I passed the Incomparable Noodle exam just before the time limit expired.
I did it! I'm a Super Chef!
Or so I thought.
But that was just the semifinals of the Super Chef Exam.
We five finalists began our final battle at the legendary Cooking Arena.
The topic was tricky - noodles that are not noodles.
So, this is what I chose.
My answer for noodles that are not noodles...
... is this!
A catfish?!
A Great Rival Appears. Talented Young Chef Fei
Noodles that are not noodles... Why are you using a catfish Mao?
Catfish can be transformed into many different dishes.
Transform?
Huh?
Look.
Although catfish meat is fatty, the taste is mild and simple.
It doesn't have a muddy smell like other river fish.
So you can use it for anything. But how does catfish transform into noodles?
Mao, I don't know what you're thinking.
Noodles that are not noodles...
Interesting. The glory of becoming a Super Chef will be achieved by me, Huang!
Amazing!
My cooking is like magic. As the witch of Canton,
I will show all of you the power of Che Lin's magic.
He's doing all that with just a thumb?!
I see, that's what he was practicing for earlier!
Mao, this is not the time to play.
I'm not playing. Please lift that ladle up high towards me.
This?
A little bit higher.
Like this?
That's right. Let's begin!
Wow, it's like magic!
I get it. You're mixing the egg yolk with the noodles right?
Nope, I'm using the egg white.
I want to keep the simple taste of the catfish, so I'm using only the white.
All right, it's hardened a bit.
Now to add some cooking wine.
What? Why are you using that?
Let me explain.
I pour cooking wine into the heated wok.
Excess water and alcohol evaporates, leaving behind the taste of the wine.
We'll use the taste of the wine as a secret ingredient.
Secret ingredient?
The good taste of noodles actually comes from its main ingredient, cereal grain.
Cooking wine is also made from cereal.
Therefore, this ingredient gives the good taste of noodles to my catfish.
So, let's proceed.
Hey Mao, that piece of cloth has a lot of holes.
How are you going to use it?
Just watch.
Here we go...!
Come out!
More, more, more, more!
Catfish mock noodles complete!
That's great!
It's still raw, but you can try it.
What? But...
It's white and it looks good, and yet...
I've never tasted anything like it!
It doesn't taste fishy or has the muddy smell of river fish.
It has a simple taste, with just the right amount of fat.
I can taste something very deep...
Oh yes! It's the table wine you added!
It doesn't have the powdery taste of regular noodles.
That's why these mock noodles taste great!
It's perfect for making noodles that are not noodles!
How is it?
What's the matter, Mao?
Mao?
What?
What, what is it?
I can't... I can't taste anything!
What do you mean? It tastes very good!
No, something's wrong with my tongue!
I can't taste anything at all!
How can this be?
Why is this happening?
Everyone's cooking their dishes! What are you going to do?
It's no use. I can't taste anything at all.
Without my sense of taste, I can't do anything!
Oh no!
Why can't you taste anything?
Your tongue is your strongest weapon.
This is a crucial time. It's all over if you've lost your sense of taste!
Why must this happen?
And you had such a great idea for the dish! Why, oh why??!
Hey Mao.
Open your mouth please.
What?
What are you doing? I don't believe it. What did you just put in his mouth?
Can you taste anything?
Don't be so rough! What are you doing to him?
Ouch!
SALTY!!!
This is ... the salt my sister brought for me.
Fei, why did you do that? It's so salty...!
It's back. I can taste again!
I'm so glad, Mao!
Hooray, we're saved!
I'm so relieved!
What's that?
I found this needle stuck behind your ear.
A needle?
A nerve cluster there controls the sense of taste.
Your taste buds were paralyzed by this needle.
Why was the needle there?
I suspect... one of the chefs put it in when you were distracted.
Who would do such a terrible thing?
I don't know, but there is one thing you should know.
Someone desperately wants to become a Super Chef...
... and will stop at nothing to achieve victory!
You need to be careful. Concentrate harder.
Wait, Fei! Why are you so nice to me?
I'm sure you want to win this battle too.
So why help me?
I honestly don't know, but I will tell you this.
I owe a debt to Master Pai, your mother.
M-Mom? Fei, you owed my Mom something?
You owed my Mom something? Did you know my Mom?
But, you said you honestly don't know. Why don't you remember?
It happened when I was little, so my memories are hazy.
Huh?
However...
When I grow up, I'm gonna be a great chef just like Dad!
I won't go easy on you, Fei.
I'll be fine!
You are so motivated, Fei.
Who are you? What are you doing here?!
Fei!
Dad! Mom!
What are you doing?
Wait!
What's wrong?
Fei, are you okay?
I'm scared, someone please help me...
Shut up!
Listen up, kids. Anyone who drops their wok will be punished!
Are you alright? Hang on...
Why are you worrying about others?
You will also be punished!
Imbecile! You call this food?!
Do it again.
For me, cooking has only been a terrible and sad experience.
I've experienced happiness just once in my life after that.
It was when I encountered a particular person.
Dad... Mom...
What's the matter? Are you all right?
Are you awake?
You should have some of this.
This soup can heat you up inside and make you feel better.
This is...!
The great taste of this soup is filling me up inside!
I can feel my strength returning...
I've never tasted great soup like this. This soup is...
You seem to have recovered. I'm so glad.
Um...
Yes?
Is there a special kind of medicine in here?
No, there's no medicine. I did use herbs to make the soup taste better.
Herbs...
Take it slower. It's not good to drink that fast.
Just take your time.
A bowl of soup warmed my body and thawed my frozen heart and soul.
So, the person who taught me that good food should not only be tasty...
... but it should also make people happy, it was your Mom, Master Pai.
I can remember everything that happened that night.
It is the only precious memory that I have left.
Who kidnapped you? How did you escape?
But, it must have been Fate that Mao's mother helped you.
But, I will no longer think of you as Master Pai's son from now on.
Just like the other talented chefs, you found your interpretation of Incomparable.
In order to become a Super Chef, you are a rival... no, an enemy that I need to defeat!
Fei.
From now on, we battle as chefs!
We'll fight fairly, Liu Mao Xing!
Fei... I will do my best!
I can do this.
Here... no, damn it!
All right, I'll get you this time!
Whoa whoa whoa! That was close.
Y-Yesss!
Mao, what are you doing?
Are you using a fish again?
Here we go!
Red snapper?
Yes, the king of ocean fish... Red Snapper!
You're not making noodles out of that red snapper, are you?
I'm making soup.
Let's go!
I'm boiling the head and bones to make the soup base.
I'll roll up the meat.
Wrap some thread around it so it won't fall apart later.
Then I'll use the sauce my Sis brought me. It's a Szechuan special made from river fish, Fish Essence Sauce!
Fish again?
Yes.
Szechuan is located far from the coast, so we rarely get any seafood.
So this is a special seasoning designed to impart a seafood taste to food.
I will cook the red snapper with this Fish Essence Sauce.
So, we get the great taste of fish-flavored red snapper... Here!
Add some of it to the broth to complete the soup base.
Now I need to cook the catfish noodles.
Here we go!
Is it done?
Almost!
I'll slice the red snapper meat...
Here we go!
I'll add it to the noodles...
And it's done!
Wow, it's noodles made purely out of fish. It looks good!
Can I try some?
Sure thing!
Well?
It's delicious!!!
You'll win the battle for sure! This dish is a great success, Mao!
All right!
Okay, I'll taste it.
Isn't it good?
What's wrong, Mao?
Damn it.
There's a weak point in this.
What?
It's fresh and tastes good. But it lacks the chewy elasticity in normal noodles.
Well, it's made from soft catfish meat. So you really can't do much about that...
It's not an acceptable excuse!
I must achieve the elasticity of regular noodles.
But, I have failed.
Oh no! You don't have time to do it all over again!
No. I'll keep the catfish noodles.
So what are you going to do about the elasticity then?
Do you have any good ideas, Mao?
We don't have any time left! Everyone is finishing up!
What are you going to do, Mao?
Fei's helped me a lot to get me to this point.
However...
From now on, we battle as chefs! We'll fight fairly, Liu Mao Xing!
Fei, I'm going to give it my best shot.
I will make great noodles!
But how can I make it elastic?
There must be a way...
Think! Mao!
"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