Given the time period, costumes, and the sets, you would think that the first Chinese Disney+ show would be one of those stuffy period dramas with court intrigue, political maneuvering, and forbidden romance. This isn’t the case with Delicacies Destiny. Some of the aspects are delightfully refreshing, with its over-the-top goofy comedy, casual court chefs, and of course, the mouthwatering food porn of classic Chinese dishes. However, these refreshing aspects are disappointingly offset by the way the show fails to establish compelling characterization for both leads, so each time Ling Xiaoxiao tricks someone, or each time Prince Zhu Shoukui throws all his dishes around, the reaction of their understandably shocked underlings is much more relatable than the leads who were supposed to win us over.

We get that it can be tough for female bosses to gain respect from misogynistic underlings. But when Ling Xiaoxiao doesn’t even get to know how the kitchen works, or even just know her fellow workers’ names, before bossing everyone around, why would anyone, misogynistic or not, want to work with her? Is this actually a parody?