A Time of Taste

FUNG has totally lost faith in the future of China and he decides to smuggle into Hong Kong with SAM, hoping to emigrate to the states later. Though SO is worried about them, she does not oppose to their decision but asks them to take care of themselves. As FUNG and SAM are struggling his way to the border. It is only on their way that SAM tells FUNG that she is pregnant. At the Lo Wu border, they are discovered by the guards and they run separately for lives. Years passed and in 1990, SAM has become a ballerina and brought-up her child independently. One evening, SAM's son brings her to the restaurant, where there is a group of chefs from mainland China performing their skills. Among the chefs, SAM sees FUNG again. However, after years of separation, they seem to be living in two totally different worlds. Their son is eager to bring them together again but SAM: seems to have reservation about reuniting with FUNG.

By chance, SO meets MUN again and the reunion brings them much joy. Suddenly, SO gets seriously ill and she has totally given up hope. Her situation grows worse but her spirit gets uplifted when MUN shows her the letter SAM sent him. This gives her much strength and she eventually recovers from her illness. At first, SAM does not accept JIM too much. Later, SAM is impressed by JIM's sincerity and concern for her. They two meet often and give each other support and strength. Under the encouragement of JIM.

Eight years later, MUN has already retired and FUNG becomes the chef of the restaurant. FUNG and SAM has got married and SAM misses SO very much. During the Cultural Revolution, MUN, SO and JIM all suffer a lot. MUN is accused as a capitalist and is locked up undergoing great torture both physically and mentally. Even worse, CHOI, MUN's adopted child, is among his persecutors but much to his consolation, FUNG refuses to ally with the persecutors and stand on MUN's side. SAM's father also suffers from the same plight and kills himself. SAM grieves over that and she learns that SO is also persecuted by the Red Armies and is banished. One day, when SHUN goes to visit MUN in the jail, she suffers from a heart attack and dies on her way.

From SAM's parents, SO finally gets proof of SAM being her lost daughter but for SAM's sake, she will keep that secret. MUN's love for SO rekindles and grows jealous of the intimate relationship between SO and JIM whose love for her also revives. SHUN notices that and proposes to help SO to find a husband. MUN gets mad at the idea and give SHUN a fierce scold. When MUN openly expresses his love for SO, SO feels touched by his sincerity and even tells him that SAM is in fact their daughter.

MUN .goes to visit SO in the institution but So refuses to see him. When SHUN learns of SO’s plight, she urges MUN to help her. Under the encouragement of JIM and the support of MUN and SHUN, SO decides to start a new life. With good performance and good conduct, SO is allowed to leave the institution and is assigned to work in a Dance School where she meets SAM. This calls back her memory of her lost daughter who is separated from her during the war years.

By chance, JIM learns of SANG's plan to invade Shanghai. JIM writes an article to the newspaper trying to disclose SANG's Identity and evil plots. However, before he can get his article published, he is arrested but he manages to hand the article to MUN, who is very afraid of getting into trouble with the military officers. In the end, NUN destroys the article and JIM is forced to write a letter of remorse admitting his own mistakes. Such is the condition for his release. SO has tried to help JIM but is ridiculed by SANG. Unable to face up with harsh treatments, JIM finally gives in. His letter of remorse is widely publicized and he loses all his supporters who now look upon him with discern. Feeling ashamed of his cowardice, JIM hides from his friends. Later, when he learns that SHUN falls into the hands of the Japanese, he even feels too scared to help her. In fact, SHUN tries to assassinate SANG who has raped her.… ...

After some coincidence, MUN, SO and JIM finally recognize each other. Their reunion brings them much joy but at the same time it also develops into a love triangle. MUN has great love for SO while SO on the other hand is eager to rekindle the love between her and JIM, hoping that JIM can take her back to France. Hence, when MUN tries to get closer to SO, SO refuses him. Feeling heartbroken, MUN turns. all his attention to running the restaurant. SHUN gradually grows hopeless as she gets no news of YUNG. She attempts to commit suicide but fails. 3,ympathsizing her, MUN offers her consolation and comfort. However, this arouses SO's jealousy.

Twenty years later, MUN has grown up and runs a food stall in Shanghai. On the other hand, SO has become a social butterfly and a mistress of a Japanese investor, LAM YAT SANG. As for JIM, he has been to France and has just come back to China on business as a correspondent with a foreign news agency. In order to get a better feel of the common life in Shanghai, JIM rents a bed space from MUN and the two of them develops to be friends. SO and MUN runs into each other many times as SO lives one floor beneath MUN's. However, they cannot recognize each other. Same .as years ago, conflicts arise between them. SO is in fact living with. a Korean lady KAM YIN SHUN who comes to Shanghai with a dance troupe to look for her boyfriend, YUNG.

YEEN starts courting YIN and they fall for each other. Seeing this, PO feels greatly hurt and thinks of leaving YUK family. Unknown to the others, YIN spends a night out with YEEN who in fact wins both her heart and her body. However, YEEN deserts her afterwards saying that is interested in her because me has been an imperial concubine. CHEUK feels in furious about this and beat YEEN fiercely while YIN, greatly hurt, tries to commit suicide. Master YUK's second son, HUNG JIM, has not yet grown up. He gets along very well with SO. Once they go out together and JIM gets lost. SO feels very frightened and with the help of MUN, she finally finds JIM. After this, the relationship between SO and MUN gets better.

IN has once been an imperial concubine. Since leaving the palace, she comes to stay with the YUK family but she is always sad. Later, PO gets a job as the chef for Master YUK. MUN goes with PO and works as a servant in YUK family. At the same time, he learns cooking skills from PO. PO and YIN both have lived in the palace and shared the same sentiment. Po also is eager to make YIN happy and he always prepare delicious dishes for her. The two of them get along very well with each other. Misunderstanding arises between MUN and TUNG SO SO, Master YUK's daughter-in-law and the two are not on friendly terms.