Thanksgiving - Food in C-Dramas

I started watching C-Dramas (Chinese Dramas) when I was really young - not knowing that they were actually C-Dramas. I was more invested in the pretty costuming and occasional arc - but mostly food.

It's also occurred to me recently (and today as the U.S. celebrates Thanksgiving and someone in the household has fired up a C-Drama to watch while we food prep), that some C-Drama series have a notable "food" item as the go-to food.

Which incidentally, kind of sells me on trying said food if it is appealing. (Tea does not count - tea is a staple as is the water they attempt to serve as tea in the c-dramas.)

Example:

• A super old Mulan series back in the 80s or 90s had braised cow and pulled noodles as its go-to comfort food for its characters (which is pretty rich for said characters considering they were all military).

• "The Untamed" (CQL) had lotus root and pork soup for the Jiang Sect - more particular, associated with Jiang Yanli, Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian.

• The Long Ballad (Changge Xing) had a bunch of food plates, but these squishy type of cakes that looked like a cross between moon cakes and some soft pastry were like the go-to for just plain eating.

• Whatever is on TV at the house at the moment - some kind of series that takes place in the Qing Dynasty, has been seriously harping on Chinese meatballs (transliterated as Lion's Head - or rather, in this case "Iron" Lion's Head). That better be some great meatballs, cuz it's super distracting to prep and I kind of want some now.

Anyways, basic examples - back to food prep. Happy Thanksgiving everyone and please stay safe! We're in an endemic with COVID, but don't forget to wash your hands and cover your nose with your elbow when you sneeze. RSV and Flu are still out there! Wear a mask if you can!