The Great Feast — Episode 1 transcript

The Great Feast

Set in the Qing Dynasty, this series blends historical storytelling with the art of traditional Chinese cuisine, focusing on the creation and cultural significance of almond tofu. As the protagonist navigates the imperial court's intricate social dynamics, the series explores how food becomes a medium for memory, power, and identity.

The Great Feast — Episode 1 transcript

English

All this greasy, heavy food every day I'm so sick of it Where's my almond tofu? Can't wait

Take everyone out and beat them to death Meat's still better I'm done for The prince's favorite almond tofu is ruined

I'm totally screwed What's the panic? A light-dessert expert never panics If it's broken, start over

We can make it within one incense stick The prince only likes light, icy sweets If it's clumpy or curdled We'll all lose our heads

Making almond tofu Soak the almonds in water If the bitterness isn't removed The whole bowl's sweetness is ruined

Must hand-grind slowly, layer by layer Leave even a trace of coarse residue The texture becomes rough and unpleasant Worthy of the prince's refined palate

The prince is urging urgently It's scorching hot He just waits for a cool treat to beat the heat Miss the time

And your heads won't stay on Simmer over low heat Never let it boil fiercely Once it boils, it clumps and hardens

Losing its light, silky essence Just a touch of sugar for freshness Never any cloying aftertaste This is the essence of imperial almond tofu

Light, smooth, with a long sweet finish The proportions must be exact

Episodes

  1. Episode 1
  2. Episode 2
  3. Episode 3
  4. Episode 4
  5. Episode 5
  6. Episode 6
  7. Episode 7
  8. Episode 8
  9. Episode 9
  10. Episode 10
  11. Episode 11
  12. Episode 12
  13. Episode 13
  14. Episode 14
  15. Episode 15
  16. Episode 16
  17. Episode 17
  18. Episode 18
  19. Episode 19
  20. Episode 20
  21. Episode 21
  22. Episode 22
  23. Episode 23
  24. Episode 24
  25. Episode 25
  26. Episode 26
  27. Episode 27
  28. Episode 28
  29. Episode 29
  30. Episode 30
  31. Episode 31
  32. Mango Feast Unveiled
  33. The Mango Feast
  34. A Sweet Surprise
  35. Imperial Chef's Golden Feast
  36. The Empress's Golden Intestine
  37. The Silver Needle Turns Black
  38. The Empress's New Taste
  39. Episode 39
  40. Episode 40
  41. A Day Roasting Suckling Pig
  42. Roasting a Pig in the Palace
  43. A Day of Roasting
  44. The Dream Fish Craving
  45. A Boy's Dream of Singing Fish
  46. The Dumpling That Saved a Life
  47. The Soup That Saved Her
  48. A Day in the Life
  49. Episode 49
  50. A Day in Exile
  51. A Day in the Frozen Wastes
  52. Episode 52
  53. Episode 53
  54. A Feast Rejected
  55. A Pig's Tail for the Empress Dowager
  56. The Old Nurse's Crystal Broth
  57. The Crystal Soup
  58. Making the Empress's Snowball Treats
  59. The Imperial Hawthorn Treat
  60. Episode 60
  61. Making Donkey Rolling
  62. Episode 62
  63. Episode 63
  64. Episode 64
  65. Episode 65
  66. Episode 66
  67. Episode 67
  68. Episode 68
  69. Episode 69
  70. Episode 70
  71. The Old Palace Chef
  72. A Day in the Imperial Kitchen
  73. The Old Maid's Imperial Feast
  74. Episode 74
  75. Episode 75
  76. Episode 76
  77. Episode 77
  78. Episode 78
  79. Episode 79
  80. A Dowager's Fiery Feast
  81. Flame Fish Challenge
  82. Frozen Scraps
  83. Frozen Scrap
  84. Junk Ice Ingredient
  85. A Day in the Old Life
  86. A Day in the Old Court
  87. A Day in the Old Palace
  88. A Day of Craft
  89. Episode 89
  90. The Sizzling Secret
  91. The Empress's Golden Sizzle
  92. Episode 92
  93. Episode 93
  94. Episode 94
  95. Episode 95
  96. Episode 96
  97. Episode 97
  98. Episode 98
  99. The Empress's Midnight Craving
  100. Midnight Jade Egg
  101. Episode 101
  102. The Old Nurse's Exile
  103. The Exile of the Old Nurse
  104. A Nightmare's Shadow Play
  105. The Shadow Puppet Maker
  106. A Day of Deception
  107. A Day in the Old Maid's Shoes
  108. The Mirror's Edge
  109. The Mirror's Secret
  110. A Day of Imperial Deception
  111. Episode 111
  112. The Dowager's First Case
  113. Episode 113
  114. The Old Maid's Day of Reckoning
  115. Episode 115
  116. Episode 116
  117. A Day of Exposure
  118. A Day of Exposing Fakes
  119. Episode 119
  120. Episode 120
  121. Episode 121
  122. The Old Nurse's Day of Deception
  123. Episode 123
  124. Episode 124
  125. Episode 125
  126. Episode 126
  127. Episode 127
  128. Episode 128
  129. Episode 129
  130. Episode 130
  131. Episode 131
  132. Episode 132
  133. Episode 133
  134. Episode 134
  135. Episode 135
  136. Episode 136
  137. Episode 137
  138. Episode 138
  139. Episode 139
  140. Episode 140
  141. Episode 141
  142. Episode 142
  143. Episode 143
  144. Episode 144
  145. Episode 145
  146. The Five Tigers' Feast
  147. The Five Tigers' Demand