Samurai Gourmet (2017)
Asian TV rocks at presenting food. No matter what the characters are doing at any particular moment, they have to stop and have a meal, and when they have a meal, they have it. The meal is an event, a deep joy, and maybe an epiphany. Nothing against the Food Network, but they could learn a thing or two from Asian TV.
The Korean show Let’s Eat is wonderful (we’ll go there another day) but other than that, a big favorite of mine is the Japanese series, Samurai Gourmet. Obviously, the show has been on Netflix for a while, but I forget how many times I’ve gone back to it because each time it’s a pleasure. I only wish there was a second season.
Based on an essay and a manga, the series follows Takashi Kasumi, a retired office worker who is figuring out what to do with himself now that he doesn’t have to be in the office anymore. He’s a nice fellow but not especially macho or adventurous, and on his first day of retirement his wife, Shizuko suggests he go on a walk.
After striding around for a while, Takashi spies a restaurant and realizes that since he doesn’t have to go back to the office he can have a beer in the middle of the day if he wants to. And he does. Takashi begins going on food adventures, visiting the old haunts of his youth and taking chances on the dive he discovers out of nowhere, even if the proprieter might look a little scary. There’s always something good to be had somewhere.
Only it isn’t just a matter of sitting down and tucking in. Takashi’s alter ego is a samurai, a lone wolf who doesn’t give quarter or ask for it. He just likes to eat. And maybe save the day while he’s at it. This alternative personality sometimes inspires Takashi to be bolder than usual, standing up for himself where he might otherwise not. Or the samurai teaches him something about the world around him and how brave and kind people can really be.
The show has a bright, soft look to it most of the time, which is very inviting and calming but also a little playful. However, it can get dark and saturated, usually when the samurai shows up because it’s all about taking care of business. Sometimes the lines blur a little, however. In one episode Takashi has dinner with his headstrong young-adult niece in a dimly-lit Korean barbecue restaurant, and he surprises both of them with how forcefully he advises her not to disrespect her dad or be a selfish brat.
Food is, of course, showcased in great detail, with the camera taking long slow passes over whatever’s cooking. The colors of the food, the fire curling around the pots, and the bubbling and sizzling are larger than life, and it’s fun watching Takashi twinkle as he anticipates his first bite. He’s not a foodie in the strict sense; he just enjoys the sensory experience of a good meal and he makes it all look really good.
I also liked the sweet relationship Takashi has with his wife, who enjoys cooking and eating, and who’s been used to it being a solitary activity. Now that her husband isn’t working anymore the two of them can go out and get to know each other more over a meal, and they might even surprise each other. When Takashi and Suziko have oden for their anniversary, Takashi gets all adventurous and orders sea urchin instead of his usual fish cake and egg. Suziko’s affection for her husband is all over her face.
There are only twelve episodes of Samurai Gourmet and I defy anyone not to binge them all at a stretch. I also defy anyone not to get hungry. Or maybe Google some of the recipes.
Samurai Gourmet is currently streaming on Netflix. Rated TV-PG.
My grade: A+
Principal cast: Naoto Takenaka, Tetsuji Tamayama, Honami Suzuki
Directed by Michihito Fujii and Mamoro Hoshi.
Written by Masayuki Kusumi (manga), Yoshihiro Taguchi and Kiyoto Wada.
Yay! A new show to watch! Thank you.