The Fires of Cooking: Hua Xiao Chu (2020)

Both related food + romance. Both have romantic & protective male lead. Female lead become great chef with the help of male lead.

The plot of the two dramas is very different, but in both, there are many glorious scenes of cooking and great looking food. Don't watch if you're hungry! ;)

Its by the same director and there are a few cast members the same as chef fang. The story feels very similar to chef fang as well.

A story about food and romance follows Hua Xiao Mai as she falls in love with a bodyguard.
Through her passion for the culinary arts, Hua Xiao Mai starts small and slowly makes her way up in the food business. She meets the cool-headed Meng Yu Huai who heads up a bodyguard agency and excels in martial arts. With his qualities, he is the definition of a true man. Meng Yu Huai and Hua Xiao Mai become quarrelsome lovers who are sweetly in love.

A story about food and romance follows Hua Xiao Mai as she falls in love with a bodyguard. Through her passion for the culinary arts, Hua Xiao Mai starts small and slowly makes her way up in the food business. She meets the cool-headed Meng Yu Huai who heads up a bodyguard agency and excels in martial arts. With his qualities, he is the definition of a true man. Meng Yu Huai and Hua Xiao Mai become quarrelsome lovers who are sweetly in love.

A notorious general and an aristocrat's daughter hold each other's hands to spend a lifetime together whilst protecting what's precious to them.
Shen Jin grew up in luxury as a member of the royal family. After the emperor decrees an arranged marriage, she is married off to a general who defends the borders. Although she falls in love with her husband, general Chu Xiu Ming, at first sight, she finds it difficult to blend in.
Shen Jin gradually sheds her spoiled and entitled attitude and becomes a force to be reckoned with. With her unconventional methods, she solves many of the army's problems and comes to earn their trust and respect. However, there has been a shakeup in the imperial courts and the Chu army becomes a target. Shen Jin's parents are held hostage against their will while Shen Jin receives orders to act as a spy for the emperor. Can the married couple weather the storms to find happiness and peace?

The FL loves to cook and sets up her own restaurant, and the whole show is about how she grows her business and breaks stereotypes.
The ML is very supportive and kind.
Also has happy scenes from married life, and how their relationship deepens.
Good relationship between sisters, and bromances too.

Both dramas are light dramas, there's not much angst
Both female leads are cooking prodigy, and of course we get to see A LOT of cooking and food, up close and in slow motion

Both female leads have similar strong personalities, so they don't give up easily in what they like doing.

- pretty and girlish FL;
- healthy relationship;
- mains are distinctive in what they do (medicine in TLWS and cooking in CH);
- ordinary people's life (no royalty);
- picturesque China

Both female leads are chefs. Using their amazing skills in cooking they eventually gain power, money and love.

- excellent historical dramas with pretty scenes;
- life after marriage in ancient times;
- simple life vibes

Has a similar feel and also a feel-good drama. Their marriage and love grow similarly, so well-rounded in all aspects that you will be longing for more when you finish the last episode. The romance between the leads is very obvious as well

Not necessary similar in story line but similar in terms of the romance between the leads. In LBH once the couple gets together they stay by each others side and don't let anyone push them apart. They don't have any unnecessary misunderstanding or useless drama.

LBH is funny, sweet, and the leads have great chemistry! (Not to mention a lot of kissing scenes LOL)

It seems an odd recommendation given vastly different settings and subject matter, but both dramas concentrate on the relationships of individuals who have their own careers and dreams. They meet each other and fall in love, give and receive support from their partner and are single minded when it comes to their relationships, pushing aside any interlopers without hesitation.

Neither show uses dumb misunderstandings or a lack of communication to create drama in the relationship and just tell the story of a couple in love with each other.