Midnight Foodstore Episode 11- 13 review

[Episodes 11- 13] Please come home

Featured food: Fried noodles with egg sunny side up

One night, a beautiful hooded lady steps into the midnight diner and orders fried noodles with half cooked egg sunny side up. She didn't say much, ate her food and left. The diner boss didn't know that she is the famous movie star, Sun Ke Wei. It was only when the other diner customers came in as she was leaving recognised her and told the diner boss. 

As she is a famous movie star, she has to cover her identity everywhere she goes. She exercises at night and even covers her face whenever other joggers pass by. As she was jogging one night, she passes a hobo... which is someone that she has been always wanting to see.... her father. But she doesn't know it... 

Sun Ke Wei has just completed her latest movie and was in transition for another upcoming project. However, her latest movie had left her in a wreck because the story was very much like her own life. The story was about a father and daughter relationship. She was finding it difficult to move on from there. 

Ke Wei grew up in a lovely happy family. However, her mother was ill so her father has to pay a lot for the medical bills. Ke Wei's father owns a small restaurant and works as a chef there. Ke Wei's favourite food is fried noodles with half cooked egg, which her father will always make for her. The special ingredient is the final topping of sesame seeds on top. Not just any ordinary sesame seeds, but the ones from Jaling Xiacheng...Err, don't ask me! ;D

In his efforts to afford the medical bills for his wife, he even owed his employees' salary. Ke Wei 's father decided to do something illegal, that is to be a drug messenger. It is not narrated there, but the scenes seem to imply that... The police came to know about it and stormed the restaurant to arrest him. Ke Wei's father managed to escape but Ke Wei was caught. The police staked out at her house because they knew that Ke Wei's father will return to get his belongings. 

Ke Wei's father did return but he managed to sneak into the upper floor. He says goodbye to his sleeping wife and as he was leaving, he bumps into Ke Wei at the staircase. Ke Wei sees her father but she knew that if she made any noise, the police downstairs will arrest him. She watches her father leave... 

Not long after that, Ke Wei's mother passes away... Before she died, she passes Ke Wei the wedding ring and told Ke Wei that her father will come home some day. Ke Wei was placed in various homes after that and was finally adopted by a good family. She grew up and became the movie star is she today. 

Despite being rich and famous, Ke Wei was still empty inside. She is still waiting for her father to return home... Btw, she has a nice apartment there... and beautiful shoes! The camera focuses on the house keys which you will see later on... 

Ke Wei now visits the diner quite often to eat the fried noodles. She even enjoys the diner boss's company.... Errr... maybe just a little too much for me?! The diner boss seems to have some flirty moments with her... and Ke Wei even gifts the diner boss a new wallet. Hmm... 

One day, the diner boss misplaces his wallet. He realised that it was missing and went out the diner to search for it. He bumps into the hobo (Ke Wei's father) who returns the wallet. The diner boss was grateful so he gave the hobo some free soup and drinks. They begun to chat and the diner boss was happily telling the hobo about Sun Ke Wei who actually patrons his diner and orders the fried noodles with egg. The hobo was stunned and told the diner boss to add the special sesame seeds the next time she came around. 

Not knowing anything, the diner boss did as what the hobo told him to. Ke Wei freaked out when the diner boss did that because she knew that the only person that knows about the sesame seeds was her father. She begs the diner boss to arrange a meeting with the hobo... 

The diner boss tracks the hobo down and found him at one of the underground train stations. He tried to persuade him to meet with Ke Wei... Hmm, the diner boss really cares about her aye?! ;DD

The meeting was arranged but Ke Wei father did not appear. He left a small envelope with a sorry note and his wedding ring. Ke Wei opens the envelope and broke down crying. She cried so much and fell asleep at the diner. 

Now, Ke Wei's father was actually just outside the diner... He was afraid to go in. The diner boss found him and told him to go and see his daughter. The hobo went in and it was a touching moment there when he saw his daughter sleeping... He reaches out to try to touch her head but ended up crying instead. 

The ending is not what we would call a happy ending... It is more of a realistic ending. Both of them never did meet in the end. Actually, it is for the good of Ke Wei as well. Imagine that she is a famous movie star, what will happen when the paparazzi finds out that her father is wanted by the police? The past will be dug up and it is not good for her at all.

The diner boss explains to Ke Wei that sometimes people leave not because they do not love, it is because that they love too much that they have to leave in order to protect the ones they love. Well, something along that line! Ke Wei accepts that her father is still not ready to meet her. The story ends with the diner boss receiving a special delivery at 1 a.m.! Serious! And yes, the courier boy is kinda cute... hahah! I wonder if we will be seeing him in the later episodes as he said he will come to try out the food someday! 

The diner boss opens the package and it is the house keys to Ke Wei's apartment. She is still hoping that her father will return someday. The diner boss keeps the keys in a safe place... Meanwhile, Ke Wei's father is still living his hobo life and is pictured admiring the poster of his daughter in the subway... 

Now, the featured food... Oh fried noodles! It looks so good... I wish I can have some now! ;D Not sure about those sesame seeds though... 

Midnight Foodstore Episode 10- 11 review

[Episodes 10- 11] See you tomorrow

Featured drink: Pepsi float with pop fizz (nicknamed Dancing Xi Xi)

Now, what will you get when two terminally ill young people come together? A romance of no tomorrow. This may be highly unlikely in real life but the probability of it happening is still possible. This story is about a deeper meaning of love, where two souls connect while knowing that they do not have a future like any other ordinary couples. They live life to the fullest and fall so deeply in love with each other...

Li Ang lives his life on the wild side. Knowing that his days are numbered, he decides to sell off all his possessions, left his parents and wander around with his only beloved harley motorbike named Lightning. He would not see a girl twice, meaning that he probably has one night stands and not any long lasting relationships. 

Xi Xi, a very happy optimistic girl who has been loved by her parents since young because she has a congenital heart disease. She has been through numerous operations that kept her alive all these years. But as such the operations were at their max and the doctors had advised her if she wanted to do anything she should go and do it. 

As fate would be, they met each other while on the highway, with Xi Xi speeding in her mini convertible (Omo! I love her car!) and Li Ang passes her by on his bike. The two exchange glances and it was love at first sight for Xi Xi... She fell for Li Ang because he was so cool... Hahahh!! 

Xi Xi tries to chase Li Ang with her car but he speeds off like lightning...(Haha! Sorry, couldn't resist! ;P) The couple met each other again when Xi Xi accidentally knocks over Lightning outside the diner. 

Yes, love at first sight again! This time Li Ang falls for Xi Xi. He didn't scold her for knocking over his beloved bike. Haha!! Xi Xi realises that Li Ang is also just like her, terminally ill and had nothing to lose. She asks him to help complete her bucket list... The things she wanted to do before she dies... Li Ang refuses at first, but then later he agreed. The two rides off and did all sorts of things together like playing volleyball on the beach and riding the roller coaster! (Hmm, actually the roller coaster part is a bit unbelievable... if Li Ang has a brain tumour the pressure/ G-force from the ride can actually be harmful to him...but it's just a drama I know!)

Xi Xi collapses after a couple of days and Li Ang thought he would lose her already. He dreamt of her in a cold snowy place all alone. (Not sure why they put in this part but I guess it has something to do with life after death kind of thing...)

Xi Xi awakes in the hospital with her family by her side. Li Ang appears at the same hospital as well (okay, no drama logic here!) He said he checked in to see how much time he has left to live. The two runs away (again?!) from the hospital and rides off... They ended up back at the diner. With the encouragement of the customers there, Li Ang proposes to Xi Xi with a Pepsi can ring (Hahah! Yes, in case you didn't notice by now the sponsor is Pepsi) The diner boss became their master of ceremony and marries them. (What?! I know...) 

Some happy moments the couple takes some studio wedding photos and one more outing to the amusement park. 

Now, one of Xi Xi's wish was to experience snow. They managed to secure plane tickets and a paramedic to go with them but alas, when the day they were about to depart Xi Xi's heart couldn't hold up anymore. She passes away in Li Ang's arms... Omo... so sad! 

As you can guess there wouldn't be a happy ending for these two (at least for now).. Li Ang says goodbye to his beloved motorbike Lightning by dunking it into the sea... Crazy! He was riding with Xi Xi's younger brother when he plunged into the waters. Li Ang's definitely one insane brother-in-law! Li Ang passes away as well some time later. 

One day during winter that year, it started to snow. It has never snowed before and it was a strange phenomenon. The diner boss steps outside his restaurant to feel the snow falling... and he heard someone calling him. Seriously, this guy is like Sixth Sense! He can see dead people hahahah! The diner boss turns and sees Xi Xi and Li Ang dancing happily in the snow... Somewhat happy ending but in the afterlife... the two are together now... 

No featured food but a drink here.. I thought it looked kinda illegal when Xi Xi started to put the pop fizz on the float... something like adding drugs! But it's all good, no worries! I prefer A&W root beer float but I guess Pepsi could do as well. Should try it someday... 

Midnight Foodstore Episode 8- 9 review

[Episodes 8- 9] New beginning

Featured food: Steamed clams with wine

Aunty Lian is the only drunk guest that the diner boss will entertain. Her story starts with her many years ago, running away from a bunch of loan sharks. They were after her presumably to pay off the debt that her husband owed. Aunty Lian runs with Ah Zhang, her son in tow and finally reaches the beach. 

In her desperation, she thought of committing suicide by drowning in the sea. She was halfway into the sea when Ah Zhang started to call her from the beach. She turns around and runs back to safety. She meets an old couple living by the beach who offered them some steamed clams. It was the best clams that she and Ah Zhang had ever tasted. From there, she decided to live a new life, to bring up Ah Zhang. Ah Zhang also promised his mother that one day he will carry her piggy back instead... 

Back to the present, Aunty Lian is always drunk and demanding the diner boss to serve her steamed clams with wine. Diner boss doesn't want her to be even more drunk so he mixes the wine with water before steaming. Hahah! Aunty Lian complains that it is tasteless and even makes a ruckus with the other diners. 

It is a normal everyday event for Aunty Lian. Diner boss will call Ah Zhang, her son. He will carry his drunk mother home each time. Yes, he is all grown up now! Ah Zhang is a school coach and he has a stable relationship with another teacher. Both of them had applied for a higher position in another school away from their current location. However, Ah Zhang had not told his mother about his future plans yet. 

To be honest, I find this story a bit unbelievable. What I mean is that if Aunty Lian had worked as a bar singer or nightclub hostess, so being drunk all the time can be acceptable. However, it is narrated that she had worked as a truck driver, delivering goods such as chicken and eggs throughout the night in order to bring up Ah Zhang. She even saw him through to university and he is doing well now. 

That's why I find that it doesn't make much sense. Unless the writers are trying to say that Aunty Lian is suffering the empty nest syndrome that's why she started to drink. Again, as a mother you would know that someday your son will get married and have his own family. I really don't get this part. 

Anyways, to cut the story short... Ah Zhang had to make the ultimate decision. To choose his girlfriend or continue living with his drunk mother. He was so stressed out that one night as he was driving home he was hit by a vehicle coming from the right side. Aunty Lian's drunken world had it's abrupt awakening. She rushes to the hospital only to find out that her son is in a coma. 

Aunty Lian wanted to commit suicide again... (I know right?! What's wrong with this lady! -_-)  But this time she is stopped by the diner boss. He yells to her from the beach, offering her steamed clams with wine. 

After some heartfelt chat with the diner boss, she decides to become sober again. The next scene shows her visiting her son in the hospital. It has been two months and Ah Zhang was still in a coma. Of course there is a happy ending! Ah Zhang awakes one day to a scene where he never saw before, his mother and girlfriend chatting together! 

There is a celebration at the diner after Ah Zhang's recovery. The diner boss serves Aunty Lian a different style of steamed clams, ones steamed with ginger strips instead of her usual wine ones. Aunty Lian smiles and the story ends with her beginning a new life as a traveller. Ah Zhang and his girlfriend successfully moves to the new school as well. 

I haven't seen so many steamed clams in a show before! Hahah!! Aunty Lian was eating so many clams... You would also wish that you can have a taste of it too! 

Midnight Foodstore Episode 6- 8 review

[Episodes 6- 8] Mark's daughter

Featured food: Vegetable infused patty burger

Mark is a deaf and mute guy who is also illiterate. He works as a sailor and he goes where ever the ship sails. While he is on land, he will visit the diner for a quick bite. Whenever he is there, he will never fail to attract females because of his good looks. Unfortunately, once they find out his disability most will drop him like a hot potato although some still become friends with him. 

One night after dinner, Mark was chilling at the docks enjoying the night breeze when he noticed two suspicious men loading boxes onto a speedboat near the lighthouse. He went nearer to investigate and the two men jumped into the speedboat and sped off. He walked around the lighthouse and found a baby girl left in a small crate. 

Shocked, Mark took the baby and rushed into the diner. The diner boss was also shocked and it seemed from there that Mark decided to raise the baby as his own. Mark asks the diner boss and the locals there to help him name the baby... and she was named Lele. 

Fast forward now Lele is already five years old. She lives with Mark in a shipping container store by the docks. Mark has also stopped being a sailor and now works as a ship repairman so he can be on land to take care of Lele. Lele is the darling of the harbour, everyone there loves her as their own daughter and she is very happy living her life. 

As Mark is busy fixing the ships, Lele is very independent... She helps Mark around the house and even buys the groceries! Really cute, I quite like this little girl although her shrill high voice is a little sharp on my ears! ;D 

One day while Lele was helping Mark clean the house, she spots a teddy bear placed high on a cupboard. In her attempts to reach the teddy bear she falls down and injures herself. She calls out to Mark for help but as he is deaf, he couldn't hear her. By the time he realised it, Lele had to be rushed to the hospital. 

Now this is where all the nightmare begins for Mark. As it is a child injury, the hospital staff were looking into the matter if it may be child abuse. Matters became worse when they discovered Lele's blood type is AB whereas Mark's blood type is O. The investigation went on and it turns out that Lele was a missing kidnapped child reported many years ago. 

Lele was taken into the social welfare care and Mark was not allowed to take her home. Police ran DNA matching tests on their database and found Lele's real mother. Lele's mother is a rich powerful businesswoman residing overseas. She rushed back when she heard that her long lost daughter had been found. 

Meanwhile, in his desperation to keep Lele... Mark decides to run off with her. The diner boss spots Mark and Lele speeding off in a speedboat at the harbour and yells to them to come back. Alas, Mark was caught by the harbour police patrol and thrown in jail. 

Lawsuits began to ensue. Mark was charged for kidnapping Lele when she was a baby and he had no rights to fight for custody of Lele because of his disability of being deaf, mute and illiterate. (A lot of onions here!) Mark tries his best to read and speak in the courtroom but the decision was final. He lost the custody of Lele and no visitation rights as well. But one good thing was that the kidnapping charges were dropped. 

Time to say goodbye.... Omo! I was crying this whole part... T_T The heartbreaking moment for Mark to let go of Lele... 

Don't worry, there is a happy ending! ;D Lele's mother saw that Mark was really not the bad guy who kidnapped her daughter... and that Lele has grown up with nice people despite their environment... A few days after the goodbye, Mark received a plane ticket from Lele's mother. It seems that Mark is able to visit Lele after all! The story ends with Mark leaving to board the plane with the teddy bear for Lele!

Okay, for the featured food... Lele doesn't like vegetables (as with her mom as well!) So Mark was worried that she wasn't getting a balanced diet. He asks the diner boss to come up with a recipe and he did... The diner boss managed to infused vegetables into a burger patty. Every Friday night, Mark and Lele will dine there to eat this special burger. Mmm! It looks yummy!

Midnight Foodstore Episode 4- 5 review

[Episodes 4- 5] F4- Meteor Garden

Featured food: Breakfast burrito crepe (Jian Bing)

This story features four best friends who have gone on their separate ways after graduating high school. They reunite when one of their female ex-schoolmate is getting married. She meets up with two of them at first because they have lost contact with the other two. She passes them the wedding invite and tells them her wish was that for all four of them to attend her wedding together. With the help of the local police officer/ detective, the first two guys manage to track down the other two guys. 

It is a heart warming story, as all four guys are just your everyday average person. None of them became really successful... One married and has a daughter, one is stuck in his job being bullied to stay overtime everyday, one is a gym machine technician and one became a teacher at their former high school. 

Back in high school, the four of them were dubbed "F4"...after a famous Taiwanese boy band back in the 2000s... (Yes, they were during my time! Hahah!!) Although none of them actually look like the original F4... ;D Three out of four of the guys actually had a crush on the female schoolmate back then. When their female schoolmate finally met all four of them, they had a great time reminiscing the past and singing the famous F4 Meteor Garden song. 

The female schoolmate went on to say that it would be awesome if they could perform at her wedding. The gym technician agreed to her request on the spot while the rest were hesitant, especially the chubby guy....(Aww!) He was embarrassed that he wasn't as good looking when he was back in high school. 

After some persuasion, the rest finally agreed to do it. Yeah! They realised that they have nothing to lose and it was their only chance left to do something crazy together once again. They set out to make themselves fit again by hitting the gym... it was difficult at first but they managed in the end. It was truly inspiring! 

They meet up again at the diner and had an impromptu performance! Hahah!! It was so funny... 

The story ends with the big day, all four of them stepping out from the lift just like the F4 band! They looked so handsome! Hahahh! 

I really liked this story, it was enjoyable and relatable... When you meet up with your old friends the feeling is exactly like how these guys were in this story. I do feel old now! ;P 

The featured food in this story is a traditional Chinese breakfast crepe (Jian Bing)... that looks something like a burrito. The inside is actually yau char kwai (Fried dough food) wrapped with the crepe. It looks delicious, wish I can try it someday! There is a cute drawing of the recipe at the end of the episode where you can make it if you want!