That evening, the dinner prepared at Igarashi's residence was decidedly down-to-earth.
The original plan had been Yokohama-style sushi, accompanied by a lavish sashimi platter and some delicate side dishes.
But Xia Xi, the head chef, had rejected that proposal outright.
The Dawn Hashira had insisted.
For a family meal like this, especially in the dead of winter.
They ought to gather around a steaming hot pot!
In his view, whether it was a satisfyingly spicy hot pot, distinctively flavored lamb hot pot, or beef hot pot rich with shacha sauce.
Any of them beat that cold sushi and raw fish.
Of course, he had to consider everyone's tastes.
Especially since his Senior Brother probably could not handle much spice in his current condition.
Xia Xi ultimately chose sukiyaki, which was milder and more classic to people of the Far East.
As for the premium seafood Senior Brother Igarashi had painstakingly prepared.
Xia Xi did not waste that either.
He mixed it with beaten eggs and stock, making a local Sendai dish somewhere between dobin mushi and chawanmushi.
Finally, he added fried peanuts, his personal favorite at New Year's Eve dinner.
With that, the evening's dishes were more or less ready.
[Absolute Zero: Ultimate Frostflower Sukiyaki Hot Pot] [Limit Break: Invincible Seafood Steamed to Perfection] [Fried Peanuts]
With Xia Xi's current cooking skills.
Even ordinary ingredients could deliver astonishingly delicious flavors and an addictive texture.
Let alone the premium ingredients Igarashi had specially prepared this time...
"Wh-what is this...?!"
"Senior Brother, my benefactor! This steamed egg, and these shrimp, they... they're singing in my mouth!"
"How can anything taste this good?! How am I supposed to eat anything else after this?"
Yan Zi wolfed down her food with tears welling in her eyes.
All the while, all sorts of