Set in a small restaurant in the corner of a shopping district. The unusual eatery is only open after midnight, and its standard menu consists of just a single choice. However, the customers still come for the amusing chatter and the proprietor's willingness to cook any dish that they request. This drama depicts the lives of the restaurant's patrons, including a yakuza, an unsuccessful actor, a group of office ladies, a newspaper delivery boy, and a stripper.
Midnight Diner (Season 3)
Menchi-Katsu (Episode 1) 8.0
Air date: 2014-10-20
Runtime: 24 min
Overview: Widowed singer Misao Kashima makes a rare visit to eat minced meat cutlets. Misao has been unable to perform on stage ever since she lost her husband.
Tomatoes Wrapped in Pork Belly (Episode 2) 8.0
Air date: 2014-10-27
Runtime: 24 min
Overview: Comic editor Uno brings up-and-coming award-winning artist Hashimoto to eat Master’s pork-wrapped tomatoes. He lives with a woman and writes comics.
Simmered Taro and Squid (Episode 3) 7.0
Air date: 2014-11-03
Runtime: 24 min
Overview: Private detectives Kei and Mamoru are drawn to the aroma of Master’s simmered taro and squid. They spend the night together after leaving the diner.
Red Pickled Ginger Tempura (Episode 4) 7.0
Air date: 2014-11-10
Runtime: 23 min
Overview: Regular Komichi falls for Kasumi, whose past is unknown. She asks Master to make pickled ginger tempura, a taste familiar to people from Osaka.
Vermicelli Salad (Episode 5) 8.0
Air date: 2014-11-17
Runtime: 24 min
Overview: Miho and Sayuri, in charge of their elementary school reunion, order vermicelli salad. The two recall their old schoolmate who loved the dish.
Cabbage Rolls (Episode 6) 8.0
Air date: 2014-11-24
Runtime: 24 min
Overview: The weather is getting cooler so Master prepares extra stuffed cabbage to the regular customers’ delight. Only the stripper Marilyn feels differently.
Freshwater Clam Soup (Episode 7) 8.0
Air date: 2014-12-01
Runtime: 23 min
Overview: On Saturday mornings, Yoshio and wife Mizue come to eat clam soup. People refer to them as a close couple. Yoshio is actually Mizue’s third husband.
Braised Burdock Root (Episode 8) 7.5
Air date: 2014-12-08
Runtime: 24 min
Overview: ”Do you have sautéed burdock?” asks stately Chizuru Ichikawa as she enters the diner. She is Gen’s former high school teacher, club adviser, and crush.
Liver & Chive Stir Fry (Episode 9) 7.5
Air date: 2014-12-08
Runtime: 23 min
Overview: Detectives Noguchi and Izumi always disagree. He wants “liver and chives”, she wants “chives and liver”. She tells Master she wants a new partner.
New Year's Eve Soba Noodles (Episode 10) 8.0
Air date: 2014-12-22
Runtime: 23 min
Overview: It’s New Year’s Eve. The regulars all come by to ring in the new year with Master’s soba noodles. The diner is always a special place for them.
