The WORST episodes of Midnight Diner

#1 - Crab and Toshikoshi Soba

Season 5 - Episode 10 - Aired 10/31/2019

It's never too late for a fresh start. One year ends and another begins as familiar faces gather to celebrate New Year’s Eve at the Midnight Diner.

#2 - Tan-Men

Season 4 - Episode 1 - Aired 10/21/2016

A specially prepared bowl of tanmen noodles leads a radio announcer to discover a secret about a beloved television show from his youth.

#3 - Corn Dog

Season 4 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/21/2016

A childish fight over a fish-sausage corn dog leads to a schism between an Asakusa comedian and his now-famous former assistant.

#4 - Tonteki

Season 4 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/21/2016

An office worker who loves pork steaks knits sweaters for the men she adores, but her affections -- and handiwork -- are not always appreciated.

#5 - Omelette Rice

Season 4 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/21/2016

The shared love of fried rice omelets forms an intercultural bridge between a young Japanese physicist and a Korean girl.

#6 - Egg Tofu

Season 4 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/21/2016

A lonely little boy with only a gambler to take care of him hopes to make a connection with a bar girl over a mutual appreciation for egg tofu.

#7 - Sour Plum & Plum Wine

Season 4 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/21/2016

Upon finishing the last of his late mother's pickled plums, a man suddenly wonders what will become of his erotica after he passes away.

#8 - Hot Pot for One

Season 4 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/21/2016

A diner regular reunites with an old classmate who, despite a good upbringing, now works a menial job to support her troublesome nephew.

#9 - Sautéed Yam

Season 4 - Episode 8 - Aired 10/21/2016

A dish of sauteed Chinese yam rekindles the connection between a young wife and her former lover, with whom she shares a hidden professional past.

#10 - Ham Cutlet

Season 4 - Episode 9 - Aired 10/21/2016

A breaded ham cutlet brings back an elderly lawyer's memories of playing the board game Othello with his long-lost younger brother.

#11 - New Year's Eve Noodles, Again

Season 4 - Episode 10 - Aired 10/21/2016

As December comes to a close and the regulars gather at the diner, the Master takes a look back at his memories of the year.

#12 - Chicken Fried Rice

Season 5 - Episode 1 - Aired 10/31/2019

Game designer Akai grew up in an orphanage. He finds solace in a chicken rice dish that also holds the key to reconnecting with his birth mother.

#13 - Fried Chicken Breast with Cheese

Season 5 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/31/2019

Writer Yada and hostess Hikaru bond over their love of horoscopes and chicken cheese cutlet. Secretly, Yada tries to use the horoscopes to woo her.

#14 - Plum Rice Ball

Season 5 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/31/2019

A retired old schoolteacher reconnects with his former student: diner regular Marilyn. Awkwardly, her high school nemesis also shows up.

#15 - Fried Chicken Wings

Season 5 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/31/2019

In her mid-30s, Chizuru worries her modeling career is ending. An encounter with a high-powered fan gives her a chance to evaluate her priorities.

#16 - Yakisoba Dog

Season 5 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/31/2019

Businessman Kotani is jubilant at his high school baseball team's success. His joy stirs up memories of his former best friend, the coach of the team.

#17 - Salmon and Mushrooms

Season 5 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/31/2019

The Ueharas run a barbershop together. They seem happy, but when his wife goes on a trip, a beautiful kimono instructor catches Mr. Uehara's eye.

#18 - Kitsune Udon

Season 5 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/31/2019

Two aspiring voice actresses stop by for lucky bowls of kitsune udon, but six months later, only one of them seems to have had any luck.

#19 - Curry Ramen

Season 5 - Episode 8 - Aired 10/31/2019

A pachinko parlor employee and the middle school classmate he idolized seem to reconnect over curry ramen, but appearances can be deceiving.

#20 - Sweet Rolled Omelet

Season 5 - Episode 9 - Aired 10/31/2019

A Mr. Lee shows up nightly, ordering rolled omelets every time. He turns out to be a film director fleeing from his own set and his father's legacy.

#21 - Canned Goods

Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/10/2011

A group of young film makers producing a movie about a suicide at the same site bumps into a mysterious young woman, and can't shake the feeling she may be some ghostly reincarnation of the victim.

#22 - Pickled Red Ginger Tempura

Season 3 - Episode 4 - Aired 11/10/2014

#23 - Fried Eggs and Red Wieners

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 10/9/2009

Ginger baked cod roe, pork, fried horse mackerel, peanut

#24 - Grilled Aji (Horse Mackerel)

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 12/4/2009

Peanuts

#25 - Pickled Cabbage

Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/24/2011

A young screenwriter has to live through a scandal after her affair with her producer is revealed.