Unique Flavor (Chinese: 天下第一味) is a Taiwanese Hokkien television drama that began airing on SET Taiwan in Taiwan on 16 August 2006, from Mondays to Fridays, and ended on 19 September 2007, with a total of 286 episodes.

Unique Flavor
Chinese天下第一味
Hokkien POJThian‑hā-tē‑it-bī
GenreTaiwanese drama
Written byLin Jiuyu (林久愉)
Huang Qinlan (黄沁岚)
Ye Fengying (:zh:叶凤英
Directed byFung Kai (冯凯)
StarringChen Chao-jung
Chou You-ting (周幼婷)
Mayko Chen (陈仙梅)
David Wang (王耀庆)
later stage
Elsie Ye (叶全真)
Jiang Hong-En (江宏恩)
Vins Yi (伊正)
Opening theme离开 by 江宏恩 and 詹曼鈴
Ending theme宝贝子 by Lin Shan
Country of originTaiwan
Original languageTaiwanese Hokkien
No. of episodes286
Production
ProducerJiang Mingye (蒋明烨)
Running time105 minutes (with commercial breaks)
90 minutes (episodes 1, 134-138)
120 minutes (episodes 32, 251-273)
Original release
NetworkSET Taiwan
Release16 August 2006 (2006-08-16) –
19 September 2007 (2007-09-19)
Related

It is directed by Fung Kai, with advisor Zhou You (周游).

The slogan for Unique Flavor is Good, Interesting, True (好味、趣味、真情味).

Cast

edit

The casts are classified according to the families they belong to in the drama.

Chens (Chef Wan's Traditional Flavours)

edit
Cast Role Character / Relationship / Career Episodes appeared / Status
No cast Chen Qinghai Father of Chen Wanzong
Grandfather of Chen Huiwen, Chen Shengfen and Chen Shengchang
Most senior among the Top Five Chef
Killed by Liu Mingfeng
He did not appear at all.
Liao Jun Chen Wanzong Nicknamed as 'Wan'
Known as Chef Wan
Father of Chen Huiwen, Chen Shengfen and Chen Shengchang
Foster father of Liu Shengjie
Son of Chen Qinghai
He appeared in all the episodes.
The signboard of Chef Wan's Traditional Flavours was removed
in episode 32 and remounted in episode 286.
Di Ying Lin Xiuhong Wife of Chen Wanzong
Mother of Chen Huiwen, Chen Shengfen and Chen Shengchang
Foster Mother of Liu Shengjie
Friend of Cai Qiumin and Yang Huimei
She appeared in all the episodes.
Xie Lijin Chen Shengfen Youngest daughter of Chen Wanzong and Lin Xiuhong
Has a troll but cheerful personality
Had a crush first on Zhou Qiang, then Yang Zhiyuan, and then Gao Shoushan
She appeared in all the episodes.
David Wang Chen Shengchang Second son of Chen Wanzong and Lin Xiuhong
Has extreme personalities
Husband of Hong Xiaolin
He appeared in all the episodes.
Mayko Chen Hong Xiaolin Only daughter of Hong Kunlong
Has congenital heart defect
Wife of Chen Shengchang
She appeared in episodes 1-240 and later episode 286.

Lius (Tai Mei Enterprise)

edit
Cast Role Character / Relationship / Career Episodes appeared / Status
Shi Feng Liu Mingfeng Second in terms of seniority among the Top Five Chef
Father of Liu Wenhua and Liu Wenqin
Godfather of Liu Chongren
Grandfather of Liu Shengjie and Liu Junying
Foster grandfather of Chen Huiwen
Had a grudge with Chen Qinghai
He appeared in all the episodes.
Xu Guiying Zhao Jingyue Mother of Liu Wenqin
Grandmother of Liu Shengjie and Liu Junying
Wife of Liu Mingfeng
Foster grandmother of Chen Huiwen
Childhood friend of Wang Yixiong
She appeared in all the episodes.
Josh Huo Liu Wenqin Son of Liu Mingfeng and Zhao Jingyue
Father of Liu Shengjie
He appeared in episode 1.
He witnessed Yang Huimei plunged into the sea.
He killed himself in episode 1 by doing so.
Ann Lee (before plastic surgery)
Gail Lin (after plastic surgery)
Yang Huimei
Auntie Hao
Nicknamed 'Hao'
Wife of Liu Wenqin
Mother of Liu Shengjie
Foster mother of Chen Huiwen
Mother-in-law of Chen Huiwen
Daughter-in-law of Liu Mingfeng and Zhao Jingyue
Younger sister of Yang Tiansong
Aunt of Yang Zhiyuan
Friend of Lin Xiuhong and Cai Qiumin
The version before plastic surgery appeared in episode 1
falling off a cliff.
Saved by Zhou Yong and went for plastic surgery.
The version after plastic surgery appeared in episodes 40-286.
Chen Chao-jung Liu Shengjie
Chen Shengjie
Husband of Chen Huiwen
Adopted son of Chen Wanzong and Lin Xiuhong
Grandson of Liu Mingfeng and Zhao Jingyue
Son of Liu Wenqin and Yang Huimei
Identity once swapped with Chen Huiwen
Only successor of the "Top Five Chef"
Leader of the new Top Five Chef
He married Huiwen in episode 186.
He appeared in all the episodes.
He married Huiwen in episode 186.
Chou You-ting Chen Huiwen
Liu Huiwen
Also known as 'Wang-wang' (when she lost her memory)
Wife of Liu Shengjie
Granddaughter of Chen Qinghai
Daughter of Chen Wanzong and Lin Xiuhong
Elder sister of Chen Shengfen and Chen Shengchang
Adopted granddaughter of Liu Mingfeng and Zhao Jingyue
Adopted daughter of Liu Wenqin, Yang Huimei,
Liu Chongren and Xu Mingzhu
Adoptive niece of Qiu Yonghe and Liu Wenhua
Adoptive cousin of Liu Junying
Adoptive niece of Yang Tiansong
Granddaughter-in-law of Liu Mingfeng and Zhao Jingyue
Daughter-in-law of Liu Wenqin and Yang Huimei
Friend of Sun Qiaoqiao
Identity once swapped with Liu Shengjie
She appeared in all the episodes.
She married Shengjie in episode 186.
Yang Ching-huang Liu Chongren Most junior among the Top Five Chef
Godson of Liu Mingfeng
Foster father of Chen Huiwen
Father of Wang Ting
Godfather of Sakurako
He appeared in all the episodes.
Miao Ke-li
(Wu Kang-Hwa)
Xu Mingzhu Wife of Liu Chongren
Foster mother of Chen Huiwen
Mother of Wang Ting
Godmother of Sakurako
She appeared in all the episodes.
Wang Tong Wang Ting Nicknamed as 'Ting-ting'
Daughter of Mingzhu and Chongren
Adopted daughter of Wang Yixiong
Later fell in love with Dachuan
She appeared in episodes 216-286.
Ting Chen Qiu Yonghe Husband of Liu Wenhua
Father of Liu Junying
Married into the Liu family as a son-in-law
Owed Hong Kunlong flavours due to his marriage
He appeared in all the episodes.
Chao Yung-hsin Liu Wenhua Daughter of Liu Mingfeng
Wife of Qiu Yonghe
Elder sister of Wenqin
Mother of Liu Junying
Once owed a huge gambling debt at the illegal gambling house
owned by Hong Kunlong
She appeared in all the episodes.
Lin Youxing Liu Junying Son of Liu Wenhua and Qiu Yonghe
Grandson of Liu Mingfeng and Zhao Jingyue
Once had a crush on Chen Huiwen
Husband of Liao Shujuan
He appeared in episodes 20-240.
Fang Bing Liao Shujuan Nicknamed as 'Juan'
Taken care of by Zhou Qiang and his sister after her grandmother died
Second daughter of Liao Jinsheng
Wife of Liu Junying
She appeared in episodes 88-240.

Liaos (King of Soups)

edit
Cast Role Character / Relationship / Career Episodes appeared / Status
Li Yufen Auntie Man Nicknamed as 'Man'
Known as 'Auntie Man'
Mother of Liao Jinsheng
Raised granddaughter Liao Shujuan
She appeared in episodes 88-115.
She then died.
Xia Jingting Liao Jinsheng Third in terms of seniority among the Top Five Chef
Son of Auntie Man
Father of Liao Shujun and Liao Shujuan
Ex-husband of Zhang Suru
Specialises in soups and likes to gamble
He appeared in episodes 94-286.
Tina Yan Liao Shujun Nicknamed as 'Vicky'
First daughter of Liao Jinsheng
Elder sister of Liao Shujuan
Bargirl background;
Later worked at Tai Mei
She appeared in episodes 116-214.

Zhous (Otsu-mi-ya)

edit

Otsu-mi-ya is a Japanese restaurant in the drama with the name in Chinese characters/Kanji "乙味屋". It is pronounced as おつみや(otsu-mi-ya) in Japanese and Yǐ wèi wū in Mandarin. The Japanese pronunciation was never mentioned in the drama.

Cast Role Character / Relationship / Career Episodes appeared / Status
No cast Zhou Yong Nicknamed as 'Yong'
Fourth in terms of seniority among the Top Five Chef
Father of Zhou Qiang and Zhou Jiayu
Saved Yang Huimei who fell off a cliff
He did not appear at all.
Scott Wang Zhou Qiang Nicknamed as 'Qiang'
Known as Chef Qiang
Husband of Li Yafang
Head Chef of the Japanese Restaurant Otsu-mi-ya
Son of Zhou Yong
He appeared in episodes 32-286.
Joanne Lian Li Yafang Daughter of Li Shunxing and Cai Qiumin
Once had a crush on Shengjie
Later married to Zhou Qiang
She appeared in all the episodes
Elsie Ye Zhou Jiayu Younger sister of Zhou Qiang
Cheerful personality
Girlfriend of Yang Zhiyuan
She appeared in episodes 42-214.
After a bidding competition with Yang Zhiyuan, they became a pair of quarrelsome lovers.

Lis (Chang Shun Tea House)

edit
Cast Role Character / Relationship / Career Episodes appeared / Status
Wang Hao Li Shunxing Boss of Chang Shun Tea House
Sworn brother of Chen Wanzong
He appeared in all the episodes.
Lin Peijun Cai Qiumin Lady boss of Chang Shun Tea House
Shrewd, plan carefully and a little petty
Friends of Lin Xiuhong and Yang Huimei
She appeared in all the episodes.
He Yidong Li Jintang Son of Li Shunxing and Cai Qiumin
Sticks with Chen Shengchang
Boyfriend of Sun Qiaoqiao
He appeared in all the episodes.

Hongs (Jiu Long House Cuisine Group)

edit
Cast Role Character / Relationship / Career Episodes appeared / Status
Pang Xianglin Hong Kunlong Also known as 'Managing Director Hong'
Triad leader
Dotes on Xiaolin
Holds Jiu Long House Cuisine Group
He appeared in all the episodes.
Wang Zhonghuang Lai Jinfa Known as Chef Jinfa
Counsin of Hong Kunlong
Head Chef of Jiu Long House
He appeared in all the episodes.

Zhaos

edit
Cast Role Character / Relationship / Career Episodes appeared / Status
Jiang Guobin Zhao Dachuan Nicknamed 'Asthmatic Chuan'
Police officer
Elder brother of Zhao Wuzhong
Later helped Wanzong's family
Later fell in love with Wang Ting
He appeared in all the episodes.
Yang Shiwei Zhao Wuzhong One of Hong Kunlong's men
Younger brother of Zhao Dachuan
Paralysed by Chen Shengchang
He appeared in episodes 1-55.

Yangs (Yang Guang Rice)

edit
Cast Role Character / Relationship / Career Episodes appeared / Status
Li Tao Yang Tiansong Husband of Zhang Suru
Elder brother of Yang Huimei
Boss of Yang Guang Rice
Father of Yang Zhiyuan
He appeared in episodes 116-214 and later episodes 222-240.
Chen Yi Zhang Suru Wife of Tiansong
Ex-wife of Liao Jinsheng
Stepmother of Yang Zhiyuan
She appeared in episodes 116-214 and later episodes 222-240.
Yi Zheng Yang Zhiyuan Son of Tiansong
Disciple of Sato
Boyfriend of Zhou Jiayu
He appeared in episodes 127-214.

Domotos (Domoto Fisheries)

edit

Domoto (Japanese: 堂本; Romaji: Dōmoto) is a Japanese surname. Japanese surnames are in Chinese characters or Kanji due to Sinicization in Japan. In Mandarin, the surname is pronounced as Tángběn. All "Japanese" in this drama were in fact acted by Taiwanese actors.

Cast Role Character / Relationship / Career Episodes appeared / Status
Fan Hung-hsuan Tetsuya Domoto Disciple of Wang Yixiong
Father of Ryusuke Domoto and Norika Domoto
He appeared in episodes 228-286.
Jiang Hong-En Ryusuke Domoto Elder brother of Norika
The Japanese Huiwen met coincidentally when she lost her memory
Superior of Yang Zhiyuan
Son of Tetsuya Domoto
Had a crush on Wang-wang/Huiwen but gave up knowing she was the fiancee of Shengjie
He appeared in episodes 159-187, and later episodes 250-286.
Lee Yan Norika Domoto Younger sister of Ryusuke
Daughter of Tetsuya
Has a troll personality
Known as the Troll Duo together with Shengfen
Had a crush on Yang Zhiyuan
She appeared in episodes 161-286.

Wangs (Chuang Shi Ji Group)

edit
Cast Role Character / Relationship / Career Episodes appeared / Status
Xu Jiarong Wang Yixiong Cuisine King
Master of Wang Ting, Gao Shoushan, Luo Ping and Tetsuya Domoto
Founder of Chuang Shi Ji Group
Jealous of Liu Mingfeng who married Jingyue
He appeared in episodes 241-286.
He killed himself in episode 286 by jumping into the sea.
Vivi Chen Tian Ying Younger sister of Wang Yixiong
Later died of illness
She appeared in episodes 276-286.

Luos (Wagyu business)

edit
Cast Role Character / Relationship / Career Episodes appeared / Status
Kang Ting Luo Guoqing Known as 'Uncle Corner Shrimp'
Father of Luo Ping
He appeared in episodes 210-286.
On Xuebin Luo Ping Nicknamed as 'Ping'
Boss of the Wagyu business
Disciple of Wang Yixiong
Godfather and senior of Wang Ting
Previously framed by Hong Kunlong
He appeared in episodes 205-286.

Gaos (Sushi expert)

edit
Cast Role Character / Relationship / Career Episodes appeared / Status
Qiu Naihua Gao Baozu
(Zu)
Nicknamed as 'Zu'
Mother of Shoushan
She appeared in episodes 205-207.
Charge Hsueh-liang Pu Gao Shoushan
(Gao Ye)
Sushi expert
Son of Gao Baozu
Disciple of Wang Yixiong
Senior of Wang Ting
He appeared in episodes 200-286.

Zhangs (First Hotel)

edit
Cast Role Character / Relationship / Career Episodes appeared / Status
No cast Zhang Tianfu Great-grandfather of Zhang Xiaoping
Grandfather of Zhang Mingquan
Master of the Top Five Chef
He did not appear at all.
Jeannie Hsieh Zhang Xiaoping Executive Chef of First Hotel
Great-granddaughter of Zhang Tianfu
She appeared in episodes 250-286.
Ma Ju-feng Zhang Mingquan Boss of First Hotel
Prison officer during Wang Yixiong's imprisonment
Uncle of Zhang Xiaoping
He appeared in episodes 241-286.

Others

edit
Cast Role Character / Relationship / Career Episodes appeared / Status
Chen Liqin Sun Qiaoqiao Assistant and friend of Chen Huiwen
Girlfriend of Li Jintang
She appeared in all the episodes.
Huang Yuxin Sakurako Friend and personal bodyguard of Wang Ting She appeared in episodes 215-286.
She was mistaken as the daughter of Liu Chongren and his wife.
Wang Yixiong didn't want to reveal Wang Ting's identity as their daughter.
Thus he switched their hairs.
She was later adopted as their goddaughter.
Yang Shaowen Wu Jianhong Assistant of Tai Mei Enterprise
Assists Yonghe to seize the company
He appeared in episodes 1-240.
Huang Youxi Huang Siwen One of Hong Kunlong's men He appeared in episodes 1-55.
Gao Mingwei Uncle Fu In charge of Hong Kunlong's owned illegal gambling house He appeared in only episode 26.
Yan Weili Wu Zhongyi Police officer
Subordinate of Dachuan
He appeared in episodes 32-240.
Yang Lie Koichi Sato Gourmet who awarded Otsu-mi-ya three-star rating
Friend of Zhou Yong
He appeared in episodes 48-55.
Xu Cuixue Xiao-xia Manager of Chef Wan's Beef Noodles She appeared in episodes 180-240.
Lin Yicheng Xiao-wei Younger brother of Xiao-xia He appeared in episodes 127-138.
Li Fei Ken Ken
Personal assistant of Ryusuke
He appeared in episodes 161-199.
Liang Younan Ye Jinfeng Nicknamed as 'Feng'
Known as 'Auntie Feng'
Once had a crush on Wanzong
Left after being misunderstood by Wanzong
Ex-wife of Tetsuya Domoto;
later divorced
She appeared in episodes 182-286.
Zhang Hong Peipei Likes Zhiyuan
Originally assistant of Jinfeng
Actually the biological daughter of Ye Jinfeng born in Japan
Identity later revealed
Father unknown
She appeared in episodes 182-221.
Si Fang A-bu-la An assistant of Luo Ping on the surface
In actuality, sent by Wang Yixiong to monitor Luoping's men in the Wagyu business
He appeared in episodes 215-221.
Chen Guoqing Xiao-chen One of Wang Yixiong's men He appeared in episodes 241-285.
You Yaoguang Yang Jiawen Requires wild black eel as a supplement for Yuhua
Got involved with Liu Shengjie due to this
He appeared in episodes 262-273.
Lin Yuqing Yuhua Wife of Jiawen
Final-stage cancer patient
She appeared in episodes 262-273.
You Shun'an Shun Childhood friend of Tian Ying
Likes Tian Ying
He appeared in episodes 281-286.

Taiwan broadcast

edit

As of June 2011, the show airs in Taiwan, country of origin of the drama every weeknight at prime time (20:00) with episodes which have ranged in length from 135 to 150 minutes including commercial advertisements. The producers received funding from the Government Information Office to produce the series in high definition.

International broadcast

edit

Singapore

edit

Due to local broadcast laws prohibiting radio or television broadcasts in Chinese dialects the show was dubbed into Mandarin when it aired on MediaCorp Channel 8 thus making it the first channel to broadcast the show in Mandarin. It was the third Taiwan drama to broadcast the show in Singapore.

Vietnam

edit

The Vietnamese dub "Thiên hạ đệ nhất vị" was broadcast on Vinh Long Television Station Channel (THVL) (Vietnamese: Truyền Hình Vĩnh Long) and is streamable on YouTube. The show was aired on Vietface TV from 1pm-2:30pm (PT), however, it was fully aired as it was replaced with Ghar Ki Lakshmi Betiyann. The show is also currently airing on E Channel.

Malaysia

edit

The drama is broadcasting now in 8TV in original Hokkien language under the English title Unique Flavor for two episodes with one hour each from Monday to Friday, at 11:30 MST and 14:00 MST with a 30 minutes break of its Midday Mandarin News at 12:30 MST.[1]

References

edit