Real and Fake, Fake and Real

The Rise of Vegetarianism

In recent years, vegetarianism had surged in popularity.

Many people still craved the taste of meat but sought a healthier lifestyle.

To meet this demand, chefs had turned to scientific food processing techniques, using vegetarian ingredients to replicate the texture and flavor of meat.

Take vegetarian chicken, for example. Though it had existed for over two centuries, its core principle remained the same—modifying tofu's texture and seasoning it until it resembled chicken in taste, color, and mouthfeel.

But to recreate the essence of beef using toast?

That was something Erina had never heard of.

At first, the idea seemed absurd.

But after analyzing it briefly, she realized—

It was theoretically possible.

An Unexpected Revelation

"Oh?"

Her lips curled slightly.

"I was half right."

She glanced at Zane, watching his movements closely.

"He is modifying the hamburger—but his method is unbelievably unique."

"Using toast… to create a beef patty?"

Beside her, Rindō's sharp gaze flickered with understanding.

"Interesting," she murmured.

She leaned back, taking another sip of her yuzu liquor, a smirk forming at the corners of her mouth.

"This might be worth watching."

The Art of Deception

Zane worked quickly.

First—he added lard to the breadcrumbs.

Then—wheat flour, carefully kneaded to enhance the texture and make the mixture denser, richer—more like beef.

Next, he tossed in finely diced onions, eggs, and nutmeg, mixing and pressing them together until they took on the shape of a thick, firm patty.

Then came the final step—

He placed the patty back into the frying pan.

As soon as it touched the heat—

A satisfying sizzle filled the air.

And then—

The unmistakable aroma of seared beef began to spread.

Aromatic Shock

"Wait… this smell…"

Hisako's eyes widened.

The rich, mouthwatering scent that filled the tavern—

It was the scent of beef cooking.

But there was no actual beef in sight!

"This… this is unbelievable!" she gasped.

Understanding the Science

It was a well-known fact—

When beef was cooked at high temperatures, the proteins and sugars in the muscle fibers underwent the Maillard reaction, producing complex aromatic compounds.

But this wasn't real beef.

Yet—somehow, through careful manipulation of ingredients and cooking techniques—

Zane had recreated the same effect.

Erina's Realization

For the first time—

Erina felt her confidence waver.

She could replicate the taste of high-quality meat using vegetarian substitutes.

But to turn simple toast into something resembling a beef patty?

Even she would struggle to accomplish that.

And now—

She finally understood.

This man—Zane—was not some overhyped fraud.

Perhaps—

In his hands, even the most ordinary home-cooked meal could surpass the high-class gourmet dishes that most chefs could only dream of creating.

The Final Touches

Zane moved seamlessly to the next step.

Into a pot, he poured—

• Vegetable juice

• Oyster sauce

• Mustard

• Clear broth

• And most importantly—Japanese teriyaki sauce

He let the mixture simmer over low heat for five minutes, allowing the flavors to blend and intensify.

Then, he carefully coated the patty in the special sauce, enhancing its depth of flavor.

With practiced ease, he assembled the final product—

• A golden, slightly domed bun

• The sauce-glazed patty, dark red and glistening

• Fresh lettuce and tomatoes, adding vibrancy

And just like that—

A hamburger without beef but indistinguishable from a real one—was complete.

A Perfect Illusion

Hisako leaned in, staring at the burger in amazement.

"Wow… it looks exactly like a real hamburger."

She turned to Erina.

"Even after watching the entire process, I still can't believe this isn't meat."

Rindō let out a small chuckle.

"Zane's methods are crazy," she mused, tapping her fingers against the table.

"But they're crazy good."

French Fries—But Not Really

Zane moved on to the next dish.

Instead of potatoes, he brought out—

Tofu dregs.

A Bold Reinvention

He mixed them with—

• Low-gluten flour

• Sugar

• Water

And kneaded the mixture until it reached the softness of an earlobe.

Then—he shaped it into thin, fry-like strips, cut them evenly, and dropped them into hot oil.

As the pieces sizzled and crisped up—

They visually resembled classic French fries.

But there was one problem—

They were flavorless.

So—

To enhance the taste, Zane prepared a special buttered fish sauce using—

• Butterfish meat (finely chopped)

• Unsalted butter

He blended the two into a thick, creamy mixture, coating the fries until they were infused with a rich, savory umami flavor.

And just like that—

Tofu dreg fries with a butterfish twist—were complete.

Mind-Blown Erina

Erina was on the verge of losing it.

She clenched her fists, her thoughts in turmoil.

This entire time—she had been expecting ordinary fast food.

But now—

She finally realized.

The hamburger, fries, and even the upcoming brownie—

None of them were what they seemed.

Hisako, on the other hand, was nearly bursting with admiration.

"Miss… this is amazing!" she gushed.

"Not only did he make fries from tofu dregs—"

"But he even went the extra mile to create a buttered fish sauce, adding an entirely new layer of flavor!"

She turned to Zane, eyes shining.

"Chef Zane… you're simply incredible!"

The Final Act—Chocolate Brownie

Ignoring the commotion, Zane smoothly transitioned to the last dish.

Instead of traditional ingredients, he used—

Rice bran.

Yes.

The very rice bran that was usually discarded during rice polishing.

To this, he added—

• Coffee

• Plum sauce

• Rum

• Butter

• Chopped nuts

Then—he carefully placed the mixture into an oven, setting the temperature to 180°C for 35 minutes.

When the timer dinged—

The final dish was complete.

A chocolate brownie made from rice bran—

Something no one would have ever imagined possible.

The Ultimate Revelation

Erina's mind reeled.

One by one—

• Toast turned into beef patties.

• Tofu dregs became French fries.

• Rice bran transformed into chocolate brownies.

Not a single dish followed traditional methods.

And yet—

Each one was executed to perfection.

For the first time in a long while—

Nakiri Erina felt completely and utterly stunned.