Shin'ya shokudô: Tokyo Stories

This Japanese series is beautiful and interesting, simple and wonderful, music was indescribable, Certainly l recommend it

I stumbled on this series by accident as a recommendation by Netflix for me to watch it and I don't know why but I had a feeling Midnight Diner will be amazing and it turned out to be a an absolute gem. My only complaint is that wasn't long enough so I am certainly hoping for a 2nd season!

The sound track is perfect, really sets the mood and the dialogue is smooth and even though I had to use subtitles Midnight Diner made me appreciate the little things in life. The conversations you have with a few close friends, your memorable encounters with total strangers who impact your life immensely. This series has all of that.

There is plenty of drama too! But the sort of humorous drama, the type that create great stories to tell in the future.

The Master who runs the fabulous 12-seat Midnight Diner has a zen-like all-knowing calm - and almost magically can conjure up dozens of different dishes in his tiny kitchen.

Every food serving takes us into wonderful human stories about our foibles, mistakes, regrets and second chances.

As we get to know the diner's regulars, we become regulars too - glorying in the calm oasis this eatery and its people offer us.

The bite-sized stories run less than 30 minutes and it's easy to binge and get through the series all too quickly. We've now devoured all 50 episodes but are still hungry for a new season of these wonderful tales.

Here's hoping Netflix green lights a sixth season - it's the perfect recipe for our disrupted world.

Imperfect characters acting in virtuous ways. Portrayed by actors that come across as genuine and real. Wonderful music, reminds me of traditional American folk. Authentic Japanese values and culture presented, according to my Japanese couch buddy.

This show grows on you immediately from the first episode. The stories of the diner's patrons are grounded in such humble reality that it's not difficult to imagine why this was a hit overseas. I quiver in anticipation should this wonderful series be renewed for a second season (do it Netflix! Please!). Watching it is as satisfying as one of Master's dishes. The direction, the cast, the sets leave absolutely nothing to be desired. It easily ranks among my favorite TV series and I still have two episodes to go - but I'm savoring them.