"Every grain of rice."
"Is perfectly cooked, springy and fragrant, with rich layers."
"That perfect seafood paella also has a very crispy crust at the bottom, and the crunchy texture when you take a bite is incredibly satisfying."
"Moreover, the rice has absorbed the sweet juices of the seafood, giving it a soft and glutinous texture while also having a subtle chewiness."
"Paired with delicious mussels, clams, fresh shrimp, squid, small yellow croaker, and more, it's simply a feast unique to seafood cuisine!"
After speaking, Kakizaki Taki's hands seemed to move uncontrollably, as she quickly scooped another mouthful of seafood paella and ate it.
For some reason.
The taste of this seafood paella.
Made her feel very familiar, yet also so strange.
Her friend, Sonoka, who was beside her, secretly glanced at her. Seeing that she had already fallen in love with the dishes made by Sosuke, she couldn't help but smile knowingly!
Immediately after, she also eagerly scooped up a spoonful of hot seafood paella and began to savor its deliciousness.
Suddenly, the entire Izakaya fell into a strange silence.
Only Kakizaki Taki and Sonoka were eating the seafood paella, making soft "smacking" sounds.
...
In previous years, whenever September arrived, bringing the fragrant scent of rice.
The Sueca region of Valencia would host a grand seafood paella "Martial Arts Gathering," namely: the Sueca International Seafood Paella Competition.
This top-tier competition, which gathers masters from all over the seafood paella world, often has a strong professional nature, and all contestants must be professional chefs.
Therefore, rather than calling it an international seafood paella competition, it is more like a touchstone.
And Kakizaki Taki, as a Totsuki graduate, won the championship in this competition last year, making her famous for a time!
Of course, because the cuisine she specializes in is a relatively niche Western dish!
So even though she is exceptionally talented, the dishes she often makes are not understood by many people.
Even.
Her dishes.
Most people, still dislike them very much.
Because the flavor and texture of this Spanish cuisine often clash with Japan's local tastes.
Coupled with her lack of innovation, unable to develop dishes with a Japanese flavor, she eventually had to travel to Spain and operate a Western restaurant there called "Taki Amarillo"!
"So that's how it is."
"After mixing the High Soup and seasonings, then pouring in the rice and stirring it slightly to spread it evenly across the bottom of the pot, it's not moved again!"
"It seems that this method is to prevent the starch in the rice grains from precipitating out, and at the same time, it will be softer."
"Hmm?"
"The way mussels and clams are handled also seems a bit..."
Towards the end of her meal, Kakizaki Taki was somewhat puzzled.
She carefully observed the entire plate of seafood paella again, and then felt a sudden enlightenment, unable to help but say, "The shells of mussels and clams, compared to the fried small yellow croaker and shrimp heads, are really not very significant!"
"My previous method was to take the raw meat, add it before serving, and the juice would naturally enter the rice."
"As a result, this plate of seafood paella truly filtered the broth they were cooked in, added it to the base, and then sprinkled the cooked meat over the rice, with the shells only used for plating!"
"That's truly amazing, how did I not think of that?"
All in all.
A thousand words, just one sentence:
A unique style of seafood paella like Sosuke's is one of a kind in the world!
At the same time, Sonoka, who was beside her, also began to analyze, and couldn't help but say, "Besides the excellent handling of the seafood, the texture of the rice is also smooth and soft!"
"The texture is similar to the japonica rice from the Northeast region of China, and the seafood paella made with this long-grain rice can both absorb the sauce and remain distinct, which is especially suitable for our Japanese palates!"
"Paired with those seafoods, the deliciousness of the entire dish almost made me lose control!"
"Indeed!"
"Regarding the choice of rice."
"I certainly didn't use local Spanish rice, but instead used japonica rice from Northeast China."
Sosuke nodded and replied.
In his opinion, a large part of the Spanish people's passion is reflected in their food.
For example, unlike the dining culture in many European countries, which emphasizes individual enjoyment of one's own portion, they share food with everyone, and this culture is especially evident in seafood paella.
In Spanish restaurants, it's rare to find single-serving seafood paella; it's more common to see double, quadruple, and even larger portions.
And because during the preparation of seafood paella, the rice is first stir-fried until half-cooked, and then High Soup is added little by little and slowly cooked, this cooking method is completely different from cooking rice in a rice cooker, so the texture naturally differs.
Therefore, the rice in seafood paella is not "undercooked" but has a certain firmness; otherwise, it would just be a pot of seafood porridge!
So the biggest problem is the choice of rice!
Because japonica rice has a nearly round cross-section, a firm texture, and a clear, jade-like color.
The cooked rice is oily and sweet, with a rich aroma, making it most suitable for seafood paella.
Moreover, the rice at the edge of the pot is fragrant and crispy, while the rice in the middle is warm and savory, and the firmness of the "undercooked" rice is just right. As long as it's paired with fresh seafood, it's absolutely perfect for slow chewing!
...
Food is best at stimulating imagination, evoking flavors from memory.
After quickly finishing the entire plate of seafood paella, Kakizaki Taki, still wanting more, picked up the glass of white wine unique to the Valencia region and took a small sip.
The wine was a clear amber color, and from its appearance, it exuded a sense of grandeur and composure!
Upon tasting, it was smooth and sweet, with a hint of power.
Furthermore, the wine's aroma had rich layers, and even the aftertaste was refreshing and mellow, inviting contemplation.
Gradually.
Kakizaki Taki began to enter a state.
She saw rays of sunlight spilling onto the bullring, and the cheers of the crowd rose and fell.
Bang!
The cymbals clashed.
Everyone became even more excited!
Then, a bullfighter named Kakizaki Taki, dressed in a red gown with a high chest—er, a chest as flat as an airport runway—entered the bullring like a gentleman, walking with elegant steps.
Opposite her, a plum blossom iron-horned bull's eyes were filled with rage, like an irrational beast, wanting to charge at her.
"Come on!"
"Let me see your strength."
Kakizaki Taki, who had transformed into a bullfighter, finally waved her red cape.
Immediately after, the ferocious bull charged furiously, with lightning speed, towards Kakizaki Taki.
The scene instantly fell into a breathless silence, awaiting a miracle.
Kakizaki Taki remained calm and composed, a slight curl at the corner of her lips, not hiding the confidence in her heart. Believing herself experienced, she thought she could dodge the bull's attack.
Finally.
It charged!
The plum blossom iron-horned bull finally charged!
She deftly dodged, but unexpectedly, she couldn't avoid it and was directly sent flying by the bull.
Such a strong impact immediately made her foam at the mouth, roll her eyes, and her consciousness seemed to gradually fade away at that moment.
"Ah!"
"What... what happened to me?"
Suddenly, Kakizaki Taki came to her senses, a low murmur escaping her lips.
Note:
Hello everyone!
First of all, I want to send my warmest wishes to you and your families. May your Lunar New Year be filled with warmth, reunion, and joy. I hope you all stay healthy and have a wonderful year ahead!
I have a small announcement: I will be taking a Lunar New Year holiday starting on February 15th, 2026, and will return on February 23rd, 2026. During this time, I want to rest, spend time with my family, and enjoy the traditional New Year atmosphere.
Don't worry! During this break, I will prepare new chapters so I can post them regularly when I return. So please be patient and wait, the upcoming story will be even better!
Thank you so much for your support. Wishing you a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!