Food Wars: Taste Reversal

A good dark dish must not only look stunning on the outside but also deliver an unforgettable impact on the taste buds.

Shiraki once had the rare opportunity to taste a British dish known as "Looking Up at the Stars". At first glance, its intimidating appearance made him hesitate, but to his surprise, the taste was unexpectedly good. Contrary to what its domineering look suggested, it had a rather palatable and refined flavor.

While the dish he had tasted wasn't the original British "Looking Up at the Stars", the experience left a lasting impression on Shiraki. It also made him regret not getting to try the authentic version. This memory inspired him to attempt his own take on the dish, albeit with some unique twists.

Determined to create something extraordinary, Shiraki abandoned all restraint. He packed as many spices as possible into the fish, treating them as if they were inexhaustible. Among the first ingredients he reached for was coarse salt. Having leftover coarse salt from his previous salt-baked fish experiment, he decided to use it liberally, blending it into the fish puree.

Next came the preparation of the fish head—a crucial element in recreating the dish's dramatic appearance. Shiraki cut off the head of the fish and attempted to place it in the center of the oven at a 45-degree angle. However, there was an issue. The tuna he had caught was enormous, and its head was far too large to fit as intended.

After a brief pause to consider his options, Shiraki grabbed a sharp knife and quartered the massive fish head with decisive strokes. He carefully arranged the pieces in a baking dish, ensuring they would fit snugly. To prevent the dish from burning during the high-temperature roasting process, he covered it with a layer of tin foil.

As Shiraki placed the heavily seasoned fish in the oven, Megumi Tadokoro walked over, holding several packing boxes.

"Shiraki-kun, I'm sorry, but I could only find these regular-sized packing boxes," Megumi said hesitantly, placing the boxes on the table. "If these won't work, I can go look for more!"

Shiraki glanced at her, then at the boxes, and shook his head. "No, these are fine," he replied. Turning his attention back to the oven, he mused over the sheer intensity of the spices he had used. The flavors were bound to leave a strong impression, for better or worse.

This dish was not meant to be subtle. Unlike salt-baked grilled fish, which is known for its crisp exterior and tender, delicate interior, Shiraki's imitation "Looking Up at the Stars" was designed to assault the senses. His goal was to create a dish so bold and overwhelming that it might even test the eater's courage.

After ten minutes, the oven timer rang, signaling that both the salt-baked fish and his imitation "Looking Up at the Stars" were ready.

The salt-baked fish emerged with a beautifully golden crust, its aroma filling the air with mouthwatering intensity. In contrast, the imitation dish had a strikingly dark and ominous appearance. The high-temperature roasting process, combined with the abundance of soy sauce, white vinegar, and other potent seasonings, had created a charred, purple-black crust that evoked the starry night sky.

Adding to its dramatic appearance were the eerie eyes of the quartered tuna head, now glazed over and lifeless. The way the fish head pieces were arranged gave the dish an almost haunting presence.

"Megumi Tadokoro, please plate the salt-baked grilled fish," Shiraki instructed, still focused on his "stargazing" dish.

"Okay, okay!" Megumi replied, relieved to have a straightforward task. She carefully put on her cooking gloves, removed the salt-baked fish from the oven, and transferred it to a serving plate with meticulous precision.

Meanwhile, Shiraki unwrapped the tin foil from his "stargazing" dish. Using the back of a cooking spoon, he tapped the hardened fish meat, testing its texture. Unlike his earlier creations, this dish's aroma didn't immediately fill the air. However, a closer sniff revealed a peculiar blend of excessive soy sauce, white vinegar, and coarse salt—a combination so strong it could make one's nose tingle.

Curious about the dish's overall quality, Shiraki activated his culinary insight to evaluate it:

——————

(Copycat Version) Looking Up at the Starry Sky (?)

Palate: Grade K

Taste: Grade K

Results: None

Special Effects: Causes chills and makes hairs stand on end.

Overall Rating: Grade K

Evaluation: A chaotic mix of seasonings and an unsettling appearance make this an unbeatable dark dish.

——————

"Uh... is this what your group has been cooking?"

While Shiraki analyzed the dish's unusual attributes, a voice interrupted his thoughts. Hinako Inui, who had been sipping tea nearby, suddenly appeared at the cooking table.

Hinako's eyes widened as she took in the sight of the "stargazing" dish. The black-and-purple hues, combined with the fragmented fish head, gave it an almost otherworldly beauty.

"What a masterpiece..." she murmured, her voice filled with admiration. "You're part of Team Shiraki, right? I'm looking forward to your finished product."

A rare smile graced Hinako's face as she continued to admire the dish. Despite its intimidating appearance, she found it oddly captivating. A faint but intriguing aroma seemed to emanate from within, hinting at hidden complexities in its flavor.

However, just as Hinako's curiosity reached its peak, Shiraki calmly moved the "stargazing" dish aside and presented the salt-baked fish instead.

"Chef Inui, you misunderstood," he said, an amused expression on his face. "This is the dish we're submitting."

"Huh...?" Hinako blinked in confusion, pointing at the "stargazing" dish. "But what about that dish?"

"I'm packing it for my roommate," Shiraki replied matter-of-factly. He turned to Megumi Tadokoro and gestured toward the packing boxes. "Megumi, help me pack this dish for a party later."

"Ah, yes! Of course!" Megumi responded quickly, grabbing one of the packing boxes and carefully transferring the "stargazing" dish into it.

Left behind, Hinako could only stare in disbelief. The striking dish she had been so eager to taste was now being packed away, out of her reach. She glanced down at the simpler salt-baked fish and felt a pang of disappointment.

"That dish..." she muttered under her breath, still fixated on the "stargazing" creation as it was whisked away.