noodles from the wok. These were egg noodles, and after frying, they exuded a strong, mellow aroma. The heat had been perfectly controlled, leaving the noodles with a golden hue, their roots distinct and crisp, their texture both tender and delightfully crunchy.
Xie Xie had eaten twisted rope, so he thought that Jiang Shuyao was making it this time. Although he didn't understand why she made the end separated instead of twisted, he still cheered up and said, "Good smelling twisted rope." After that, he sneaked around next to Jiang Shuyao, about to reach out and steal one to eat.
Jiang Shuyao turned around, and immediately withdrew his hands, feeling guilty.
"It's not a twisted rope. It's noodles."
"Noodles?" Xie Xun was even more puzzled. "Why do you deep-fry regular noodles? How can you eat these crispy noodles?"
"Of course, the noodles should be boiled or soaked in hot water," Jiang Shuyao explained as she began to prepare the seasoning for the instant noodles. Since there was no time to dry any vegetables, the flavor of the soup base had to rely entirely on the seasoning mix.
She turned her back to focus on the task, and immediately, Xie Xun started to shift restlessly. As he began to make a move, Jiang Shuyao glanced over her shoulder and caught sight of him. She paused, holding a bottle of sauce, and said, "It’s not very convenient to cook with you standing there."
Xie Xun could only take a step back, looking at the golden and crisp noodles and feeling greedy.
It's so fragrant. The twisted rope sold outside is not that fragrant. Is it because there are eggs in it?
"I want to eat noodles with fried egg tonight." He requested.
Jiang Shuyao naturally nodded.
Just as Xie Xun was thinking about how to eat some instant noodles sneakily, a small carrot head ran in outside the door, bouncing and shouting, "Third uncle! Third uncle!"
Because Xie Xun was injured, Xu-shi did not allow the twins to disturb him, so the twins hadn't been to the third branch for a long time.
Now they could come to the third branch again, not only Xie Zhao was excited, but Xie Yao also trotted behind. It's a pity that Xie Xun was injured. They couldn't pounce on him but stopped in front of him.
As soon as Xie Xun stuffed some instant noodles into his mouth, Xie Zhao rushed in like a calf and caught him.
Xie Zhao's grape-like eyes rolled around a few times, looked at Xie Xun, and smiled, "Third Uncle~"
Xie Xun was extremely embarrassed in his heart but pretended to be calm on the surface. He beckoned, and Xie Zhao and Xie Yao walked over to him.
Jiang Shuyao was busy and unable to see their little movements.
Xie Xun whispered, "Your third aunts won't let me eat heavy or oily food."
Xie Zhao nodded, expressing understanding.
Xie Yao looked at him quietly, as if saying, "Is this the reason you stole food?"
Xie Xun was even more embarrassed. His eldest brother and his second brother said that he had the same temperament as Xie Yao when he was a child. No wonder he had been treated as a young adult since he could remember. Facing a child like this really makes adults helpless.
He was seen stealing food just now. Xie Zhao did a good job and also grabbed some instant noodles on tiptoes.
He was much bolder than Xie Xun, chewing loudly, one by one, without stopping.
Xie Yao looked at Xie Zhao, then Xie Xun, and followed him to grab a piece of instant noodles to eat.
Xie Xun was caught off guard and also ate with them.
The instant noodles pile went down in almost no time. At this time, Jiang Shuyao turned around and saw the two children who were stealing food. The older one just closed his hand and was not caught red-handed.
"Xie Boyuan!" Jiang Shuyao said with a frown, "Kids are ignorant, but are you ignorant?"
She walked over and asked the twins, "Have you washed your hands? How come you can eat without asking? What if you are not allowed to eat?"
Xie Zhao looked up at Xie Xun as if he meant to sell him out.
Xie Xun quickly said, "They asked me."
Hearing the words, Jiang Shuyao stared at Xie Xun, which made Xie Xun feel a little guilty for a while. Just as he was about to admit his mistake, he heard Jiang Shuyao muttering, "You are like this. How can you teach your children in the future."
These words hit Xie Xun, and he blushed immediately. He said, "It's my fault. I must correct it and be a good father."
When Jiang Shuyao took away the remaining instant noodles and returned to the kitchen to cook the noodles, Xie Xun was still frowning in a serious self-reflection.
Xie Zhao, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, pulled the instant noodles he had hidden in his sleeves and began chewing them with a loud crunch. He tilted his head, looking up at Xie Xun, and asked, "Third Uncle, is Third Aunt pregnant?"
Xie Xun, startled by the question, snapped back to attention. Indeed, why was he overthinking? The "bun" still wasn't in the oven, after all.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Jiang Shuyao was busy with the instant noodles. To test their consistency, she boiled and soaked the noodles, dividing them into separate bowls to see how each batch held up.
The sauce packet was rich and meaty, its contents brimming with savory goodness. The powder package, a blend of seaweed, shiitake mushrooms, and a mix of spices, added a depth of flavor that elevated the dish. The finished product bore a resemblance to modern instant noodles but had a more pronounced meatiness, thanks to the ample ingredients.
The soup, though clearer than a traditional broth, was far from lacking in flavor. The powder mix infused the liquid with a subtle umami taste, while the inclusion of egg in the noodles added a round, mellow aroma. Despite its simplicity, the humble bowl of noodles revealed a certain ingenuity, offering a satisfying and surprisingly rich taste.
After Jiang Shuyao tasted each bowl, she felt that it tasted good, so she sprinkled green onion, blanched some greens and put it in the bowl, and finally fried an egg as requested by Xie Xun.
Because the two little guys were there, Jiang Shuyao also gave them two small bowls to taste.
The three of them stood in a row and couldn't wait to taste them.
The chopsticks jumped, they sucked the noodles into their mouth, the movements were neat and uniform.
The fried egg noodles gleamed with a golden hue, their texture firmer than that of regular ramen. The high heat from frying sealed in the rich fragrance of the egg, giving the noodles a deeper, more savory flavor. While they were technically instant noodles, their soft elasticity and smoothness made them more akin to freshly made ramen. Even the instant noodles, once soaked in hot water, retained their unique texture, a contrast to the usual limpness of typical instant varieties.
The smooth noodles were enveloped in a clear, soy-scented broth, perfectly balanced. The heat was just right, allowing the sauce to infuse the noodles without over-soaking them, preserving their texture—tender yet firm. With every bite, the rich egg aroma and subtle, light oiliness danced on the tip of the tongue. In comparison to regular noodles, they offered a distinctive and elevated flavor that lingered, inviting another satisfying mouthful.
After savoring the soft yet firm noodles, they lifted their bowl and sipped the soup. The clear broth, infused with soy sauce and a hint of braised meat, carried a rich, comforting fragrance. The minced meat blended seamlessly with the soup, adding a delicate texture, while the essence of the egg noodles lingered in the background, enhancing the depth of flavor.
This simple yet satisfying dish was impossible to resist—not just for those strolling by on the road, but even for those comfortably settled at home. Quick to prepare, it offered warmth and depth, its mellow taste leaving a lasting fragrance on the lips and cheeks. It was the kind of comfort food that made everything feel right, filling the soul with pure happiness.
So after eating the noodles, the three of them stood still and waited eagerly for Jiang Shuyao to fry the noodles again.
It's a pity that when Jiang Shuyao was about to continue, the old madam sent someone to pass a message. The eldest and the second young master of the first branch came back from the academy. The old madam would like the third branch to come over to have a family dinner at night.
Let alone the two small ones. Even Xie Xun was a little disappointed.
When Xie Ye and Xie Hao arrived, Xie Zhao and Xie Yao squeezed out a smile to welcome their eldest and second brother, who had returned from the academy.
The brothers were usually extremely warm when they were together. Now, the four sons of the first branch greeted each other politely and sat down at the table.
Both sides glanced at each other and were puzzled that the other side was unhappy.
For Xie Ye and Xie Hao, the end of their day at the academy should have meant freedom and indulgence. But instead of heading to the street food market to enjoy their favorite snacks and drinks, they were forced to sit through a family dinner. The thought of the lively scene they'd left behind, bidding farewell to their classmates, only made their mood worse. Their classmates had likely imagined that, after returning to Xie’s Mansion, Xie Ye and Xie Hao would be enjoying even more exquisite meals than the ones at Lin Market, leaving the two brothers feeling helpless in the face of their friends' envy.
Not only were they deprived of the street food they longed for, but they also had to settle for a light, flavorless meal with the old madam.
For example, the simmered turtle soup before them was an exquisite dish, delicately prepared and fresh with each sip. Yet, it was devoid of the bold flavors they craved. What they really longed for were the spicy fried skewers, the fiery dishes, or perhaps a bowl of Mala Tang—flavors that could light up their senses in ways these expensive dishes never could.
In Xie Zhao and Xie Yao's minds, the day had finally come when their mother had allowed them to go to the third branch for dinner, an opportunity they were eagerly anticipating. But now, with their eldest brother and second brother back home, they were forced to settle for this bland soup instead.
While the younger ones may have been disappointed, the elders were content.
Even Duke Xie, who didn't show up so much, came over to look at Xie Ye and Xie Hao. He sounds quite relieved, "In the blink of an eye, you two are at the age of imperial examination."
Jiang Shuyao listened quietly from the side, her expression a little surprised. After a moment of thought, she realized that it was indeed autumn, the season when the imperial examination was drawing near.
The old madam also echoed a few words with a smile and asked if they were ready and whether everything was arranged properly.
Xie Ye and Xie Hao answered each question one by one.
The old madam beckoned, and a maid walked over to Xie Ye and Xie Hao to offer a wooden box.
"Grandma?" The two were puzzled.
"Open it and take a look." The old madam smiled kindly.
The two opened the wooden box and saw that ginseng with good roots was lying inside.
The rules of the imperial test were strict. They had to be confined to a small room and bring everything for food and lodging inside. Only simple food was allowed, nothing more than dried buns, steamed buns, or pickles. They had to be enough for three full days. People usually didn't dare to drink more hot water to avoid running back and forth to the toilet.
Xie Xun suffered during the imperial examination. He cannot eat or drink on the last day and barely supported himself until the last breath. Finally, he handed in his papers early because he was really hungry and uncomfortable, but he didn't want to eat the dried-up steamed buns.
Therefore, a piece of ginseng was considered invaluable to the candidates. Even if they couldn’t maintain ideal conditions for food and lodging, a single bite of ginseng could sustain their energy, allowing them to continue answering questions with renewed vigor.
"Thank you, grandmother." The two stood up and saluted her.
Xie Xun suddenly remembered something and interrupted, "By the way, you don't need to bring pickles, just bring some meat sauce made by your third aunt." He and his colleagues in the East Palace had understood the deliciousness of steamed buns.
Although they didn't understand what meat sauce is, the two words "Third aunts" are the warranty signs. Xie Ye and Xie Hao quickly thanked him.
At this time, Jiang Shuyao said, "Why don't you bring instant noodles. I will pack them in bamboo tubes. You could soak it with hot water on the spot and throw away the tubes. It's more delicious than eating steamed buns."
Xie Xun suddenly nodded in agreement. Xie Zhao followed the discussion. Xu-shi quickly asked her sons to thank her, Xie Li asked what instant noodles were, and Zhou-shi asked about the flavor...
The atmosphere was filled with joy and liveliness. For over thirty years, the old madam had never witnessed a family banquet so carefree and bustling with noise.
After the old madam's face was beaten last time, she had been stunned for many days, but she also figured it out. She chanted sutras, worshiped the Buddha every day, and stayed quietly in Shouning Hall without asking about the third branch.
Looking at it now, as if it was just a blink of an eye, Jiang Shuyao, who was once hated by others, turned out to be the most favored person in Duke Xie's mansion. She couldn't understand, so she did not want to understand too much.
Even the reticent Duke Xie was amused by their noisy atmosphere and asked Xie Li next to him, "Look at you like this, you seem to have eaten food made by third daughter-in-law?"
The old madam waited for them to calm down, but before long, the atmosphere became more and more relaxed.
Even her scary and serious eldest son asked, "Third sister-in-law, can the spicy strips be sold in the Lin family's market? My colleagues have been pestering me all day after trying it once."
"We should be able to, but you have to ask your second sister-in-law about this. Those spicy strips are from her hands."
"Since the spicy strips would be on sale, how about cakes?"
What is this? The old madam had a headache and couldn't bear to shout, "Quiet! Remember the rules!"
Everyone turned their heads to look at her in unison, making her feel out of place.
She swallowed her breath, her gaze gliding across the faces on the table of people.
Changed, everything has changed.
She was now certain that those who had once despised Jiang Shuyao had completely changed their tune. Not only had they shifted their opinions, but they were now holding her in the highest regard, treating her with the kind of adoration reserved for something as precious as the moon. They were enamored with the Jiang Shuyao who had once been deemed incompetent.
…
T/N: Sanzi or twisted rope (馓子) are deep fried noodles, freshly stretched on the streets of Chengdu that make a delicious topping on a bowl of fresh tofu or 豆花 douhua. Imagine the crunch of sev or croutons and you get the idea.popular snack in Northern China. The snack is made by pulling wheat flour dough into thin ropes, which are then deep-fried.
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