In San Francisco's Chinatown during the late 1950s, Mei Li, a young woman from China, arrives as an undocumented immigrant with her father, Wang Chi Yang. They are seeking a new life and plan to stay with relatives, with hopes of securing Mei Li's future through an arranged marriage. They meet Master Wang, a traditionalist who is content running his family’s cabaret, the Celestial Garden, alongside his son Sammy Fong. Sammy Fong, a nightclub owner and a suave bachelor, inadvertently becomes involved in Mei Li’s arrangement when Master Wang suggests him as her prospective husband.

Complications arise when Mei Li meets Ta, Master Wang’s son, who is more intrigued by the modern American lifestyle and reluctant to embrace his father's traditional values. As Sammy finds himself torn between Mei Li and his more glamorous girlfriend Linda Low, tensions mount within this community caught between old-world traditions and modern American influences. Meanwhile, Mei Li struggles with cultural adaptation and resolving the impending conflict between her traditional beliefs and emerging desires. Amidst misunderstandings, the characters navigate both comedic and poignant moments, tackling issues of identity and the generational divide in an era of significant cultural transformation. As they face personal dilemmas, their intertwined fates lead them towards truth-seeking journeys shaped by love, loyalty, and self-discovery within a backdrop of rich cultural tapestry.