Are you ready to join us for an exciting cooking project? It’s about discovering Japanese comfort food through Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories, a Japanese TV series that is centered around food and bonding. There will be ramen, savory rice dish, hot pot, sweet plum wine, and even a Japanese-version of corn dog to cook and savor together.
As we’re anticipating the arrival of the cooler months and pre-holiday season, it means there will be a lot of cooking and eating for many of us. How about making it fun and fulfilling by tackling a cooking project together? We’ve pulled together every dish that is featured on Midnight Diner: Tokyo Series (Season 1) from Episode 1-10 for you to follow through.
All the recipes are representative of Japanese home cooked recipes that you will not typically find at the Japanese restaurant menus in the US. So this cooking project is about sharing Japanese culture, a few delicious dishes, a new experience and ultimately a good time.
For those who have yet to watch the show, Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories is a Japanese TV series inspired by a best-selling manga which focuses on a chef, known as “The Master” who runs a small diner in Tokyo and his connections with his customers from all walks of life. Each episode starts with The Master preparing a specific dish upon the request of his customer and there we learn about their life story. It is essentially a show about human connections and the healing powers of food – in the case of Midnight Diner, Japanese comfort food.
Since Midnight Diner is all about bonding, you should really invite your family or a few good friends or neighbors or even potential new friends to tackle this project together. Watch the show at the weekend and cook each recipe right after. If you like, you can even do the shopping together. We think you’re going to enjoy this!
Looking for Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories Season 2 recipes, click here.
Discover Japanese Comfort Food – Midnight Diner: Tokyo Series Recipes
Episode 1 – Tan-Men タンメン
Forget about instant ramen in a cup, and mark this ramen recipe down instead! Easily one of the quickest ramen you can pull off at home, Tan-Men is ramen noodle soup topped with stir-fried pork and vegetables. It’s light, comforting and filling enough to fuel your hunger any time of the day.
Episode 2 – Corn Dogs アメリカンドッグ
Never thought of making corn dogs at home before? Time to give this Japanese version of American corn dogs a try! The homemade corn dog recipe takes just minutes to make, and they make a fun snack for parties.
Episode 3 – Tonteki トンテキ
A regional food from Mie Prefecture in central Japan, Tonteki (トンテキ) is a Japanese pork loin steak dish cooked with thick garlic soy sauce and served with steamed rice and shredded cabbage. A delicious dinner that can be done under 30 minutes.
Episode 4 – Omurice (Omelette Rice) オムライス
Sweet and savory tomato-based fried rice encased in a golden omelet pillow, Omurice (オムライス) or Omelette Rice is one of the most popular yoshoku (western-style Japanese foods) for over a century. It’s a favorite among Japanese people of all ages and we think you should really keep this comforting dish in your family dinner rotation too.
Episode 5 – Egg Tofu (Tamago Tofu) on Rice 玉子豆腐
If you have access to these 3 Japanese ingredients – packaged egg tofu, kamaage shirasu (boiled baby anchovy/sardine), and ooba (shiso leaves), making this Egg Tofu on Rice is literally a breeze. The only work you need to do is to cook up some steamed rice. The rest is about assembling the tofu, kamaage shirasu, and thinly shredded shiso leaves on top of the cooked rice, and you’ll have some refreshing rice dish ready to go. This recipe also shows you how to make soft and silken egg tofu from scratch. It is much easier than you think! You could enjoy the egg tofu as an appetizer or as a side dish to your meal.
Episode 6 – Plum Wine (Umeshu) 梅酒
Plum Wine or Umeshu (梅酒) is a traditional Japanese liqueur made by steeping fresh Japanese plum (ume) in shochu/white liquor and sugar. The sweet and sour flavors and its fruity aroma makes Umeshu a very appealing and versatile liqueur. You can mix so many different drinks with it. Enjoy the plum wine at different temperatures; chilled or with ice, room temperature, or even hot in the winter.
Episode 7 – Hot Pot for One 白菜と豚バラの一人鍋
There are times when we need something hot and comforting just for ourselves. This Hot Pot for One, or more descriptively, Napa Cabbage and Pork Belly Hot Pot for One, will come to the rescue. In this recipe, tender pork belly is cooked in a delicious and savory katsuo dashi with napa cabbage and enoki mushrooms. For the cooking project, you can make this hot pot with your spouse or with 1-2 good friends together.
Episode 8 – Sauteed Yam 長芋のソテー
This crunchy and toasty Sautéed Yam dish is a simple yet authentic Japanese home cooked dish you can tackle. Look for nagaimo (長芋), a type of Japanese mountain yam, at your local Asian or Japanese grocery stores.
Episode 9 –Ham Katsu ハムカツ
Crispy panko on the outside and delicious black forest ham on the inside, Ham Katsu is a delicious cutlet you can make with easy-to-get ingredients. Serve this as an appetizer with plenty of cold beer.
Episode 10 – Toshikoshi Soba (New Year’s Eve Noodles) 年越しそば
How about sharing a new tradition by making and eating a hot bowl of soba noodle soup on this New Year’s Eve? Called the Toshikoshi Soba, or year-crossing noodle, it’s a simple Japanese noodle dish to melt away any hardship of the past year and welcome the new beginning.
Stream, Eat & Cook with Us – Midnight Diner: Tokyo Series Recipes
Will you be taking on this Midnight Diner cooking project or challenge? Who do you have in mind in sharing this fun project with? Whether you’re planning on cooking each recipe all by yourself or with different groups of people, we hope you have fun watching the TV series and discovering the comfort of these Japanese home-cooked dishes.
Looking for Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories Season 2 recipes, click here.
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I love this series and the movies too. And your Tan Men recipe has become a regular dish for me. I was wondering, in one episode (or movie) the police officer woman eats a dish which seems to be made of liver, bean sprouts and some greens. Do you have a recipe for that too by chance?
Hi Andreas! Thank you very much for reading Nami’s post and for your kind feedback!
The dish you mentioned is probably called “Reba Nira” in Japanese. We currently don’t have the recipe on the site. But we’ll make sure to add the recipe to Nami’s list. Thanks for your request!
Thanks for the food!
Hi Wanda! We are glad to hear you enjoy Season 1 recipes!
Thank you for reading Nami’s post!
When I look for an authentic recipe, I always come to JOCB and say out loud “I love this site”. But today finding you have the recipes from MIDNIGHT DINER!? This is my favorite site ever. Thank you so much. This really made my day.
Hi Marc! We are so happy to hear you enjoy many recipes from our site!
Yes! Nami posted the recipes for Midnight Diner seasons 1 and 2. Please enjoy!
Love the show. Thank for the recipes. When the patron leave they tell the master “thank you for the food” I would love to say that but I can’t find the proper translation. Can you point me in the right direction? ありがとう
Hi Mike, Thank you very much for reading Nami’s post. We hope you enjoy many recipes from our website!
The words the patron used in the show is “Gochiso- sama” or “Gochiso- sama deshita” ごちそうさまでした
We hope this helps and you can use the word when you visit Japan or a Japanese restaurant next time!
On Midnight Diner: at the beginning of season one, episode 10, What is the grey gelatin looking rectangular thing he breaks up to put in his cooking/dish?
Hi Joyce, Hum…. we have to look up the show closely again.🧐
Thanks, Naomi!
It is the episode about New Year’s Eve.
I haven’t seen it before, and tried to google it to find out what the grey gelatinous looking stuff is, but don’t see any answers.
Hi Joyce, You are welcome! It looks like Mochi. At 17:30, boiling Kiri Mochi for the Kanto style Ozoni. (Mochi can be boiled or baked for Ozoni) https://www.justonecookbook.com/ozoni/ We hope this helps!
Thanks!
I just wondered, because it looks grey!
I want to know too. It’s in the intro. To every episode.
I am loving this TV series and all the personalities. The Master is such a cool and calm, kind man! I am cooking all the things I can and it’s so much fun! Thanks for the recipes and tell the Master to keep ’em coming! Your North Carolina fan!
Hi Beverly, We are glad to hear you enjoyed this series! Thank you for trying many recipes!
My husband and I love Midnight Diner. So excited to be able to cook the dishes Mastuh serves his guests.
Hi Jonima!
Thank you very much for your kind feedback!
We couldn’t be happier to hear how much joy and excitement Nami’s recipe has brought to you!
We also have Season 2 recipes too: https://www.justonecookbook.com/netflix-midnight-diner-tokyo-stories-season-2-recipes/.
Enjoy!🙂
I’m ready for this adventure!!
Hi Jill,
Yay! Good Luck!🙂
Hi Nami, I am so happy to have found your website. I know I will be trying so many of the recipes. I have watched all of the Midnight Diner and the Tokyo series as well. I have the pleasure of living in Japan for 3 months and fell in love with the people, food and culture!
Hi Irene,
Thank you very much! We couldn’t be happier to hear how much joy and excitement Nami’s recipe has brought to you! Please enjoy the stay in Japan!
This is how I found you and your website. I saw the Midnight Diner Tokio StoriesI series time ago and fell in love with it, the food, and the actor (isn’t he gorgeous? – plus a great actor). So one day I wanted to try the recipes and did a search in Google and voila! I found your website..with al the recipes! Thank you so much. Now I receive your e-mails and have tried some of the Japanese recipes and I love them!
Hi Beatriz,
We couldn’t be happier to hear how much joy and excitement Nami’s recipe has brought to you! Thank you very much for your continued support!
Thank you so much for this. I will work my way through the list.
Are there more to match the rest of the seasons.
Here in the UK it’s released as
Midnight Diner seasons 1-2 (real 1-2)
Midnight Diner : Tokyo stories seasons 1-2 ( real 3-4)
I don’t want anyone to miss the real first season.
Boy this makes me want to go to japan and stay there for a little while.
Hi Akash! In the US we have Midnight Diner 1-3, and Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories 1-2. 🙂
I am really enjoying Midnight Diner Tokyo.
Even though I dont speak Japanese. It has some great moral qualities to it as well as some fun actors and of course the food. Really easy to put on when I’m doing the ironing hehehe.
Hi Tresna! Hahaha true! The drama is slow enough, I can actually work and watch too. I’m so glad you like this show. 🙂
This is my favorite show! LOOOOVE. I miss Tokyo so much!
Hi Francis! I’m happy to hear you like this show, too! Have fun cooking all these recipes!
Hello, thanks for your great recipes from Midnight Diner, that’s so awesome!!
One other show I love is Samurai Gourmet which I’m sure you’re familiar with. There is one episode that has a good that’s driving me crazy, I want it so bad. S1:episode 7, Umbrellas at the diner counter. They serve him Kasane, stewed trip and it looks amazing!! I looked up some recipes but nothing looks quite like this preparation. I was hoping maybe you had some insight?
Thanks again for your wonderful work!
🙏🙏🙏
Greg
Hi Greg! Thanks so much! We were watching Samurai Gourmet, too, until we got too busy. Kasane, stewed trip? Tripe? Wonder what it is. I’ll watch it when I get a chance!
Please host a zoom dinner party for all Midnight Diner fans to attend!
I don’t know when it was added, but 3 seasons of Midnight Diner are now on Netflix. It appears as though it takes place before Tokyo Stories. Looking forward to recipes from that as well.
Hi May! Yeah it was added this week! We’re excited to start making those recipes too!
I am rewatching Tokyo Stories (again!) and wondered if you know what Master made Kosuzu for breakfast in “Sweet Rolled Omlet” at about 16:30. Thanks!
Hi May! It’s Yakinasu (grilled eggplant) with miso sauce (a mixture of miso, mirin, sake, sugar).
My husband and I love Midnight Diner and yesterday I made the fried chicken wings, season 2, episode 4. Such simple ingredients and wow, using potato starch really made a difference. The wings looked so delicious coming out of the fryer and the felt so light and had a clean, straightforward wonderful taste.
Hi Barbara! I’m so happy to hear you tried this recipe and liked it. Thank you for your kind feedback. We will be continuing with sharing Season 2 recipes… 3 more to go! 🙂
Nami thank you for sharing your knowledge and recipes. I am so excited to dive into creating a Japanese kitchen!
Hi Esther! Have fun cooking Japanese food at home! Thank you for your kind words!
Well done on replicating the dishes from Season 1! They all look so good, like you were on the set of the show! My favorite is the hot pot for one–so simple and comforting. Looking forward to Season 2 and your recipes. Thanks, Nami!
Hi Donna! Thank you so much for your support all the time. I really appreciate it. 🙂
Hi. I love all of these recipes. Are you planning to cover the ones from the first two seasons, the ones that aren’t on Netflix?
Hi Mack! I won’t be following the order the Japanese drama shared, and will try to stick with Netflix order (because the majority of people can’t watch them) as I blog in English and my readers are people outside of Japan… 🙂
I have made most of the ‘Midnight Diner’ recipes. For the ‘Chicken Fried Rice’ we would use Japanese style ketchup. I think it flavor profile better fits the dish.
Hi Tom! Yeah Kagome is a popular brand if anyone is looking for. 🙂
I enjoy your recipes, but I`m afraid I won`t go to netflix for ANY reason! I have had my credit card hacked twice by someone in their ranks, so I don`t do business with them anymore. I keep getting email from them saying my account is about to be deleted from them, but when I try to communicate with them with a reply to the mail I get a “not a viable mail address”, so I just ignore the whole thing. Have you heard of any other people with similar problems? Thank you for your recipes.
Hi Ken! I’m sorry that you have a problem with them. Have you called them to sort your issue? We’re happy Netflix users so far. 🙂
Hello Nami
Now, that season 2 is on Netflix, are you going to post recipes from it?
Thank you!
Hi Maria! Yes, we started shooting the recipes from Season 2. We’ll start sharing them soon! 🙂
What about chicken fried rice (S2E1) from midnight Diner
Hi Robin! We started shooting Season 2 recipes, so I’ll start posting soon! Stay tuned. 🙂
I enjoy midnight dinner series very much. Now that session 2 is on Netflix, could you please so something similar with the recipes in Session 2. Thanks in advance.
Hi Weng! Yes, we’re watching season 2 and haven’t finished yet, but we’ll start filming Season 2 recipes soon! 🙂
Hi Nami-san! You got me hooked on Midnight Diner and I just finished watching Season 2. I was so glad you posted the recipes for Season 1 and hope you will be posting recipes for Season 2 soon!! Love your YouTube Channel and recipes, as well as all the wonderful cooking tips & cultural presentations – keep up the good work!!
Hi Shirley! We’re still watching season 2 but will start shooting the recipes soon! Thank you so much for your kind feedback! xo
Dear Nami!
Is there any planning on a series of recipes for season two? It was just released and I would love to enjoy the new season together with the corresponding dishes! <3
Best wishes from Germany and tons of thanks for your great work!
Neeltje
Forget my comment….
I just read the last post which answers my question, my bad!
No problem at all! xoxo
Hi Neeltje! Yes, we’re going to start shooting soon! Thank you for your support and kind words!
Season 2!!!!!🥰
Hi Pony! Yessss! We’ll start filming soon! 🙂
Hi Nami
like everyone else I wanted to say that season 2 is out now and if and when you get a chance I’d love to have your take on the recipes!
regards
Susie
Hi Susie! We haven’t finished watching all the episodes yet, but we’ll start shooting the recipes soon! Stay tuned! 🙂
Please do season 2 recipes!!
Hi Joanne! Yes, we’ll start filming soon!
What is the gelatin that Master rips with his hands and uses in the preparation of his mushroom broth that is at the beginning of every episode?
Hi Ornella! That’s Konnyaku (https://www.justonecookbook.com/konjac-konnyaku/). 🙂
Will you be putting up second season Midnight Diner recipes?
I love your website
Hi Don! Yes, we’ll start shooting soon! 🙂
Season 2 is out! Will you continue the recipes?
Hi Tom! YES! Stay tuned… 🙂
Hey Nami!
Love your site and recipes. I’ve used your Baked Tonkatsu,homemade dashi and miso soup recipes a number of times and loved them.
Have you seen season 2 yet? I’d love to see some more recipes from the series when you have the chance.
Hi Jason! Thank you so much for using my blog to cook Japanese recipes. I’m so happy you enjoy them. 🙂
Yes, we’ve started to watch but haven’t finished yet. We’ll be starting to shoot Season 2 recipes soon! Stay tuned!
Love your posting of recipes from “Midnight Diner” This show along with “Samurai Gourmet” are 2 of my favorites. Will you continue with the recipes now that season 2 is being aired? Again, Thank you for bringing the dishes that compliment the wonderful stories to life.
Hi Tal! Thanks so much for your kind words. Yes, we’re planning on shooting Season 2 recipes soon. I love both shows very much. 🙂
Happy to have found Netflix Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories – Season 1 Recipes.
I was also delighted to have found satandagi recipe! I lived in Okinawa for 10 years and I miss Okinawa very much.
The menu for tonight’s dinner is from you!
Hi Ann! Hope you enjoy Midnight Diner recipes, especially Sata Andagi. 🙂 Hope your dinner went well. xo
I love this show! Can you recreate a recipe for the soup he makes in the intro? I think they say it is his only menu item. It looks like some sort or miso soup with pork belly and lots of veggies!
Hi Mei! It’s called Tonjiru. Every family makes it different, and I have one here: https://www.justonecookbook.com/tonjiru/
Thanks for sharing this Nami. Really appreciate it. I’m a fan of this series and the recipes. Keith Malaysia
Hi Keith, We are glad to hear you enjoyed this series! Thank you for trying recipes!
It’s taken me FOREVER to finally get around to watching Midnight Diner! I was a tad concerned that as I was watching from within Japan, English subtitles may not be available (and yes, still, I do need them!). Fortunately, the subtitles are there and after one episode I am hooked — so now I can combine the stories and the recipes! Thanks, Nami!
Hi Cyn! You’re lucky you get to watch all the episodes and many people here wish there are more episodes (plus they shared Season 3 as Season 1). Have fun cooking all the recipes! Haha, I still watch American shows with caption on. 😀