Episode 1 recap: The God of Dumplings.
China has a wide variety of culinary traditions, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. However, when it comes to a universally beloved food, dumplings take the crown. And among the best-tasting dumplings, there is a god-like figure known as Long Ao Tian. To have a chance of tasting his dumplings, one must have paid five years' worth of social security contributions, freeze 500,000 yuan in a bank account, and have no criminal records within three generations of immediate family.
Although the requirements are demanding, many people eagerly strive to taste Long Ao Tian's dumplings. However, food critic Liu Bo has a different opinion, believing that Long Ao Tian is merely putting on a show. Liu Bo went to Long Ao Tian's place to try the dumplings, and Long Ao Tian asked him where he was from. Long Ao Tian then presented him with wheat from his own hometown, grown in his family's wheat field, and water from his hometown as well, aiming to give Liu Bo a taste of his roots.
Liu Bo had skipped lunch in anticipation of this meal, and he was already very hungry. However, Long Ao Tian still had many steps to go through. Finally, Long Ao Tian managed to make a batch of dumplings and brought one over to Liu Bo, asking him to guess the flavor.
Liu Bo thought it tasted like a character, but Long Ao Tian claimed it was the taste of the fertile land spanning thousands of acres in his hometown. Liu Bo had initially thought he could finally eat, but it seemed there were more surprises in store.
In the end, Long Ao Tian poured out the dumpling and explained that the first dumpling was only meant for smelling. Some dumplings were meant for looking at, while others were meant for listening to. Some dumplings, if delayed by a second, would no longer have the best flavor. After all the fuss, Liu Bo didn't get to eat any dumplings, leaving him feeling very frustrated.
Liu Bo thought he had come just to have some dumplings, but Long Ao Tian argued that what he was eating was not just dumplings and that it was sacrilegious to treat it as such. Feeling helpless, Liu Bo decided not to eat the bowl of dumplings and wanted to leave. Liu Zi chased after him and brought a plate of dumplings for Liu Bo. Liu Bo took a bite and was delighted, saying it tasted just like his childhood. Whenever he came home after playing, his mother would save some dumplings for him.
Liu Bo thought the dumplings made by Liu Zi were excellent, with nothing to criticize. He wanted to write a review for Liu Zi, believing that it would make him famous. However, Liu Zi revealed that the dumplings were simply leftovers from his aunt's purchase the day before. Liu Bo didn't believe it, but Liu Zi explained that a person's sense of taste can be deceived by the environment and memories. What Liu Bo tasted was merely the flavor from his memories, and he had always believed in what he wanted to believe. Liu Bo was shocked to hear this.
In reality, I actually think that food critics like Liu Bo would prefer someone like Long Ao Tian, who sells emotions and mystifies things. Just take a look at those food bloggers on Weibo and Xiaohongshu. They are no longer focused on the food itself.
Instead, they take countless photos of restaurant decorations, tell stories about the chefs, discuss the inspiration behind dish names, and merely mention the taste of the ingredients in passing.
It's truly a rare gem of a masterpiece! I love this duo so much. I've been a fan of their works and performances since the annual comedy competition. They are incredibly talented in their own creations! The humor is non-stop, the meaning is profound, and there's even a touch of heartwarming moments at the end!
I hope to see more of their works in the future!