I don't know about you, but one thing I really miss about the "normal world" is Japanese restaurants. The miso soup! The service tea! The shop aesthetics and interiors! These are things that Grab Food delivery just can't, well, deliver.
So in the meantime, I've been satisfying myself with Nissin's instant ramen while streaming the following dramas to imitate the ambiance of Japanese restaurants. Each series only has around 10 episodes, with each episode running for 20 minutes, which makes them binge-able in one day.
KANTARO, THE SWEET-TOOTH SALARYMAN
Just how many Japanese desserts are there? Our protagonist Kantaro is more than willing to show you, as he takes us on a food journey through Japanese desserts. A straight-laced model employee, Kantaro accomplishes his work diligently so that right after, he can visit the latest sweet shops and write up his verdict in his secret blog. Aside from the impeccably prepared desserts, Kantaro describes the food in the most vivid manner possible, really engaging the viewers through the tasting process.
To be honest, I'm not a big fan of Japanese desserts, simply because I'm not too exposed to them. After watching this series, I almost wanted to go out on a similar dessert pilgrimage, my greatest obstacle being my lack of funds. If you're not a sweet-tooth yourself, you'll surely work up an appetite regardless by laughing at the wacky antics of the cast.
SAMURAI GOURMET
Takenaka Naoto is one of my favorite Japanese actors (he totally stole the show in the Nodame Cantabile live-action), so when I saw this show on Netflix, I immediately put it on my watch list. Although his role in this drama is much more subdued than his role as Stresemann, he still brings the laughs as he portrays Kasumi, a recent retiree with nowhere to go who decides to try various restaurants around his neighborhood. His mundane life is made riveting when he imagines himself as a samurai in feudal Japan while doing random tasks such as ordering food.
The series is a mix of comedic and poignant, a combination you didn't think was possible, by juxtaposing Kasumi's musings on life and what lies forward and his alternate vision of his meek self as a fierce samurai. Most of the food featured is your standard washoku fare, like ramen and yakitori, but it's always fun to learn about the history and preparation of these meals. It's also enjoyable to see how Kasumi reconciles his old ways with new practices, not just with food, but also with how he approaches life.
MIDNIGHT DINER
True to its name, Midnight Diner is the story of a diner that operates from midnight until 7:00 am. The small restaurant only seats twelve and offers a limited menu, but the mysterious bar owner (referred to as "Master"), can whip up a meal made by request, as long as he has the ingredients for it.
Aside from the zany regulars of the diner, we get to explore the stories of the customers who come and go, and how food connects everyone. Each episode will feature a new character and a Japanese dish that they will request from the Master. The stories range from lighthearted to dramatic, dealing with various topics such as friendship, death, dreams, and love. The endings vary as well, with some being resolved happily while others end tragically, and at times ambiguous. One thing's for sure, spending time at the Master's small pub will change your life in one way or another. I also really enjoy watching Master make the dishes in his traditional manner.
You'll spend quite some time watching this series, as Midnight Diner and Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories have five seasons combined. But luckily, you can watch the episodes out of order and it won't affect your viewing experience. I actually made the mistake of watching Tokyo Stories before the main drama.
All of the above shows are available for streaming on Netflix Philippines.
And that's it for this list! I hope you can also enjoy a virtual Japanese food trip while watching these shows. Remember to stay at home as much as necessary!