Episode 189

Ma’a Shabu-Shabu!

“Oh! That’s nothing compared to yours!”

Rurin’s mouth is full of meat. The problem for Rurin is the smell. So, I added various herbs, similar to modern water parsley, to help mask it.

The meat is cooked right away and dipped in a special sauce. It’s a sweet and sour sauce that enhances the umami flavor.

The main ingredient is monton mushrooms.

In sauces and broth-based dishes, monton mushrooms truly play a game-changing role.

“Monton mushrooms grow here in this region as well. I’ll tell you how to get them.”

“This is amazing!”

Bissera nodded vigorously. She was taking notes on everything I said.

“It has a unique character, doesn’t it? This could definitely become a famous local dish.”

“Mr. El is right. We just changed the method a little, and it’s fun and delicious!”

The mother and son were very excited. It looks like they liked it. If that’s the case, there’s no problem. Now we just need to sell it.

“The method is to eat the meat first, then add the noodles later, so it’s different from how you usually eat the meat.”

“That’s right. This sauce is especially amazing. It brings out so many different flavors in the simple Ma’a meat, this is revolutionary!”

Duran started praising it, nearly foaming at the mouth.

The dish itself wasn’t developed by me, so it feels like an embarrassing praise.

However, noodles here have the same significance as rice in Korea, so I’m optimistic that it will be well-received and popular.

This shabu-shabu is just an application of something that’s already been proven. The fact that it’s already been validated in modern times is important.

So, this dish has a very high chance of success.

However, the real problem lies elsewhere.

The competing restaurant nearby is actually the biggest issue and variable.

They sell the same type of food, so they will surely retaliate.

Especially after I’ve fully taught them the recipe and left, that’s when the problem could arise.

They could send thugs to get the recipe, or they might even forcefully suppress the restaurant.

Since this restaurant is run by someone from the local area, many scenarios cross my mind.

Even if this dish is successful, there are still problems to solve.

But I have no intention of using the same methods they might consider, like forcing things with power.

Here, it’s a competition of restaurants, meaning we will beat the competition with food and customers.

If there was no competing restaurant, I would just teach the recipe and be done. But if they didn’t exist, I wouldn’t need to come help at all.

I won’t leave my benefactors behind.

And well, the truth is, there are many ways.

We can solve it step by step.

For now, forget about the competing restaurant. Our priority is to turn around the footsteps of customers who have completely stopped coming.

Maybe we should force customers to come in, and then wait for word-of-mouth to spread.

Of course, by force, I don’t mean physical force.

The new dishes, Ma’a Shabu-shabu and Ma’a Dumplings, will spread by word-of-mouth. I’m confident in that.

However, bringing customers in will require some sacrifice.

This is something that Duran and Bissera should decide for themselves.

“The problem is the customers. It might cost a bit, but let’s consider it an investment and treat customers for free for one day.”

“Free?”

“Yes. Do you have enough funds to survive the expenses?”

“Yes, yes. I’ve saved some of the money you gave me, just in case.”

“Really?”

“Yes! Fortunately, there were times when the restaurant did well, so I could save some, but of course, if things continue like this, it’ll run out soon… I’ll follow Mr. El’s advice.”

“Understood. Let’s do it!”

“Yes!”

The mother and son nodded in agreement with my plan.

So, the next day.

I handed Duran a bundle of papers prepared in the Lair. These were 30 sheets of paper stating that if customers brought one, they would get a free meal.

Thirty people should be enough.

Where to distribute these papers is obvious.

“Duran, take this.”

“What’s this?”

“Even if we’re holding a free event, people need to know about it to come. Otherwise, no one will show up right now.”

“Yes, I think that’s true.”

“So, I’m going to pass these out and make the announcement. Let’s go in front of the mine, right when the workers are finishing.”

“Oh! There should be plenty of people there!”

“Yeah, that’s probably true.”

“But do you think those people will actually come to the restaurant?”

“No one hates free stuff. If they don’t like it, they can just leave.”

“Oh, I see!”

“Exactly? Hurry up and get ready. Tell your mother too.”

“Understood!”

His response was always energetic.

So, I went up to the mine with Duran. Rurin looked visibly annoyed, but she still came along. I had her sit on a rock.

“Rurin, sit here.”

She clearly showed her displeasure.

“This is boring.”

“What’s boring now?”

“It’s boring. So boring. You’ve been so boring lately! I demand improvement. Hey! I just thought of a great idea! What if we give them out and then kill anyone who doesn’t get one? That might be a little fun!”

Rurin jumped up as if she’d come up with an amazing idea, giggling evilly.

“What are you, a bloodthirsty dragon? You’re talking nonsense.”

“Well, if they didn’t get the paper you personally handed out, then they should definitely be killed.”

“Miss Dragon, please sit still before you get scolded.”

“Hehe! You’re too much!”

“What’s this ‘hehe’ again?”

I ignored Rurin’s absurd ambition for fun and began handing out flyers with Duran.

I paid special attention to the part about it being free. It’s large. Hehe.

It stands out clearly. Isn’t it great? The reactions were dramatic.

“What’s this?”

“It’s Bissera’s restaurant. We’re offering free meals today, for a limited time.”

“Did you say free?”

“Yes. You can just eat and leave. We’re holding an event for a newly developed menu. It’s not that different from the usual Ma’a noodles.”

“Really? In that case, I don’t see why not. Hey, what do you think?”

“It’s free! If you save on one meal, you can drink three more bottles of alcohol, you fool. Of course, we should go.”

“Yeah, that’s true.”

The reactions from the people leaving the mine were mostly positive.

The 30 flyers were distributed in no time. Free stuff truly is powerful.

Of course, free things are great, but if the investment doesn’t bear fruit, it will lead to a huge waste of money.

“But will 30 people really come?”

Duran, still worried, asked, and I answered decisively.

“Of course they will. Stop worrying and focus on getting back to business.”

When we returned to the restaurant, people were indeed gathering.

Yes, this is the power of free stuff.

Duran started getting excited after actually seeing it happen, but I reminded him that this was just the power of free stuff, so he needed to calm down and handle the guests with composure.

Rurin gave up her nonsensical plan and was now sleeping on my back with an expression as if she had the world.

“Bissera, let’s prepare everything in full. But as I mentioned, make sure to not give too much. Give about two-thirds of the portion so that it feels like it was abruptly cut off, making them want more.”

“Ah, understood. You mean give less than the usual portion?”

“Yes. And if they ask for more, tell them they can’t get any more today, as the free portions are fixed. They should feel a little disappointed.”

“Got it! Of course!”

Bissera made up her mind, and finally, the free customers began arriving. I checked the flyers in front of them.

“Yes, that’s right. Please go in and take a seat.”

“Is this really free?”

“Yes, it’s really free.”

“If you change your mind later and ask for money…”

“That would be a big problem. That would be fraud.”

“Well, that’s true.”

I reassured the customers who couldn’t believe it was free and ushered them into the restaurant.

I didn’t have Rurin handle the customers. Maybe if it were our own restaurant, but I had to prepare in case of any accidents. I made sure to prepare a generous meal and beer for Rurin on the side. She started drinking, so I was at ease for now.

Soon, the restaurant began to fill up with people.

Whenever a seat was filled, Bissera prepared and served shabu-shabu in a large pot. Each time, the customers showed dramatic reactions.

“Oh, this is unique.”

“So we’re eating Ma’a like this?”

“Yes, that’s right!”

Whenever Bissera prepared the food and served it, Duran eagerly explained in front of it.

After hearing the explanation, the customers immediately took the meat into their mouths.

Just to be sure, I observed their reactions. I was confident, but there’s always the chance of unexpected situations.

“Ohhh!”

“It’s delicious!”

“Can we eat it like this?”

“This sauce is really unique.”

Slurp. Yum. Munch munch.

“This dumpling is delicious too. It’s a combination of familiar Ma’a meat with something new.”

“Wow, the broth is refreshing. It’s even cooler than Ma’a noodles!”

Fortunately, the reactions were exactly what I had hoped for.

Yes, it’s a dish that’s already been validated.

The reactions are good. I’m relieved.

So, this time, I observed the reactions of other free customers looking at the packed restaurant from outside.

Waiting is a big issue.

Even though it’s free, some impatient people may not want to wait and end up going to an empty restaurant instead.

Because of that, I made sure to place the waiting customers inside the restaurant where the tables were easily visible.

I also made sure the smell would be strong enough for them to smell it.

Thanks to that, almost no one left in frustration. It was thanks to the customers inside who were happily eating and blowing air to catch the scent.

And so, the day of free meals came to an end.

And the next day.

What’s truly important starts today. Will the people who ate for free return and pay for the meal? That’s the most crucial question.

A unique dish has appeared, and it’s not the kind of food that you’d get tired of after one try, so I waited with hope that people would come back.

I hoped that the returning customers would spread the word.

On the first day, about three groups of people who had eaten for free returned.

It’s modest.

The second day.

Similarly, some of the people who ate for free returned on the second day. From the second day onward, there were also new people joining in.

“Such a delicious dish, I’d pay for it even without the free offer. Oh, I brought some friends too. They didn’t believe me when I said how good it is.”

“Really? Ah, they’ll definitely believe it. Since you brought new people, I’ll offer a beer service!”

“Oh, that’s great! Hahaha.”

“Right? Hahaha!”

There were customers like this too.

“I didn’t eat enough that day, so I came back. This time, I’m paying, so you’ll give me a full portion, right?”

“Yes, of course!”

These were the main types of customers. Of course, it wasn’t a large number yet.

The number of people who ate for free wasn’t very large, so it was natural that it would take some time for them to spread the word about the new dish.