Midnight Diner, 深夜食堂

深夜食堂, Midnight Diner

Recently I came across an interesting Drama Series and Movie, 深夜食堂 or しんやしょくどう (shinya Shokudou).  深夜 (shinya) means midnight, while 食堂 (shokudou) is an eatery or diner.  Therefore, 深夜食堂 literally means midnight diner.  This show is based  on the manga series, 深夜食堂 by 安倍夜郎 (Yaro Abe).

Master

As its title suggest, the diner only opens at midnight.  The owner, played by Kaoru Kobayashi, 小林薫, is known as Master by the customers.  The diner opens till 7 a.m. and has a small menu.  Only Pork Miso Soup, 豚汁 or とんじる (tonjiru), Beer, ビール (biiru), Sake, 酒 or さけ (sake), and Shochu, 焼酎 or しょうちゅう (shouchuu) was listed.  Master also limits alcohol to three servings per customer as his diner is not a bar.

A simple menu

Despite the simple menu at めしや (meshiya - shown on the sign outside the shop, meaning a restaurant that makes simple food), Master has a business policy of trying to make anything the customers asked for if he is able to. 

 Octopus Shaped Red Wiener, 赤いウインナ (akai uinna)

For each story, there will be a dish associated with the background story or memory of the characters.  Usually Master will have customers with some concern or problem at that moment, and as they dined at the めしや, we will slowly learn the plot and Master will usually offer some advice or go out of his way to help his customers.  After every episode, there will be some tips on how to make the dish of that episode. 

While watching, I can’t help wanting to make most of the dishes.  You will come across many famous dishes in Japan like お茶漬け (ochazuke), バターライス (bataaraisu), ロールキャベツ (rourukyabetsu), 玉子焼き (tamagoyaki), から揚げ (karaage), とろろご飯 (tororogohan), and many other.

Japanese	Romaji	English
豚汁 or とんじる	Tonjiru	Pork Miso Soup
ビール	Biiru	Beer
酒 or さけ	Sake	Sake
焼酎 or しょうちゅう	Shouchuu	Shochu
お茶漬け	Ochazuke	Steamed rice with Green Tea
バターライス	Bataaraisu	Butter Rice
ロールキャベツ	Rourukyabetsu	Cabbage Roll
玉子焼き	Tamagoyaki	Japanese Rolled Omelette
から揚げ	Karaage	Japanese Fried Chicken
とろろご飯	Tororogohan	Steamed Rice topped with Grated Yam
赤いウインナ	Akai Uinna	Red Wiener

Enjoy the Show and try the foods.