This review may contain spoilers
Low angst show with nice cooking scenes but with minor loose ends
Plot has low angst, with misunderstandings resolved relatively quickly within 1-2 episodes - so not unnecessarily draggy. Good that the female characters are all strong in their own way- there is no damsel in distress. All the female characters can stand on their own. Some of them are quite smart and able to resolve their own problems themselves, which is good.3 small unresolved plots though.
1. Show spent some time exploring Yun'er crush on the "failed" scholar turned accounts guy in the restaurant; and Da-sheng's crush on Yun'er. However, there was no resolution as to who eventually Yun'er prefer. So we ended with an open love triangle. - But at least they are all minor characters so this gap didn't bother me that much.
Also, the "solution" with Yun'er's father isn't convincing. Yes, the father agreed to not sell Yun'er but it was an interim solution. There was no fundamental solution to change her father's irresponsible and abusive behavior.
2. At the end, Manager Song was humiliated at the cooking competition but there was no repercussion for her repeated underhanded actions. Hence, she could continue these actions again.
Also, the guy Manager of the other restaurant who also targeted Hua's Restaurant did not get his just deserts.
With these 2 wrongdoers not punished, Hua Restaurant will continually face such underhanded threats.
3. What happen to Chef Wang's hand? Can he still cook?
Was this review helpful to you?
What I like most about this series was that it was entertaining and the relationship between or 2 leads was great. There was no crazy misunderstandings or ridiculous breakup Just development and you know the rest. It was sweet to see the love, support and loyalty. There were no overly immature characters (LOVED THIS). I really am tired of seeing this series with Married female characters who act Like they’re 13 years old. Our lead was a mature, young adult which was pleasant.
Do I recommend it? Yes, yes, yes.
Is it sweet? Yes
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Sweet Beautiful Love Story, Loving Supportive Protective Husband & Hardworking Independent Wife
I LOVE this Drama & would recommend it 100%. If you LOVE food, beautiful love story, simple life, faithful supportive protective husband, hard working independence wife, good sister, great brother in law, awesome mother in law, great friends & neighbors & beautiful country views... & all character are pretty straightforward, YOU WILL LOVE THIS DRAMA. It's very light & relaxing. It isn't dramatic. There is no royal drama, no political, no war fights, no real evil characters & every problem is a lesson like in real life. All the problems raise are solved very quickly & satisfied. FL & her sister relationship is awesome. What admire the most are the ML & FL chemistry, their love & care for each other throughout the series. You feel like they are real husband & wife. They talk about all the problems they face everyday & get each other advise. FL lean on ML & so does he. Behind the scene was funny to watch as well. She listen to her husband most of the time but he doesn't make decision without her agreement & he let her decide what best for her & what she think is right in her heart. He is truly a great husband, always think ahead of time for her, very supportive, protective of her & have plan for her & her future. I love their interaction & their communication very much. If all couples can learn from these two & how to communicate with each other like ML & FL, the divorce rate won't be so high anymore. Mix in between their beautiful love story, sweet moments of ML & FL, there are many meaningful lessons regarding child abuse, human trafficking, broken relationship of Mom & Son, Dad & Son, bullying,.. Overall, it's a great drama to watch. I rarely watch this kind of drama but I truly enjoyed it & keep rematch it over again & again. I hope there is 2nd part. Tang Min & Yang Kai Cheng did an awesome job & so did everyone else. Great Writers & Directors. Hope to see more simple beautiful love like this. Don't watch it with empty tummy. :)Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
cute and fluffy
I just completed this show and i must say that i liked the first 20 episodes.Then 20 until 30 were for me somekind of boring,the last 6 episodes were really cute. The story is cute not very deep.The ml is kind and he is really in love.The fl is also cute but for me she could be a little straight forward.The family bond and even the mother in law are just good to watch.At first i liked the cooking and i cant get enough of it but when the show was getting further i did not liked it so much anymore.I also wanted that the story of the male lead was more showing.I liked his profession and wished there was more story.Rewatch only the first 20 episodes and the last one.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Such a feast!
I've watched a few food dramas but this one is definitely the best one! Every episode is laced with colorful, vibrant, and delicious food. Definitely worth watching for the cooking, food presentation and skills!A fun, lighthearted watch, I initially started it because it was a suggestion for "healthy relationships" which it did not disappoint. The FL and ML had a wonderful relationship and were generally just respectable and loving characters.
The only thing that I would have changed about the drama was a bit more to the romance area. I think I only saw about 2 or so kisses and was hoping for a bit more.
Other than that, I was slightly perplexed by how the FL is referred to several times in the drama as having a "bad personality" (aka hot-tempered etc). I would not have used this to describe her at all. She had a lovely personality, she was kind and generous to others and when she did raise her voice it was also out of justice and for an understandable sitution.
Update: 09/2024 - I'm rewatching it and I actually love this drama even more than the first time! I think the food shots were so good the first time I kind of missed a lot of other things, but this time the storyline is also shining with the food. So good!
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
You definitely don't want to miss this heartwarming family drama. It's a must-watch!
This drama is definitely food-oriented and family and friends are the ingredients. It might be a tad too long, but it allowed me to develop a strong emotional bond with the characters. The plot revolves around a food chef prodigy who, with her kindness and talent, brings people closer to her. While we do see characters falling in love, getting married, and getting pregnant, the drama is more about life, love, struggles, jealousy, and the highs and lows of life.I couldn't help but draw comparisons between this drama and "Life Begins." Both are focused on family and friends and use food as a way to bring people together.
The plot isn't particularly dramatic, but it's filled with day-to-day struggles and joys that make it relatable. However, I would have appreciated more chemistry from the female lead. The scriptwriters tried to add some, but the actress failed to portray it. I understand that showing affection might not be appropriate in certain cultures, but this is a drama, and scriptwriters and directors have creative freedom. The actress seemed a bit one-dimensional to me, but it wasn't a dealbreaker.
Overall, I'd classify this drama as a comfort food drama. It's sweet and heartwarming, and the ending is guaranteed to leave you feeling happy.
Was this review helpful to you?
Simple plot, serene, feel-good historical drama based on food
Like most, this drama was never on my list to watch, but since I had watched back to back heavy plot dramas I wanted to see something light and funny and came across this while I was searching. I started of quite uninterestingly, but it did made me feel good. While I would say its definitely not my type of drama but its okay to watch one time. Also, I felt the acting of ML and specially the FL is not that good.Skip it if you crave political intrigue, high-tension drama, or complex plot twists.
What Works -
1) Cooking as ASMR : The series is packed with soothing culinary scenes—close‑ups, sizzling sounds, and lingering shots make the food itself a star
2) Healthy Romance : Their relationship is refreshingly grounded. The FL and ML marry mid-series, allowing us to observe their realistic married life—something rarely showcased so early in C‑dramas.
3) Supportive Characters & Warm Family Ties : From the sweet mother‑in‑law dynamic to strong sibling bonds, characters are fleshed out with their own arcs and peaceful resolutions. I specially loved the FL's sis and bro-in-law.
4) Beautiful Rural Setting : Shot in Li Shui, Zhejiang, the scenic villages and authentic sets bring a soothing ambiance that suits the slow, pastoral pacing perfectly
5) Uplifting, Positive Tone : This is the opposite of palace intrigue or emotional torment; it's a light, heartwarming tale.
6) Culinary Cinematography : Food is shot with care: sizzling pans, aromatic steam, vibrant veggies—all captured in vivid detail and sound .
Caveats -
1) Acting - I sometime felt void and emptiness while watching the Fl & ML.
2) Some may find the storyline minimal: no grand thrills, just down-to-earth growth and daily life .
3) Also the close cooking shots, the hand is definitely not of any female or the FL, its substituted by a male which made me feel weird.
Overall, Chef Hua is a mellow, heartwarming gem—simple but powerful in its kindness. It’s perfect for those who enjoy:
-Pure cooking pleasure and foodie visuals
-Clean, respectful romance without constant angst
-Cozy, pastoral settings and slice-of-life storytelling
Shall I rewatch? No.
Was this review helpful to you?
Realistic
I fell in love with this drama. A very well written story about everyday life. The family, friends and co-workers who become family the more they are together. The honesty that the small town show and taking care of your neighbor. The dream to be an entrepreneur and establish that dream. The lead female character perseverance to make her dream come true and the hard work starting from a small out door road noodle restaurant to having a large restaurant in the big city. I love the support she had of her husband and family. I love how both Lead characters communicated with each other thru their marriage, which help him out with his relationship with his mother. Even thru problems, it was resolve and life goes on. The actors performance was great and they had so much chemistry to make this story believable.Was this review helpful to you?
An ode to Chinese cooking with a side order of romance
Setting a drama in a restaurant or café is nothing new, nor is the main character being a chef or kitchenhand. What was new in this case was how important was the food and all its elements in this drama. Not only was eating a key part (did they eat a lot of food!) but every stage of its creation, mise en place, the cooking and plating were all front and centre. Where most drama would show the kitchen as a busy back drop and chefs running around then the food would magically appear, this is like a full-on cooking show. It was so important that the cooking segments actually had its own theme music! Not that I'm complaining as they were beautifully shot and presented. The only minor negative is that it was obvious the FL can't cook this well so the actual cooking were done by professional chefs and some of the footage had a man's hand doing the cooking. Slightly jarring but you get used to it. Also in that vein, the setting was ancient China but some of the dishes were more like fusion cuisine with modern touches.Needless to say, this was not suppose to be a cooking show so there has to be a story. Honestly, you have to suspend your disbelieve a bit as the (young) FL just appeared from nowhere and had the ability to cook just about anything and to the highest (we are talking Michelin stars) standard. Once you accept that, the rest of the story is not bad. It is the typical rag to riches type of trope. The FL had to work hard to make it big. She still had time to find love though!
The OTP had good chemistry, there were a bit of skinship but not over the top. The ML was a nice change from the usual period drama ML who can look a touch effeminate. He was a man's man, a skilled martial artist with strong features and a tough demeanour but has a soft spot for the FL. They did make a very good team and he helped her a lot in her journey.
While I said that the story was fairly typical, I have to qualify that by saying it was better than the usual trope as the pacing was smooth and plot twists were handled deftly. Nothing was left to fester. Evil plots are foiled in a timely manner because of the OTP's insightfulness, cleverness and diligence. It was also good to see that the OTP were surrounded by good people that were their true supporters and helpers. Unsurprisingly, the show was angst light but it was not like nothing bad happened, it was just that the OTP handled them well and we moved on. The show was full of positive vibes. Some might consider it too sweet.
Now for the not so good bits. Whilst the show managed to weave food into every aspect of the show, it did make the central plot a bit weak. They had to bring out every possible plot devices involving food (and recycled a few as the show progressed). Some worked but some just felt like inconsequential fillers.
Finally, I actually think this show has a high re-watch value as I wanted to watch the cooking again to steal some ideas and the story was nice and sweet enough that you'd go away feeling warm and fuzzy.
BTW, the FL had a busy year. She was also the FL in the General's Lady which I also enjoyed very much.
Was this review helpful to you?
Feel good slice of life drama which I enjoyed
A feel good Slice of Life drama that is a good watch. It's an easy casual watch with a lot of cooking but is broken up in several parts, including start up business, family life, etc. It does get a bit boring though but as soon as you feel bored something is thrown into the mix that 'wakes you up' to continue watching. And this occurs until the very last episode. Don't want to say too much and will leave it at that.Story an 8.5 rating as it keeps the viewer engaged enough (for me at least) to finish the drama. Others might feel bored and won't stick around for 36 episodes.
Acting: 8 The lead actress did the best out of all the actors.
Production and Visual FX : 8 it was ok with good Cinematography for the preparation and cooking of the food.
Ost: 8
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Good cooking show
I confessed that the only reason I finished this drama was because of the cooking. I love to cook and watching the knife and craving skills were amazing. The mixture of ingredients and how they turned out was lovely, even picked up a few tricks on how to fry fish properly. That is about it to this drama series. The story line is pretty much non existence but the food will make you hungry. There is no rating to the cinematography for the cooking component but I have to say the director did an excellent job with the food. I would rate the food as 10/10. The food is the main actor/actress of this show.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
This is a great drama to watch, 10/10 must watch
Chef Hua was a wonderful drama with a heartfelt storyline that touched the viewer's heart. Hua Xiao Mai is an average girl with a talent to cook, she uses her food to warm the hearts of others and mends the broken. Alongside Meng Yu Huai both of them began a new journey through life together as a couple and, though they may not be rich their life is full of joy and laughter. The ending was a bit disappointing because as wanted to see more of their story and see them build a family together.
The characters are so refreshing to watch because of not all of them a scheming or backstabbing. I admire the relationship that she has with her sister and mother-in-law, as it wasn't your typical drama with evil sister etc.
I'll be honest I started this drama because of "General's lady" the actress was very talented and I wanted to see her in more roles. But I didn't expect to find a drama like this its more natural and gives me a sense of peace when watching it and the storyline can be relatable in today's society. I'm hoping for a season 2 because I want to see more love story scenes of Xiaomi, Yuhuai with their children as they grow their family. I hope to see more drama like this where everyone is equal and there is no fight for wealth and power.
I'll have to admit that this drama will most definitely leave you hungry and makes you want to try to recreate Xiaomi dishes. It kind of empowers you to start believing in yourself and fight for your dreams. With remaining you to always stay through to yourself, be kinds to others because it goes a long way. Xiaomi didn't cheat her near did she use anyone as a stepping stool to her success. She worked day and night while helping others such as her family and friends. Who in later returned the same kindness she showed them. I admire this drama as the both main lead has their traits that wasn't overshadowing each other and how supportive her husbands was.
I say that for the viewers this was something new to see and the actors was amazing, even the supporting characters was shown equal in all the scenes. I was different, stress free with war battle or prince and kings dramas. It was simple yet not boring each episode was like you were inside of the drama and it melted your hearts. I was so happy for her sisters when she was pregnant I felt was if I was Xiaomi for a second. Her sister cared for her and would stand up to anyone who wronged her sister. I was thrown of by Hua Er Qiao [Xiao Mai's sister] because I didn't expect her to play such a role in the drama and thought that they wouldn't have a great relationships but I was wrong. The mother-in-law was more surprising to see I though Yuhuai's mom was that evil and difficult type of a woman, who would hated xiaomai for nothing but it turns she a kind and care person. All she wants is for son to be happy and if the was with Xiaomai. If beaked my heart to see how she would tell them to leave and pretended to be the bad guy for her son.
Was this review helpful to you?
