Legend of the Undercover Chef (2023)
A laugh-filled Chinese period comedy where a martial arts sect leader secretly swaps places with his cook brother, turning the Magpie Saber Sect upside down.
Legend of the Undercover Chef - Series Information
- Original Title: 鹊刀门传奇
- First Air Year: 2023
- Last Air Year: 2025
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Comedy, Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (30 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 80
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Chinese
- Spoken Languages: Mandarin
- First Air Date: August 18, 2023 (South Korea - 12)
- Networks: Tencent Video
- Alternative Titles: 鹊刀门传奇 第二季 (CN), Legend of the Undercover Chef (US)
- Production Companies: Tencent Penguin Pictures, Benmountain Media Group
- Production Countries: China
Legend of the Undercover Chef - Plot
This drama tells the story of Ximen Changhai, head of the Magpie Saber Sect, who is determined to eradicate the wokou pirates and joins a secret plan to do so. To prevent his plans from leaking out, Ximen Changhai brought his brother, Ximen Changzai, a cook, to the Magpie Saber Sect to become the acting sect head, and as affairs within the Sect changed, an amusing martial arts story started within the sect.
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Legend of the Undercover Chef - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Zhao Benshan
- Song Xiaofeng
- Wen Song
- Cheng Ye
- Song Xiaobao
- Ge Shan Shan
- Li Xiaohe
- Tang Jianjun
- Zhang Xiaoying
- Yang Shulin
Writers
- Fu Jiayi
Executive Producers
- Zhao Benshan
- Wang Juan
Legend of the Undercover Chef - FAQs
What is Legend of the Undercover Chef about?
The show centers on Ximen Changhai, head of the Magpie Saber Sect, who secretly enlists his brother — a humble cook named Ximen Changzai — to pose as acting sect leader while he pursues a covert mission to eliminate wokou pirates. The resulting mix-up fuels a lively, comedic martial arts adventure.
Why does Zhao Benshan play twin brothers in this series?
Zhao Benshan takes on the dual role of Ximen Changhai and Ximen Changzai to drive the show's central comedic conceit — a powerful sect leader and his bumbling cook brother swapping identities. The contrast between the two characters lets Zhao showcase his signature comedic range in a single, scene-stealing performance.
Where can you watch Legend of the Undercover Chef?
Legend of the Undercover Chef is available to buy on Amazon Video. The series originally aired on Tencent Video in China. Availability may vary by region, so check your local streaming services for the latest options.
How many seasons and episodes does the series have?
The series ran for two seasons and a total of 80 episodes — 40 episodes per season. It premiered in August 2023 and concluded in 2025, giving viewers a generous, binge-worthy run of comedic martial arts storytelling across both installments.
Is Legend of the Undercover Chef a wuxia series?
It blends wuxia conventions — martial arts sects, swordplay, and period costumes — with broad comedy rather than epic action. Think of it as a comedic costume drama that playfully subverts wuxia tropes, making it accessible to viewers who enjoy lighthearted period entertainment alongside the genre's familiar world-building.
Who are the main actors in Legend of the Undercover Chef?
The ensemble is led by veteran comedian Zhao Benshan, who plays both brothers at the heart of the story. He is joined by Song Xiaobao, Song Xiaofeng, Wen Song, Cheng Ye, Ge Shan Shan, Li Xiaohe, Tang Jianjun, Zhang Xiaoying, and Yang Shulin in key supporting roles.
What are some shows similar to Legend of the Undercover Chef?
Fans of the series often enjoy My Own Swordsman (2006) and Scissor Seven (2018) for their comedic takes on martial arts culture, as well as Mysterious Lotus Casebook (2023) and Joy of Life (2019) for their blend of period drama and humor. Word of Honor (2021) is another popular wuxia pick.
Who wrote and produced Legend of the Undercover Chef?
The series was written by Fu Jiayi and executive produced by lead star Zhao Benshan alongside Wang Juan. It was produced by Tencent Penguin Pictures and Benmountain Media Group, with Tencent Video serving as the primary broadcast platform in China.
More About Legend of the Undercover Chef
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