Canton is celebrating the New Year, which marks the start of Spring.
It's the busiest time of the year.
The most entertaining event is the Dumpling Tournament.
Restaurants that make the best dumplings are selected from over five thousand restaurants.
And they all compete for the title of Best Dumpling in Canton.
The Cantonese residents, who collectively act as judges, look forward to this event the most.
On the other hand, the chefs battle it out for the honor of their restaurants.
Flame Chefs: The Dumpling Brothers
It's only one week away.
Yeah. I wonder what kind of dumplings Mr. Chouyu is going to make.
We came so close last year, but finished as the first runner-up.
So he must be pumped up.
But last year's winner, Canton Dumpling House, is not the only strong entrant.
We must also watch out for the North Garden Restaurant and Toutou House.
Don't worry. Mr. Chouyu is definitely going to win.
I can guarantee it!
It'll be an easy win for sure!
Ouch!
Who are you to guarantee such a thing? You're only a fourth-level cook!
But I wonder if Mr. Chouyu has decided on what he's going to make?
He put some green powder on the dough...
It's as if the dumpling skins are flying through the air!
Amazing!
He's so quick! What fast hands!!!
It's very pleasing to the eye: green dumplings with a red sauce.
I've never seen anything like it.
It's as if a green phoenix was spreading its wings,
preparing to soar through the sky.
I present... Jade Phoenix Dumpling!
Hey, this red sauce...
That's right. I got the idea from the dumplings in your hometown.
"Dumplings in Chili Oil." Try it.
Yes.
The sauce is sweet yet sour. It has a very rich taste.
This is different from the dumplings back home. It's very full-bodied.
What's in this dumpling...?
I got it!
It was boiled spinach powder that he placed in the dough.
The spinach's subtle sweetness brings out the spices in the sauce.
It's great! You've done it again, Master Chouyu!
The red and green go together very well.
See, I told you so. Yosen Shuka is going to win!
For sure!
Jade Phoenix Dumpling. Wow, Mr. Chouyu is amazing!
Hey, everyone! Have you heard?
There's a really popular dumpling stall in town.
The fried dumplings in this place are said to be terribly delicious.
Everyone in town is saying that they have this tournament locked up.
Fried dumplings...
Where is this place?
New Year in Canton sure is lively. Aren't you getting excited, Mei Li?
Hey, we're not here to have fun.
I know.
That stall is supposed to be around here, but...
Okay everyone. Gather around, gather around!
Each of these iron balls is as heavy as a full-grown man!
But this is nothing compared to Al's magnificent power!
It's so cool! You can only see these things here, right Mei Li?
What are you talking about? Stop wasting time gawking at street performers!
Let's go, Mao!
Wow, it's awesome!
Hey you!
Mei Li...
We don't have time for this. Please excuse us.
But he was getting to the good part...
This is what you've been waiting for!
There you have it... Fried dumplings!
Fried dumplings.
Wow, they look good.
Get 'em while they're hot!
Don't tell me it's those two...
Those guys are chefs?
Oh, you didn't know? They're the famous Dumpling Brothers.
Dumpling Brothers.
We don't know where they came from.
But the man selling the dumplings is the older brother, Karao.
The one swinging the iron balls is the younger brother, Al.
They just came here recently, and set up a dumpling stand.
Since then, they've become quite popular. We call them the Dumpling Brothers.
Oh, I better hurry before they're sold out.
Let's go!
Mao, wait here.
Give me two!
I need three!
Wow, it's very popular.
I bought some, try it.
Okay.
So, how is it?
The scent of the skin and the juicy filling create an amazing harmony.
I've never had a fried dumpling as good as this!
Hey, you over there.
You have good taste.
You're right. This is the best dumpling in Canton.
Everyone, the Dumpling Brothers will compete in next week's dumpling tournament.
Please look forward to it!
They're so entertaining.
Good luck, Dumpling Brothers!
I'll be going there to eat your dumplings.
They can't win with this. Mr. Chouyu's dumplings are more delicious.
What?
Chouyu...
Mr. Chouyu's dumplings have a much richer taste.
All right, this is a confidence booster. Right, Mao?
Mr. Chouyu, master chef of the best restaurant in Canton, Yosen Shuka...
Sure, I've heard of him.
But there could be an upset, right everyone?
After all, they lost last year.
But, he'll win this year for sure with his Jade Phoenix Dumplings!
Right on, right on!!
Oho, Jade Phoenix Dumplings.
What are Jade Phoenix Dumplings?
It's probably a new dumpling that Chouyu came up with.
This is going to be interesting.
Bro.
Hey you, the confident boy.
Can you give Chouyu a message?
Tell him that the Dumpling Brothers are looking forward to next week.
Let's go, Mao.
Toutou House's dumplings are also good.
Mao, how can you eat so much? I'm stuffed.
Hello? Are you okay?
FATHER?!!
Mr. Chouyu!
Father, wake up!
Are you okay, Mr. Chouyu? Mr. Chouyu!
With his injury, we can no longer compete in the tournament.
And we worked so hard to win this year, too.
Mei Li.
This was definitely sabotage to keep Mr. Chouyu from winning the dumpling tournament.
Yeah, that's for sure.
Who did this to him?
Damn it! I definitely won't forgive them!
I'm going to find who did this, and pay them back!
Okay, we'll help you!
Let's go!
IDIOTS!
We're cooks.
If you're going to fight, fight with cooking!
But you can't cook. How are we going to do that?
Someone will take my place.
Take Master's place?
Who can do that?!
Taking my place will be...
Mao.
You will make the dumplings!
Me?!
Mao. You'll be making the Jade Phoenix dumplings for the tournament, right?
Or something else?
What's it gonna be? Stop grunting and answer me, Mao!
I haven't decided yet...
Whaaat? The tournament is tomorrow!
Oh, that smells good.
Mei Li, let's try their dumplings!
Wait, Mao!
It's just like everyone said. I guess Mao's not ready to replace my Father.
This restaurant won the tournament last year.
Ah, the traditional crown-shaped dumpling.
How is it, Mao?
The thin double-layered skin feels good on my tongue.
And the shape is eye-catching too.
It's good.
This restaurant is our rival. What's the point of praising it?
Hey, where's the owner?
This steamed dumpling isn't so good.
They're...
The Dumpling Brothers...
What's this about my dumplings?
Look, I try to pick it up with my chopsticks.
But the skin breaks easily, and the juice inside spills out.
I don't make dumplings with weak skins that break when you use chopsticks.
Look, the traditional dumplings here at Canton Dumpling House won the Dumpling Tournament last year.
In other words, these are the best dumplings in town.
Really? Is that so...
Just as I thought.
You steamed it too much, so the skin became too soft.
When I put it in my mouth, it breaks up and I can only taste the skin.
It feels like I'm eating wonton.
What did you say?
I see this a lot.
People get too caught up in tradition...
... that they forget about the taste, which is the most important thing.
Right, everyone?
Is this terrible dumpling really the best in town?
When I think about it, the skin is rather soft.
I feel like I'm eating wonton as well.
If the Dumpling Brothers say this, they can't be wrong.
You too? Get out of here!
If you can't appreciate good food, then I don't want you coming here.
I'm surprised.
Everyone, is making fun of customers the way Cantonese restaurants should act?
Yeah, that's too much.
You don't need to be condescending just because you won a dumpling tournament.
Listen everyone.
Aren't these type of places usually the ones with the highest prices?
You're absolutely right!
Why you...
I've heard enough...!
Master!
That's weird. These dumplings aren't over-steamed at all.
They're delicious! Something's up with those two.
Let go of our Master!
Hey everyone. This restaurant may have won the tournament.
But a person who starts a fight with a customer...
... can't be considered a real chef.
That's right!
We're not eating any of your dumplings in this year's tournament!
You said it.
We agree, Dumpling Brothers!
This makes me feel much better.
Everyone, tomorrow is the Dumpling Tournament.
I hope all of you can help support the Dumpling Brothers!
Sure!
Mr. Owner. I'm looking forward to tomorrow's tournament.
That is...
... if you can even make it!
The Dumpling Brothers are looking forward to next week.
Wait, Dumpling Brothers!!!
Hey, it's the Yosen boy.
You're the one who hurt Mr. Chouyu!
What? It was them?!
Hey, stop spreading false rumors.
What are you talking about?
Mei Li, I've decided on tomorrow's dumplings.
What?
Mr. Chouyu told us to fight with cooking.
So that's what I'm going to do.
I'm going to fight fried dumplings with fried dumplings! It's on, Dumpling Brothers!
We must not lose, not until we conquer the province of Canton.
I won't ever forget that day...
A shop that won the Dumpling Tournament opened right in front of ours.
That's when the battle began.
Please... if you would only taste our dumplings and compare!
We're just as good as they are!
Having a title doesn't mean anything!
Idiot. Who wants to eat food prepared by a no-name chef?
How dare you?!
Bro...
What? If you have a problem with that, then go win the Dumpling Tournament.
But I think you're always be a third-level cook qualified to sell only cheap dumplings!
That was when I decided.
We will join the Dumpling Tournament and win.
And receive all the fame and recognition.
With the prize money, we'll reopen our restaurant.
And also...
... we'll make everyone say that the only good dumplings in Canton are made by the Dumpling Brothers!
Until we reach this goal, we'll stop at nothing...
Mao, we'll be starting soon.
What is Mao thinking?
This is supposed to be a dumpling competition, but he's boiling soup.
No matter how you put it, he can't pull this off.
Well well. Hello there.
You must be the famous Master Chouyu.
Dumpling Brother Karao!
I heard you were hurt. What a terrible thing to happen during the New Year!
How insincere!
Anyway, from what I heard about this boy, or should I say
Mao, is a live-in apprentice recommended by Admiral Lee, a leading figure in Chinese cooking society.
That's very impressive.
Please take it easy on me.
Well, that was a rough greeting.
I hope that you will do their best, my Yosen Shuka friends.
I will definitely not lose to you, Dumpling Brothers!
The match will be decided by the kneading of the skin and the filling.
Easily done with Al's super-strength.
And there's my special frying technique.
With these, the honor and the money will be ours!
Well everyone! It's almost time for the most entertaining event of the New Year!
The Canton Dumpling Tournament is about to start!
The best of the best in Canton have been selected to come and decorate this place with colorful dumplings!
Stop talking! Hurry up and start!
Yeah, that's right!
Here are the rules.
The number of empty plates will determine the winner.
The time limit is until sunset.
The restaurant with the biggest number of empty dishes by the time the sun sets...
... behind the mountains, will be crowned as the winner!
The Canton Dumpling Tournament...
... starts right now!
We can already smell the aroma of dumplings being made.
Welcome, welcome!
Please eat a lot!
Thank you!
Welcome!
Mao, it's already started!
Everyone, gather around.
Gather around!
Thank you for your interest, everyone.
We have a special treat for you today.
Our dumplings will be a little different from the usual!
Flames!
The dumplings are shaped like flames!
Everyone, don't be amazed just yet!
Feast your eyes on this!
What's in that jar?
Al's drinking something?
Be careful everyone!
Please stay back!
What's he going to do?
"In the Bluest Sky, I Can Meet With You"
I felt a signal pass through me today
As I went out to meet up with you
In this crowded cityscape, an enlightening wind
Is blowing hard into my face
Up in the clouds, above the Earth, where the Angels' ladders reach with grace
I stretched out my arms, and climbed right on. Now I can go...
Everywhere, gently riding a white wispy cloud
In the bluest sky, I can meet with you
No matter what the time, where the place The path to take, I want to see it through
I will never give up until the end
I want to gather up all pieces of the dreams that shine with seven rainbow colors
Ahh… perhaps the answers that I want
Are there all along in front of me