熱炒好滋味 / The delicious taste of stir-fried dishes

路邊常見的熱炒店或稱快炒店，不但能暢飲歡聚，還有各式各樣的菜色可以選擇，不論是蒸、煮、炒、炸、滷及傳統作法，都可呈現在菜色上，最重要的是，價錢合理平實，大夥兒吃一輪菜下來不會有太大的負擔，所以，不論是大學社團的聚餐、打工下班飽餐一頓、上班族與同事一同交流感情，熱炒店在酒酣耳熟之餘，更是人際關係增溫的最佳場合。

我記得多年前，我在某間公司上班時，我和同事常常在中午休息用餐時間時，就呼朋引伴似的，一起去公司附近的熱炒店用餐，一道菜只要一百元，一個人點一道菜，大家一起吃合菜，當然，這時候就不太適合喝酒，但是可以品嚐多種不同菜色，只要點個下飯的菜，如五更腸旺、客家小炒、塔香蛤蜊等，我就能吃個兩碗飯，用完餐後，大夥兒再一起回去上班，那時候，上班時，最期待的就是中午吃飯的時間。

這次的聚餐，是位好友提議大家一起去附近的熱炒店看看，說實話，我已經有一段時間沒吃熱炒店了，好像自從疫情後，我就較少去這種氣氛熱烈的用餐環境，而且，聽說自從疫情後，物價齊漲，熱炒店的菜，早就沒有一百元一盤的價錢了，可能少數的店還是有這樣的價位，但我不知道，總之，當我們到達時，店家把食材擺放在店前展示，在食物燈照射下，食材看起來特別漂亮，一鍋滷好的滷味，傳來誘人的香味，大夥兒立刻就忍不住，準備大快朵頤了。

店內已經有一些客人坐下來用餐了，大家輪流點了幾道菜，本來擔心菜量不足，想要多點幾道菜，不過，還好只有先點幾道菜，因為菜量還算足夠，不虧又有快炒店的別稱，上菜的速度蠻快的，只要美食一上桌，大家邊說邊吃，好不快樂，五更腸旺及客家小炒果然是熱炒店必點的菜色，超級下飯的，清蒸小卷很新鮮，吃起來有種脆脆的口感，蔥爆牛肉還蠻軟嫩好吃的，而我們就在嘈雜的人聲及香氣四溢的美食下，大聲談笑，交換生活中的苦與樂，歡慶著久違的美好時刻。

The bustling atmosphere of roadside stir-fried restaurant, also known as quick-fry shops, is not only conducive to hearty gatherings but also offers a wide variety of dishes to choose from. Whether steamed, boiled, fried, deep-fried, braised, or prepared using traditional methods, you can find them all on the menu. Most importantly, the prices are reasonable and affordable, making it easy for everyone to enjoy a round of dishes without breaking the bank. So, whether it's a university club gathering, a hearty meal after work, or colleagues bonding during lunch breaks, stir-fried restaurant provide the perfect setting for strengthening interpersonal relationships amidst a convivial atmosphere.

I remember years ago, when I worked at a certain company, my colleagues and I would often gather during lunch breaks and head to a nearby stir-fried restaurant. Each dish was only around a hundred dollars, so we would share dishes, which made it more economical. While it wasn't ideal for drinking alcohol during lunch, we could sample a variety of dishes. As long as we ordered dishes that paired well with rice, like spicy intestines, Hakka stir-fry, or clams in taro sauce, I could easily eat two bowls of rice. After the meal, we would head back to work together. Back then, the most anticipated part of the workday was definitely lunchtime.

This time, a close friend suggested we all go to a nearby stir-fried restaurant for a meal. Honestly, it had been a while since I had eaten at one, especially since the pandemic hit. I heard that prices had gone up across the board, so I wasn't sure if we could still find dishes priced at a hundred dollars. Nonetheless, when we arrived, the restaurant had displayed ingredients outside under the food lamps, making them look particularly appetizing. The aroma of braised dishes wafted through the air, tempting us all to dig in.

Some customers were already seated inside, and we took turns ordering a few dishes. Initially worried about portion sizes, we decided to start with a few dishes, but to our relief, the servings were ample. True to its nickname, the dishes arrived promptly, and as soon as they were served, we dove in, chatting and enjoying our meal together. The spicy intestines and Hakka stir-fry were indeed must-try dishes at a stir-fried restaurant, incredibly satisfying and perfect with rice. The steamed squid was fresh and had a delightful crunch to it, while the scallion beef was tender and flavorful. Amidst the lively chatter and tantalizing aroma of food, we laughed and shared stories, celebrating the joyous moments of life that had been missing for so long.

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