Asahi Saiba Quotes

“ He seasoned the chicken with salt, pepper and mustard, and then grilled it to absolute perfection in clarified butter! The light coating of panko is toasted to a beautiful golden brown. Its crunch delightfully highlights the chicken's tender juiciness.
"But what takes this dish's flavor and elevates it to a whole other level... are the tiny crumbles of Boudin Noir blood sausage you added during the grilling step!"
"That's right! The Poussin Chicken had just been butchered, so I took a little of its blood and mixed it with some pork blood... to whip up my own special blood sausage! That gave the dish some real punch, don'tcha think?"
"B-but that shouldn't even work!
Blood sausage has such a powerful flavor it should have overwhelmed the more delicate Poussin Chicken...
but that chicken flavor is still undeniably the centerpiece of this dish!"
"That's from the fat. See, I didn't just grab some of the chicken's blood. I siphoned up some of its fat too. With this special injector here."
Animal fat is just as jam-packed with richness and body as blood! A little dollop of that keeps the chicken balanced as the center of the dish while deepening its overall flavor!
Not only that, he used the chain carving knife to add innumerable delicate hidden cuts in the chicken. Thanks to those, the flavors of the chicken, the sausage and the sauce all meld together seamlessly, creating a cohesive overall experience.”
― Yuto Tsukuda, 食戟のソーマ 34 [Shokugeki no Souma 34]

“That knife! It looks similar to a machete-like weapon used in India- the Kukri!
He's using it to chop leeks, ginger and some herbs...
Which he's tossing into a pot of rich chicken stock!"
"Ah! Now he's grinding his spices!"
Cross!
"What?! He's crossing different implements in every step of his recipe?! Can he even do that?!"
"I recognize that mortar and pestle. It's the kind they use in India to grind spices."
"Oh gosh... I can already smell the fragrance from here!"
He clearly knows just how much to grind each spice...
... and to toast each in a little oil to really bring out its fragrance!
"Ah, I see! What he has steaming on that other burner is shark fin!"
"From Indian cuisine, we dive straight into something very Chinese!
Cross! Saiba x Mò Liú Zhâo!"
"What the heck? He's stroking the fin...
... quickly running the claws along its grain!"
Ah! I see what he's doing! Shark fin by itself is flavorless. Even in true Chinese cuisine...
...it's simmered in Paitan stock or oyster sauce first to give it a stronger, more concentrated umami punch.
But by using those claws, he can't skip that step...
... and directly infuse the fin with umami flavor compounds!
"Saiba...
Cross..."
"Aaaah! That implement! I recognize that one!
Eishi Tsukasa!"
Tsukasa Senpai's Super-Sized Grater-Sword!
"He took a huge lump of butter...
... and is grating it down into shavings at unbelievable speed!"”
― Yuto Tsukuda, 食戟のソーマ 35 [Shokugeki no Souma 35]

“It's basty!"
"There's definitely a soup underneath the crust. I see carrots. Gingko nuts. Mushrooms. And...
Shark fin! Simmered until it's falling apart!"
Aah! It's all too much! I-I don't care if I burn my mouth...
I want to dive in right now!
Mm! Mmmm!
UWAAAAH!
"Incredible! The shark fin melts into a soft wave of warm umami goodness on the tongue...
...with the crispy piecrust providing a delectably crunchy contrast!"
"Mmm... this piecrust shows all the signs of the swordsmanship he stole from Eishi Tsukasa too."
Instead of melting warm butter to mix into the flour, he grated cold butter into granules and blended them...
... to form small lumps that then became airy layers during the baking, making the crust crispier and lighter. A light, airy crust like that soaks up the broth, making it the perfect complement to this dish!
"Judge Ohizumi, what's that "basty" thing you were talking about?"
"It's a dish in a certain style of cooking that's preserved for centuries in Nagasaki- Shippoku cuisine."
"Shippoku cuisine?"
Centuries ago, when Japan was still closed off from the rest of the world, only the island of Dejima in Nagasaki was permitted to trade with the West. There, a new style of cooking that fused Japanese, Chinese and Western foods was born- Shippoku cuisine! One of its signature dishes is Basty, which is a soup covered with a lattice piecrust.
*It's widely assumed that Basty originated from the Portuguese word "Pasta."*
"Shippoku cuisine is already a hybrid of many vastly different cooking styles, making it a perfect choice for this theme!"
"The lattice piecrust is French. Under it is a wonderfully savory Chinese shark fin soup. And the soup's rich chicken broth and the vegetables in it have all been thoroughly infused with powerfully aromatic spices...
... using distinctively Indian spice blends and techniques!"
"Hm? Wait a minute. There's more than just shark fin and vegetables in this soup.
This looks just like an Italian ravioli! I wonder what's in it?
?!"
"Holy crap, look at it stretch!"
"What is that?! Mozzarella?! A mochi pouch?!"
"Nope! Neither! That's Dondurma. Or as some people call it...
... Turkish ice cream.
A major ingredient in Dondurma is salep, a flour made from the root of certain orchids. It gives the dish a thick, sticky texture.
The moist chewiness of ravioli pasta melds together with the sticky gumminess of the Dondurma...
... making for an addictively thick and chewy texture!”
― Yuto Tsukuda, 食戟のソーマ 35 [Shokugeki no Souma 35]

“I bet you have a girlfriend or two, eh?"
"Huh? Uh... no!"
"Why not?"
"Why not? W-well, uh... I guess I'm just not, y'know... ready for all that romance stuff? It's a lot to handle..."
Oh my gosh, he's actually getting the better of Soma?
"Aww, aren't you a shy one? But, y'know? For someone who's taken the First Seat, that just won't do. I tell ya what! As a special favor, I'll give you a little advice- a trick to becoming a better chef."
"A trick?"
"See...
you want to find that someone special. One who means so much...
you'll want to give her the best food you've ever made.”
― Yuto Tsukuda, 食戟のソーマ 32 [Shokugeki no Souma 32]

“All this is necessary for the sake of that one special woman...
... to whom I will devote the whole of my cooking."
"...?"
"The First Seat on the Totsuki Institue's Council of Ten... the chef who holds that position is one of the most important people to the future of the culinary world...
right?"
Ah. For all his annoyance earlier, he looks like he can't feel insulated at that.
"Now, who do you think the most important woman is in the culinary world?"
"Hm?"
"I'm sure you could make a case for many different ladies, but to me there's only one choice...
The heir to the Nakiri Family- a family that has commanded the Totsuki Institute for generations...
... and bearer of the Divine Tongue itself...
... Dean Erina Nakiri!
If I'm going to make the greatest woman of the culinary world mine...
... then I have to be the greatest man- otherwise I won't be worthy of her. Don't you agree?"
"What?!
Um! Then you're saying..."
"Erina Nakiri...
... will be my bride."
"WHAT?!"
"I'm just gearing up to start my courtship now, though.”
― Yuto Tsukuda, 食戟のソーマ 32 [Shokugeki no Souma 32]

“It's chantilly sauce . It's a light, airy sauce with a texture similar to whipped cream.
I started with unsweetened heavy cream that was whipped until fluffy, and then I folded in some finely minced shallots and their juices.
After that I added some chopped fresh tarragon, minced leek and some capers...
... before adding a dash of hot sauce and black pepper to give it a little kick.”
― Yuto Tsukuda, 食戟のソーマ 32 [Shokugeki no Souma 32]

“I have brought a beautiful bouquet of flowers for you today, m'lady. Will you do me the honor of accepting them? Though, of course, when held up against your radiant beauty, my princess...
... even lovely flowers such as these...
... are reduced to mere garnishes that only highlight your exquisiteness even more."
"Er! I-I-Instructor Suzuki!"
"So, yeah! Anyways... staying cooped up inside battling paperwork all day will wear you out. I brought along a handful of snacks...
... so how about we have ourselves a little tea break, hm?"
"Ah! I-Instructor Suzuki, please! You must cease coming here every day like this!
I-I am the foremost executive and leader of this Institute! I cannot in good conscience accept such personal gifts! Kyaaa!"
"Miss Erina!"
"Whoops! You okay?
Princess...
There.
You had a cheese stick stuck in your hair.”
― Yuto Tsukuda, 食戟のソーマ 32 [Shokugeki no Souma 32]

“There has been a time or two when I haven't been able to escape having tea with him. For someone so young, he knows a lot. I sense incredible esprit and joie de vivre from him. Each time, I came away feeling that the time I spent conversing with him was well spent."
"Ooh, that's a good sign!"
"Oh yeah! Come to think of it... hasn't Yukihira been chasing you around too?"
"Yo, Nakiri! I brought you 30 new recipes I'm working on!
Taste 'em and lemme know what you think!"
"What?! I'm not eating all of that!"
"Yikes. There's nothing romantic or princely about that."
"You're telling me! He could certainly stand to learn a thing or two about manners from Instructor Suzuki."
"Oho, what's that? You're admitting there's something about Mr. Suzuki that you like?"
"Ah! Manners are not the same thing! First off, I doubt I'm ready for anything like... like romance or dating. What about you, Tadokoro? Is there anyone that you, um... like?"
"M-me?! Um... I-I'm not sure. I don't know much about romance."
"There! See? I'm not the only one behind!"
"Ooh, so you haven't found your first love yet?"
"Wow, really? But you have to have an idea of what your type is, right? What's your ideal man like?"
I have admired Chef Saiba for some time. Would that count as a first love, I wonder?
"I'm not certain this counts as, er... first love... but I do have a picture of what I would consider ideal. First... he would have to be passionate about and fully devoted to cooking.
He would never grow complacent or lose the desire to improve himself. And, um... I-I wouldn't mind if he had a little bit of a wild and dangerous side. Someone who could do things and creating dishes far beyond anything I can imagine. I would truly respect someone like that...
And I think I might like to date such a gentleman too."
Wait...
But isn't that like...”
― Yuto Tsukuda, 食戟のソーマ 32 [Shokugeki no Souma 32]

“A chef of your caliber, princess, is practically guaranteed to be invited."
"Yes. What of it? The BLUE is a brilliant stage where the best of the best shine.
Not a place where certain lawless criminals would ever be found."
"Easy now, princess. Retract your claws and listen.
See, this year's BLUE is gonna be a little different. The Top Organizer who has run the event for years... is on record of having said..."
"The purpose of the BLUE...
... is to gather promising young talent from around the world in order to determine who the greatest chefs to shoulder the upcoming generations will be."
"Accordingly, inviting chefs from only the usual culinary world is insufficient! If Noir are not allowed to participate, the BLUE will not be fulfilling its mission statement!
"Which means?"
"Exactly what you're thinking.
This year's BLUE will be a true and equal free-for-all...
... between the Culinary World and the Underworld...
... to determine who the First Seat of the next generation will be.
I'm going to be there, of course.
And...
Right on that glorious stage, you and I shall pledge our vows to each other!
The crowd of guests watching us will be greater than any wedding ceremony ever held!
The next BLUE is being held this summer.
I can already tell this'll be the best summer vacation yet.”
― Yuto Tsukuda, 食戟のソーマ 32 [Shokugeki no Souma 32]

“Oho!What have we here? A little mouse listening in?
Now that wasn't very nice. We were clearly having a private discussion. For the sweet, homely type, you're awful proactive. Color me surprised.”
― Yuto Tsukuda, 食戟のソーマ 35 [Shokugeki no Souma 35]

“Whoa-ho! Talk about utter domination! That freakish talent of yours- hospitality, was it?- sure is impressive! You're pretty darn fired up too. Never expected you to wipe the floor with my subordinate like that!"
"There's something I'd like to say to you...
... and he just happened to be in my way."
"Oh, really?"
"Yes, Miss Nakiri seemed really scary at first...
... but the closer we've gotten, the more she's turned into a gentle person who smiles a lot.
But then you came along and lied about who you are. You messed with her emotions and put her in an awkward spot as the Dean.
I-I'm going to be honest. Right now, I...
I'm a little mad at you!
To me, Miss Nakiri...
... is a precious friend.
And if you keep upsetting her like that...
... then I'm going to get really mad!”
― Yuto Tsukuda, 食戟のソーマ 35 [Shokugeki no Souma 35]

“I've noticed you seem awfully preoccupied with the princess of late. Do you even realize the situation you're in? I wouldn't let myself get distracted if I were you."
Twitch
"Distracted? What, are you kidding? I've been looking at no one but you this whole time!”
― Yuto Tsukuda, 食戟のソーマ 35 [Shokugeki no Souma 35]

“Oh my! Aren't you the handsome one?"
"Ooh, you're right, Courage. The way he carries himself. The air about him. So impressive. He's exactly our type. ❤️ "
"Why, thanks, ladies! Hearing that from women as beautiful as you sure gives a guy confidence!"”
― Yuto Tsukuda, 食戟のソーマ 35 [Shokugeki no Souma 35]

“Princess... er, Erina."
"I'm aware this is terribly belated, but please allow me to offer my sincere condolences on the death of your mother.
Now then, do you have any plans for what you'll be doing from here on out?"
"Huh? Plans? Me?
Um, I don't really have anywhere left to go..."
"Really? That's perfect. We were just searching for a chef of exceptional talent.
Satisfying the Book Master's exceedingly refined palate is no small feat.
We can have no shortage of highly capable chefs on hand to accomplish this task.
Besides...
If everyone wasn't present for our cozy family meals...
... it'd reflect poorly on the venerable Nakiri Family's good name.
And you are family.
Isn't that right...
... elder brother Asahi?”
― Yuto Tsukuda, 食戟のソーマ 36 [Shokugeki no Souma 36]