I discovered this series, and now binging it.
A Japanese story, centered around a small off the beaten path diner that opens at 12 and closes at 7 a.m.

The owner is the story teller, and each episode revolves around his patrons.

Poignant, funny, sad, and EXCELLENT story telling.
You get to know regulars and new patrons.

He only has one item on the menu, but will cook anything someone wants, if he has the ingredients.

I randomly picked an episode called "Chicken Rice".
It was about a video game magnate, who was abandoned at birth, finding his mother.
It was very moving.

So I backed up and started at the beginning.

I about died laughing at the one about "Potato Salad", a Japanese male porn star, and how Mothers are important in life.

I give it two Ducatis up!
Mushi Mushi!

I’ve watched the entire series. Love it. I was stationed in Japan for many years and this series took me back… Definitely worth watching!

Thanks Wayniac, yeah, I grew up watching Kikaida and Zaboga in Hawaii, and lived on Naha for 2 years.

My Japanese is actually coming back....

I’m in season 3, and it’s a great series. There’s actually 2 of them on Netflix, Midnight Diner and Midnight Diner:Tokyo Stories.

Netflix took over the producing, thus the Tokyo stories

Ahh, one of my indulgences, when all the other crap seems uninteresting, I can turn to Midnight Diner. Its not for everyone, and requires the viewer to allow scenes to develop, I like how minimal things are, its not over-produced or, highly polished but, those involved just do a good job. Each of characters represents a Japanese cultural archtype, from the call girl, loanshark/gangster, the lowly salaryman, the high-powered executive, the street merchant, the policeman, the model, the lazy son, etc...

Fun to see a show with a basic premise, focused dialogue, a handful of regular characters and a rotating story each episode.

It's pretty decent and a number of good episodes (across 3 seasons?).

There is a Korean version tailored for Korean culture that is arguably better. Stories that are a little more crisp, more plausible and a little more naive (less Kabukicho); if I recall correctly.

Sounds interesting. I'm going to give it a shot. Thanks for the reco!

I've seen the first 2 seasons. It's sort of a Japanese Cheers. Very engaging.