The smell of beef noodle soup prompts Tu Hong Lang (Helen) to share her childhood memories of running in her grandparents' home, where they lived as extravagant landlords over the rice fields. This is a recalling of food stories, family heartache, deep grief, and cultural conflicts in the midst of chasing the American dream. During the devastating transition from imperial China to Communist China, Helen's family escapes to Taiwan where she ends up graduating from college and enjoying the attention of many suitors before falling in love and moving to America. She and her husband chase the American dream, but it always seems to be out of reach. Between stories, Helen's daughter, shares her own memories of food that bonded the families together.