The Fires of Cooking: Hua Xiao Chu (2020)

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. :)

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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one more drama that make our mouth drooling

quite sometimes I want to watch this drama but more better drama with more interesting cast show up, so I decided to delay this for a little bit. Really glad I've watch this drama.

This drama really make the chef in the title worthy of its name. Not like other drama with the chef in its title, every aspect in this drama is a about cooking. They sometimes solved problem in the drama also with cooking.

I really like Hua Er Qiao & Meng Yu Huai's mother. They what people in my country said 'durian people'. No, not because they like to eat durian, but because they outer is very sharp (especially the mouth) but they're very soft in the inside (meaning good people). Unlike Guan Rong (GR) who is like kedondong (looking good from the outside but very nasty from the inside). But yeah i can understand GR actually, being sick for almost my entire life make me easily jealous with other people.

The one that really pissed me off in this entire drama is. They have to shoot really really closely when they try new dishes cooked by Hua Xiao Mai. Make my mouth also drooling by seeing them eating the food in here... ^_^.

Overall I really happy I've watched this drama. But i don't think i like to re-watch. But final warning for you who want to watch this drama. Watch with full stomach or you'll feel really hungry by watch this :P

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Reliable emotions from the actors

This drama reminds me some artistic chinese I have watched two decades ago.
I loved that ML is not a prince or a rich CEO. It was recorded in such a beautiful setting in small cities. We feel we are seeing true China. ML is a great guy since the drama starts and his evolution is plausible. I do not understandwhy most drama writers like a 180 degree change when a horrible person ( ML are quite often egoist, even narcisists) falls in love.

Actually, I do not like to cook so I was never hooked on cooking dramas, but I really appreciate this one.

This story is not plenty of common places or artificial situations. The problems they meet are mostly likely to happen, like a difficult step mother that finaly loves the wife and nasty family members dropping by. Of course, FL has an envious rival but she eventually gives up once they get married. And so on.

Their love scenes, specially in the begging are very natural just like real life. I loved the couple simple shy attitude before their relationship started. I was enchanted by their sweetness.

Hope you can understand my English.

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Beautiful images of cooking, to the point of indigestion!!

Historical Food Series, settled for once, far from the Court...

PLOT: FL, lives in the countryside with her sister. She is a little genius in the kitchen and dreams of having her own restaurant. She meets the ML, escort guard. They get married (ep. 16) and evolve together.

+++ Beautiful images of Food, numerous.
+++ Good actors, nice CL.

### The hands of the "chef" are very obviously men's hands :) There was no female chef capable of lending her hands to the actress for the filming??
### 36 episodes, at a fairly slow pace, it's long!! We even get tired of the very, very numerous images of cooking.

=> Watched untill the end without enthusiasm for me...
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Série Food Historique, pour une fois, loin de la Cour ...

PLOT: La FL, vit à la campagne avec sa sœur. C'est un petit génie de la cuisine et rêve d'avoir son restaurant. Elle rencontre le ML, garde d'escorte. Ils se marient (ép. 16) et évoluent ensemble.

+++ Belles images de Food, nombreuses.
+++ Bons acteurs, CL sympa.

### Les mains de la "chef" sont de façon très évidente, des mains d'homme :) Il n'y avait pas de Chef femme capable de prêter ses mains à l'actrice pour le tournage ??
### 36 épisodes, à un rythme assez lent, c'est long !! On se lasse même des images de cuisine, très très nombreuses.

=> Au bout sans enthousiasme pour moi ...

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