Once I heard Mr. Xu Zhiyi say a sentence: "If someone comes to Chengde and doesn't eat at a hundred family noodle shop, I look down on them." At that time, I was young and felt that it was too exaggerated, perhaps overstated. Even if he had a unique taste, just a noodle shop couldn't possibly be the best in the world.
Later, when my wife was taking the College English Test Band 4 and had to return to her alma mater in Chengde, I was worried she might have an accident on the way, so I accompanied her. In the evening, when we were going to have dinner, I suddenly remembered Mr. Xu's words and decided to give it a try with my wife.
As soon as we sat down, we felt it was extraordinary; after trying a few dishes, it was indeed exceptional; taking a few sips of the noodles, it was truly amazing; upon careful tasting, the aftertaste was endless. Especially the dish of cauliflower in a small pot, the cauliflower crown was soft and smooth, the neck was crispy and refreshing, a small handful of chili peppers added freshness, a small handful of minced meat added fragrance, and a few cloves of garlic were stir-fried on high heat, stirring up love, hate, and all kinds of emotions, creating a mix of flavors and the vicissitudes of life. Fragrant and delicious, truly a masterpiece!
After that meal, when we returned to our hometown, we felt dazed for two or three days, until my mother ate two bitter gourds and finally woke up, and from then on, I finally understood the true meaning of Mr. Xu's words.
I had wanted to find an opportunity to go again, but as work became increasingly demanding, I never went back. After a few years, I suddenly learned that the shop had closed down for some reason, and since then, it was no longer possible to taste their dishes, feeling a sense of loss. Thinking back to the phrase "If someone comes to Chengde...", I smiled, understanding the concept of "originating from emptiness."
Later on, I often heard stories about the hundred family noodle shop, becoming a great regret in the hearts of many food enthusiasts. Some tried to recreate those unique flavors, and some were indeed interesting, but those who had tasted them knew that the flavors that once danced on the tip of the diners' tongues were now like the dishes described by Wang Zengqi, forever staying on paper, forever stimulating those who had encountered this noodle shop.
Deeply, leaving a mark.