Midnight Foodstore Episode 39- 40 review

[Episodes 39- 40] Chicken soup for the soul

Featured food: Chicken soup

We've reached the end!! Hooray!! So happy to have made it through... Almost gave up halfway... I know, you must be wondering why I started this review in the first place... Well, honestly I didn't know it was going to be 40 episodes long... :O Anyways, thanks for staying with me too!! We made it!! :D 

It starts with a scene at the midnight diner, one of the regular diners was welcoming his cousin named Sun Jian into the diner. She had been away for awhile and is back in town. She gushes about a book which she read that was really good... 

The writer of the book is Gao Jian Ling who specialises in love relationships. His book has sold millions and he hosts regular radio talk shows giving advice to people about their love lives. Ironically, his own marriage was on the rocks. One morning, he stumbled across some divorce papers in the drawer while searching for something at his desk. His wife was planning to divorce him... Oh noes! 

Still in shock, he had to attend a book signing event. He poured out his troubles to his manager who listened to him but the show must still go on. It was really hard for him, imagine the world thinking you are the love guru but in reality his marriage was a failure... 

Meanwhile back at the diner, a mysterious character appears... He seemed to be stalking Sun Jian. He gave the diner boss some instructions on how to prepare a lime drink for Sun Jian as she was not feeling well. Sun Jian didn't know that stranger had come in earlier. When he accidentally came back in and she was horrified to see him. Inspector Li realises that stranger was a stalker so he gave chase but failed to apprehend him. Sun Jian says it was alright but everyone at the diner were concerned about her safety... 

The weird stalker had left his bag behind when Inspector Li gave chase. The gossip girls were curious and opened it. To their horror they discovered an urn. Omooo!!! Everyone screamed... Haha I love Ma Ling Ling here praying for herself!! The diner boss takes the bag and keeps it aside. 

Mr. Gao was still distraught learning about the impending divorce. During the ride home, his assistant mentioned to him about the midnight diner. Yeah, another tie-back to an earlier episode with Richie Jen (If you remember the busker and the food critic) Apparently he is friends with the famous food critic. Anyways, Mr. Gao couldn't sleep that night and decided to call the diner for directions to the place.

The weird stalker comes back for his bag and he was about to leave when Sun Jian came in. Aigoo!! I can totally relate this feeling, you really don't want to see your stalker ugh!! She originally came to the diner in hopes to meet the famous book writer, Mr. Gao... 

The diner filled up quickly with the other regulars including Ah Xian and Ah Long. Mr. Gao finally arrived at the diner but wanted to leave because the chicken soup was not ready yet. It was going to pour already and the rest persuaded him to stay... 

The rest of the parts was basically like a live talk show... Haha! Everyone was pouring out their love troubles to Mr. Gao and he got overwhelmed a bit. He stepped out of the diner to make a call to his wife telling that he will be out all night. 

Sun Jian tells about her love story with a guy who was actually her senior's boyfriend. She felt so embarrassed when her senior found out about it and that's why she left town for that long time. The stalker stranger told everyone about his story, an earthquake killed his wife and son... It was Sun Jian who offered help at that time and he couldn't stop following her around as she was the only reminder of his wife and child. Creepy aft!! :O And oh, the urn was his wife's remains I think... Well, something like that... 

Mr. Gao told everyone at the diner about his impending divorce. He admitted that he wasn't that love guru which everyone thought he was. Aww, it takes much courage to say all that in front of strangers too! 

But all's well ends well, everyone encouraged him to save his marriage and the chicken soup was finally ready! Everyone slurps down the delicious hot soup.... 

It was dawn and the rain stopped. Mr. Gao phones his wife saying that he will be bringing home some chicken soup and they should talk... The weird stalker says goodbye to Sun Jian, no more stalking her...What a relief... Phew! Sun Jian receives a text from her senior saying hi... 

Everyone heads home and is greeted by a lovely rainbow in the blue sky! A very nice ending indeed, saying that after every storm there is always a new beginning... 

This series isn't entirely a bad one. It was a pretty good effort if you think of it. Maybe some parts were lost in translation, as in adapting the original Midnight Diner series to suit the Chinese culture. Hopefully there will improvements in future adaptations. But for now, I think I've had enough of Chinese food dramas! ;D 

The last featured dish was the simple chicken soup. Using chicken bones and meat, let it simmer for a couple of hours and viola! 

Midnight Foodstore Episode 37- 39 review

[Episodes 37- 39] Heart of dance

Featured food: Tempura fried Shishamo fish

This story features one of the regular diners, Ma Ling Ling who is the lead dancer at the nearby night club. I was wondering when they will feature her and finally they did! I enjoyed this episode as they featured exotic dancing mixed with other styles like b-boy, lockin' and poppin'... Err don't ask me I'm not a dance expert! ^_^V 

Ma Ling Ling is well known for her numerous boyfriends, so many that you can't count them. Haha!! Poor diner boss just silently observes all of them and serving up various dishes for each one. 

Meanwhile, her career as the lead dancer wasn't doing well either. Her dancing style was stale and the younger dancers were overtaking her. She has two loyal fans only, of which are also the regular customers from the midnight diner. (If you remember Ah Dao, the guy with the broad striped shirt) She received mocking even from the younger dancers about being born in the 80s and  the after dance party was only for those born in the 90s. Ouch... I feel you girl! :'(( 

Feeling lost and dejected, Ma Ling Ling was hanging out at the diner. One night a funky guy burst through the doors and started promoting dance lessons. Intrigued, she decided to check it out. 

Turns out the funky guy was a really good street dancer. His name is Gao Ba and Ma Ling Ling was impressed with his skills. She asks him to teach her some moves so she could use it to spice up her current dance at the night club. 

This part was pretty funny because Ma Ling Ling thought she was a good dancer but seriously her skills were so bad! Haha! Gao Ba starts to train her the basics of some hip hop dance and even the diner boss was slightly amused! :D 

Ma Ling Ling decides to debut her new dancing style but it ends in tragedy... She fell and it was so embarrassing! Aigooo poor girl... ;'( Gao Ba encourages her not to give up and she pushes on. They spent a lot of time dancing and discussing dance routines together. Ma Ling Ling slowly develops her own style of freestyle dancing and also feelings for Gao Ba. Omoo! So sweet... <3 

Her new dance was a success but then she was hit with reality when she found out that Gao Ba was married already. He even has a ten year old daughter! Oh noes... 

Don't cry just yet! A new love arrives in Ma Ling Ling's life. While heading home one night, she encountered a group of guys who wanted to harm her. Oh so scary... But luckily the knight in shining armour was there to save her. Haha! The usual hero saves girl and she realises that they both have moles on the palm of their hands. What? Yeah, not sure about that! I guess it's some Chinese belief thing? Hmm... 

Whirlwind kind of romance and the next thing she knew the guy proposes to her. Wow! It's her dream come true, no?! She accepts the ring and I'm not too sure why they featured Gao Ba's expression here. I mean like, does he like her as well and feeling shocked that someone else took her? You're already married with a kid! I don't know man... 

Nevertheless, Ma Ling Ling was having second thoughts as well. This is where they did a short tie-back to an earlier episode about the young pretty dancer with the perverted old man... Haha, yeah it is like the future of being a dancer either get married with a rich guy or fade into the unknown... Hmm... The diner boss prepares a simple fried omelette and serves it to her. She started to cry when she remembered the first time she arrived at the midnight diner. 

Her dream was to dance and be a great dancer. That was her only wish all these while. She thanks the diner boss for reminding her the very reason she wanted to be a dancer. Wow, this diner boss should open a psychology centre instead! :P 

I'm not sure how to describe the ending. It depends on how you look at it. Ma Ling Ling returns the ring to the handsome guy (What??!! No way!! Seriously?! Are you crazy??!!) and continues her career as a dancer. I feel it could go either way. Are you really going to dance forever? I don't know... I feel torn about this one. I'm going to blame the diner boss for talking her out of a good prospect!! Haha! 

The featured dish was tempura fried Shishamo fish. Anything tempura fried, count me in! Haha!! I'm guessing it's like fish and chips somewhat. 

They also featured several other dishes at the beginning when Ma Ling Ling was with her various boyfriends. 

Bonus dish, Chinese style ramyeon or instant noodles... We finally know what the three gossip girls usually eat at the midnight diner! Haha!! Actually, I think they also featured it in the earlier episode (Episodes 20- 21) with Ah Xian and Ah Long if I remember correctly... 

Midnight Foodstore Episode 36- 37 review

[Episodes 36- 37] Flowers bloom in full moon

Featured food: Fried glutinous rice flour balls

We're nearing the end of this series... Another three more stories (this one included) and we're done! Yeaaaahhhh!!! :DD

This story is about a pair of sisters, Xiao Yue and Xiao Mei. At first, I thought it was going to be those younger sister falling in love with her elder sister's husband story... but luckily it wasn't. Phew! 

Xiao Mei is the younger sibling and the scene opens with her riding in a cab late at night. She had a sudden craving for fried fish balls and asked the cabbie to take her to a restaurant/ eatery. He replied that there wasn't any open at that hour. She starts to cry (I know right?!) and the cabbie asked for some help via the radio. He finds out about the midnight diner and Xiao Mei was so happy after that... 

Xiao Yue is the elder sister and her life is what you would call the perfect wife. She's beautiful, has a handsome husband, she's a great wife who prepares breakfast every morning and makes sure her husband is all cared for. She lives in an upper class neighbourhood and she is a career woman as well. She's the type of person that will never be seen at places like the midnight diner... 

Xiao Mei arrives at the midnight diner only to find out that they didn't have any fish balls. She remembered a dessert which is usually served during the Mid-Autumn festival. The diner boss said he didn't have that as well. She starts to bawl again. Yeah, seriously what is her problem... *rolls eyes* I actually felt irritated and wanted to slap her... Haha... 

Uncle Xiao was there and comforts Xiao Mei. He sends the three gossipers to the local hypermarket to get some of that glutinous rice balls. Haha! Poor girls, they were so confused wondering why they had to run an errand for a stranger. I'm more confused as the store is still open at that hour??!! :O 

After having the dessert, Xiao Mei heads to her sister's place. She had moved out from her boyfriend's and now homeless. It was late at night and Xiao Yue was already sleeping. She thought her younger sister had come to get money again but apparently she needed a place to stay the night. Xiao Yue didn't allow her to stay at first but then relented... 

I think it was some days later that Xiao Mei dragged her sister to the midnight diner. Xiao Yue eyes the place suspiciously as she was not used to being in those kind of places. Once again, the three gossipers had to go out to buy the rice balls! Hahah!! I guess it's another product placement (there were so many in this series) 

Xiao Yue finds out that her younger sister is pregnant. She was horrified and had an argument with Xiao Mei. Xiao Mei left the diner in a huff... 

Worried about her younger sister, Xiao Yue couldn't seem to concentrate... Oh yum yum, this part is something... The handsome hubby is sooo sexy sitting there watching his wife prepare dinner.... Omooo... Let's look at him again... XD

Xiao Yue takes her younger sister to a medical check-up and the prognosis wasn't good. The pregnancy may be dangerous to Xiao Mei's health and Xiao Yue wants her to abort the baby. Xiao Mei escapes via the washroom window (true drama style! Haha!) 

Xiao Mei was hanging out at the midnight diner when she overheard a conversation. The two guests were bragging about a relationship and when Xiao Yue came into the diner, they were horrified. Xiao Mei knew instantly that the two were talking about her brother-in-law and exposed them. Xiao Yue's handsome hubby was cheating on her with the secretary. Ouch.... Aigoooo.... 

I loved how Xiao Yue handled the situation. She noticed the necklace around the secretary's neck and remembered seeing it in her husband's drawer. Damn! What a heart breaking moment... Xiao Yue said it looked nice on her and then continued by saying, "You're fired!" Haha! 

The two sisters left the diner but they had an intense argument... All the pent up feelings from Xiao Yue came out... She said the reason Xiao Mei could live a carefree life was that she was the one holding the fort. She did all the things to make sure her little sister can enjoy life... Xiao Mei fell silent... 

Xiao Mei reflected on her sister's words and realised it was the truth. Her elder sister was always looking out for her, making sure she would not get hurt or anything. Meanwhile, Xiao Yue was also feeling remorse for scolding her younger sister... She ends up at the midnight diner, but it was day time... Haha! The diner boss was surprised to see her but opens the shop for her to drink. Dayum, I seriously think this diner boss is biased towards pretty girls and women! *smh* 

While Xiao Yue was at the diner, her younger sister went to her house instead. It was funny that both sisters were looking for each other! Aww... Xiao Mei finds out that Xiao Yue had divorced her cheating hubby. Yeah, serves him right. *nods*

The two sisters finally met up with each other at the midnight diner. Ah, sweet moments when they made up and hugged each other. They managed to resolve their differences... At the end of the day, they are sisters and sisters stick together forever! :D The story ends with them enjoying the fried glutinous rice balls and having a road trip together! Some girl power ending! Yeah... ;D

Fried glutinous rice balls seems interesting... Usually, it is served in a soup style. Called tang yuan, it is a dessert served during the Mid-Autumn festival. It looks pretty, the pink and white balls topped with crushed peanuts and icing sugar. Hopefully can try it someday! :D