Week 21 Summary

Cooking Videos — Week of 2026-05-16 to 2026-05-22#

Watch First#

The absolute standout this week is master chef Chen Zongming’s deep dive into traditional Shandong cuisine with his 跟师父学鲁菜 | 汤白味鲜,在家也能做传统鲁菜 - 奶汤核桃 #师父和我做鲁菜 #美食教程 #传统鲁菜. It is an indispensable masterclass in classic Chinese culinary technique, brilliantly demonstrating how to build a luxuriously rich, milky white soup base from scratch by carefully toasting flour to avoid any raw flavors.

Week in Review#

This week offered a thrilling contrast between high-level, hyper-regional Chinese culinary mastery and deeply practical hacks for the modern, busy home cook. We saw state banquet chefs demystifying complex, gelatin-rich braises and old-school street foods, proving that intimidating, classical techniques are accessible at home. Simultaneously, creators like James and MASA leaned heavily into weeknight efficiency, showcasing brilliant culinary fusions, convenience food upgrades, and entirely new ways to utilize humble pantry staples like instant oats.

2026-05-18

Cooking Videos — 2026-05-18#

Watch First#

If you only have time for one video today, you must watch Lao Fan Gu’s breakdown of Cu Liu Ge Zhi, a hyper-regional Tangshan specialty with a surprisingly imperial backstory. It is a masterclass in how to balance pungent and sweet flavors in a fast-paced stir-fry, proving that some of the best, most crave-worthy comfort foods come from humble ingredients like local mung beans.