"Lao Fan Gu" began modestly on Douyin. Early videos were sprawling, sometimes stretching a single dish across dozens of episodes. Viewers quickly lost patience. The team adapted, condensing lessons into concise, digestible segments. Then came a breakthrough: a meticulous re-creation of a historic state banquet menu sparked a surge in followers.
What sets "Lao Fan Gu" apart is not production polish, as there are no studio lights or staged backdrops, but authenticity. Filmed in a real, working home kitchen, the videos capture Sun and Zheng in constant motion, joking like crosstalk performers as they cook. Fans have dubbed it "the crosstalk kitchen".
Yet beneath the humor lies rigor. When demonstrating a smooth walnut dessert once served at state banquets, Sun pauses to emphasize a point: even a stray piece of jujube skin, he notes, would count as a serious mistake in a professional kitchen.
As their audience grew, so did its diversity. Some viewers were complete beginners; others were seasoned chefs. Striking a balance became a challenge.
"If it's too technical, beginners can't follow it," Sun says. "If it's too simple, professionals don't learn anything."
The solution was a dual-layered approach: precise breakdowns of advanced techniques alongside plainspoken explanations in everyday language. Complex methods like stock-making or battering are dissected step by step, while timing and heat are explained in a way that anyone with a home stove can grasp.
The impact is tangible. Viewers often return with updates — moving from tentative first attempts to proud successes — as the once-intimidating kitchen becomes a space of growing confidence.
One user, "yuanfangchuanlaifengdi", commented under a braised pork ribs video: "So detailed! I followed your recipe today — my ribs are stewing now, can't wait." Hours later, he returned with an update: "It's delicious. I used to add so many seasonings, but this simple version tastes even better."
Sun recalls a letter from a woman whose marriage had been on the verge of collapse. Her husband, once disengaged from household life, began cooking after watching "Lao Fan Gu". Gradually, he became more involved at home. "You saved my family," she wrote.
For Sun, the message was clear."Cooking is a kind of glue for family harmony," Sun reflects. "That's the real meaning behind our motto: we cook well, and you eat well."
