Recommend some Japanese television comfort food.
May 20, 2021 8:33 PM Subscribe
I'm a huge fan of Midnight Diner/Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories. What are some similar shows that I can watch?
Midnight Diner hits a sweet spot for me in a number of different ways: short, slice-of-life vignettes, characters that are outside of mainstream society, slightly grungy Showa-era bars, and an emphasis on food (particularly food with a strong emotional resonance). What are some similar Japanese programs that I can watch?
I'm also a fan of things like Iyashikei anime (Flying Witch, Yurukyan, and Super Cub in particular). I don't mind Isekai shows (KoNoSuBa is a favorite), but I especially like the ones where a restaurant or bar is somehow transported to another world. Live action or anime are both fine, but in the case of anime, shows with particularly gorgeous animation are more likely to appeal to me.
Bonus points if it is available on a major streaming platform in North America.
Midnight Diner hits a sweet spot for me in a number of different ways: short, slice-of-life vignettes, characters that are outside of mainstream society, slightly grungy Showa-era bars, and an emphasis on food (particularly food with a strong emotional resonance). What are some similar Japanese programs that I can watch?
I'm also a fan of things like Iyashikei anime (Flying Witch, Yurukyan, and Super Cub in particular). I don't mind Isekai shows (KoNoSuBa is a favorite), but I especially like the ones where a restaurant or bar is somehow transported to another world. Live action or anime are both fine, but in the case of anime, shows with particularly gorgeous animation are more likely to appeal to me.
Bonus points if it is available on a major streaming platform in North America.
Response by poster: Oh, I should also mention that I've already seen all of Shokugeki no Soma and Silver Spoon.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 9:03 PM on May 20, 2021
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 9:03 PM on May 20, 2021
The movie Tampopo checks most of your boxes, but also it's just a fantastic movie in and of itself.
posted by yeahlikethat at 9:34 PM on May 20, 2021 [5 favorites]
posted by yeahlikethat at 9:34 PM on May 20, 2021 [5 favorites]
It's a stretch, but Today's Menu for the Emiya Family features otherworldy characters from the Fate universe buying groceries, visiting cafes, giving cooking lessons, cooking for one another and feeling all of the feels. It's on Crunchyroll. I know nothing about the Fate universe or the characters' other fightier personas and I was fine.
posted by some little punk in a rocket at 11:46 PM on May 20, 2021
posted by some little punk in a rocket at 11:46 PM on May 20, 2021
Kazuichi Hanawa's Doing Time (刑務所の中, Keimusho no Naka) is a nice manga that was made into a film. It's the semi-autobiographical story of the author's stint in low security prison. He documents a comfortably dull existence with meals providing the rhythm and highlight of the days and seasons. The quirky characters are all very invested in the food and the emotional associations each meal brings. The menu is better than you'd expect for prison fare and they savor every dish.
posted by stromatolite at 1:10 AM on May 21, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by stromatolite at 1:10 AM on May 21, 2021 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Try Samurai Gourmet which is just lovely and sweet and I wish there were more seasons of it. I could watch that guy's face bliss out forever.
Also try Kantaro: the sweet tooth salaryman which is truly, hilariously bizarre and yet also sweet (pun not intended).
Both are on Netflix here in Australia, ymmv.
posted by Athanassiel at 1:16 AM on May 21, 2021 [4 favorites]
Also try Kantaro: the sweet tooth salaryman which is truly, hilariously bizarre and yet also sweet (pun not intended).
Both are on Netflix here in Australia, ymmv.
posted by Athanassiel at 1:16 AM on May 21, 2021 [4 favorites]
Best answer: This previous question has some good answers.
My pick is the Lonely Gourmet (Kodoku no Gourmet). I don't think it's officially streaming anywhere but is easy to find subtitled on the Korean Drama sites. The titular salesman travels somewhere (usually in the Tokyo area), has a brief and meaningless interaction with a local, realizes he's hungry and then sits down and eats... most of the show is just him eating, and thinking about what he's eating. It sounds boring but it's my favorite TV show of all time.
Seconding Wakako Zake, which is like Lonely Gourmet but for drinking & bars. I think it's on Crunchyroll although the 3rd season isn't subtitled anywhere.
And looking at the previous question, zengargoyle recommends "Lunch On" which is an NHK World documentary series, but hits the "slice of life vignettes" and "emotional resonance" criteria.
posted by Gortuk at 7:15 AM on May 21, 2021 [2 favorites]
My pick is the Lonely Gourmet (Kodoku no Gourmet). I don't think it's officially streaming anywhere but is easy to find subtitled on the Korean Drama sites. The titular salesman travels somewhere (usually in the Tokyo area), has a brief and meaningless interaction with a local, realizes he's hungry and then sits down and eats... most of the show is just him eating, and thinking about what he's eating. It sounds boring but it's my favorite TV show of all time.
Seconding Wakako Zake, which is like Lonely Gourmet but for drinking & bars. I think it's on Crunchyroll although the 3rd season isn't subtitled anywhere.
And looking at the previous question, zengargoyle recommends "Lunch On" which is an NHK World documentary series, but hits the "slice of life vignettes" and "emotional resonance" criteria.
posted by Gortuk at 7:15 AM on May 21, 2021 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Awesome. These are some good suggestions! I probably should have mentioned that I've also seen Wakako Zake and Today's Menu for the Emiya Family (which was funny because I've never really watched any of the other Fate series).
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 8:29 AM on May 21, 2021
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 8:29 AM on May 21, 2021
This is not Japanese, rather Korean. Let's Eat is a romantic comedy murder mystery (Netflix). Whatever, it's really about eating. The plot delightfully meanders along and then, about twice an episode, the main characters say something like "Geez, I could eat. You guys want to check out that new herring restaurant?" and the next five minutes are gratuitous shots of the food and the actors orgasmically eating it. It'll make you crave things you've never craved before. I have watched the first season, like, three times. I try to have a snack before I start an episode so I am not forced to stop and make one in the middle, it's that good.
posted by Foam Pants at 10:20 AM on May 21, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by Foam Pants at 10:20 AM on May 21, 2021 [2 favorites]
You might like Isekai Izakaya. I’m currently watching ODDTAXI too, which kinda hits the slice of life/not mainstream characters/grungy vibe, but with animal people.
It’s not quite the same, but I watched Mystic Pop-Up Bar after Midnight Diner (also a huge fan!) and I liked that too.
posted by actionpact at 6:00 PM on May 21, 2021
It’s not quite the same, but I watched Mystic Pop-Up Bar after Midnight Diner (also a huge fan!) and I liked that too.
posted by actionpact at 6:00 PM on May 21, 2021
Response by poster: Correction- I have seen the animated version of Wakako Zake, but I did not know there was a live action one! This is excellent!
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 7:20 PM on May 21, 2021
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 7:20 PM on May 21, 2021
Best answer: Midnight Diner is actually the 4th or 5th season of Shinya Shokudo. Same characters, it was just renamed for Netflix.
There's also Rokuhoudou Yoitsuiro Biyori which is an anime.
Haru to Ao no Obento Bako is a 95% fluffy drama about two people living together preparing bento for each other. Minor TW for what may be phobia about people who don't comply with a specific gender, but only in one episode and only for a small segment.
Otoko Meishi features mostly items made easily at home.
Kono Koi Atatemasu ka? focuses on people making food for a store and isn't in a restaurant but may be of interest.
Naruyouni Narusa is about a woman who starts a restaurant in her house much to the disapproval of her family.
I'm missing one (it's VERY Shinya Shokudo/Midnight Dinner-ish), I will post it here later.
posted by Ms. Moonlight at 11:28 AM on May 24, 2021
There's also Rokuhoudou Yoitsuiro Biyori which is an anime.
Haru to Ao no Obento Bako is a 95% fluffy drama about two people living together preparing bento for each other. Minor TW for what may be phobia about people who don't comply with a specific gender, but only in one episode and only for a small segment.
Otoko Meishi features mostly items made easily at home.
Kono Koi Atatemasu ka? focuses on people making food for a store and isn't in a restaurant but may be of interest.
Naruyouni Narusa is about a woman who starts a restaurant in her house much to the disapproval of her family.
I'm missing one (it's VERY Shinya Shokudo/Midnight Dinner-ish), I will post it here later.
posted by Ms. Moonlight at 11:28 AM on May 24, 2021
Best answer: Found the one I was missing: Izakaya Bottakuri which is about two sisters who own a diner.
Isekai Izakaya "Nobu" is an Isekai based drama.
Kamogawa Shokudo tries to find food from the customer's memories
Okazu-kun in the Ad Agency's Men's Dorm is about several men who get together and bring various items (enough to make dinner) in one guy's room each night after a long, tiring day at work.
Three Star Bar in Nishi Ogikubo is similar to the anime Bartender, I think.
posted by Ms. Moonlight at 11:46 AM on May 24, 2021
Isekai Izakaya "Nobu" is an Isekai based drama.
Kamogawa Shokudo tries to find food from the customer's memories
Okazu-kun in the Ad Agency's Men's Dorm is about several men who get together and bring various items (enough to make dinner) in one guy's room each night after a long, tiring day at work.
Three Star Bar in Nishi Ogikubo is similar to the anime Bartender, I think.
posted by Ms. Moonlight at 11:46 AM on May 24, 2021
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posted by forbiddencabinet at 8:49 PM on May 20, 2021 [1 favorite]