My Gourmet Restaurant in Another World

Delicious Egg Fried Rice

This dish is loved all around the world, and each region has its own way of making it. In China, egg fried rice has inspired a variety of dishes such as Yangzhou fried rice, ham fried rice, and chicken fried rice.

However, there are fundamental requirements for egg fried rice: the eggs must be tender, and the rice should be of the right consistency, neither too soft nor too hard. The flavors of the eggs and rice need to meld together perfectly.

According to the recipe, every three to five grains of rice should be coated in egg.

There are techniques involved in selecting the rice, determining the right amount of water and cooking time, and matching the size of the eggs to the amount of rice.

The recent flash of light was the system granting Karen a sudden enlightenment about making egg fried rice, clearing up his previous confusion. Opening his eyes, he walked down the stairs, eager to try making the egg fried rice he had envisioned.

Just as he reached the bottom of the stairs, a message appeared:

System Update: Upgrading the shop. Estimated time to completion: 8 hours.

Karen sighed, smiling wryly, and tried to calm his excitement. The streetlights outside were already on. He returned to his room and lay down on the bed.

The next morning, anxious to see the newly renovated shop, Karen quickly finished his personal hygiene routine and rushed downstairs, flicking on the light switch.

“What!”

Stepping down into the main hall, he saw that the entire shop had been transformed into an open kitchen. Flower stands were placed on either side of the entrance, with several vibrant, unknown flowers blooming in pale blue hues against a grass-green background. The tables formed a semicircle around the kitchen, with a glass countertop and a sink inside. Four comfortable high chairs with pale blue upholstery were neatly arranged under the long table, giving a clean and fresh look.

Karen surveyed the surroundings, feeling quite satisfied. This was much better than his own renovation efforts, looking fresh, natural, and simply elegant.

Walking into the kitchen, Karen found it unrecognizable. The old kitchen had a trash bin in the corner, a double stove next to it, surrounded by condiments, a sink for washing vegetables nearby, and a dish rack filled with plates and bowls of various sizes behind it. Now, the system’s renovation had made the space bright and grand. The trash bin had been replaced with a large water cabinet containing clear, sweet spring water. The stove was now built-in, saving space and looking elegant. The white porcelain bowls and plates were neatly arranged overhead within easy reach.

Next to the stove was a whole row of small boxes labeled with different spices, both from Earth and this world, totaling over 60 varieties. Above the spice boxes were larger cabinets, also built-in, with 15 in total. Only the topmost one was labeled “Rice,” while the others had no labels. A row of cabinets behind him was labeled “Eggs.”

Karen opened the rice cabinet and found it full of rice, much to his delight. He quickly opened the egg cabinet and saw it was neatly filled with eggs.

“System, is this also a reward?” Karen asked gleefully.

System Message: The system will provide all ingredients for the dishes the host has mastered.

“Then I can make other dishes, like desserts and salads?” Karen asked, eyes bright with excitement.

System Message: Currently, the host has only mastered one type of cuisine.

“Can I buy my own ingredients?” Karen tapped the pristine countertop.

System Message: All ingredients for dishes made and sold here must be provided by the system. No outside ingredients are allowed.

“Well, this is nice too. I don’t have to worry about ingredients.”

System Message: The price for egg fried rice is set at $129.

“What? Are you crazy?”

Karen thought the system must be out of its mind. In a Michelin-starred restaurant, $129 might make sense, given their environment and service, but his small shop?

“System, can this price really sell?” Karen was filled with doubt.

System Message: The price is a reasonable assessment based on the host’s egg fried rice skills. The host can rest assured.

Karen shook his head helplessly. “Alright, I’ll trust you this time.”

He decided to try making a bowl of egg fried rice to see if he could truly achieve the system’s promised enlightenment effect. He walked to the cabinet, took out some rice and eggs, and began preparing.

After washing the rice, he chose the option for egg fried rice rice. The rice looked different from usual, so he scooped some out to examine it. The rice grains were bright, plump, and uniform, exuding a clean, fragrant aroma that tempted him to taste it raw.

“It seems the system provides premium ingredients.”

He opened the water cabinet, and sweet spring water flowed into the pot. Using precise techniques, he washed the rice, placed it in the rice cooker, and set the timer.

“Ding!”

In less than a minute, the rice cooker indicated it was done.

“Is this some kind of black technology? So fast!” Karen was startled. He opened the rice cooker and was surprised that there was no steam, but the aroma of cooked rice wafted out.

Touching it out of curiosity, he found the rice was cool. Karen had never seen rice come out of a rice cooker already cool, truly black technology.

He realized this was so he could immediately make fried rice. Freshly cooked rice has too much moisture and is too soft, making it difficult to absorb sauces and flavors from other ingredients and prone to clumping. But this cooled rice had absorbed the water, becoming plump and soft inside, firm and loose outside, perfect for absorbing sauces and flavors. Its starch content had slightly fermented overnight, producing a sweet aroma when heated, making the rice extra delicious, with each grain distinct and chewy.

He lightly opened the “Eggs” cabinet and took out several evenly-sized, brightly colored eggs.

Each egg seemed to hold endless delicious possibilities, waiting to be awakened.

Standing at the pristine stove, he gently held the eggs as if cradling a delicate piece of art. With a light tap, the shell made a crisp sound and cracked open. Karen skillfully split the shell, letting the egg white and yolk flow into the bowl, presenting a tempting golden color. Every c***k and drop of egg liquid seemed ceremonial.

He picked up the whisk and gently stirred. The egg liquid swirled, becoming smooth and uniform. Sunlight streamed into the kitchen, making the golden liquid glisten. The faint aroma of eggs filled the air, whetting his appetite.

Karen lit the stove, and as the oil heated, it began to sizzle softly, anticipating the culinary delight to come. He slowly poured the beaten eggs into the pan, and as they met the hot oil, they sizzled loudly, releasing a rich aroma that filled the kitchen.

The golden egg liquid swirled in the pan like sunlight dancing on a shimmering lake, bright and enticing. Karen quickly moved the spatula, ensuring the eggs cooked evenly but remained tender. He watched intently, making sure each bit of egg liquid received the right amount of heat.

Then, he added the cooled rice to the pan. The grains met the partially cooked eggs, creating a delightful sizzling sound. The egg liquid coated each grain, the golden yolk mingling with the white rice, making it visually mouth-watering. The spatula moved rapidly, tossing the rice and eggs, each grain glistening and distinct.

The rice, enveloped in egg, became more tender, each grain infused with the rich aroma of egg, shining with an inviting luster. The scene in the pan resembled a culinary masterpiece, with the eggs and rice interacting like musical notes, creating a symphony of flavors. The golden and white colors blended harmoniously, with steam rising and the characteristic scent of fried rice tantalizing every taste bud.

Karen skillfully stirred the rice, ensuring every grain was evenly coated with egg. The glistening oil highlighted the intermingling of rice and egg, their fragrances layered and rich. Finally, he sprinkled some chopped green onions, adding a touch of color and enhancing the aroma.

When Karen transferred the golden, fragrant fried rice into a bowl, the aroma intensified. The tender rice and smooth eggs combined perfectly, making each bite a delightful culinary experience. Looking at the meticulously prepared egg fried rice, anyone would be unable to resist tasting it immediately, savoring the ultimate gastronomic pleasure.

A bowl of golden fried rice appeared before Karen. He picked up the bowl, eagerly taking a bite. The rice was perfectly cooked, with each grain coated in egg, emitting an irresistible aroma and a smooth texture.

“Amazing!” Karen couldn't help but exclaim. “Did I really make this fried rice?”