Chapter 308: Enjoying the Delicacies

“Hello.”

Meng Fan looked up and smiled. “What a coincidence.”

He had good memory, plus with his improved Observation, despite only having had a glimpse of the man, he recognized him as one of the flight’s passengers. He just didn’t know they’d meet again this way.

This was because Meng Fan got too many business cards when leaving the plane that day. This man in his fifties was also rather ordinary looking, so Meng Fan didn’t look at his card closely, or he would have remembered the man’s name.

Yoshikazu Ono grimaced. He thought to himself, “Did you really not see my business card? If you didn’t, you should have at least heard, ‘Please come visit Sukiyabashi Jiro.’ Were you confused, or maybe you didn’t understand what I said?”

The man considered. Since M-san was already in his seat, he should have had a reservation. If he did, why didn’t he remember anything?

While Yoshikazu Ono complained to himself, he was still very happy and excited that Meng Fan was here.

“Are you here by yourself? Or…”

Yoshikazu Ono wanted to call Meng Fan M-san, but he resisted. After all, they weren’t alone, there were four other customers other than the employees here.

As they talked, a woman walked in. She took off her sunglasses. With her spectacular smile, everyone in the store, employee or customer, couldn’t help looking over.

“Yoshikazu-san, we meet again.”

It was obvious that Satomi Ishihara had been to the restaurant before and knew Yoshikazu Ono. After she walked in, she politely greeted the serious-looking chef and looked at Meng Fan with a bright smile. “You must be Meng Fan-san. Pleased to meet you.”

“Pleased to meet you.”

Meng Fan lightly shook her hand. The two of them sat down.

To be honest, he hadn’t seen her shows, not even the live-action “Attack on Titan.” He had seen stills from the shows, however, as well as her photobook.

She was indeed a goddess, with a bright but not scorching glow.

Meng Fan’s date was Satomi? This wasn’t surprising to Yoshikazu Ono. Everyone here, including the customers, saw Meng Fan as a mythical figure, so the meeting wasn’t shocking.

Meanwhile, Satomi was surprised Meng Fan knew Yoshikazu Ono, the son of Jiro Ono, a Japanese national treasure known as the “God of Sushi.” The man was also the inheritor of the craft and the future chef of the restaurant.

What followed shocked Satomi even more. As Yoshikazu Ono returned to the counter and began to work, Jiro Ono, the “God of Sushi” himself, came over and waved his son off. The older man looked at Meng Fan, “Is there anything you don’t eat?”

At sushi restaurants such as this, there were three levels of dining: one, the chef took care of everything and one ate whatever was prepared; two, one ordered individual dishes; and three, prix fixe, with combos at different prices.

If the “God of Sushi” cooked, then one ate whatever he wanted to give you, you just had to say if there’s any food restrictions.

Meng Fan shook his head with a smile.

Satomi grew serious. She looked rather nervous and also a little expectant.

The “God of Sushi” didn’t even ask her.

The other four customers were so shocked their eyes grew huge. They had obviously done a lot of work before coming here. They knew how incredible it was having the “God of Sushi” prepare your food.

Unlike Meng Fan, who was clueless.

When everyone saw Jiro Ono take off his gloves, their eyes practically glowed. Meng Fan figured the older man had to be over 90 years old, yet his hands were in great condition.

The others knew sushi was three-parts taste and seven-parts gesture, so they stared at the sushi master’s fluid hand motions. Meng Fan, meanwhile, was worried about the quantity of the food, and whether he would get enough to eat in this fifteen minutes.

As he had the first course of halibut sushi, he could taste the power of the God of Sushi. The sushi looked typical, but the taste was amazing, with a sweetness slowing emanating in his mouth. He could feel his taste buds being awakened.

However, he also became hungrier.

The second course was the squid. It wasn’t completely raw. The fish was blanched in hot water. Meng Fan could hear the cooking sound. After the squid was placed on top of the sushi rice flavored by the chef, it looked luminous.

Jiro Ono explained that the squid had fifty minutes of massage, giving it a great and unique mouth-feel.

The taste of sushi courses changed from bland to pungent. From white fish like halibut, squid, followed by silver-edged needlefish and mackerel, to red-colored fish like tuna, which was a minor climax of the meal. Then there were fish eggs, sea urchin, red clams and the like to cleanse the palette. Finally, the tuna belly was served as an apex of the taste journey.

After 18 courses, there was an add-on course. Satomi ordered abalone, while Meng Fan ordered eel and tuna belly, which was already served.

Satomi held her breath when Meng Fan ordered, who also looked relaxed and smiley. She had to marvel to herself how daring Meng Fan was. Surprisingly, the “God of Sushi” agreed to his order.

Satomi could feel her worldview imploding.

After the follow-up course, it was the final course, or the legendary tamako.

After the meal, despite his hunger, Meng Fan was embarrassed to order more. The taste was fantastic; for many courses, Meng Fan didn’t want to eat too quickly. He wanted the taste to linger.

He had achieved his goal for manga and enjoyed all these delicacies. Meng Fan was in a good mood.

The meal for Meng Fan and Satomi was definitely longer than fifteen minutes. The amount of sushi was also more than usual. Satomi was sure of it. Usually, it was 14 courses plus the tamako.

After they finished eating, they weren’t rushed out; instead, the God of Sushi washed up, put on his gloves, and chatted with them. He focused on Meng Fan.

The conversation was just chit-chat, but this was still surprising to Satomi.

She remembered how a few years ago, she reserved a week ahead of time and was still refused. She finally ate here after they added a time slot after all diners left. The restaurant was very strict about the length of dining time.

The chat didn’t last very long — about five minutes — before they were told they could leave. As they left, Yoshikazu Ono personally walked them out, something Satomi hadn’t ever seen.

When they wanted to pay, Yoshikazu Ono stopped them. He warmly told Meng Fan to come again soon and that there’s no need to make reservations.

What made Satomi speechless was how Meng Fan agreed without a hint of humbleness. He also told her, next time she’d have to pay, as he could skip making reservations but not the bill.

“Meng Fan-san.”

After they left the restaurant, they had to walk upstairs from the underground area. Satomi asked curiously, “How do you know the Ono family?”

Meng Fan chuckled, “If I told you we were instant friends, would you believe me?”

Satomi shook her head. “This doesn’t seem like it.”

Meng Fan shrugged. “So…”

Satomi smiled and didn’t press him. She asked, “Where do you live? My driver is outside, we can give you a lift.”

Meng Fan shook his head. “Thank you. It’s easy getting a taxi here. I’m really happy to have met you. I hope to see you again next time. My sister sends her regards.”

“Same here. Thank you for the sushi. I’ve been here a few times, but this is the first time I’ve had the ‘God of Sushi’ make my food. If I go to China to visit Caiwei, I hope you can take me to eat Chinese food.”

“Absolutely. This is my pleasure.”

When Meng Fan saw Satomi’s assistant or agent looking over, he waved and left.

He was in a hurry to leave since he was still worried about those rumors with Su Qingcen. He didn’t want rumors with Satomi. While it was unlikely, and even kind of flattering, it wasn’t good for Meng Fan, as Wu Tong’s warning still rang in his ears.

“Just like Caiwei, he’s a charismatic, interesting, and cool person.”

Satomi smiled, put on her shades, and left with her assistant in the car.

Meng Fan quickly got a taxi after he left. He went back to Bunkyo City. However, he wasn’t going to Kodansha; he was looking for Wu Ji at the Tokyo Dome.