Once Upon a Time in the Middle East (2026)
Eat well, stay alive.
Seeking a fresh start, chef Xu Fu travels to the Middle East to support his family and repay his debts. Alongside restaurant manager Ma Junsheng, he transforms the struggling Dragon Restaurant into a thriving business. But when war engulfs the city, their hard-won success is shattered and the restaurant becomes a refuge for those caught in the conflict. As danger closes in, Xu Fu must risk everything to protect his newfound community and preserve a small beacon of hope amid the devastation.
Director: Wen Muye
Writers: Wen Muye, Lang Qunli, Wei Zhong
Stars: Shen Teng, Jiang Qiming, Omar Sherif, Aarif Rahman
Once Upon a Time in the Middle East is a 2026 Chinese Drama/War film directed by Wen Muye, starring Shen Teng, Jiang Qiming, Omar Sherif, Aarif Rahman. It runs 2h 21m and is rated NR. The film holds a 8.9/10 rating from 50 votes on TMDB.
Cast
Shen Teng
Xu Fu
Jiang Qiming
Ma Junsheng
Omar Sherif
Seif
Aarif Rahman
Tony
Sherif Sabry
Zayd
Ahmed Salim
Ali
Faruk Muhammad
Jamal
Russell Shealy
Morgan
Naira Al-Qasim
Lina
Karma Hazim
Susu
Wei Qing
Xu's Mother
Zhang Xiwei
Xu Le
Details
| Release Date | Aug 8, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Country | China |
| Original Language | Chinese |
| Original Title | 欢迎来龙餐馆 |
| Also Known As | Once Upon A Time in the Middle East, 龍飯店へようこそ |
| Runtime | 2h 21m |
| Rating | NR (US) |
| Production | Bad Monkey (Shanghai) 上海坏猴子, 梦将军（上海）影业有限公司, Alibaba Pictures Group |
| IMDb ID | tt34386754 |
| TMDB ID | 1391021 |
