My wife and I discovered this show when it first appeared on Netflix. Yes, I know, I’m part anti-capitalist, part anarchist, part anti-consumerism so I’m sure some folks may find it a bit odd that I or we have a Netflix subscription. That’s a story for a whole other time. Besides, we’re not here to discuss me, we’re here to discuss this brilliant Japanese show. Well, maybe not a full discussion, essay, or review, more like me taking this time to gush about my love for it!
If you aren’t aware of it or have no intention of watching, it’s a cozy, chill show. Kind of like the Japanese version of Cheers, except it’s not low brow or stupid, not centered around alcohol, and probably unlike most every evening and late night broadcast television show in the U.S., it doesn’t feel the need to crack a joke every five seconds because apparently every American is dumb (which they’re not) and can’t deal with anything that starts to get serious if it’s not specifically labelled a drama? That’s one thing I like about certain Asian productions: they’re fearless and intelligent. Not all, but many like this one. But this isn’t about Them vs Us. And I’m not talking about American cable or streaming shows, either. I’m strictly speaking about American broadcast television that reaches millions–well, no, I think what I meant to say is that reaches general audiences or more people compared to cable. I dunno. I have no idea who watches broadcast television anymore (and why anyone would to begin with). Obviously, there are plenty of Asian productions that are just as bad as American, and some American stuff that’s good, like Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. But I’m also older now. When I was young and naive, I thought everything on television was great. I thought everything in the world was great! Little did I know…
The show centers around a Japanese chef that runs a small business all by himself, serving a limited menu, but he’ll make anything you like as long as he has the ingredients. But perhaps the best part are the colorful cast of regulars. There’s a stripper (or exotic dancer maybe is the correct term), a Yakuza boss and his lacky, an extroverted older gay male in his fifties or so, plus others. And of course, new patrons. The customers sit around a U shaped counter that probably fits about 3 to 4 people on each side. Sometime the place will be full, sometimes just one or two. They will occasionally have guest personalities I believe that may be “famous” or at least recognizable in other shows.
In terms of subject matter, unlike most American broadcast television which is shallow (or at least I still think it is, as I haven’t watched any American television regularly in decades outside of Mountain Men), like some Japanese or other Asian shows, they do not shy away from discussions about anything, especially death. Growing up on intellectually shallow, braindead American sitcoms and the like with their canned laughter (although M*A*S*H is probably the only exception, maybe Taxi too?), when I first delved into the world of Asian television, it was like night and day. Asian shows like this one are more realistic. The actors converse and discuss things just like normal people. Again, and I hate to repeat myself, but it’s unlike American television today (at least, based on what I’ve glimpsed here and there over the past decades) where they feel a joke is needed every time something is about to get deep. Cthulhu forbid we talk about death or suicide without having to make a joke after. American television or maybe much of American entertainment cannot let serious things just sit. Some Asian shows have no problem with letting the serious topic soak for a few minutes, and accompany it with crying, sad music, etc.
That’s another thing: quiet. Silence. Some Asian productions, at least the movies and shows I like and have found, are not afraid to have a minute or two where there’s minimal talking. Again, I’m not anti-American or trying to bash American entertainment, but it’s rare you get that with American productions. That’s another reason why I love certain Asian shows and films.
Another great thing about the show is they will show closeups of different dishes being prepared, most of which I have no idea what they are, though they do sort of explain them naturally, through conversation and the like. A customer will order something, and you may see it being made, then served to them, and they’ll eat part of it on-screen during the episode. This is a slice-of-life type of show I think it’s called, which American television lacks I believe (again I’m clueless to American shows these days, which may be a good thing I dunno), so you see slices of real life interjected in the show. I mean, the only time I saw closeups of cooking and eating in an American show was if it was a cooking show, like the great Yan Can Cook, the older white guy with the Southern accent, or what’s her face, the older British woman, Gloria something maybe?…
Another, albeit somewhat trivial reason that I like this show and other Asian productions like it, is how normal everyone appears in regards to the minimal use of makeup. They don’t look like the plastered, plastic mannequins on American broadcast television, whether it’s a sitcom, CNN, SNL, whatever. They look like everyday people! And part of that is due to the Japanese or Asian philosophy. Makeup is used, yes, but sparingly. Sometimes it’s used to enhance wrinkles or bags under the eyes! When’s the last time you saw someone in any kind of American production like that? Rarely. Maybe on the Golden Girls. And I’m not talking about movies. Also, the actor who plays the chef in Midnight Diner has to put on a prosthetic scar every time, which is neat! I kinda thought maybe the actor might’ve had it personally. It’s rare you see anything like that in any show, Asian, American, or otherwise. Obviously it’s extra work and cost, but still, it’s cool to see.
The only bad part about the show is that it’s only 20 minutes! Boo! I’m so used to shows anymore being one hour in length. I’ve become spoiled. But I guess that’s difficult for this kind of production.
All right, I think that’s it. I’m done gushing.
Oh, and by the way, I did an “East Beats West” video years back where I shared my thoughts as to why Asian productions are better than American. Not all of them mind you, but the many I’ve watched: