SFTD -Chapter 287 Beef Noodle Soup

The car carrying Xu Biao and Zhou Hai took the lead, but instead of heading toward the snack street, it took another route and drove toward the western side of Mocheng City.

Zhou Hai didn’t ask any questions. After all, Xu Biao’s pursuit of food had long surpassed the simple goal of filling one’s stomach. Even for something as ordinary as a bowl of beef noodles, he could always track down a flavor people would never forget.

Following Xu Biao’s directions, Old Wang finally stopped the car after a little more than ten minutes.

Zhou Hai looked out the window. It appeared to be an ordinary farmhouse courtyard behind Mocheng City Vocational College. Hanging above the entrance was a huge signboard with only a single traditional Chinese character written on it:

“麵” — Noodles.

Xu Biao waved everyone out of the car.

“We’re here. This is the place.”

Huang Zhongsheng leaned forward and glanced inside. The courtyard looked empty, with rather retro wooden architecture — raw timber pillars paired with white walls, gray roof tiles, and red lanterns. The whole place instantly gave off a calm and tranquil feeling.

There were no customers in sight, nor could they clearly see inside the building. The windows were covered with diamond-pattern latticework. From the courtyard, they could only make out several large stoves bubbling away, cooking something that smelled unbelievably tempting.

The group quickly entered the courtyard and followed the stone-paved path through a wooden doorway.

Only after stepping inside did they realize the restaurant had a hidden charm. The entire interior was furnished with wooden tables and chairs made from thick slabs cut directly from whole logs — plain and unadorned.

The main hall was filled with small tables, completely packed with customers. A young girl in a blue floral blouse hurried over.

“There aren’t any seats available right now. Would you like to wait?”

Xu Biao waved his hand.

“My surname’s Xu. I reserved a private room over the phone earlier. Are our noodles ready?”

The girl quickly nodded and led them toward a room.

As soon as he entered, Huang Zhongsheng froze for a moment.

Inside were two long tables with matching benches, the kind you’d find in an old communal cafeteria. There wasn’t even a round table.

“This counts as a private room?”

Xu Biao waved dismissively and shook his big head at Huang Zhongsheng.

“Just sit down already. This isn’t some fancy restaurant in the southeast — it’s a noodle shop. You won’t find anything fancy here. But the noodles here are seriously amazing. Better than most places. I’m not exaggerating — you’ll know once you taste them.”

As Xu Biao finished speaking, several people pushed aside the curtain and entered carrying stacks of enormous porcelain bowls. In an ordinary household, bowls that size could practically be used as washbasins. They set the bowls at the corner of the tables without distributing them.

Another girl followed behind carrying small dishes, spoons, and chopsticks, placing a full set in front of everyone before quietly leaving.

Huang Zhongsheng and the others simply stared blankly — at the bowls, at the utensils, and then at Xu Biao.

“And then?”

Xu Biao rolled his eyes.

“Brother Huang, can’t you just sit patiently and watch? If today’s noodles don’t taste good, you can eat me instead, alright?”

Huang Zhongsheng considered it seriously before shaking his head.

“You’re all fat. Maybe useful for rendering oil.”

Everyone burst into laughter. Xu Biao wasn’t angry in the slightest. He got up and carried over two condiment trays from a small table behind him.

Each table received one set: salt, pepper, chili oil, sesame oil, black vinegar, shredded spicy pickles, salted radish strips, and a bowl of solidified white fat. Even from a distance, they could smell the rich aroma. It was probably pork lard.

At that moment, more voices came from the doorway.

This time, several large basins were carried in — two filled with freshly cooked noodles, two with steaming hot broth, and two smaller basins piled with thinly sliced beef.

Another girl followed carrying plates of chopped scallions and cilantro, along with a basin of vegetables and meat sauce for dipping. In an instant, both tables were completely covered.

The rich fragrance immediately captured everyone’s attention.

Even Zhou Hai, who had eaten less than two hours earlier, couldn’t help swallowing. It was simply the smell of beef — rich, fragrant, pure, and rustic — yet irresistibly appetizing.

The two girls moved to the noodle basins, picked up the giant porcelain bowls, placed noodles at the bottom, layered beef slices on top — not just a few slices, but an entire layer that looked like a whole bowl of meat — then ladled steaming beef broth over everything before finishing with scallions and cilantro.

Without anyone needing to say a word, everyone started passing the prepared bowls deeper into the room.

When the bowls sat untouched, only a faint beef aroma could be detected.

But now, with the hot broth poured over the noodles and beef, combined with scallions and cilantro, the fragrance instantly exploded into something far more complex. Everyone’s mouths began watering uncontrollably.

The girls worked quickly and finished serving the noodles in no time.

Just then, another girl entered carrying two large bamboo trays. One tray was placed on each table. After uncovering the white cloth on top, baskets full of baked flatbread appeared before them.

This was a local staple from the southeast. Instead of being steamed, the bread was dry-baked directly on a giant iron pan without oil. The exterior turned golden and crispy, while the inside remained soft and fluffy. The rich wheat aroma, enhanced by the iron-pan roasting, filled the air.

Xu Biao grabbed one of the flatbreads and tore it in half.

He ripped one half into small pieces and tossed them into the beef noodle soup. The other half he stuffed with cucumber strips, radish strips, and meat sauce. He took a huge bite, followed by a sip of broth, then instantly narrowed his eyes in satisfaction.

“Mmm… this is the taste. Haven’t been here in over a year, and the flavor’s still exactly the same.”

Beside him, Zhou Hai was someone who learned quickly.

He copied Xu Biao’s method, stuffing the bread with meat sauce, cucumber, and radish before taking a bite. Sure enough, it was the purest and most rustic taste of food itself. After drinking some broth, he felt the bread settle warmly and comfortably in his stomach.

Watching the two of them, Huang Zhongsheng no longer needed encouragement.

Immediately, aside from the salt and pickles, he dumped practically every condiment into his bowl. Following Xu Biao’s example, he started eating enthusiastically. His soup turned bright red from chili oil, completely hiding the beef underneath.

But judging from the loud slurping sounds he made while drinking the broth, it was obvious he’d been conquered instantly by the flavor.

A mischievous smile appeared at the corner of Xu Biao’s lips.

Zhou Hai had already been watching him closely and lightly kicked him under the table. Xu Biao immediately leaned over with a sly grin.

“Don’t eat too much. Go back and sleep for a while later — we’re having something good tonight. This idiot’s already this happy over one bowl of beef noodle soup. Tsk tsk… Sister-in-law really doesn’t treat him very well at home, huh?”

Huang Zhongsheng glanced up at Xu Biao.

“Quit talking nonsense. I don’t have time to deal with you until after I finish eating.”

With that, he lifted the giant bowl with both hands and gulped down the remaining soup in huge mouthfuls before handing the empty bowl to the girl nearby.

“Delicious! Another bowl for me!”

The girl quickly refilled it.

Here, noodles were served by the basin and beef was measured by the pound, so customers could keep adding as much as they wanted.

Most of the men traveling with them were built like Da Zhao — every one of them could really eat. Soon the room echoed nonstop with calls for more soup, more noodles, and more beef.

Zhao Xinli and Da Liu sat closest to Zhou Hai and Xu Biao. Seeing the two of them stop after only one bowl and a small flatbread, they also limited themselves to drinking soup.

They had experienced Xu Biao’s tricks before. Watching him constantly whispering to Zhou Hai, they knew he was definitely planning something.

Before long, everyone else was stuffed. One after another they wiped their mouths, burped loudly, and rubbed their bulging stomachs.

Huang Zhongsheng laughed heartily.

“Satisfied! That meal was incredible. What kind of way of eating is this? Feels different somehow.”

Xu Biao grinned.

“It’s called beef noodle soup. You’ve all had beef noodles and lamb paomo before, right?

The owner invented this style himself — combining beef noodles with the way paomo is eaten. There are several schools nearby, so students come here often. A single serving usually wasn’t enough to fill them up, but ordering both dishes cost too much, so he combined the two styles together.

Gradually people around here realized his noodles were special, and the place slowly became famous.”

Those who had just finished wiping their mouths finally began realizing they’d overeaten and kept rubbing their stomachs.

Huang Zhongsheng stood up and let out another enormous burp.

“Whew, I’m so full! Let’s head back and rest for a bit. I’m honestly exhausted. Whatever plans Xu Biao has tonight, we’ll follow your lead.”

Xu Biao blinked innocently.

“Alright. Last time we came, we had hotpot at Fire Wife Hotpot — the flavor was amazing. Let’s go back to the hotel and rest for a while, then head over early tonight, otherwise there won’t be any seats left.”

Huang Zhongsheng froze.

The smile on his face gradually stiffened as he looked back at his men, all rubbing their swollen bellies. In their current state, how could they possibly eat more?

“Uh… could we maybe eat later instead…?”