‘The Solitary Gourmet’ actor wants to take the Japanese drama around the world

Japanese Culinary Drama “The Solitary Gourmet” Celebrates 11th Season After Unexpected Global Success

A Japanese television show featuring nothing more than a businessman enjoying meals alone has become an unlikely international hit. “The Solitary Gourmet,” known in Japan as “Kodoku no Gurume,” recently began its 11th season after 14 years on air, defying initial expectations that it would quietly fade into obscurity.

The program stars actor Yutaka Matsushige as Goro Inogashira, a middle-aged businessman who savors solitary dining experiences at local eateries after completing his workday. What began as a late-night show with modest ambitions has evolved into a cultural phenomenon that resonates far beyond Japan’s borders.

“The drama is about a man just eating food,” Matsushige explained during a news conference in Tokyo last Thursday marking the latest season’s premiere. “But the simple notion of ‘delicious’ can go beyond the differences of language or ethnicity, something everyone can easily relate to.”

The show follows a consistent format. Each episode begins with Inogashira visiting a client, typically at a small business. After concluding his work, hunger strikes, prompting him to search for a nearby restaurant. The eating scenes are filmed documentary-style, with Inogashira’s inner monologue expressing his contentment and freedom in discovering appealing establishments serving good food.

Based on a popular manga by writer Masayuki Kusumi and artist Jiro Taniguchi, the show’s enduring appeal led to a film adaptation last year. Matsushige not only starred in the movie but also directed and wrote it, showcasing his deep connection to the character he has portrayed for over a decade.

“To me, eating is about telling a story,” Matsushige said. He views his role as an actor to reveal the narrative behind each eatery, highlighting the dishes and conveying how they taste. “What I intend to do in this drama is to show the audience to watch, imagine and enjoy.”

The show’s simple premise has proved remarkably exportable. “The Solitary Gourmet” has developed substantial followings throughout East Asia, particularly in South Korea, Taiwan, and China. Matsushige himself has become something of a culinary ambassador, with the film version taking his character beyond Japan to locations in South Korea and Paris.

The program’s international success comes at a time when food-related content has exploded across streaming platforms and social media. While elaborate cooking competitions and celebrity chef features dominate much of this landscape, “The Solitary Gourmet” takes a distinctly different approach. Its understated celebration of everyday dining experiences and neighborhood restaurants offers viewers a more contemplative perspective on food culture.

The show also taps into changing social dynamics around dining. As solo dining becomes increasingly common in many societies, the program validates the experience of eating alone as something to be savored rather than pitied. This message appears to have particular resonance in East Asian countries where group dining has traditionally been emphasized.

Matsushige believes the universal act of eating can foster understanding across cultural divides. “At a time of global friction, the simple act of eating can help understanding between countries,” he noted, adding that he is developing ideas for future international projects.

When asked who might play Inogashira in a potential Hollywood remake, Matsushige suggested Nicolas Cage, whose appearance he believes more closely resembles the original manga character than his own. In a lighthearted moment with the audience, he added that “George Clooney could also be a good candidate.”

As “The Solitary Gourmet” continues its remarkable run, it stands as evidence that television focusing on life’s simple pleasures can find a global audience even without dramatic conflict or high-stakes storylines.