Imagine savoring the aroma of freshly grilled chicken and beef, not in a cozy kitchen on Earth, but floating in the vastness of space. This is no longer science fiction—it’s a reality for Chinese astronauts. China’s culinary prowess has reached new heights, quite literally, as its astronauts become the first humans to grill and enjoy a hot meal in orbit. But here’s where it gets even more fascinating: this isn’t just about food; it’s a testament to human ingenuity and the relentless pursuit of comfort, even in the most extreme environments.
Chinese culture is deeply rooted in its love for food, as the saying goes, 'One will never tire of superb cuisine.' Now, thanks to cutting-edge technology, six Chinese astronauts aboard the Tiangong space station have taken this tradition to the stars. The crew members of Shenzhou XXI and Shenzhou XX used a specially designed oven to prepare grilled chicken wings and black pepper beef steaks—a feat never before accomplished in space.
In a captivating video shared from the space station, orbiting 400 kilometers above Earth, Shenzhou XXI engineer Major Wu Fei is seen carefully placing marinated chicken wings on a skewer rack and sliding them into the oven. Mission commander Senior Colonel Zhang Lu adds a touch of suspense, saying, 'We’re all eager to see how these wings turn out after 28 minutes at 180°C. Stay tuned!' Later, Wu pulls out the rack, revealing sizzling chicken wings that smell as divine as they look. The astronauts take turns inhaling the aroma, with Shenzhou XX commander Senior Colonel Chen Dong jokingly admitting his mouth was watering in anticipation.
And this is the part most people miss: the astronauts didn’t just cook—they relished the experience. Gathered around the oven, they unanimously declared the taste 'heavenly.' Wu and Colonel Wang Jie, both from Inner Mongolia—a region renowned for its premium beef and mutton—also prepared black pepper steaks, sharing the feast with their crewmates. This wasn’t just a meal; it was a celebration of culture, innovation, and the human spirit.
But here’s the controversial part: Is this a luxury or a necessity? Liu Weibo, an engineer at the Astronaut Center of China, argues that the oven—designed to allow astronauts to cook hot meals instead of relying on freeze-dried food—is a game-changer. 'No matter where we Chinese are, we love our food hot,' he told China Central Television. 'This oven lets them bake cakes, grill meat, or roast peanuts, enriching their dining experience and improving their quality of life in orbit.' Yet, some might question whether such advancements are practical or merely indulgent. What do you think?
Creating a space-worthy oven is no small feat. Wang Yanan, chief editor of Aerospace Knowledge magazine, explains the challenges: 'In space, convection—the process that heats food evenly on Earth—doesn’t occur. Engineers had to devise a unique system to heat food, manage cooking fumes, and ensure crew safety.' This innovation sets China apart, as there are no reports of astronauts on the International Space Station using an oven for cooking. According to Liu, this Chinese-made oven is the world’s first of its kind.
So, is this the future of space exploration—where comfort and culture take center stage alongside scientific achievement? Or is it a step too far? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. After all, the final frontier isn’t just about survival—it’s about thriving, one delicious meal at a time.
