Original subtitles

When people finish their day and hurry home,

my day starts.

My diner is open from midnight to seven in the morning.

They call it "Midnight Diner."

PORK MISO SOUP COMBO BEER, SAKE, SHOCHU

That's all I have on my menu.

But I make whatever customers request

as long as I have ingredients for it.

That's my policy.

Do I even have customers?

More than you would expect.

My diner is open earlier than usual on New Year's Eve.

Why, you ask?

Many of my regulars usher in the new year at my diner.

I have to make sure the ingredients are ready in advance.

You're from Aizu?

Can't you tell from my license plate?

Well, yes.

What, is it a crime to drive a car from a different prefecture?

Do you remember your school lessons on Edo customs law?

Weapons can't be brought in, and women can't go out.

Both the weapons and women require a permit.

Who cares?

I like Urabandai.

The second cousin of my uncle's second wife is from Nekoma.

I only parked here for a minute.

Our rules are so inflexible, aren't they?

Let me go, please.

I like that.

You'll let me go?

I like the way you said that.

That desperate whine at the end was beautiful.

Here you go.

Welcome.

You're open on New Year's Eve?

Wow, you must really need the money.

Would you like New Year's Eve noodles?

It's freshly made.

No, I'm good.

You can have this.

I don't eat soba, only udon.

What's this?

Thanks.

I'll treat you to red pickled ginger tempura in return.

Maybe next time.

I'm busy today.

Busy with work?

Kind of.

I make a killing around this time of the year. See you.

Ms. Kasumi, are you going home already?

Bang!

You went down too fast.

You have to match my timing.

Life is all about timing, you know.

You have to make your own luck.

See you. Happy New Year.

Happy New Year.

Do they use udon for New Year's Eve noodles in Osaka?

That's a good question.

Master.

Can I have Ms. Kasumi's soba?

She didn't make it herself.

It doesn't matter.

Her soba noodles will be our connection, like the red string of fate.

Sure, why not?

-Hello. -Good evening.

Welcome.

This is a first. I've never seen you two together.

We bumped into each other at the station. And would you believe it?

Handmade soba noodles. My client gave them to me.

Mine's handmade too.

My former boss is into handmade soba, and he insisted I take some with me.

And you want me to cook them?

He wants feedback on the noodles.

Same here.

We'll have your soba noodles later.

Could you use these first?

-Here. -Thanks.

Does everyone make their own soba noodles these days?

It's mostly retired men who are into it.

There are workshops and instructional DVDs everywhere.

It's an inexpensive hobby,

and it makes them look cultured.

And I bet they won't shut up about it.

Is that our fate?

Will we start obsessing over handmade soba when we get old?

I think these hobbies are just an escape from an unhappy marriage.

We don't even have families to go home to.

Look at us. It's New Year's Eve.

We'll be welcoming the new year in this diner again.

-This is really good. -It's delicious.

You're here already?

Welcome.

For you, Master.

Is this what I think it is?

It was a gift from a patient at my clinic.

It's from a soba shop in Nagoya. You can only get one pack a day.

Could you make us a bowl?

I want mixed vegetable tempura on mine.

-What about you, Kimi? -I'll have mine with egg yolk.

Sure.

-This is really good. -I know, right?

I like the springy noodles.

Let's swap.

Here.

Kimi, can I have the yolk?

Go ahead.

There's nothing else to do but wait.

How about we drink to pass the time?

Good idea.

Master, I'll have ginger ale and beer.

Sure.

How about it?

I guess not.

Look at your gloomy faces.

Let's play.

-Really? -Yes. What about you?

Sure.

Let's play.

You have the Joker.

Hey, no peeking!

Give me that.

Seriously?

Okay, good.

Which card will you pick, Kimi?

Master, I'll have hot sake.

Sure.

It's getting really chilly outside.

Don't sleep under the kotatsu.

-You'll catch a cold again. -I know.

Did you win anything?

I graciously gave the pachinko parlor money to celebrate the New Year.

My pockets are empty.

Would you like to join us?

Old Maid on New Year's Eve? Really?

What are you, middle school kids on a class trip?

-We were bored. -What?

Okay, but still...

Oh, before I forget.

Excuse me.

Master.

My family back home sent me this.

Pure buckwheat noodles. They're a bit crumbly.

I get a craving for these from time to time.

Thanks.

-Here you go. -Thanks.

All right, timeout.

You have to chew, Mr. Chu. You'll choke on the noodles.

You're supposed to savor the way the noodles slide down your throat.

Welcome.

Hello.

New Year's Eve soba for three, chilled with dipping sauce.

Can I have the noodles to go?

You want the soba I made?

Of course.

Coming right up.

This is wild wasabi, nourished by the clear streams of Amagi.

Here.

You can mix it in the sauce, or add it to your noodles.

Thanks.

Handmade soba with wasabi. A meal fit for kings!

We always eat at cheap noodle stalls.

Cool it, will you? Soba was invented for peasants.

You're embarrassing me.

Winter wasabi is extra spicy, don't eat it all at once.

Too late for that!

Another year has come and gone.

WE KEEP THE CITY SAFE

A headfirst slide into second base! Safe!

I made it in time.

Welcome.

What about your bar, Kosuzu?

I want to usher in the new year here.

I kicked my clingy customers out and closed early.

Master, one soba with soup, please.

What about you, Ko?

-Can I get a jumbo bowl? -Sure, why not?

-One jumbo bowl, please. -Sure.

-I'll have soba with soup. -Me too.

Let's have Master's soba this time.

I want one too.

Us too.

I'll have one too. Make it a small one.

Sure.

I wish all of you a happy new year.

-Happy New Year. -Happy New Year.

Let's have another good year.

-Thanks. -Happy New Year.

-Happy New Year. -You too.

-Thanks. -Thanks.

-Here. -Thanks.

-Here you go. -Thanks.

-Here. -Thanks.

-Don't spill it. -Okay.

-You too, Mr. Chu. -Okay.

-Here you go. -Thanks.

Thanks.

Let's usher in the new year with a toast.

Hey! Wait!

-Hold it! -Hold it!

Thanks.

All right.

Let's do this again. Cheers!

-Cheers! -Cheers!

ALCOHOL LIMIT: THREE BOTTLES

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Wait, really?

Are you sure, Master?

A New Year's gift from me.

Ryu!

It's ready.

Heave-ho!

-Heave-ho! -Heave-ho!

-Heave-ho! -Heave-ho!

-Do you want to give it a go? -What?

-Here. -Do your best!

-Ready, set... -Ready, set...

-heave-ho! -heave-ho!

-Heave-ho! -Looking good!

-Perfect timing! -Heave-ho!

Heave-ho!

Good job!

-Here you go, Master. -Give it up for Master!

I can't. I have to get ready.

-What? -What?

The soup for the rice cake.

-I see. -You're right.

Let me try.

Here you go. Take it.

-Do your best! -Go for it!

Oh, don't mind these lovebirds.

You'll be fine.

I'm sure the three of you will meet wonderful men this year.

There will be wedding bells.

No, that's not it.

It's just so nice to be here

with all of you.

You're right.

We have to cherish every moment.

I know what you mean.

As the days pass,

we'll all be gone, one by one.

Our time here...

is fleeting.

-Right? -Right?

Why are you getting all sentimental?

None of you are cut out for that sappy stuff.

Don't be sappy, be happy.

Or you could take it one step further and be zappy...

-Oh, my gosh! Are you all right? -Hey, are you okay?

-Ms. Kosuzu! -Do something, quick!

Ready, set...

Wait.

Was that a gunshot?

You're just hearing things, as usual.

Shall we?

No drinking on the job.

An old man at the intersection needs help.

He dislocated his shoulder after a string of high-fives.

He keeps saying, "I've dislocated it."

Well, let's go help him pop it back in place.

Let's do it. Where is he?

-This way. -Okay.

Not bad.

Another bowl of rice cake soup, please.

-Me too! -And me!

Me too!

Sure.

When people finish their day and hurry home,

my day starts.

My diner is open from midnight to seven in the morning.

They call it "Midnight Diner."

Do I even have customers?

More than you would expect.

DINER

Welcome.

Hello.

It's delicious.

Any requests?

Will you sing "Don't Say a Word" again?

It's for my wife.

Minced meat cutlets, please.

Do you think your manga is interesting?

I'll be honest with you. This is boring.

You're just a dreamer!

You can always pick up your pen again

when you're ready.

Will you go out with me? I want to marry you.

Our feelings aren't always black and white.

Are you disappointed in me?

No. You have to be strong to survive.

-Mr. Ide. -Yes?

Bang!

-Ginger tempura. -Ginger tempura.

My mom always said to me,

"Never be the mistress of a stingy man."

Welcome...

I used to hate glass noodle salad.

But Shiga was fond of it.

Shiga confessed

his love to me.

What?

My mother used to make that all the time.

I had your breasts when I was younger too.

You're always bouncing from one man to another.

Who are you to judge my boyfriend?

Your mother gave me her recipe.

I feel like having her cabbage rolls again.

Here you go.

They say clams are good for you.

Are you a fan of Go?

I have no idea what's going on. I use it as a sleeping aid.

Why don't you make a stupid decision now?

Will you give me another chance?

If you don't clean the clams,

the soup will be full of sand.

Do you have some braised burdock root?

But I love her!

Why?

Don't go.

Mine's liver and leek stir-fry.

Mine's leek and liver stir-fry.

I can tell you have dirty thoughts.

Harry Callahan.

We're living together now.

You can't be serious.

Not bad.

Excuse me.

Sorry, coming through.

I just received an anonymous tip.

There's a Midnight Diner movie?

What?

Wait, you didn't know?

I make whatever customers request

as long as I have ingredients for it.

That's my policy.

If you ever find yourself in the neighborhood,

feel free to drop in.

-We'll be waiting! -We'll be waiting!

THIS STORY IS A WORK OF FICTION.

Subtitle translation by Chen Li Woon