The Taste of the Sixties

In the 1960s, material goods were scarce, but the warmth of everyday life and dreams of good food endured. Chen Mo, a descendant of imperial chefs, works in a state-run restaurant. His cooking is superb, but because of his family background, he has to be cautious in everything he does. Su He is an ordinary factory worker with a discerning palate and a sincere appreciation for fine food. One seemingly simple bowl of tofu soup lets her taste the craftsmanship he has kept hidden, and brings the two together for a lifetime. Amid the constraints of the planned economy, they are brought together by food and grow to understand and stand by one another. Starting with a humble wonton stall outside a movie theater, they build up a reputation among the neighbors through honesty and dedication, eventually opening the fragrant Hemo Snack Shop. But the road to entrepreneurship is never smooth. A malicious report brings policy troubles, competitors close in, and powerful interests entangle them in one obstacle after another, testing their wisdom and resilience. Working together as husband and wife, they meet force with flexibility and turn crises into opportunities. They seize the moment as the times change, and with remarkable courage and constant innovation, grow their little family restaurant into the Hemo Restaurant Group, with multiple branches, a central kitchen, and even a food factory. After achieving success, they stay true to their original ideals and pour their efforts into founding the Chinese Culinary Heritage Academy, elevating their business empire into a legacy dedicated to passing on the culture for generations to come. This is more than the story of a food-loving couple building a business from nothing, or a portrait of the growth of a Chinese private restaurant company. It is also a heartfelt ode to perseverance, innovation, love, and legacy amid changing times. See how they cook up a life together with a sincere touch, let a wisp of kitchen smoke weave their fates, and create a legend whose flavor will last for generations.