Let's Eat 3 review

 

Drama name: Let's Eat 3

Country: South Korea

Year: July- Aug 2018

I heard of this third installment during the time of airing, but didn't watch it then. I have watched Season 1 & 2 respectively so I was on the fence whether to watch this or not. Asked an online friend what was the storyline about, she told me that it will tell you how he became a food blogger and why he takes photos of empty bowls. I just kept it in mind and finally watched it recently. 

So,what's this drama about?

It picks up after Season 2 of this series where Goo Dae Young moves to another place outside Seoul to restart his life. He seems to be having a quarter life crisis, where he doesn't fill any motivation for his job or even food. 

One day, he bumps into his old neighbour during university times, Lee Ji Woo while returning a lost dog. Ji Woo was the food expert back then and that's how he learnt a lot about food from her. He was excited to meet her again, as she brought back happy memories from his university times. However, she has lost her zeal for food and works long hours as a nurse. He moves in next door to her and the rest of the story goes on with flashbacks to the past during university times and current timeline where he begins a new career path. 

Overall thoughts

For me, this is probably the worst of all three seasons of this franchise. Sorry not sorry! Season 2 was so draggy and it focused so much on the love story. In Season 3, the writer decides to kill off the girlfriend to write in a new one which is supposed to be the first love instead. Seems like every season Dae Young has a new girlfriend! 

There is no proper storyline even, apart from flashbacks of his university times. However, the food this time is much better than the previous season. 

Best parts of the drama

Definitely the food. Dae Young still has the usual exclamation and explanation before each meal... 

More seafood this season as well... and some yummy desserts too! 

Dae Young's university friends... their friendship is really nice... 

Some bromance with the second male lead, similar to Season 2 but on a lighter scale... 

If you are familiar with the series, there is always a dog involved. In this season, there is a sweet Golden Retriever named Peanut... 

And Dae Young will always be the neighbour to his love interest... Ji Woo's house is quite interesting as it is above a cafe... 

For the hopeless romantics, there isn't any real romance here. Just some sweet moments between the leads... 

Conclusion

The drama was cut short because Doo Joon had to enlist for military service. The story ends with Ji Woo confessing her long crush on Dae Young. Dae Young didn't reject her entirely but asked for time as he is still trying to move on from his previous girlfriend. Dae Young is focusing his energy on his new business of semi- prepared food delivery for single persons. 

The ending scene just shows the four leads having a meal together... 

As mentioned above, I feel this is the worst installment of the series. I didn't enjoy the flashbacks of Dae Young's college/ university days. I guess it is meant for the younger audience who are currently students so they can relate to that. 

I also disliked the second female lead's character so much. Don't understand why the writer gave her so much screen time. I read a comment somewhere, the person said if the writer kept the second male lead's interest in the female lead it would have been better. I agree, it would have taken the story on a different direction where Dae Young rediscover his first love for Ji Woo. 

There was so much focus on the second female and flashbacks that we didn't even get to know what happened to the rest of the guys from university. The only one featured was the one who got married. Lots of unanswered questions regarding how Dae Young and Ji Woo lost touch with each other... all because of the death of the stepfather? 

It just doesn't add up. She could have at least wrote him a letter informing him that she will be moving or something, since she was so in love with Dae Young back then... Plus I also got irritated with Ji Woo's accent during the flashbacks... I know it's supposed to be a Busan dialect, satoori or something... just that it irritated me I don't know why... 

Very disappointed with this season. Perhaps the military enlistment was good thing, it saved us from a worse ending by the writer... 

Alright, that's about it. Thanks for reading. Here's wishing everyone a Happy New Year. Take care. Will leave you with the cute doggo... 

*Image credits: dramabeans, own screenshots & Google image search*

The Perfect Match (Taiwan)

Drama name: The Perfect Match
Country: Taiwan 
Year: Mar - Aug 2017 

Oh wow, it's really been so long since I last updated... My apologies, have been not much in the mood to watch anything current... plus daily life stress... Hope everyone is doing well and healthy. This drama came out in 2017, almost 3 years ago... I started Episode 1 but then left it on hold all these while... haha! Decided to pick it up again and it was quite nice! 

So, what's this drama about?

Hou Tingen is a Cordon Bleu trained top chef who is in charge of La Mure, one of the finest restaurants around. He is famous for lobster curry and one day he stumbles across an internet article which boasts a street food version of his signature dish at incredibly affordable price. He sets out to the night market to check out if the claims were true. 

Tingen meets Wei Fenqing, the street food vendor who claimed that her lobster curry sandwiches were just as good as the top chef's dish. He challenged her on the spot and prepared his curry sandwich using Fenqing's ingredients for the local folk to sample. Everyone there was blown away by his food. Fenqing's ego was hurt, she went to Tingen's restaurant the very next day to taste his lobster curry. 

She challenges Tingen to a battle, that within 7 days she can make the lobster curry just as good as his, provided that he would teach her how to cook it. Haha, I know right... the story line is already kinda ridiculous right from the start... But yeah, that's how it goes... 

The drama continues with Tingen teaching Fenqing how to cook his signature dish and how their relationship developed within the 7 days with family history secrets coming out and eventually threatening their love for each other. 

Overall thoughts

It is a light hearted rom-com, with not many really bad villians... The leads had good chemistry and the supporting cast were good, thus creating an enjoyable watch with the warm friendships from the night market crew. This drama is a bit cliche with the chaebol and poor girl kind of theme (if you are familiar with Korean dramas you'll know what I mean!) However, if you have watched Pasta or Wok of Love, this drama is definitely better than those two combined! 

Best parts of the drama

As with any food dramas, your eyes will have a food feast with all the fine dining dishes and also some Taiwanese street food! The show also starts off with some curry history which is kinda nice to know... 

Huo Tingen's apartment is really nice, please excuse the shirtless screenshots... :D 

As I have mentioned, the leads have good chemistry together. You'll have the full usual romance scenes, from scooter ride to rain and umbrellas.. princess dancing and eventually the kiss... ah, for such which girls would be super happy to get in a rom-com! :D

Tingen's food truck! It's a refurbished VW van... 

Notable scenes

Okay, this is what everyone is waiting for... yup, the super steamy first kiss! Man, Chris Wu can really kiss... you won't be disappointed! XD

Special mention

I had to mention this character from the drama, Xiaobin. He is Tingen's best friend and also right hand man. Haha, he's super funny, loyal and the bromance between them brings the comedy in... 

Conclusion

Okay, this is the part where the drama became kinda draggy... I read the comments and reviews online, and I do agree with them. As usual, there will be some kind of conflict between the leads and makes them separate for awhile. It turns out that Tingen's step dad and Fenqing's dad were supposed to be business partners back then. Fenqing's dad had the recipe for the curry, which Tingen's step dad stole after the guy got into a scooter accident on the roadside. 

With that stolen recipe, Tingen's step dad managed to build the empire which is what Tingen and his step brother are running at the moment. The leads separated because Fenqing's mum did not allow her daughter to marry the step son of the man who might have caused the death of her husband (Fenqing's dad) 

So with all drama ridiculousness, Fenqing inherits the empire and runs it like a boss. Sometimes, I wonder what script writers aim to build in people's minds... haha, I mean just imagine, she's just a street food vendor and then within 7 days or maybe a couple of months after and she can become the top chef of a Cordon bleu standard. It's just a bit stretched to me. 

But yeah, that's how the story is, Fenqing and Tingen's roles were reversed... Tingen became a food truck vendor serving food to make people happy, but he himself was not happy... the irony... 

It's a happy ending, don't fret just yet! The second lead decides to help them and brings them back together with a lawsuit. Yes, kinda like how they started.... Fenqing's group is suing Tingen for making a cheap version of their coronation chicken (a recipe which both Tingen and Fenqing developed together) So yeah, it was an awkward moment with the lawyer and everyone present. 

The leads get back together after that when mainly Tingen confessed his everything to her at the lawyers meeting. It was quite cheesy. Anyways, the drama ends with both parties running to each other (yes, true drama style) and kissing. The end. 

It's an okay drama, for those who love rom-com this would a nice one to watch if you have time to waste. I wouldn't recommend this much. It does depend on your mood, if you want a light hearted drama with romance and not too much heartache this would be okay. 

Alright then, hope you are staying safe and at home, with the covid-19 at large. See you in days to come. I'll leave you guys with Tingen and Fenqing... 

Wok of Love Greasy Melo review

Drama name: Wok of Love/ Greasy Melo 
Country: South Korea
Year: May- July 2018

This show was in the list of dramas to watch in May 2018 featured on the Korean drama disqus channel which I am following. I saw the cast was Jang Hyuk and Jun Ho so I gave it a go. It was airing on my local cable tv so it was convienent as well... ;D 

So, what's this drama about?

Seo Poong is a Michelin star chef (not sure how many stars I forgot) working in a Chinese restaurant of Giant Hotel. He worked hard to reach his current position and everything seemed to be going well on the surface. He was about to get married and there were rumours of him being promoted to be the top chef of the restaurant. 

As Poong was going about his marriage preparations, he met Dan Sae Woo. Sae Woo is a governer's daughter and she is getting married as well. They met at the local bridal centre and later again at the hotel restaurant as she had booked a big dinner there. But during the dinner, she wanted Jjangmyeon (black bean noodles) which was not served in the hotel. She recognised Poong and demanded him to make her one bowl as she had not eaten the whole day. 

Poong had to go across the street from the hotel to a small Chinese restaurant to get some black bean sauce. The Chinese restaurant named Hungry Wok was run by an ex-gangster named Doo Chil-Sung. Poong managed to get the sauce but he didn't manage to cook the noodles because of the run-in with Chil Sung's men. Suffice to say, Sae Woo did not get to eat the noodles but she invited both Poong and Chil Sung to her wedding. Poong thought that was the last time seeing her. 

Then Poong got married with his fiance. However, it turned out that his fiance was cheating on him and the guy she was cheating with is the hotel's CEO. Poong got dumped the very next day after his marriage. (Yeah, this is really s*!) On top of that, he was framed by the hotel CEO and lost his job. 

Everything went downhill for Poong. It was then that he remembered the restaurant opposite the hotel, Poong went there and gave a proposal to Chil Sung. He wanted to use that restaurant to take revenge on the hotel CEO as well as the chef from the hotel restaurant. 

The story goes on with Poong trying to keep Hungry Wok afloat, handling Chil Sung's men, love interest with Sae Woo and lastly revenge on the lost of his job at the hotel restaurant.

Overall thoughts

The show reminded me a lot of Pasta, only in an updated version. The female lead character is like a total  "bimbo", dumb but rich girl this time. To be honest, she annoyed me a lot because she seemed so dumb being a governor's daughter like she never did anything in her life before. The part which pissed me off the most was when she took a loan for her horse to undergo surgery. That was like WTF moment, when your father is arrested, thrown in jail and all you think about is your horse??!!

Best parts of the drama

Chil Sung's apartment, his bedroom and kitchen is really nice. Love it... <3

The bromance between Poong and Chil Sung... To be honest, they were the only reason for me to continue watching this drama...

I read some comments that this show has become somewhat a makjang (food drama) I'm not too sure about that but the food featured definitely looks yummy! :D Tangsyuk (Sweet and sour pork), Jjangmyeon, Tang bao (I think it's a giant soup dumpling) and Almond tofu...

Some finer dishes served at the hotel restaurant and during the final cook-off battle...

It seems that this drama featured a lot of prawns/ shrimps... I feel hungry now... :D

I am wondering if Hungry Wok actually exists in South Korea... maybe someone can please tell me the location?!

Last but not least, Dim Sum the little kitten!! Aww, he's too cute... I'm glad they had a kitten in the show... it redeemed the show somewhat... XD

Notable scene

There seems to be a fascination with bus stops in kdramas... I have no idea why! The bus stop scenes in this drama seem to stand out for me... esp the one where Jang Hyuk brought the umbrella...

Conclusion

With the half assed writing of this story, I'm glad they cut short the episodes from 40 to 38... but then again some comments said that the ending was too abrupt. They didn't cover much of Poong's revenge on the CEO and what about his ex-fiance? No closure from there.

Also, the final battle between the two restaurants with the wager on was a tad bit ridiculous. It's like gangster style to settle debts. There is a happy ending nonetheless, Poong won the cook-off and everyone moved into the hotel restaurant... What?! Yeah, seriously mind blown to this point now...

What about the couple? Poong and Sae Woo ended up together, working in the hotel restaurant and Poong suggesting for them to get married (again) No disappointments for kissing fans though, there are enough kisses to keep you happy I presume... XD Jun Ho is quite a good kisser and the female lead is good as well.

Should you watch this drama? Nope. Unless you are a Jang Hyuk fan and you'll get to see him eat, grate dance, looking badass with sunglasses even at night and wearing a cowboy hat... XD Jang Hyuk my man, please come back as the badass butt kicking guy on screen which I know and love! Jaebal (please) Hahaa... yes I heard his next drama he will star as a MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) guy... lots of abs to see I guess?! ;D

Until then, keep eating Chinese food y'all! Jun Ho says so... XD

*image credits Dramabeans, Google and my own screenshots*

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!