Best wishes for continued growth and success of our relationship.
Cheers!
Thank you very much.
He came.
The usual.
Okay.
What's up?
I rang him like crazy, but no answer.
You think he's hanged himself?
No way.
Food poisoning. Gotta be careful with summer oysters.
Hey, it doesn't mean it was Takako's dish.
The newspaper mentions oysters right here.
"18 fall sick in Kanazawa"
"Oysters the cause"
The cronies are just using their powerful connections.
They picked the easiest target to blame.
Whatever the truth is,
people think the food poisoning came from Little Shanghai.
It'll take everything he's got to save his reputation.
I probably would've done the same thing.
Akira, look at me.
Grown men aren't supposed to cry.
"Kazuyoshi, Ueda."
"Tokyo Metropolitan Child Guidance Center"
It's our duty to make sure people like Takako,
who've had serious trouble in the past,
are on the right track.
Were you aware of Takako's mental issues?
Mental issues?
Yes. Two years ago her husband died
and she became unstable.
She saw doctors for about a year.
Wait a minute.
Have a seat.
Well, all right.
During that time, Noriko was cared for by her dad's mother.
How is Takako now?
She's exhausted, but she's calmed down.
The health inspector confirmed
her oysters weren't the cause.
I heard.
If Takako had caused this situation,
she may have relapsed.
To be safe, Noriko was taken away again.
Takako's mother-in-law isn't out to get Takako.
She's just very concerned for Noriko's welfare.
I was so busy thinking about myself.
I didn't know anything about her even though she was helping me.
For now, we'll keep an eye on her and make a determination later.
Do you really think she can become a chef?
If it's hopeless, just tell her straight.
Get out!
She's doing her best to live her life.
What the heck do you know?
I'm sorry. I didn't intend any disrespect...
Have a good day.
"To: Mr. Wang"
"From: Takako Yamashita"
I'm so sorry.
I ruined the reputation of your great restaurant.
Don't blame yourself too much.
I heard about Noriko.
It's not good for a mother and daughter to be separated.
Takako, when I lived in Shanghai
I was married and had a child.
The cutest little girl.
But... both my wife and daughter died of influenza.
If she had lived, she'd be just a little older than you.
What were you like as a child?
I was always scurrying around the kitchen,
making my father mad.
I can imagine.
May I?
After my husband died...
I wasn't able to keep living in Tokyo, so...
I decided to come back here, where I grew up with my father.
I thought I could start everything over from scratch.
While I was thinking that...
I tasted your food for the first time.
The flavor really brought back memories
and made me feel very happy.
I started to feel better.
I felt that coming back was the right choice.
Takako...
Give me your hand.
Place it against your heart.
That's right.
My mother taught me this...
She said it can bring happiness.
You'll become happy again, too.
Don't worry.
Thank you, Mr. Wang.
Mr. Wang.
Mr. Wang?
Yes.
How many years has it been since we first met?
Almost thirty years ago now.
I still have the image of when I first saw you in my mind
as if it was just yesterday.
You were in charge of a big kitchen,
giving out orders to everyone.
You were very dashing.
And you were a beautiful woman.
In fact, I had never seen such a beautiful person from Japan.
It's still true.
Sorry...
I understand.
I entrust her with everything.
Thank you.
But please promise me one thing.
Yes?
That you'll be there, too.
I will.
Takako, I have a job for you.
You'll be cooking a Christmas dinner.
Pardon me?
I'm counting on you.
See you.
Impossible. I can't do it. I can't.
Who was the one that came to me saying "I can do it"?
That was before...
Master's orders!
"Shanghai"
What do you think?
Shanghai is still growing.
It's not the Shanghai I know anymore.
"Shaoxing"
Welcome to our company.
It's a pleasure to finally meet you.
Same here.
Shall we?
This is a younger vintage.
And this is more aged.
This factory was newly built only five years ago.
All the bottling is done here.
This is a 5-year vintage.
Labels are stuck on automatically.
Sir, could you show me the wine your father brewed?
Of course. This way.
This is the old factory.
Here!
Yes.
It was right here.
Do you have a 23-year vintage?
Yes, a fine one.
Very good. I'll take it.
Welcome back.
I'm the head of the village, Wu Gao Ming.
What is all this?
Everyone was excited to meet you. Welcome back home.
Please.
I wasn't expecting anything like this.
Thank you very much.
Oh, it was nothing.
Thank you.
Shaoxing wine is the secret to your crab dumplings.
Now you know.
Yes. The aroma gave it away.
Mr. Wang. Can I take a photo?
Come a little closer.
Closer...
Ready? Smile.
Good shot.
Mr. Wang, who is she?
She's my daughter. My pride and joy.
Oh, your daughter.
Everybody, she's Mr. Wang's daughter.
What did he say?
Oh, he said...
Good morning.
- Did you sleep well? - Yes.
How are you doing?
I only planned to drop in.
I wasn't expecting this big welcome.
I'm really grateful.
Let's take a little walk.
Okay.
Around there.
This is where it all started.
When my father got sick, my mother had to work hard to support us.
She worked tirelessly from early morning until late at night.
Even though there wasn't enough money for me to go to school,
somehow my mother managed to send me.
She worked herself to the bone. I owe her everything.
After school I had to help making Shaoxing wine
while the other kids played.
When I got home I was so tired I could barely stand up.
But my mother always cooked a delicious dinner.
She must've been tired, too.
Every day she made a hot meal for my dad and me.
My mother's cooking was really delicious.
I learned everything I know about cooking from her.
Everything.
Shall we get back?
We have a big meal to cook.
The highways are crowded, we should get going.
Okay.
Miss?
What did Mr. Wang say about me to everyone yesterday?
Everyone suddenly got excited.
Oh, Mr. Wang said,
"She's my daughter. My pride and joy."
Did he...
Did he really say that?
Yes, he did.
"We Are Open"
Thank you for letting me observe.
Thank you for being patient.
Tonight, we've prepared dishes
to celebrate your health and happiness.
We hope you enjoy everything.
Thank you very much.
Let's just relax and eat.
This is vintage Shaoxing wine from Mr. Wang's hometown.
When a girl is born,
her father makes Shaoxing wine and buries it.
Following tradition, when his daughter marries,
that wine is served.
This 23-year vintage is the same age as the bride-to-be.
Please enjoy.
Shall we eat?
Yes.
I will have it now.
I eat now.
It's ready.
Be careful, it's hot.
What a gentleman.
Salt-encrusted chicken.
It's also called Beggar's Chicken.
A long time ago, a thief who stole a chicken
was about to be caught.
So he buried it.
Later he went back and saw ashes from a bonfire.
He dug up the spot and found a perfectly cooked chicken.
They say it was delicious!
Japanese crab dumplings and
Shanghai crab soup dumplings.
A Japanese-Chinese alliance.
Eat them while they're hot.
This is Eight Treasures soup.
As you can see, there are 30 kinds of ingredients in it.
Takako.
Here you are.
It's ready.
This is Imperial Fried Rice.
It contains the favorite seafood of past Chinese emperors.
We prepared this dish to bring healthy babies in the future.
I could eat this all day.
Dad's already on his second bowl?
Too quick.
Doing good.
Oh, thank you very much.
Father-in-law...
He looks so happy.
Excuse me...
May I serve dessert?
Well...
I'd like to order one more dish.
Of course.
Extra order. Tomato and egg stir-fry.
Certainly.
Mr. Wang.
It's your turn.
What?
You have to cook this dish.
No, I can't.
Student's orders!
Okay.
Here you are.
Please.
They'd like both of you to come out.
Takako, Mr. Wang, thank you very much for today.
I'm so pleased we could have this wonderful gathering.
Thank you.
I'd also like to say something. It was a fantastic dinner.
This is a great beginning for both of our families.
Let's make sure to keep a good relationship.
Yes, I wish for the same.
Excuse me... If possible,
could you teach my daughter
how to make the tomato and egg dish?
Sure.
I have a big appetite for it.
Taeko, please say a word of thanks.
Yes.
Well... I'm still a novice,
but please allow me to sing a song.
"Mid pleasures and palaces"
"though we may roam."
"Be it ever so humble,"
"there's no place like home."
"A charm from the sky seems"
"to hallow us there."
"Which, seek through the world,"
"is ne'er met with elsewhere."
"Home, sweet home!"
"There's no place like home..."
"An exile from home,"
"splendor dazzles in vain"
"Oh, give me my lowly"
"thatched cottage again!"
Mr. Wang?
You have a wonderful apprentice.
Do your best to teach her everything you know.
You're not coming apart at the seams yet.
Okay.
Mr. Wang...
I have to tell you that watching you work hard all these years,
encouraged me to keep going.
I still have a lot to do.
Next time, please take me to Shaoxing, too.
I will.
Well, I'll be in contact soon.
Thank you.
You're a great mother to Noriko.
Thank you so much.