Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories

Based on a comic by Yarou Abe, Shinya Shokudo is a story about a small hole in the wall late night restaurant (literally Shinya Shokudo in Japanese) that operates between midnight and 7:00 a.m. in the morning. The restaurant is run by only one person, the master (Kaoru Kobayashi) of the joint. There are only four items on the menu Tonjiru (pork based stew), beer, sake, and shochu (potato liquor), but customers can order anything the master can make in his kitchen. The restaurant is located in the Hanazono area of Shinjuku, and has only the generic description of "Meshiya" (food place in Japanese) on its lantern.

So far 20 episodes has been on air between 2009 (the first series) and 2011 (the second series). They were all broadcast in the late night slot between midnight and 2:00 in the morning. For a late night program that are considered a "hit" if they average 1% viewers, this program consistently got over 2% ratings that attests to its popularity.

The episodes consists of life stories of customers who frequent the restaurant, but starting in the second series, each episodes consists of new customer who have their own life stories going. Because of the hours the restaurant operates, and the nature of its size, customers who frequents the place have their life in specialized areas of society that includes gangs, construction workers, lady godiva, and also part timer, fast food joint owner, salaried workers, but most of them has special background that makes the story unique and interesting.

Each episodes has particular dish that master makes that relates to the story. The list of foods on each of the episodes are as follows:

Season 1:

1. Baked Sausage and tamago yaki.

2. Bonito shavings and rice

3. Rice with tea

4. Potato salad.

5. Butter rice

6. Katsu Donburi

7. Egg sandwich

8. Yaki soba

9. Broiled Aji

10. Ramen

Season 2:

1. Baked Sausage

2. Chicken Karaage

3. Steamed clam

4. Nikogori (gelatin left from cooking fish)

5. Canned foods

6. Cream Stew

7. Pickeled Bock Choi

8. Cold ramen

9. Potato cooked with beef

10. Gyoza (Pot Stickers)

The series is superb in that it tells the story of the underbellies of the society with emotion, sentiment and love unlike any other stories told. Food designer Nami Iijima designed the foods that appear in this series, and all of these items are common items consumed by Japanese families, but not usually served in ordinary Japanese restaurants.

If you can find a copy of this drama, it will be an interesting watch guaranteed.

The show brings about a serene calm when you watch it. The delicate theme mixed with the intricately flavoured characters, makes it a bowl you just can't keep down.

Known in Japan as "Shinya Shokudo", this series is better known as "Midnight Diner" in the US.

The series itself is about the main character "The Master" who is a chef at a diner named Midnight Diner, which is only open from midnight till 7am. The supporting cast is filled with people from all walks of life, such as: hotel workers, cab drivers, exotic dancers, etc as they all order something to eat and drink, sit down and enjoy each other's company, as well as the stories that each customer has to tell.

The opening song to the series is a simple yet elegant Japanese folk song by the artist Tunekichi Suzuki. As you listen to the music it make you feel at ease and make you wonder what is he singing about.

The song titled "Omoide" is translated to "Memories," and by the way, the lyrics go by, he must be talking about memories of his own or memories of our own as we look into the sky. This fits well with Midnight Diner as in there is always a story to be told in a place you least expected and wonder what is that story is about. If you have the time.

It is on Netflix and is worth the watch.

I can certainly recommend this Japanese series. It brings to life a group of characters and their multi-dimensional life stories. They all are customers of a late night diner, and each story is told to completion, and matched to a favorite dish. It is a very slow but interesting way to tell a story.

I was hooked half-way through the first episode. I saw the word "kind" in another review here and, while it's not a word one usually associates with a TV series, kindness is one of the over-arching themes of the series. Kaoru Kobayashi, the main character (everyone calls him Master) has the kind of kindness that comes from inner strength, compassion, and wisdom. The revolving ensemble of characters is wonderful. Great casting! Sometimes the show seems to be a comedy, other times a drama, or a melancholy tale of unrequited. Food, the sharing of, and the making of, is a important part of the show, as well. He cooks simple food, but every dish looks delicious! I see the series was rebooted in 2019. I hope it, too, shows up on Netflix.