#009 Netsuretsu Teki Chuuka Hanten

熱烈的中華飯店

Episode 01 ... January 8, 2003
Burn, Fried Rice, Burn 12.1%
Episode 02 ... January 15, 2003
Gone With the Crab 9.8%
Episode 03 ... January 22, 2003
Lobster of Love and Cheers 9.5%
Episode 04 ... January 29, 2003
A Fight Without Soup 9.1%
Episode 05 ... February 5, 2003
Super Noodles 7.8%
Episode 06 ... February 12, 2003
I Have No Regrets with My Gyoza 7.5%
Episode 07 ... February 19, 2003
Kitchen Titanic 7.5%
Episode 08 ... February 26, 2003
Our Fried Rice War ~ The Last Chapter 7.5%
Episode 09 ... March 5, 2003
Crisis of Historic Proportions 9.2%
Episode 10 ... March 12, 2003
The Last Crusade ~Parting 8.6%

Set at the Chinese restaurant "Heiheirou" on the luxury cruise ship "Star Leo" bound for Japan from Hong Kong, this gourmet TV drama follows seven amateurs who, by chance, find themselves cooking together: A major event was planned for the luxury cruise ship Star Leo, sailing from Hong Kong to Japan. Seven "food kings," top chefs who have masterminded the pinnacle of Chinese cuisine in the four major cuisines of Beijing, Guangdong, Sichuan, and Shanghai, were to create a special banquet for VIPs. The mastermind behind this event is Tachibana (Suzuki Kyoka), a staff member with management training in Hong Kong and a management candidate. However, the Japanese chefs at the Star Leo's prestigious Chinese restaurant, Heiheirou, rebel against her forceful management and refuse to board.

All that's left are Nanami (Ninomiya Kazunari), who has applied for a part-time job because he aspires to be a chef; Sakoda (Shiina Kippei), a lame chef who turns up late; and Noguchi (Katsumura Masanobu), who is in charge of purchasing ingredients.
"The seven food kings will be the ones doing the actual cooking, so surely the rest of the staff can manage..." However, amid the chaos that resembles a battlefield, Tachibana's small misunderstanding leads to a major tragedy. The Star Leo sets sail without the Food Kings on board! The VIPs, unaware of what is going on, are looking forward to the feast.

Title: 熱烈的中華飯店 - Netsuretsu Teki Chuuka Hanten
Also known as: Chinese Cuisine Served Star Leo Style
Genre: Food / Human drama / Comedy
Episodes: 10
Viewership ratings: 8.86
Broadcast network: Fuji TV
Broadcast period: 2003-Jan-08 to 2003-Mar-12
Air time: Wednesday 21:00
Theme song: Rainbow by Sowelu

Shio Tachibana (34): Kyoka Suzuki
The protagonist's officer trainee. A capable, "Iron Lady" with exceptional leadership skills. However, she can also be a bit careless.

Kenta Nanami (19): Kazunari Ninomiya (Arashi)
Chef apprentice. Enthralled by Heiheirou's golden fried rice, he aspires to become a chef. He is diligent and dedicated to research.

Seiji Sakoda (38): Kippei Shiina (special appearance)
Heiheirou's perpetual dishwasher, but he has calluses on his right hand. He rebels against Shio's pushy nature.

Takuro Noguchi (39): Masanobu Katsumura
Ingredients manager. A ruthless man who smuggles ingredients on the black market, but he's also very knowledgeable.

Kaijiro Oyama (33): Mikihisa Azuma
Second mate. Quick to fight, confident in his fighting prowess.

Goro Komukai (41): Katsumi Takahashi
A former chef. He quit cooking after his restaurant went bankrupt, but his skills are still reliable.

Kimihiko Ayakoji (36-37): Ken Ishiguro
A stowaway. He travels around luxury cruise ships. He's quite the gourmet.

Nanako Mimura (26): Asaka Seto
A passenger. A gorgeous lady with a bit of a dim-witted air. She's skilled with her hands and has an outstanding aesthetic sense.

Gengoro Iwata (65): Shiro Ito
Floor attendant. A veteran with 40 years of experience. He's quiet and unsociable.

Captain Ninagawa (53-54): Akiyoshi Yamada

Chef Onizawa: Shiro Namiki