Original subtitles

When people finish their day and hurry home,

my day starts.

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.

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.

Oh, did you hear?

Yuriko's engaged.

Her fiancé was her first love in middle school.

She bumped into him again at a client company.

Wait.

How old is Yuriko, again?

She's 36. Almost 40.

Really? That means...

-They were reunited after 20 years? -They were reunited after 20 years?

Yes, exactly!

Wow, just like in the movies!

Where's our Prince Charming? What's wrong with us?

"Us"? I haven't sunk to your level.

I knew it. True love exists!

The red string of fate! It's real!

More like a tangled ball of yarn, in your case.

That's still better than nothing.

Not if the yarn is already falling apart.

I resent that!

-Long time no see. -Hello.

Well,

I like the ambiance.

Back when I was a poor student in Paris,

I ate at bistros like this one all the time.

-This way, please. -All right.

I've seen him on TV.

-Me too. -Me too.

My diner isn't exactly a five-star restaurant.

Master, we'll have beer for starters.

Do you have deep-fried tofu?

I do.

I can't stand food critics.

Why did Komichi think it was a good idea to bring one to my diner?

This is good.

I haven't had Japanese beer in a while. It's refreshing.

I was getting tired of wine.

I'm glad I brought you here.

The ris de veau I had earlier was appalling.

I almost vomited.

Really?

They tried to hide it with a strong sauce,

but the taste of blood was still there.

I don't understand why these mediocre restaurants continue to flourish.

If this were Paris, they'd be out of business by now.

Do you like caviar?

I don't feel strongly about it.

I'll treat you to blini at my favorite restaurant next time.

There's no better way to eat caviar.

You can buy me champagne in return. Only the best, got it?

What an ass. I can't even enjoy my ochazuke in peace.

Here you go. Deep-fried tofu.

Intriguing.

I'll add the soy sauce.

What about the pizza you tried last month?

-The Italian restaurant? -Yes.

Their pizza was mediocre, even for Tokyo.

His attitude grated on everyone's nerves.

Just as the other customers were about to lose their temper...

Welcome.

Hello.

Mr. Goro is a wandering musician, one of the last of his kind.

Here you go. Butter rice and pork miso soup.

I really appreciate it.

Mr. Goro always waits 30 seconds

for the butter to melt from the heat of the rice.

Just a little.

Just a drop.

After adding the soy sauce, he mixes the rice.

Excuse me. Can I have one too?

Me too.

Sure.

Should I get one too?

Are you serious? You just ate two bowls of ochazuke.

I did.

Mr. Goro eats free of charge.

He pays for his meal with a song.

It's always the same song.

I've been singing for 40 years.

Goro, your friendly neighborhood wandering musician, will now sing for you.

Oh, don't mind me. You can continue eating, it's fine.

I've come to Hakodate after a long journey

I braved turbulent waves to get here

You told me not to come after you

As you turned around and wept

My heart longs for you Whenever I think of our goodbye

I miss you terribly

And I will go on missing you

I will never forget you

Thanks for the food!

Wasn't that amazing?

That was incredibly moving.

Butter rice, please.

I'd like to have butter rice too.

Sure.

Wagyu poele with red wine sauce, paired with a quenelle.

What do you think?

Well...

-The ingredients are of good quality. -Thank you.

We buy a fresh batch of A5 wagyu beef every day, the very best.

They're so fresh you can eat them raw.

Our quenelle is a mixture of three different pastes.

The base sauce has been infused with truffles--

Mr. Toyama is in a hurry. He has to attend a party at Hiroo.

-You're right. -Yes, sir.

We should get going then.

Yes, sir.

Master, you were annoyed with me yesterday, weren't you?

You were upset because I brought Masao Toyama, the food critic, here.

Well, yes.

I just wanted to show him what good food looks like.

Butter rice.

Are you sure?

It's just butter on rice. You can make it yourself at home.

My wife grew up overseas.

We only have bread at home.

I see.

Will the musician be back tonight?

You mean Mr. Goro?

He only comes on Thursdays.

Do wandering musicians make money these days?

Who knows?

Here.

I don't have any small change right now.

It's fine. You can give it to me the next time I'm here.

Can you drop me off over there?

It's a long way from your house.

It's fine. I'm not going home yet.

You can go home.

All right, I'll do that.

Mr. Toyama now comes to my diner

every Thursday, without fail.

Hello.

Mr. Toyama!

The sushi restaurant you recommended was incredible.

My boss was really impressed.

Really? Wow, I should give it a try.

On second thought, that restaurant is way too expensive for me.

Butter rice, please.

Sure.

What will you have?

-The food critic came every week, -Beer, for starters.

-but Mr. Goro did not show up. -Sure.

Mr. Goro, do think you can handle this?

Yes.

Sorry, I know this isn't your job.

It doesn't pay much, but there's plenty of work.

We can't afford to be choosy these days.

You've got this.

Mr. Goro finally showed up

three months after Mr. Toyama started dining here.

Mr. Goro.

I'm retiring as a wandering musician.

Thanks for everything.

What happened?

I can no longer play the guitar.

I injured my fingers at the factory.

I'm going around saying goodbye to everyone who's supported me so far.

That's so sudden.

See you.

Mr. Goro.

Do you remember me?

I'm Masao, Ritsuko's younger brother.

You taught me how to play the guitar.

Your index finger goes here, and your middle finger goes here.

Put your ring finger here.

-Press down on the strings. -Here you go.

-Let's eat. -Go ahead.

Sorry about the empty fridge.

Here, Masao. It will taste better with soy sauce.

Just a little. There you go.

Just a drop.

You're right. It's delicious!

"You're right. It's delicious!"

Copycat!

I see.

Are you married, Mr. Goro?

No, I'm not.

My sister is still single too.

But Ritsuko...

My sister

was supposed to marry the fiancé our parents had chosen for her.

But she changed her mind and came back.

However, it was too late.

You had already left Hakodate.

Many things have happened since then,

but she never married.

She runs a karaoke and snack bar in Matsukaze.

If you ask me,

I think she's still waiting for you.

No, it's too late.

Why? You still eat your butter rice the way she makes it.

Here you go.

Mr. Goro...

You've been singing about her all this time.

Just a little.

I later heard from Mr. Toyama

that Mr. Goro is now back in Hakodate,

helping his sweetheart run her bar.

What's this?

Just try it.

Okay.

With Mr. Goro gone,

the orders for butter rice have dropped dramatically.

However, Mr. Toyama still orders butter rice.

Delicious.

Master, three butter rice, please.

-What? -Sure.

Are you going to write a review for this diner?

No, of course not.

I don't want anyone else to know about this place.

Why not?

If it gets too popular, I won't be able to get a seat.

Besides...

Besides?

I can't give stars to butter rice.

Seconds, please.

Is he really qualified to be a food critic? I have my doubts.

Sure.

TO BE CONTINUED

Butter rice is delicious and easy to make.

Place a pat of butter on top of warm rice and wait for it to melt.

Nothing beats the heavenly taste of butter.

Do note, however, that most commercial butter already has salt in it,

so you only have to add a little bit of soy sauce to the butter rice.

Besides watching your salt intake,

you have to be careful not to drown out the butter with soy sauce.

You can also wrap the rice in seaweed or add shichimi,

a mixture of red cayenne pepper and other spices.

Oh, I didn't see you.

-Sweet dreams -Sweet dreams

-Good night -Good night

THIS STORY IS A WORK OF FICTION.

Subtitle translation by Chen Li Woon