The Lion’s Heart Beneath the Blade

Yangzhou is famous for three iconic "heads":

Braised Carp Head

Braised Whole Pig Face

And the legendary Crab Meat Lion's Head.

The origin of the Lion's Head dish dates back over a thousand years to the Tang Dynasty. As the economy prospered, nobles and officials grew more refined in their tastes. One day, Duke Wei Zhi of Xun hosted a grand banquet. His renowned chef, Wei Juyuan, prepared four dishes using rare ingredients from both land and sea.

Among them, a massive meatball dish, dubbed "Sunflower Meatballs," stole the spotlight. With its golden hue and imposing shape, it resembled the head of a lion.

A clever guest toasted, "Duke Wei, with your prowess in battle, you deserve the lion's seal of command!"

Amused and flattered, the Duke raised his cup. "Then let us rename this dish to Lion's Head, in honor of today."

Everyone agreed.

From then on, Lion's Head became a staple of Yangzhou cuisine. During the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Qianlong encountered the dish on his southern tour. He praised it so highly that it was brought to the capital and served in the royal court. Thus, the Huaiyang Lion's Head dish rose to fame across China and beyond.

Evening fell, and the tavern came alive.

Zane skillfully chopped pork belly, water chestnuts, and soaked dried shrimp into small, even pieces—no bigger than green beans. He diced ham and bamboo shoots finely before mixing the ingredients with ginger, scallions, egg, salt, pepper, cooking wine, and water starch—just like making a bun filling.

He shaped the mixture into five large meatballs, each eight centimeters wide, tailor-made to satisfy Rindo's famously hearty appetite. After frying them in oil heated to 70% until golden brown, he removed them from the pan.

Next, he stir-fried bamboo shoots and ham briefly, then added broth, cooking wine, soy sauce, caramel coloring, scallions, and ginger. He brought it to a boil, then gently added the meatballs to simmer.

Once cooked through, he plated them, surrounded the dish with water, and thickened the sauce before pouring it over the meatballs. He garnished the dish with vibrant green vegetables.

In front of Rindo sat five majestic Lion's Head meatballs, each resting on three green leaves—a presentation symbolizing "Five Blessings Arrive at the Door."

The meatballs glistened with a rich red sheen, framed by lively greens. The aroma was captivating—Rindo's eyes lit up the moment they landed on the dish.

"Ah… mmm!"

Without hesitation, she scooped one up and bit in. It burst with flavorful juices. The blend of fatty and lean pork created a tender, springy texture, rich in umami. Crisp water chestnuts provided a satisfying crunch, cutting the richness perfectly.

She didn't even finish the first before reaching for a second.

After devouring a whole Lion's Head, Rindo smacked her lips, clearly unsatisfied. She picked up another and sank into a trance of contentment with each bite.

"I get it now," she murmured. "If it's too firm, it's dry. Too loose, and it falls apart."

"To get this melt-in-your-mouth texture with bounce, you need water chestnuts, yam, and shredded vegetables. It's all about balance."

She chewed slowly, savoring each nuance of the dish.

Western cuisine, she mused, often prioritized calories over satiety—dishes like fish and chips or basic salads rarely left her full. Even the pastries she liked were too rich to indulge in often.

But Chinese cuisine? It was a treasure trove of variety, ingredients, and technique.

Zane's food always impressed her, drawing her back to the tavern again and again.

Though she was the Elite Ten's second seat, Rindo knew Zane's understanding of Chinese cooking—especially dishes like Lion's Head—ran deeper than hers.

Everything from the lean-to-fat ratio, knife work, and seasoning had to be precise. Too little seasoning dulled the flavor, too much overwhelmed it. The greens weren't just decoration—they balanced the entire dish.

Rindo opened her eyes and peeked at Zane, who was carefully cleaning his kitchen knife. Nearby, Sonoka washed vegetables, a blush tinting her cheeks as she occasionally stole glances at Zane.

"Boss, I see you've hired a new assistant?" Rindo said casually, still chewing.

It wasn't hard to see what was going on.

"As you can see," Zane replied lightly. "Sonoka's now the tavern's assistant chef."

"That's… unexpected."

Rindo sighed. She knew hiring help was inevitable—but that Sonoka, of all people, had joined first?

"I told him I'd work here after graduation," she thought bitterly. "But someone else beat me to it."

She felt strangely empty, as if something important had been taken from her.

"What's wrong?" Zane teased. "Jealous that Sonoka got here first?"

Rindo flinched, her face turning red. "Jealous? N-no way. Why would I be jealous?"

Her thoughts spiraled.

Why did she feel so flustered?

Do I actually like him?

No. It's just the food—it's too good!

That's all. Right?

Zane chuckled. "You okay? You're shaking your head like crazy."

Trying to regain her composure, Rindo quickly pointed to the dish. "Another bowl of rice. Meatballs are better with rice."

"Got it."

The tavern's clientele had expanded. Beyond office workers, students, tourists, and professionals all gathered during its short 7 PM to midnight window. Yet business only grew stronger.

After Rindo left, another guest arrived.

"Senpai, welcome! It's an honor to have you here."

Isami Aldini smiled at the man beside him.

"You didn't have to do this," the man replied. "I should be treating you."

"But after hearing your story from Fumio, I just had to invite you." Isami's voice turned serious. "Polar Star Dorm isn't what it was. We've lost our spark."

The older man looked around. "After twenty years, it's better than I imagined. With you in the Elite Ten, there's still hope."

His name was Joichiro Yukihira—former second seat of the 69th Elite Ten, and Polar Star Dorm legend.

"Senpai, you overestimate me," Isami said sheepishly. "I'm not strong enough to lead."

"Potential's forged in the right environment," Joichiro said, eyes gleaming. "When the time comes, you'll rise to the challenge."

Joichiro took in the tavern.

It was modest, yet full of personality. He quickly noticed something unusual: no fixed menu.

"This place lets people order whatever they want?" he asked.

"Exactly," Isami replied. "As long as the ingredients are available, the chef will make it."

"That's bold. It demands immense skill and adaptability."

Joichiro nodded, impressed.

Taverns usually struggled with limited hours, and convenience stores offered round-the-clock food. But this place? It had heart.

People didn't just come to eat. They came to feel something.

"This chef…" Joichiro thought. "He must be someone special."

"Hey, you two have been sitting a while. Haven't ordered yet?" Zane asked, walking over.

"Boss, let me introduce you," Isami said. "This is Joichiro Yukihira, former second seat of the 69th Elite Ten!"

Zane nodded politely. "A pleasure."

He had recognized Joichiro the moment he walked in.

The Wandering Blade.

The legendary chef who once stood at the top.

Joichiro, meanwhile, was struck by the young man before him. So young, yet running such a beloved tavern?

His eyes narrowed.

This might be interesting.