I am a Chef in the Modern Era

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Lin ShuYi was sentenced to death by the traitorous Emperor for a treasonous crime he didn’t commit. Before drinking the poisonous wine on the execution ground, he stared up at the snow falling from the sky and said to himself, “This is for the best, I will be a cook in my next life! I miss roast chicken…”

Then he woke up inside a body of a teenager in an era completely different from his past life. After that, he meets a nice old man who owns a small restaurant. Completely lost in this new modern world, he found that the only thing that would never change, no matter where one lived, was cooking.

Thus he picked up the promise he made to himself, to be a chef in this life.

Associated Names
One entry per line
Wǒ zài xiàndài zuò chúzi [měishí]
我在现代做厨子[美食]
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
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As the Minor Gay Rival in Het Novels (1)
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Mr. Fashionable (1)
Recommendation Lists
  1. BL & Baihe To-Read List - Translations Complete Pt...
  2. Ger/Beastman/Cooking BL
  3. disfrute leyendo estas
  4. Chef Kiss
  5. Foodies, rejoice!

Latest Release

Date Group Release
08/06/19 Exiled Rebels Scanlations c125 (end)
08/05/19 Exiled Rebels Scanlations c124
08/04/19 Exiled Rebels Scanlations c123
08/03/19 Exiled Rebels Scanlations c122
08/02/19 Exiled Rebels Scanlations c121
08/02/19 Exiled Rebels Scanlations c120
08/01/19 Exiled Rebels Scanlations c119
07/31/19 Exiled Rebels Scanlations c118
07/30/19 Exiled Rebels Scanlations c117
07/28/19 Exiled Rebels Scanlations c116
07/27/19 Exiled Rebels Scanlations c115
07/27/19 Exiled Rebels Scanlations c114
07/25/19 Exiled Rebels Scanlations c113
07/24/19 Exiled Rebels Scanlations c112
07/23/19 Exiled Rebels Scanlations c111
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84 Reviews sorted by


Yokishko
Yokishko rated it
February 7, 2021
Status: Completed
It’s a relatively straightforward story, the only strange part is ... more>>
Spoiler

how the transmigrationed MC never had problems with the past of his modern counterpart, like the modern Lin should have had some school friends or whatnot right? It’s also like the transmigration was just an excuse for the MC to have the skills that he has.

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There were times that I thought it was going to get more angsty (or more dog blood) but it was resolved quite smoothly, overall this is a story where you want to focus on fluff, mild-feels, and cuteness <<less
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thypsychotic
thypsychotic rated it
December 6, 2020
Status: c101
This is a really sweet story, but at some point it just became bland.

I liked the progression of their relationship before dating, especially how MC came to terms about his bent status. I don't know why, but after the confirmation, it's like their progression went as fast as a race car on sugar high. Secondary characters also beame very flat when a lot of them got introduced.

2.5 stars because I did enjoy the beginning.
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mrfatso
mrfatso
October 27, 2020
Status: Completed
I finished this story and let's just say, if you are expecting a BL story with a chef twist? You can forget it.

In the end, this is just a BL story with the chef part tacked on, the pace goes lighting fast from ML getting confessed to, to having kids to making out, to wedding.

Everything just zoomed by.

... more>> The only positive part? I guess a lack of misunderstanding once the main pair are together and lack of the usual female to unbend the main couple and other cliche.

Also, to those who felt that the early chapter with the bit*h sister in law and spinless son and useless grandson sounds unrealistic? I envy you guys, because those are my relatives and unlike the story, they did not get their just dessert. <<less
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Avrohom
Avrohom rated it
August 24, 2020
Status: Completed
I like how this novel was translated and its illustrations and links to explore the world of Chinese food and cooking techniques, for that I am grateful to the team.

The novel itself can feel fluffy idealistic in many places, it fulfills the need for something uncomplicated and positive should you have it.

What I find unpalatable in that novel about cooking and love for food is its author's mindset. She can not simply love something without saying bad things about something else. She hates things Western, all culinary developments of the... more>> West, even its table manners, and inserts that into the text.

Since reading means spending time in author's mind, inside their fantasy, their values, I found it tiresome and unpleasant. On the surface, the characters are great, the plot is fine, the end is a happy end, but underneath it is this layer of hatred that spoils the pleasuure for me. It makes all depicted happiness unrealistic and evil, based on hatred of something else, or at least linked to it.

Very unpleasant. I regret diving into that novel for that reason. Still, I am thankful, the translators did a great job and introduced us to the world of Chinese food and what Chinese themselves consider beautiful or tasty be it in food or in people. <<less
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Mayoi94
Mayoi94 rated it
May 10, 2020
Status: c77
I'm in two minds about this relationship as of roughly halfway through the story. I feel like the ML doesn't take the MC seriously at all and doesn't actually respect what the MC wants or feels at all. The novel treats this kinda lightheartedly and makes a joke of the MC getting angry about things and being uncomfortable about things but the ML does it anyways and waves it off as teasing...

I'm also not a fan of the deception and general selfishness of the ML until now, or the attitude... more>> of the mls grandpa and the ML once that whole weibo thing happens. Like they just cleared things up and now they suddenly feel like they can decide what the MC will do, even though he hasn't agreed? Is this a cultural thing?

Also everyone completely treat him as a female. Being gay doesn't make you a girl.

I'm a bit disappointed, honestly and judging from other reviews it'll only get worse later on, which is why I decided to quit here. I don't want to be disappointed and honestly there doesn't seem to be any conflict or other plot than fluff currently so I don't feel a burning need to continue.

Other than that I did enjoy reading until now and don't regret having picked up this novel.

The translation is great and flows well, they also did their best to explain and 'translate' jokes or saying that wouldn't really make sense in English. Great job, guys! <<less
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chiakiss
chiakiss rated it
May 6, 2020
Status: c85
As I am writing this review, I have decided to drop this novel. I feel a bit sad, but I feel that if I force myself to finish it, i'll deeply regret it. Here's why

I saw this in lists, and it never quite caught my attention. But after reading 2 disappointing novels and when I saw the translation was made by exiled rebels (same group that translates MDZS), I got excited. Their translations are always great. And when I started to read, I was positively suprised; the story was... more>> really good? really well written, and and interesting slice of life. MC's interactions with the old man and him getting in touch with cooking was really sweet. The meeting with ML was funny, and we got to see more sides of MC's personality and how their animosity turned into real friendship. The old man's family situation was very well written and raw, I got really involved with that "arc", and there was a satisfiying conclusing, up to there it was a perfect novel, 10/10

After that is done, the light is more on the MC owning/ renovating the restaurant and his and ML's relationship. I actually enjoyed the shen fu's "courting" lmao, because it did a lot for the character development of MC, and the " he wants to flirt? then let's see him do his best" attitude was really fresh and caught me by surprise. Then they actually establish it when MC realizes that he actually cares about ML more than he thought he did. GREAT! until there everything is dandy, but then I think there should have been more fluff, more couple development time. Because after that there was a press conference, and then family comes and stays and does a lot of shit, then aunt comes, and like... in between that there was flirting and s*x but it lacked emotional development. It lacked the honeymoon fase of the relationship to show they really love it each other, it lacked some alone time of them exploring each others interests, idk it just got muddled with family affairs.

i get that the story places a lot of focus on family but one had to draw the line and think they should have cut it in half or made it more interesting than them just getting together and talking and eating. I don't even know how to explain it because as I'm writing his it doesnt seem like a big deal, and it really isnt at first, its just kinda weird but the rest makes up to it, but as things go on it goes into an even weirder direction and it really ads up. The story that was great is now just rushing into the realationship (REMINDER at this point the protag HAS BEEN IN THIS WORLD FOR 1 YEAR, and he knows the ML for 9 months, but they must be dating for idk 7/6 months ish), completely stopped developing the characters personalities and relationship, and there's even no conflict with shen's family or anything going on to develop the family but they still just keep showing up, and even throws the very premise of the story out the window

Spoiler

i didnt get to that point, but I read some review say he leaves the restaurant in charge of some other guy?? like literally wtf

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Anyways, at first I was turning a blind eye, but I see that this novel is not gonna end well, and this sh*t writing is gonna keep going. To not turn my feelings of love toward this book into hate, and in respect of the well written beggining, I will just drop it, and live my life pretending this novel ended on chapter 50 <<less
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Suranchan
Suranchan rated it
April 30, 2020
Status: c82
A lot of chapters were spent on family drama that had nothing to do with ML and MC. Also, author kept describing how 'handsome' those two were in every chapter till mid-chapters.

There's an undeniable chemistry between these two though. But why did author-nim write ML as some type of fiend pe*vert biding his time to pounce on MC when ML's been very patient all along? And MC acknowledged his attraction and love for ML but what's up with avoiding ML's touch like a plague? This is somehow giving me TSVSSS... more>> vibes. <<less
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mariaflora1208
mariaflora1208 rated it
January 19, 2020
Status: Completed
It's a light read and full of fluff. As in too much fluff. Also, too smooth sailing for my taste, it's a bit boring halfway through. I liked the extra more than the main story lol. Still a good one.
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Kaylee
Kaylee rated it
September 18, 2019
Status: Completed
I'd give the translator 5star. As usual excellent work from Exile team!

I like cute couples, and no angst story, but I still couldnt take my head to the 'eventually it'll be all gay couple in the family/story' stereotype and an overly perfectly happy ending. Those are just unrealistic.

ML brother story part is just too baffling. If the older brother is gay, or bi, why he is quiet with ML announcement and the way older brother narrates his thinking of MC and ML, you'd think he's just outsider. Then suddenly,... more>> he is insider, got boyfriend before too, like How?? And suddenly the ex bf comes back, and...... just..... too ridiculous.

I dont mind the grandpa and his family problem. In the end, his ungrateful family get what they deserve and grandpa and MC dont even planning revenge.

I'd give it 4star if the food/cooking theme is very prominent in the whole storyline, not only 30% of storyline (70% is on the earliest, abt food, cooking in restaurnt but through the end 30% is just MC cooking for the family and only mention of the dishes type). The word chef in the title is like a clickbait. By the time the restaurant is built, and functioning for few weeks, MC already plans to train his suboridnate to handle the restaurant, for reason I'm lazy to write.

I'd say beside those and the ending, this is a novel you want to read. Several times I laughed at the scenes, and that was enough to make me stay put till the end. <<less
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Maudy
Maudy rated it
August 7, 2019
Status: c124
Very much a tasty treat! If you want some calorie free premium dog food from a fantastic tasteful translation group - then this is a choice cut chunk of glorious meat (or vegetable - I'm not biased) ! From the get go, the moment I wait for dearly in any story of transmigration, rebirth, and stories of similar situations, is that moment of truth. Does the MC say the truth/tell their tale... or swallows it, marks of little consequence, of no meaning..?

I cheekily recommend fellow readers to read on, enjoy... more>> the journey, and the question and answer of the moment of truth. I sure did! Hence I am way way way way way past my bedtime. I need to go mug the Sandman for some sleep! Peace out! <<less
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shouahang58
shouahang58 rated it
July 15, 2019
Status: c109
Spoiler

Love the ML in this novel! He is funny!! He gives a vibe of the funny side character you would see in most Chinese novel.


Note to self: left off on ML's bro coming out to the FAM that he gay, MC and ML just adopted two lil bun.
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Foxnine
Foxnine rated it
June 25, 2019
Status: c21
I don’t usually write reviews when I’m only so far into the novel. However, it’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed not just the MC but the side characters, depth and characterization. This novel is more than just food, even though it makes me hungry. So give this novel a read.
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Ellie44
Ellie44 rated it
May 15, 2019
Status: c44
First of all. I didnt expect that i'll like this novel. For a slice of life, the plot and the background are really good. The MC is also a little dumb (but understandable since he came from an old era world and transmigratedin earth.) ML is really funny and rougish. He's not the overbearing and typical type of ML. Spoiler
Spoiler

(Yeah he is a second generation rich kid.)

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Its a fluffy story with less drama.
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rhianirory
rhianirory rated it
April 19, 2019
Status: c18
sooo hungry! This story makes me feel constantly hungry while reading. I may end up gaining weight just because I keep reaching for food every time my stomach growls and it growls every time they talk about food here, which is several times in every chapter.

i like the MC well enough; he isn't s*upid but he is naive and very unworldly, and there's actually a good explanation for once (not from this time period). I'm not usual a fan of naive MCs but so far he's been tolerable because it... more>> would have made less sense for him to suddenly appear in the modern world and know how everything works. The fact that he's a total foodie never fails to crack me up. The ML (i think he's the ML) is still in hiding and we don't know anything about his work, family, life outside of working at Grandpa's and living with the MC. Going by the typical ML template I'm guessing he's probably rich and powerful and comes from old money (the other typical choice being rich, powerful and a high ranked member of a triad/gang/underworld family).

so far this is interesting and never fails to make me hungry for real Chinese food (minus the chicken feet). As for the rest of the story, well, it's still just getting started so its a little hard to judge. Giving it a four for now. <<less
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Tee jay
Tee jay
October 26, 2023
Status: Completed
Super super fluffy read. Apart from the angst in the first quarter part of the book, the rest was cavity inducing.

I really love this book, it got me relaxed and really in a good mood. Although it got somewhat boring somewhere in the middle, it picked up again.

I liked the recipes described, though I'm not a foodie and most of the ingredients where strange to me, the accompanying pictures kinda whet my appetite.

... more>> The MC and ML were really sweet and even the side cp wasn't bad.

All I can say is Sweet! <<less
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Dapi
Dapi rated it
October 15, 2023
Status: --
It's a nice fluffy slice of life. I like the beginning and how slow and simple everything is. It helps make the more conflict-driven parts more exciting. As it goes, I feel like it loses that kind of simplistic slice of life that I liked so much, but it never becomes insane, filled with misunderstanding, or annoying. Just less realistic and less about eating good food so it almost feels like you're reading a different story.

... more>>
Spoiler

The real breaking point for me was when they adopted the kids. Not that I didn't like them adopting or that the kids were a bad addition to the story, they're really cute. They just went about it so unrealistically that it broke my whole suspension of disbelief. They adopted their kids the way I adopted my cat, spontaneously, immediately, and with no preparation. Also, if you're going to adopt a slightly older child who's already been abandoned twice, I expect at least a little conflict with that instead of having him immediately adjust and accept/trust his new family. It all just drew me out of the story. But still, a fluffy read.

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izayaYY
izayaYY rated it
August 7, 2023
Status: Completed
The style and content of the novel took me by surprise. This is not a foodie novel with plenty of cooking recipies or an OP MC conquering the world with OP culinary skills. This is a novel about foodies and how the love of food can bring ppl together and create long-lasting bonds. It is well-written and well-balanced, with a little bit of everything for a satisfying story. It has good characterisation, lovely protags, loving familial interactions, some non-angsty family drama, some angsty relationship drama (JiangCheng story), cute and smart... more>> children, and even the villains have POV and character depth.

Many gave it negative reviews based on unrealistic expectations of what/how a fiction should be written. It certainly boggles my mind how ppl can be that deluded. If you did not like, then you did not like... trying to reason your dislike by saying things like "too unrealistic" as if a fictional story is forced to have some degree of realism in order to be good or up to standard, then that's very delusional. Fiction is fiction. Authors of fiction is under no obligation (moral or otherwise) to be realistic. FYI, there are autobiographies, encyclopedias or school textbooks for that... lmao... On the other hand, coherence is important and this story is coherent, just like a fairytale is coherent within it's own fictional world. <<less
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Yonachii
Yonachii rated it
May 4, 2023
Status: c12
I like how its related with food. Its interesting but after the ML interaction with the MC got me bored.. It's like tainting some pure innocent of MC. MC save him and yet whenever there's people outside ML do some unnecessary action which give others idea that MC is gay and ML is his boyfriend and also ML give some girls idea that MC is a bottom without MC knowing and Permission. So yeah no matter how good he is to MC but the way he carry himself outside people... more>> without awareness of MC is unlikable. So I dropped it. I wish that guy is not the ML. I'm hoping there's another guy which is Song Yan but nah. <<less
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amikyun
amikyun
January 1, 2023
Status: Completed
4.0 they're not that bad yo, well agree with someone who said the married thing was like bening forced but actually they're not, they really want o get married and tie themselves to others, the side story of our Ml's brother was bloody dog drama still ok cus they had their happy ending, and if you like something that had many food thing, cooking or kind this may disappoint you, don't get distracted by the title on every chapter, they don't have much of it :) but still I think... more>> you can enjoy it

Spoiler

they gonna adopt 2 cute children, but somehow I think author really not get enough effort to bring this serious thing in our MC ML life, the way author give to explain our MC ML decision to adopt was lack adult consent, sorry but I keep feeling they dedicate to adopt 'pet' rather than childrens, and it happen to our side couple as well, don't get this effect your decision to read this novel, although I feel it that way, all the story that involved MC ml's childrens was enough to reassure me that MC and ML really care about them and just bcs our author not given more importance in the beginning of adoption

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darkelf01
darkelf01 rated it
November 24, 2022
Status: Completed
A cute story about an important ancient minister dying unjustly who transmigrated to the modern era, living and cooking peacefully with his found family, and some problems here and there.

There were some plot holes that the author dealt with in a hand-waving way, like how suspiciously blank the modern MC's life was before the ancient MC transmigrated, even to the point that MC didn't have any memories or human relationship from modern life, and how an ancient person could adapt to the modern day by the means of... television 💀... more>> another points that bothered me were the abrupt and jarring change of tone, like how the story changed from family conflict into a sudden sweets-making, and how the MC never tried to find out about how the history went on after he died, it's just so unreasonable since he was an important minister who died an unjust death.

Ah, and I really should commend the author for bravely writing about the ugly side of modern China. It was so raw and true to life. Sometimes I feel that the only things I could like from China are their filial piety, the traditonal clothes, the food and the steady stream of MTL-able webnovels. So, for the author to expose how their modern society looked like was a genuinely courageous thing.

Also, I like the way the author dealt with the family conflict, some things still annoyed me but I'm satisfied with the result, what with ML silently protecting the grandson and grandpa pair. I've never thought that I'd care this much about a fictional grandpa. And ML's actual background wasn't that problematic despite the readers' guesses.
Spoiler

Identity reveal is at chapter 39.

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As for the reviews that said the romance is abrupt... Let's say that I already saw that the ML has started to like MC waaaaay back the first time he decided to help in the restaurant. It was too obvious lol. Thumbs up to him for holding back on aggressively pursuing the MC. While the MC himself has started to subconsciously like and rely on ML during the family conflict, as early as chapter 30-ish. But it's true that they committed for marriage too quickly, partly because of Grandpa Shen's overly good intention lolol the characters acknowledged that and it's hillarious to read about them trying to find their footing with all the ruckus <<less
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