Chinese Restaurant (TV series)

Chinese Restaurant (simplified Chinese: 中餐厅; traditional Chinese: 中餐廳; pinyin: Zhōngcāntīng) is a Chinese celebrity reality show broadcast by Hunan Television. The show features five celebrities as they run a chinese restaurant abroad in 20 days with the aim to promote Chinese Food culture. It's Vicky Zhao's first reality show as a regular guest.[1][2]

Chinese Restaurant
Simplified Chinese中餐厅
Traditional Chinese中餐廳
Hanyu PinyinZhōngcāntīng
GenreCooking show
Reality show
Directed byWang Tian
StarringSee below
Country of originChina
Original languageChinese
No. of seasons8
No. of episodes96
Production
Production locationsSeason 1: Ko Chang, Thailand
Season 2: Colmar, France
Season 3: Taormina, Italy
Season 4: Yangtze River Basin, China
Season 5: China
Season 6: Chenzhou, Hunan, China
Season 7: Budapest, Hungary
Season 8: Giverny, France
Camera setupMulticamera setup
Running time90 minutes
Production companyHunan Broadcasting System
Original release
NetworkHunan Television
Release22 July 2017 (2017-07-22) –
present

The first season was taped in Thailand, and it was premiered on 22 July 2017 with 11 episodes. The second season was taped in France, and it was premiered on 20 July 2018 with 12 episodes. The third season was taped in Italy, and it was premiered on 26 July 2019 with 13 episodes. The fourth season was taped in China due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and it was premiered on 31 July 2020 with 12 episodes.[3][4] The fifth season was taped in China again, and it was premiered on 30 July 2021 with 12 episodes. The sixth season was taped in China the third time, and it was premiered on 12 August 2022 with 12 episodes. The seventh season was taped in Hungary, and it was premiered on 21 July 2023 with 12 episodes. The eighth season was taped in France again, and it was premiered on 19 July 2024 with 12 episodes.

Cast

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Season 1

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Season 2

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Season 3

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Regular
  • Huang Xiaoming
  • Qin Hailu
  • Karry Wang (left in Episode 8 due to school work)
  • Yang Zi
  • Jack Lin
Recurring
  • Tong Zhuo (start from Episode 3)

Season 4

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Season 5

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Regular
Recurring

Season 6

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Season 7

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Season 8

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List of guests

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Season 1

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  • Cui Xinqin (Episode 4)
  • Mike D. Angelo (Episode 5)
  • Hongyok Chansakorn (Episode 5)
  • Boat Sirirod (Episode 5)

Season 2

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Season 3

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  • Neil Gao (Episode 3 – 5)
  • Shen Mengchen (Episode 6 – 7)
  • Du Haitao (Episode 6 – 7)
  • Dylan Wang (Episode 9 – 11)
  • Alec Su (Episode 11 – 13)

Season 4

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  • Nemo Feng (Episode 4 – 6, 9 – 12)
  • Casper Chu (Episode 4 – 6, 9 – 12)
  • Liu Yuning (Episode 6 – 12)
  • Yang Chaoyue (Episode 8 – 12)
  • Du Haitao (Episode 9 – 12)
  • Karry Wang (Episode 9 – 12)
  • Li Zifeng (Episode 9 – 12)
  • Cai Cheng (Episode 9 – 12)
  • Joy Wang (Episode 9 – 12)

Season 6

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  • Will Liu (Episode 4 – 6)
  • Vivi Wang (Episode 4 – 6)
  • Huang Xiaolei (Episode 6 – 7)
  • Hu Lianxin (Episode 6 – 7)
  • Wu Xingjian (Episode 6 – 7)
  • Na Ying (Episode 9 – 10)
  • Cai Guoqing (Episode 11)
  • Wowkie Zhang (Episode 11)

Season 7

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  • Lai Yumeng (Episode 6)
  • Ge Jiabi (Episode 7 – 8)
  • Alyssa Chia (Episode 8 – 9)

Season 8

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  • Deng Yaping (Episode 2 – 3)
  • Su Bingtian (Episode 2 – 4)
  • Fang Jinlong (Episode 6 – 8)
  • Julien Gaudfroy (Episode 7 – 8)
  • Peng Jingxuan (Episode 8 – 9)
  • Yan Xi (Episode 8 – 9)
  • Huang Yi (Episode 9 – 11)
  • Lu Chen (Episode 9 – 11)
  • Joyce Jonathan (Episode 12)

Theme Song

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  • "Chinese Restaurant" (Season 1 – 3)
    • Composer: Tu Yi
    • Lyricist:
      • Meng Xiao (Season 1 & 2)
      • Meng Xiao and Ye Feng (Season 3)
    • Performer:
      • Vicky Zhao and Huang Xiaoming (Season 1)
      • Zhou Dongyu (Special Edition of Season 1)
      • Vicky Zhao and Alec Su (Season 2)
      • Huang Xiaoming, Qin Hailu, Yang Zi and Karry Wang (Season 3)
  • "Chinese Flavor" (Season 4)
    • Composer: Casper Chu, Gen Neo
    • Lyricist: Casper Chu, Zhang Jinghao
    • Performer:
      • Huang Xiaoming, Zanilia Zhao, Sean Zhang, Jack Lin, Ariel Li, Liu Yuning and Casper Chu
      • Liu Yuning and Casper Chu
      • Casper Chu
  • "The Flavor of China" (Season 5)
    • Composer: Mo Yanlin
    • Lyricist: Xia Nuo
    • Performer: Huang Xiaoming and Ning Jing

International broadcast

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Country/Region Network Release Notes
  Singapore E City 1 November 2017 Season 1
9 January 2019 Season 2
26 November 2019 Season 3
18 September 2020 Season 4
10 September 2021 Season 5
16 September 2022 Season 6
25 August 2023 Season 7
2 October 2024 Season 8
  Hong Kong TVB Asian Variety 13 January 2018 Season 1
TVB J2 28 October 2018 Season 2 (Cantonese & Mandarin)
  Malaysia Astro Quan Jia HD 16 February 2018 Season 1
20 July 2018 Season 2 (concurrent)
  United States Sky Link TV 25 July 2018 Season 2
  Taiwan CTi Variety 5 August 2018 Season 1
CTV Main Channel 9 December 2018
CTi Variety 6 January 2019 Season 2
CTV Main Channel 25 August 2019
CTi Variety 6 September 2020 Season 3
CTV Main Channel
CTi Variety 21 April 2024 Season 7

Reception

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Ratings

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Season 1
China Hunan Television premiere ratings
Episode Date CSM52 CSM national network CSM national network (metropolitan area)
Rating Share Ranking Rating Share Ranking Rating Share Ranking
1 22 July 2017 1.369 7.31 3 1.36 8.7 1 1.52 9.04 1
2 29 July 2017 1.486 8.34 2 1.44 9.55 1 1.61 9.8 1
3 5 August 2017 1.351 7.50 1 1.34 8.73 1 1.6 9.48 1
4 12 August 2017 1.353 7.68 1 1.21 8.18 1 1.45 9.07 1
5 19 August 2017 1.544 8.83 1 1.38 9.39 1 1.55 9.64 1
6 26 August 2017 1.531 8.64 2 1.1 7.43 1 1.32 8.16 1
7 2 September 2017 1.129 6.70 3 0.96 7.07 1 1.2 7.86 1
8 9 September 2017 1.193 6.94 1 1.06 7.62 1
9 16 September 2017 1.045 6.30 4 1.09 7.87 1 1.25 8.05 1
10 23 September 2017 1.049 6.30 6 0.98 7.06 1 1.18 7.45 1
11 30 September 2017 1.085 6.74 2 1.08 7.81 1 1.27 8.21 1
  1. The data determined by CSM.
  2. Ratings ranked above not including CCTV.
  3. Information source: 卫视这些事儿, 卫视小露电, TV未知数, Hunan Television's WeChat Official Account (ID: happychina1997).
Season 2
China Hunan Television premiere ratings
Episode Date CSM52 CSM national network CSM national network (metropolitan area)
Rating Share Ranking Rating Share Ranking Rating Share Ranking
1 20 July 2018 1.056 7.80 1 1.13 9.55 1 1.43 10.8 1
2 27 July 2018 0.884 6.19 3 1.09 8.69 1
3 3 August 2018 0.748 5.36 4 0.83 6.72 2
4 10 August 2018 0.817 5.83 3 0.99 7.83 1
5 17 August 2018 0.693 4.79 5 0.78 6.44 2
6 24 August 2018 0.628 4.51 3 0.74 6.19 2
7 31 August 2018 0.615 4.39 3 0.68 5.5 2
8 7 September 2018 0.615 4.34 3 0.64 5.63 2
9 14 September 2018 0.673 4.78 4 0.6 4.95 2
10 21 September 2018 0.631 4.36 4 0.56 4.79 2
11 30 September 2018 0.485 4.03 6 0.45 4.47 2
12 5 October 2018 0.553 3.93 4 0.42 3.71 1
  1. The data determined by CSM.
  2. Ratings ranked above not including CCTV.
  3. Information source: 卫视这些事儿, 卫视小露电, TV未知数, Hunan Television's WeChat Official Account (ID: happychina1997).
Season 3
China Hunan Television premiere ratings
Episode Date CSM59 CSM national network CSM national network (metropolitan area)
Rating Share Ranking Rating Share Ranking Rating Share Ranking
1 26 July 2019 0.904 7.03 4 0.76 6.92 2 0.97 7.94 2
2 2 August 2019 0.628 5.06 3 0.61 5.76 2
3 9 August 2019 0.685 5.63 3 0.64 6.68 2
4 16 August 2019 0.708 5.94 4 0.57 5.99 2 0.75 6.87 2
5 23 August 2019 0.703 5.89 4 0.56 5.7 2
6 30 August 2019 0.641 5.98 3 0.53 6.36 2
7 6 September 2019 0.655 5.55 5 0.55 6.19 2
8 13 September 2019 0.609 4.47 8 0.45 4.49 2
9 20 September 2019 0.573 4.94 4 0.35 4.29 2
10 27 September 2019 0.544 4.84 5
11 4 October 2019 0.552 4.72 6 0.42 4.74 2
12 11 October 2019 0.490 4.16 4 0.26 3.49 1
13 18 October 2019 0.430 3.29 8 0.27 2.91 1
  1. The data determined by CSM.
  2. Ratings ranked above not including CCTV.
  3. Information source: 卫视这些事儿, 卫视小露电, TV未知数, Hunan Television's WeChat Official Account (ID: happychina1997).
Season 4
China Hunan Television premiere ratings
Episode Date CSM59 CSM national network CSM national network (metropolitan area)
Rating Share Ranking Rating Share Ranking Rating Share Ranking
1 31 July 2020 1.027 5.97 9 0.65 5.52 2
2 7 August 2020 2.152 14.43 4
3 14 August 2020 1.911 13.45 4
4 21 August 2020 2.030 15.84 3 0.81 9.24 2 1.12 10.86 2
5 28 August 2020 1.789 13.59 3 0.67 7.40 2 0.93 8.69 2
6 4 September 2020 1.507 11.97 3
7 11 September 2020 0.983 10.02 2
8 18 September 2020 1.693 17.14 3 0.75 2
9 25 September 2020 1.516 12.35 4 0.61 7.37 2 0.84 8.67 2
10 2 October 2020 1.363 10.83 3 0.64 7.19 2
11 9 October 2020 0.405 4.38 7
12 16 October 2020 1.493 11.09 3 0.68 7.39 2 1.02 9.43 2
  1. The data determined by CSM.
  2. Ratings ranked above not including CCTV.
  3. Information source: 卫视这些事儿, 卫视小露电, TV未知数, Hunan Television's WeChat Official Account (ID: happychina1997).
Season 5
China Hunan Television premiere ratings
Episode Date CSM63 CSM national network CSM national network (metropolitan area)
Rating Share Ranking Rating Share Ranking Rating Share Ranking
1 30 July 2021 1.879 14.83 2 0.72 7.77 1 1.06 9.9 1
2 6 August 2021 2.113 15.15 2 0.87 8.79 1 1.25 10.74 1
3 13 August 2021 1.789 13.70 3 0.74 7.7 1 1.08 9.81 1
4 20 August 2021 1.838 14.44 2 0.65 7.31 1 0.92 8.94 1
5 27 August 2021 1.884 14.44 1 0.75 8.27 1 1.05 9.95 1
6 3 September 2021 1.797 13.85 2 0.68 7.77 1 0.99 9.8 1
7 10 September 2021 1.813 15.65 1 0.68 8.58 1 1.0 10.67 1
8 17 September 2021 1.720 17.96 3 0.56 9.29 1 0.84 11.82 1
9 24 September 2021 1.832 14.53 2 0.61 6.89 1
10 1 October 2021 1.135 8.70 3 0.5 4.94 2
11 8 October 2021 1.318 13.41 3 0.39 6.27 2
12 15 October 2021
  1. The data determined by CSM.
  2. Ratings ranked above not including CCTV.
  3. Information source: 卫视这些事儿, 卫视小露电, TV未知数, Hunan Television's WeChat Official Account (ID: happychina1997).
Season 6
China Hunan Television premiere ratings
Episode Date CSM63 CCData
Rating Share Ranking Rating Share Ranking
1 12 August 2022 1.376 11.60 5 1.52 4.93 1
2 19 August 2022 1.643 13.50 5 1.54 4.94 1
3 26 August 2022 1.568 12.39 5 1.48 4.68 1
4 2 September 2022 2.044 17.52 3 1.28 3.78 2
5 9 September 2022 1.181 10.49 6 1.47 4.41 2
6 16 September 2022 1.769 15.82 2 1.54 4.75 2
7 23 September 2022 1.828 17.01 2 1.82 5.65 2
8 30 September 2022 2.153 16.85 3 1.52 4.4 2
9 28 October 2022 1.634 13.68 4 1.13 3.5 2
10 4 November 2022 1.944 16.40 2 1.26 3.9 1
11 11 November 2022 1.981 16.42 2 1.26 3.9 2
12 18 November 2222 1.30 4.1 2
  1. Ratings ranked above not including CCTV.
  2. The data determined by CSM and AGB.
  3. Information source: 卫视这些事儿, 卫视小露电, TV未知数.
Season 7
China Hunan Television premiere ratings
Episode Date CSM64 CCData
Rating Share Ranking Rating Share Ranking
OP 14 July 2023 1.533 7.73 5 0.90 1.97 4
1 21 July 2023 1.249 5.09 6 1.06 2.25 4
2 28 July 2023 1.238 4.76 7 0.99 1.97 4
3 4 August 2023 1.324 5.30 7 1.05 2.23 7
4 11 August 2023 1.526 6.04 4 0.95 1.98 3
5 18 August 2023 1.620 6.50 6 0.94 1.97 4
6 25 August 2023 1.595 6.28 2 0.96 1.94 2
7 1 September 2023 1.491 5.73 4 1.0 1.95 1
8I 8 September 2023 1.671 6.78 1 0.75 1.56 3
8II 0.90 1.74 1
9 15 September 2023 1.925 7.87 1
10 22 September 2023 1.639 6.22 4 0.91 1.79 1
11 6 October 2023 1.343 4.86 2 0.78 1.51 1
12 13 October 2023 1.522 5.96 3 0.92 1.83 2
  1. Ratings ranked above not including CCTV.
  2. The data determined by CSM and AGB.
  3. Information source: 卫视这些事儿, 卫视小露电, TV未知数.
Season 8
China Hunan Television premiere ratings (ky.live)
Episode Date Rating Share Ranking
1 19 July 2024 0.3845 6.6306 2
2 26 July 2024 0.3917 7.1233 2
3 2 August 2024 0.3064 2.8067 2
4 9 August 2024 0.2340 1.5290 2
5 16 August 2024 0.3108 4.1541 2
6 23 August 2024 0.3208 4.0893 2
7 30 August 2024 0.2946 4.1718 2
8 6 September 2024 0.2433 4.1526 2
9 13 September 2024 0.1923 3.2487 2
10 20 September 2024 0.2918 3.6616 2
11 27 September 2024 0.0853 3.6601 7
12 4 October 2024 0.2085 3.1299 2
  1. Ratings ranked above not including CCTV.
  2. The data determined by ky.live.

Awards and nominations

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Award Category Nominee Result
26th Magnolia Awards Best Variety Program Chinese Restaurant 3 Nominated

Influences

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After premiering of the first season on 22 July 2017, the canned bacon labeled "SPAM" was sold out in Chinese online shopping in several hours, which Vicky Zhao bought in a Thailand supermarket and cooking in the show.[5] After premiering of the second season on 20 July 2018, the white stork toy was sold out in Chinese online shopping in several days, which repeated Vicky Zhao's words in the show.[6]

Controversy

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Chinese Restaurant has been accused of plagiarism in regards to its format being very similar to South Korean reality show tvN's Youn's Kitchen.[7] Both shows are food-themed and work with the concept of overseas restaurants. Na Young-seok, producer of Youn's Kitchen responded to the claim, stating that "The [Youn's Kitchen] format is not expensive to purchase. If they purchase the format, I can help them on specific details as well."[8][9]

References

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  1. ^ Mo, Dengzhi (29 June 2017). "Hunan TV "Chinese restaurant" will announce the official announcement Zhao Wei joined the program". BestChinaNews. Archived from the original on 29 July 2017. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  2. ^ 苏有朋发文力挺赵薇综艺首秀 还顺带调侃了一把. Sina (in Chinese). 13 July 2017. Archived from the original on 29 July 2017. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  3. ^ Xin, Zhao (18 May 2020). 定了!热门综艺《中餐厅4》将在国内录制:重庆是首站,沿江而下到武汉 (in Chinese (China)). Chongqing Morning Post. Archived from the original on 1 July 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  4. ^ Ho-yin, Chan (12 June 2020). 【中餐廳4】受疫情影響留內地拍攝 黃曉明趙麗穎經營海上食店 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). HK01. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  5. ^ 《中餐厅》里赵薇同款午餐肉火了,听说都快卖断货了?. Eastday.com (in Chinese (China)). 25 July 2017. Archived from the original on 29 July 2017. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  6. ^ Zhao, Li (24 July 2018). 《中餐厅2》首播双网第一 还火了一只"复读鸡". China.com.cn (in Chinese (China)). Archived from the original on 17 August 2018. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
  7. ^ Kim, Jung-kyoon (1 June 2017). "Chinese TV network accused of plagiarism". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on 28 July 2017. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  8. ^ DY_Kim (1 June 2017). "PD Na Young Suk Responds To Reports Of "Youn's Kitchen" Being Plagiarized In China". Soompi. Archived from the original on 13 August 2017. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  9. ^ Baek, Yunghui (28 June 2017). [M+방송진단] 中 후난TV ‘윤식당’ 표절 논란, 나영석의 ‘돌직구’ 한마디. MBN Star (in Korean). Archived from the original on 16 November 2017. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
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