Madam Su's Daily Food Stall in Bianjing

Su Fei, a top chef, transmigrates into the Song Dynasty as the eldest daughter of the Su family, who hanged herself after being divorced.

Two rooms, nine people. The entire Su family are migrant workers in the capital, and every morning, the moment they open their eyes, each of them is already five wen in the red on rent.

Her first meal after arriving is a flatbread as hard as a baguette and porridge so watery it might as well be rice soup. Worse still, her new body’s tongue is even more discerning than her own. This meal is a special kind of misery.

To improve their lives, Su Fei rolls up her sleeves and returns to her old trade. The people of Bianjing love good food and are willing to pay for it. With her excellent cooking skills, she decides to start with a breakfast stall.

But as soon as she rents a spot, the other vendors start giving her a hard time, leaving her with the most deserted spot on South Gate Street. The Su family are deeply worried, but Su Fei isn’t afraid. As long as her skills are good, she can make any business work!

First, she needs to stand out.

The steamed buns in Bianjing are all warm yellow, but Su’s buns are as white as snow, drawing the attention of passing officials.

Second, she needs to have real skill.

One bite is all it takes: the dough is soft and delicious, and the filling is perfectly balanced in flavor and texture. Unusual combinations like shredded noodles with pickled vegetables and spicy tofu are a delightful surprise.

Finally, she needs a signature dish.

Her newly introduced Su-style soup dumplings have skins so thin you can see the broth sloshing inside. They’re uniquely delicious, with no rival anywhere in Bianjing. This is the only place to get them!

*

Once her breakfast stall is doing steady business, Su Fei plans to open a restaurant.

She prepares breakfast while taking orders in advance. When she can no longer manage everything herself, she turns her attention to the Su family.

As the saying goes, sixty is the perfect age to make your mark.

Her grandmother is disabled but determined, and can read, so she’ll handle the accounts.

Her grandfather is a carpenter, but odd jobs are hard to come by. He might as well make the packaging boxes they need for the food at home, and try starting a briquette business with Su Fei’s unemployed father.

Her mother finds washing clothes for other people exhausting, so Su Fei assigns her to make deliveries.

Then there are her eldest brother, sister-in-law, second brother, and the rest…

For the sake of a better life, the Su family throw themselves into their work, leaving their neighbors stunned by their diligence.

Su Fei smiles. “We have to work hard. Housing in Bianjing is ridiculously expensive :)”

*

Zhou Fang has always had a peculiar habit: he dislikes eating out. Even at dinners with his colleagues, he rarely touches his food, bringing his own meal box to the government office each day.

Until a new bun stall opened on South Gate Street.

His colleagues pity Zhou Fang, who has to endure his aunt’s cooking every day, and force a pork bun into his hands.

To his surprise, Zhou Fang doesn’t find it unappealing at first.

He hesitantly takes one small bite, then another… The top scholar, always self-disciplined and decorous, with no interest in indulging his appetite, gradually becomes obsessed with a certain breakfast stall.

When Su Fei opens a breakfast stall, Zhou Fang comes by to buy buns.

When Su Fei opens a restaurant, Zhou Fang shows up for all three meals.

When Su Fei hires her own kitchen staff and becomes a famous chef far and wide, Zhou Fang invites her to cook for a banquet at his home.

Su Fei marvels to herself: “Young Master Zhou really loves my cooking.”

Zhou Fang frets in secret: “It’s not just your cooking that I love…”

[Coming soon: The Little Chef of the Song Dynasty’s Bureau of Works]

Jiang Xing transmigrates. Her father died young, and her mother has just passed away after an illness.

Her grandmother wants to pay off the family’s debts by marrying Jiang Xing off as a concubine. With no other choice, Jiang Xing quietly leaves home and heads to Bianjing to seek refuge with her aunt.

Her aunt makes a living selling embroidery, while her uncle is a workshop foreman in the Bureau of Works under the Directorate of Construction. They have four children, the youngest still nursing, and life is difficult.

Jiang Xing’s arrival only makes things harder.

Ever since the Capital Construction Office was established two years ago, it has taken over much of the Bureau of Works’ business, and even poached its best craftsmen. This year, it has even gone after the cooks in the government kitchen!

Jiang Xing simply can’t get the hang of embroidery, so she asks her uncle about the government kitchen’s job opening.

1. The Bureau of Works’ funding has been cut again and again, so its cooks earn less than cooks in other government kitchens.

2. There are no restrictions on gender or age. You just need to be reasonably skilled.

3. It’s a permanent government position.

Jiang Xing, who ran a private dining business in her previous life, is instantly tempted.

A permanent government position? What are we waiting for? I’m in!

*

The official in charge of overseeing the Bureau of Works’ affairs can’t take it anymore and pulls strings to transfer out. His replacement is a taciturn, aloof man, but he’s highly capable.

Not only does he wrest some projects back from the Capital Construction Office, giving the Bureau of Works’ craftsmen jobs and saving them from layoffs, he’s also excellent at choosing cooks!

Ever since the new cook arrived, the officials feel like they have something to look forward to every day!

Today it’s fish head with chopped chili, tomorrow sweet-and-sour ribs, and the day after that braised pork and chicken… The dishes are varied and their aroma carries for miles, tempting colleagues from nearby government offices to come over for a bite.

As the crowds drawn by her reputation keep growing, Jiang Xing decides to strike a deal with the new official and expand into made-to-order meals. She’ll get a share of that business too.

In time, Jiang Xing manages single-handedly to turn the government kitchen into the Bureau of Works’ only revenue-generating department.

A little scene:

The new official is extremely diligent and often volunteers to work late.

One night, Jiang Xing is still on the job, testing new recipes. She takes the opportunity to bring Li Gou Dang a sample for a late-night snack.

As soon as she steps into the office, she spots a sheet of rice paper on his desk, covered in writing: “On expanding the various departments’ renovation business…”

Jiang Xing is stunned.

And Li Yan, usually stern and inscrutable, stares at the bowl of late-night food in her hands, equally taken aback.

Jiang Xing asks cautiously, “Renovation? Interior renovation!?”

Li Yan replies impassively, “…Instant noodles!?”

Jiang Xing: !!!

A fellow traveler, is that you?!!!

Theme: Only those who strive can succeed.