Infinite Cosmic Cafeteria Chapter 28: Deep Sea Supreme King Roast

Translator: Stellar Novels Editor: Stellar Novels

“The ingredients for the Fried Meat Patties are all used up,” Ma Lu said, “and the new Deep Sea Supreme King Roast tastes even better.”

“Really?”

“You’ll know once you try it.”

“Alright, then swap my two orders of Fried Meat Patties for the Deep Sea Supreme King Roast.”

“Add another 20 yuan.”

“What? You raised the price again?” Shen Yue exclaimed in shock. “Are you seriously planning to run a black market stall?”

“I told you, it’s King Roast, made with king crab meat. Selling it for just 28 per serving is already a great deal.”

“Who knows what kind of meat you’re really using,” Shen Yue muttered under her breath, but she finally said, “Fine, give me one to try first.”

“Coming right up. Who else wants to try the Deep Sea Supreme King Roast, which tastes even better than the Fried Meat Patties?” Ma Lu called out.

Hearing that the Fried Meat Patties were no longer available, many people looked disappointed, just like Shen Yue.

Some had tasted them once or twice and had been craving them ever since, while others had heard rave reviews about how delicious they were and were eager to try them.

They had waited so long for Ma Lu to set up shop again, only to find that Fried Meat Patties weren’t on the menu.

However, since they were already there, and considering the stellar reputation the Universe’s Best Snack Stall had built up recently, quite a few people were willing to try the new item, even though it was a bit more expensive.

On the other side, Old Wang had already started his preparations. He brushed a layer of oil on the grill, then poured the specially mixed batter into the pan.

Unlike regular takoyaki sold on the street, he didn’t dice the Giant Claw King meat but instead sliced it into paper-thin sheets, stacking them together and folding them into the batter.

The ratio of meat to batter was nearly one-to-one, and seeing this, Shen Yue’s mood improved noticeably.

Say what you will, but the Universe’s Best Snack Stall was generous with its ingredients. The higher price didn’t seem unreasonable.

Old Wang sprinkled chopped scallions on top and began to rotate the batter with a bamboo skewer as it set, allowing the aroma to spread.

Shen Yue sniffed the air, and her stomach growled in response.

Fortunately, Old Wang moved quickly, rotating and adding batter as he managed 24 balls at once, all with perfect composure.

He looked like a master conductor in a concert hall, orchestrating a symphony with a hundred musicians in perfect harmony.

The final product was golden, plump, and perfectly round, just looking at it made everyone’s mouth water.

Old Wang served the meatballs in a box, drizzled them with a special sauce, and finished with a sprinkle of golden meat flakes, putting the final touch on the dish.

The flakes danced in the rising heat, fluttering like butterflies.

Shen Yue, as she had hoped, became the first customer to try the Deep Sea Supreme King Roast.

She took the box, inhaled deeply a few times, then broke apart a pair of disposable chopsticks, picked up a piece, and popped it into her mouth.

“How is it?”

A girl who knew Shen Yue asked curiously, and then she saw the Ancient Poetry and Literature Club president’s eyes widen in shock.

“It’s absolutely... mind-blowingly delicious! Senior wasn’t lying. The Deep Sea Supreme King Roast is fresh, springy, and definitely tastier than the Fried Meat Patties!”

If it were just Shen Yue saying this, given her usual antics, there was a chance she was playing along with Ma Lu.

However, Old Wang had made four servings in that batch, and the other three customers were equally full of praise, with some even pulling out cash to buy another serving on the spot.

Seeing this, those who had been hesitant couldn’t help but feel tempted.

The meat of the Giant Claw King was completely different from that of the Two-Headed Jackal. The latter was firm, somewhat tough, and gamey with a strong wild flavor.

The texture of the Giant Claw King meat is finer, smoother, and leaves a slight sweet aftertaste, which is why Ma Lu could pass it off as crab meat.

As a 3-star ingredient, the Giant Claw King naturally has its unique qualities. Compared to regular crab meat, its flesh is noticeably more springy. Old Wang sliced it into thin sheets and layered them together, doubling the bouncy texture in each bite.

Normally, the meatball wouldn’t have such a rich umami flavor, and the key lay in the seemingly unremarkable batter.

The batter was mixed with snake bone broth, made from the bones of the two Horn-Bellied Black Speed Snakes that Ma Lu brought back last time.

Not only were the bones used, but the snake meat wasn’t wasted either; it was dried and shaved into flakes to replace bonito flakes.

So, this time, the 【Giant Claw King Roast】 actually used two different kinds of meat, and its ★★ deliciousness rating was well-deserved.

Even though lunchtime had already passed, the Universe’s Best Snack Stall was still surrounded by many customers, and as time went on, the crowd didn’t dwindle. Instead, it grew, eventually forming a long line.

Watching this, Squid Bro and the others were filled with envy. Over the past two days while Ma Lu was away, many students had shown up only to find the stand empty and had even asked Squid Bro where the Universe’s Best Snack Stall had gone and when it would be back.

Squid Bro felt like he hadn’t been this popular even when he was on TV. He’d also heard that Ma Lu had raised the price again, now selling at 28 yuan per serving.

At that price, you could order a decent meal from a big restaurant for delivery.

Squid Bro couldn’t understand why these students were so eager to throw their money away. He thought young people didn’t know how hard it was to earn money, wasting their parents’ money so carelessly.

If they wanted a snack, why not eat squid? It was cheaper and just as tasty.

After a while with no customers buying squid, Squid Bro couldn’t help but sigh.

A fellow vendor sidled up, lowering his voice, “Brother Sun, you think this kid might be a military king or a rich second generation just playing around here? Otherwise, why are so many people sucking up to him and giving him money?”

Squid Bro smacked the back of the man’s head. “You’ve read too many web novels. No big shot would waste their time pretending to be weak all day.”

The man protested, “You were the one who said he doesn’t have any real skills, just relying on people sucking up to him and that he wouldn’t last. But look how many days it’s been; his business hasn’t dropped off at all. In fact, ever since he showed up, our sales have taken a hit.”

“Got any ideas, Old Guo?” Squid Bro shot him a sideways glance.

Old Guo glanced around to make sure no one was paying attention, then made a throat-slashing gesture.

“Lay off the web novels,” Squid Bro sighed again.

Old Guo scratched his head and went back to grilling his skewers.

Squid Bro knew Old Guo was just venting. Normally, he’d be the first to cower when he saw the city inspectors, too scared to even retrieve his cart if it got confiscated.

But his concerns weren’t baseless. Ma Lu and Old Wang’s arrival had indeed cut into the sales of vendors like them.

With over forty thousand students and staff at the university, you’d think an extra snack stand wouldn’t make much difference. But that only applied when everyone was on a similar level.

Now, with this standout newcomer, other vendors were feeling the pressure.

Normally, Squid Bro would band together with nearby vendors to squeeze out the competition, but now, with the Universe’s Best Snack Stall backed by the Ancient Poetry and Literature Club and Ma Lu being a fellow student, no one could outmuscle him.

Squid Bro shook his head. Oh well, just wait and see. In web novels, the protagonist always bides their time, strikes at the right moment, and wins with one decisive move.

Setting up a stand was all about resilience—winning early didn’t mean winning at all.

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