Kitchen Xiuzhen Novel Review

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3.3

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chineseWeb Novel

Genres

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fantasy seinen slice of life xianxia

Chapters

204 chapters

Started

2017

Description

In the Country of Fine Cuisine, chefs are the most respected vocation. Luo Xiu, an award-winning chef from planet Earth, crossed over into this world by accident. With a Mapo bean curd in his hand, the dish created a strange vision of Flaming Mountain. Food that caused clothes to explode? Food that glows? Food that creates visions? Food that causes illusion? That’s right, a Xiuzhen chef on this continent can produce these special effects when they cook. Have you seen potatoes as big as a human head? Have you seen jade colored wheat? What about chickens that are 0.8m tall? In this world, these are just the most basic ingredients. “Well, these ingredients are interesting and are a good fit for Chinese Cuisine!” “If you move again, I will release the dish- Buddha Jumps over the wall!” Boom! A large golden Buddha sat on 10 Xiuzhen practitioners and squashed them to death!

Publication Information

Original Publisher: qidian
Original Language: chinese
Type: Web Novel

Kitchen Xiuzhen Review & Spoilers - Novel Translator

My Thoughts on Kitchen Xiuzhen

"Kitchen Xiuzhen" promised a unique blend of xianxia and culinary arts, a concept that immediately piqued my interest. The idea of cultivation through cooking, a "Kitchen Cultivation" as some put it, felt fresh and exciting. However, after diving in, my experience was a bit of a mixed bag.

First Impressions

Initially, I was drawn in by the premise of a chef transmigrating to an ancient China-esque world armed with modern culinary knowledge. The technological gap and the potential for innovation seemed like fertile ground for an engaging story. I anticipated a delightful fusion of fantasy and slice-of-life elements, seasoned with the intensity of xianxia battles.

What Works Well

The core concept of cultivating through cooking is undeniably intriguing. When the novel focuses on the actual cooking, it can be quite interesting. The descriptions of dishes, even if somewhat exaggerated, paint a vivid picture. The protagonist's ability to elevate ingredients and create dishes previously unheard of in this world offers moments of genuine enjoyment. The potential for the MC to get into conflicts due to his cooking is also a plus.

Areas of Concern

Unfortunately, the execution falters in several areas. The pacing can be incredibly slow, with descriptions of a single dish stretching across multiple chapters. This is exacerbated by what feels like excessive filler, including repetitive reactions from characters who are constantly amazed by the protagonist's skills. I also found some of the xianxia tropes, such as the protagonist constantly offending powerful figures and relying on plot armor to escape, rather tiresome. Furthermore, the main character's supposed lack of taste and smell but ability to perfectly replicate Earth recipes is a bit immersion-breaking.

⚠️ Spoiler Warning

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Final Verdict

"Kitchen Xiuzhen" has a compelling premise, but its execution leaves something to be desired. While the cooking aspects can be enjoyable, the slow pacing, reliance on tired tropes, and occasional inconsistencies detract from the overall experience. If you're a die-hard fan of xianxia and don't mind a heavy dose of cooking descriptions, you might find something to enjoy here. However, if you're looking for a tightly written, innovative story, you might want to temper your expectations. I'd personally recommend exploring other culinary-themed novels before diving into this one.