Dining alone can be awkward. But avidly watching someone else eat alone? That’s some level of creepy.
Yet The Solitary Gourmet, a Japanese manga about a middle-aged travelling salesman eating alone at hole-in-the-wall eateries across Japan, became such a hit it was later adapted into a live-action drama series that spawned multiple seasons, a pop culture sensation resonating so deeply with audiences that it singlehandedly made solo dining not only acceptable, but aspirational.
And now, it’s even a movie.
The Solitary Gourmet, its movie adaption of the same name, sees protagonist Gorō Inogashira – reprised by Japanese actor Yutaka Masushige – again take simple pleasure in discovering small, unassuming eateries. Fans of the series would be familiar with the format: Gorō would stumble upon a restaurant while on a business trip, walk in, carefully assess the menu, and then assume a meditative state of gastronomic bliss as he partakes in his meal.
Through it all, he undergoes an almost documentary-like internal monologue describing the pleasure in every bite.
What makes The Solitary Gourmet accessible to the masses is how it elevates the most humble dishes, whether it’s yakiniku discovered near a train station, slurp-worthy ramen from a tiny Sapporo joint, or fiery curry rice in a Tokyo alleyway, for example. In later seasons Gorō will also find delight in more foreign cuisines, exploring the yumminess of Vietnamese spring rolls, Korean samgyeopsal grilled pork belly, an Indian thali, and Thai curry.
Even more compelling? Those restaurants Gorō visits are real. The show features actual eateries, many of which see an immediate boost in business once the episode airs.
The movie adaption of The Solitary Gourmet follows this simple but effective formula. Beware: very minor spoiler alerts ahead.
In the movie, Gorō has been tasked to source ingredients for a mysterious soup. His search takes him across Japan and, through various misadventures, even ends up in Korea. And true to form he’ll stop, as he usually does, to eat at every turn. Along the way he’ll meet people who’d point him the right direction until he gathers enough clues to identify those ingredients.
It’s really an uncomplicated – if also rather implausible – plot, wrapped around familiar tropes that explore the concepts of loss, love, and longing. There’s just enough of a heart-wrenching story for a little touch of Midnight Diner, for those who follow the other seminal food-related drama series. I loved the little Inception moment at the end of the film, as much as Korean actor Yoo Jae-Myung’s little cameo.
Not to mention the plenty of closeups of delicious, delicious food over Gorō’s contemplative culinary meditation.
In that sense, the movie is exactly what fans of The Solitary Gourmet are looking for.
The Solitary Gourmet airs exclusively at The Projector from 27 March 2025. This review was originally published on Spirited Asia.
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