Regularly on a particular night, the chef would prepare a pork-belly dish for the street boxer Sheng, who always orders twice-cooked pork after winning a boxing game. Recently, Sheng has not been given much chance to box in the competitions since he failed to follow the instructions of the sports club owners to deliberately lose in certain games.
Sheng meets a boy Kuka at the diner. Kuka’s mother Mingmei works as a bartender. Mingmei and Sheng get to know each other through Kuka. The twice-cooked pork is ready. Mingmei quickly pays her bill and leaves with Kuka, who is drooling over the pork dish. Kuka uses Mingmei’s mobile to add Sheng to her WeChat contacts.
Although Mingmei is attracted to Sheng, she does not think she has much chance with him, since she is no longer young and has a child. Her fellow worker Juan gives her a little push. Sheng arrives at the diner and shares his pork dish with Kuka. He tells Kuka about his grandma. Kuka and Sheng become close.
Sheng carries the sleeping Kuka on his back and walks home with Mingmei. They are comfortable in each other’s company. Sheng thinks Mingmei has a similar temperament as his late grandma.
Mingmei asks Sheng to babysit Kuka for her. She returns to see Sheng teaching Kuka boxing on the wharf. Sheng realises how hard Mingmei works doing two jobs, while Mingmei is grateful to Sheng for looking after Kuka for her. The two hearts are drawn closer.
An agent arranges for Sheng to box in underground games. Sheng goes through various fights with many boxers. The games are intense and brutal, full of ups and downs. Someone takes a video of his fights and send it online.
Sheng is both happy and nervous on his first date with Mingmei at the diner. The chef offers him some rice wine to boost his courage. Mingmei is also nervous. She takes off her wedding ring before leaving home. Sheng gets a bit tipsy, smiling from ear to ear. The two begin their date in front of everyone at the diner. Sheng then takes Mingmei to the boxing ring and explains the game to her.
Boxing champion Castro Oz watches a popular video of Sheng’s fights and challenges Sheng with a fight.
Midnight Diner was broadcast on SBS ONE at Wednesday 7 February 2018, 13:00.