Once Upon a Time in the Middle East (2026)

Overview · Where to watch · Cast & crew · Reviews

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.

Released: 2026-08-08
Genres: Drama, War
Runtime: 2h 21m
Status: Released
TMDB rating: 8.8/10 from 52 votes

Directed by Wen Muye.

Top cast

Shen Teng as Xu Fu
Jiang Qiming as Ma Junsheng
Omar Sherif as Seif
Aarif Rahman as Tony
Sherif Sabry as Zayd
Ahmed Salim as Ali
Faruk Muhammad as Jamal
Russell Shealy as Morgan
Naira Al-Qasim as Lina
Karma Hazim as Susu

Full cast & crew

Where to watch Once Upon a Time in the Middle East

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