If you're interested in Chinese culture and eating, this show is definitely going to be up your alley. I first was introduced to hot pot when I had Chinese roommates during a year of university and they treated me to a hot pot during Chinese New Year. I've been interested in Chinese culture ever since.
This show really dives into not just the food and different hot pot traditions (which are many and different depending on the region), but also how the act of eating together which the hot pot encourages shapes Chinese familial ties and friendships. The episodes take you all over China and you get to learn about some interesting people and what got them into making and/or eating hot pot.
This leads to my only complaint (more like a wish): I wish the episodes were longer because the people and their stories/family history are so interesting but since multiple people are interviewed/featured in each episode you only get to learn a little bit and then it switches to another person's story, just as you feel like you're getting to know them. They're often such interesting people that you wish the show was a bit longer so that you could learn more about them.
Overall this is a great show that will teach you a bit about Chinese hot pot, Chinese culture, and how important food is to families and communities. I really enjoyed it and would highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning about China or Chinese culture and food. In a day and age that glorifies superficiality, this show will give you that warm feeling you get from watching something that is both family friendly but also has an optimistic view of life, its good times and even its challenges.
This show really dives into not just the food and different hot pot traditions (which are many and different depending on the region), but also how the act of eating together which the hot pot encourages shapes Chinese familial ties and friendships. The episodes take you all over China and you get to learn about some interesting people and what got them into making and/or eating hot pot.
This leads to my only complaint (more like a wish): I wish the episodes were longer because the people and their stories/family history are so interesting but since multiple people are interviewed/featured in each episode you only get to learn a little bit and then it switches to another person's story, just as you feel like you're getting to know them. They're often such interesting people that you wish the show was a bit longer so that you could learn more about them.
Overall this is a great show that will teach you a bit about Chinese hot pot, Chinese culture, and how important food is to families and communities. I really enjoyed it and would highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning about China or Chinese culture and food. In a day and age that glorifies superficiality, this show will give you that warm feeling you get from watching something that is both family friendly but also has an optimistic view of life, its good times and even its challenges.
