The Old Street Canteen

Born into a family of celebrated chefs, Cheng Tianle has been at odds with his father ever since his grandfather's accidental death when he was young. Even as an adult, he refuses to work with him, staking everything on taking over a neighborhood canteen on the verge of bankruptcy. Across the street, he goes head-to-head with Zui Chun Ju, a time-honored restaurant from the Republican era run by his father.

Li Menglan, the girl next door who grew up with him, should have been his most capable assistant. But a misunderstanding about her heading south to seek her fortune drives them apart. By a twist of fate, Li Menglan becomes the manager of Zui Chun Ju. Amid business rivalries and rumors, the two repeatedly fall out and make up, constantly trying to outdo each other.

From 1988 to 1997, over the course of ten years, Cheng Tianle goes from a canteen owner buried in debt to a leader who unites everyone and restores a time-honored brand. Through setbacks, he learns to be more forgiving and strategic. He and Li Menglan switch between rivalry and partnership, while his father goes from watching coldly from the sidelines to quietly nodding in approval. After years of silence, their family affection begins to rekindle amid the bustle of the kitchen.

At the neighborhood canteen,

step into a lively world of everyday people, steeped in warmth and tradition.

Listen to a symphony played on pots, pans, and dishes.