The story is set in 19th century China during the Qing Dynasty, when the Emperor was weak and the country teetered on the edge of chaos. It takes place in a fictional period called "The Era of the Cooking Wars." In this era, top chefs with diverse cooking styles strive to hone their skills and become the finest chef in China. Insulting a high-grade chef or treating cooking carelessly can land someone in jail, and impersonating a top chef is considered a serious usurpation of authority. Chefs compete for respect and power, but also risk losing everything.
China is divided into four major regions: Beijing, Szechuan, Shanghai, and Guangdong.
The story begins in Szechuan, Mao's birthplace.
After the death of Mao's mother, Pai, known as the 'Fairy of Cuisine,' Mao becomes a Super Chef to claim the title of Master Chef at his mother's restaurant. However, before taking her place, he travels across China to learn more about the many ways of cooking, hoping to become a legendary chef like his mother. Along his journey, he meets great friends and fierce rivals who challenge him in the culinary field.