Chuuka Ichiban!

The story takes place in 19th century China during the Qing Dynasty, where the Emperor was weakened and the country was close to chaos. It is also during a fictitious era called "The Era of the Cooking Wars". It was an era in which top chefs with different cooking styles tried their best to improve their skills and to become the best chef in China. It is a country where insulting a high-grade chef or fooling around with cooking could land a person in a jail, and impersonating a top-chef is as good as usurpation of authority. Chefs compete with each other in order to gain respect and even power, but also with the risks of losing everything.

The country of China has four major regions: Beijing, Szechuan, Shanghai, and Guangdong.

The beginning of the story takes place in Szechuan, Mao's birthplace.

After the death of Mao's mother, Pai, who was called the 'Fairy of Cuisine', Mao becomes a Super Chef in order to take the title as Master Chef of his mother's restaurant. However, before he takes his mother's place as Master Chef, he continues to travel China in order to learn more of the many ways of cooking, in the hopes of becoming a legendary chef, just like his mother. During his journey, he meets great friends and fierce rivals who wish to challenge him in the field of cooking.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Liu, Mao Xing Main

Tanaka, Mayumi Japanese

Hong, Lanfei Main

Okiayu, Ryoutarou Japanese

Zhou, Mei Li Main

Yukino, Satsuki Japanese

Xi Er Main

Yanaka, Hiroshi Japanese

Zhi Lao Main

Sakamoto, Chika Japanese

Li Wen Main

Canna, Nobutoshi Japanese

Shan Supporting

Zhou, Yu Supporting

Shao An Supporting

Huang Supporting

Kosao, Shunichi Producer

Annou, Masami Director

Hanyuu, Naoyasu Episode Director, Storyboard

Koshi, Shigeo Episode Director, Storyboard

Reviews

Jan 21, 2022

madjo1999

Recommended

After rewatching this anime i still feeling the nostalgic sensation of CMB even after some months ago, i always found it amazing than the remake one mostly because i already know the original storyline of the anime. The bizzare animation, the weird technique, and watching Chinese Cuisine is alway amazing
The only thing that bugged me is that Mao is portrayed as boy wonder who can't make mistake and still feeling weird even i like it. I think mostly because i watched SnS and the MC is sometimes lose against the adversary
but, this is an old anime and i don't really bother by it

a ... little bit advice for anybody who want to watch CMB, watch the original 1990s since the remake is kinda feel off for me

Reviewer’s Rating: 10

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Jan 29, 2021

ilovebishie

Recommended

Got to know this series after my brother bought me the manga and since then I really, really love it.

The story is well ... a bit cliche but it's enjoyable. Searching around China to find tools for cooking that have magical power.

The art is also awesome for an old manga. The sound is okay. The characters are fine, I guess, considering this anime is pretty old.

The villain, I guess it just need a bit improvement. The ending is also a bit rushed but overall, it's fine

The bond between characters is okay. Two villains become friends is unexpected.

Reviewer’s Rating: 7

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Oct 3, 2015

valentinefaye

Recommended

I first encountered Chuuka Ichiban when I was about 10, as reruns of it were being shown on Chinese TV. The premise is quite simple: the protagonist Liu Mao Xing explores China's culinary landscape, while making friends and battling other chefs, in order to become a legendary chef himself. I didn't remember too much from the show, but I did remember having a lot of fun and learning about food at the same time (entertaining and educational - who'd have thought?) The simple premise, humor and intense cooking scenes were enough to keep me hooked back then.

I revisited the show about a year ago, mainly ... due to nostalgia. Although the animation and sound don't hold up to today's standards anymore, I still felt the same degree of excitement I did 10 years ago. The characters are quirky and likeable, the show doesn't take itself too seriously (and neither should you), and there's also LOTS OF FOODPORN. Not only do all of the dishes look scrumptious and amazing, but the show always manages to re-imagine traditional Chinese cuisine in creative and unexpected ways. Being half Chinese, I really appreciated that. (If you're interested in Chinese cuisine in any shape, way or form, I would also recommend this show - it's certainly more entertaining than a documentary)

Verdict: this is the kind of show you can watch sporadically, when you're looking for some light-hearted entertainment that'll make you hungry (you have been warned). The show doesn't place too much emphasis on an over-arching storyline, so you can jump in and out without feeling guilty. I didn't watch it for the character development or compelling plot, but for the sheer joy of accompanying Mao on his quest to become the very best.

Reviewer’s Rating: 7

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