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The Best Episodes of Solitary Gourmet

Every episode of Solitary Gourmet ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Solitary Gourmet!

The Best Episodes of Solitary Gourmet

Centered around typical Japanese food, a solitary salesman travelling through the country for business purposes, eats at its various establishments and experiences the various delicacies...

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  1. 10.0/10(1 votes)

    #1 - Yakitori and Yaki Meshi of Monzen-Nakacho, Koto Ward

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    S1:E1

    Inogashira Goro (Matsushige Yutaka) gets a call from a female client who runs a cafe in Monzen-Nakacho. He sets up a meeting with her at her cafe, delighted with the prospect of visiting the town which he hadn't seen since he was a student. Afterwards, he visits an antique store located in that neighborhood as well. Feeling the pangs of hunger, he looks around for a place to eat until he pauses in front of a yakitori shop called 'Shosuke..."

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  2. 10.0/10(1 votes)

    #2 - Dan Dan Noodles Without Soup of Ikebukuro, Toshima Ward

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    S1:E3

    Inogashira-san visits the bustling commercial town of Ikebukuro to meet with a client from a model room company, and to scout for a possible new office location. He also buys from his favorite store. He notices many Chinese restaurants that have sprouted in the streets, and decides to have Chinese food for his lunch. Later, a sign catches his eye and it reads, 'Chinese Home-Cooking Yan...'

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  3. 10.0/10(1 votes)

    #3 - Oyako-Don and Yaki-Udon of Eifuku, Suginami Ward

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    S1:E5

    It had been a bad week for Inogashira-san. The lone merchant is in the doldrums after experiencing several set-backs in his dry goods business. He travels to Eifuku, Suginami to get some fresh air and to meet with an old friend. However, his meeting fails to push through and so he ends up whiling away his time fishing alone at "Musashino-en Fishing Pond." He experiences a sudden need to eat, and decides to try out the fishing facilities' own canteen...

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  4. 10.0/10(1 votes)

    #4 - Grilled Garlic Porkloin of Saginomiya, Nakano Ward

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    S1:E6

    Inogashira-san is in Saginomiya, Nakano to see a client who owns a hair salon. After a bizarre meeting with her, he goes off to visit a long-time friend and confidante. But before that, he gets sidetracked by a store that sells confectioneries. Then, finally, he arrives at his friend's store but is taken aback by what he sees. Later on, he seeks for a place to satisfy his hunger. So he decides to partake on a heavy-duty pork meal at a tonkatsu shop called "Miyako-ya"...

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  5. 10.0/10(1 votes)

    #5 - Hitori Yakiniku (Grilled Meat For One) of Hatcho-nawate, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture

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    S1:E8

    After seeing off a client/friend at the airport, Inogashira-san passes through the Keihin Industrial Zone. Before embarking on a long drive back home, he stops and idly watches the view of steel infrastructure frameworks of the zone's steel mills and oil refineries from a distance. He is hypnotized and impressed by their immense size, towering smokestacks and complex design. And yet, it also somehow, reminds him of... well, food, most particularly, yakiniku. He goes in search of a yakiniku eatery in Hatcho-nawate, Kawasaki and settles for "Tsuruya" which offers solitary dining for individual customers. It's perfect for a ravenous lone wolf like Inogashira-san!

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  6. 10.0/10(1 votes)

    #6 - Hiroshima-Style Okonomi-yaki of Shimokitazawa, Setagaya Ward

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    S1:E9

    Inogashira-san spends a day-off watching his friend's play in Shimokitazawa. Somehow, he falls asleep towards the end of the play. Later, he learns that the lead actress had run off. He finds her afterwards wandering in the streets and decides to follow her, while tasting the street food along the way. He ends up introducing himself to the young lady, who in turn opens up to him about her troubles. Inogashira-san may not be able to offer words of comfort but at least he was able to give her his take-out food, hoping it would be enough to console her. He leaves and realizes he has yet one more thing to console... his own tummy. He goes off and stumbles upon "Hiroki," a shop that serves teppan-yaki and Hiroshima-style okonomi-yaki...

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Solitary Gourmet

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  8. 10.0/10(1 votes)

    #7 - Ginger Pork Rice Bowl with Fried Egg of Higashi-Nagasaki, Toshima Ward

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    S1:E10

    For his next appointment, Inogashira-san goes to Toshima Ward. He stops and buys from a cheerful fruit vendor who has a knack for telling puns. Then, he meets up with his client from the movie industry who in turn has a propensity to talk using mimetic words. Afterwards, Inogashira-san takes a stroll through a park and happily gazes at hard-working students from a nearby arts college, practicing their required routines. His growling tummy reminds him that it's time to eat so he goes back to a place where a diner had earlier caught his eye. It was "Dining Sekizawa," an eatery that offers a myriad of home-made, affordable set meals...

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  9. 10.0/10(1 votes)

    #8 - Extra Spicy Curry Rice at a Nomiya (Tavern) in Nezu, Bunkyo Ward

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    S1:E11

    It's been three years since a friend of Inogashira, a weaving teacher, opened a French goods shop. He visits her and her shop in Nezu, Bunkyo, and was delighted to find her adjusting well. He notices that she is suited to her neighborhood with its warmth and laid-back atmosphere. After he takes his leave, he realizes he needs to go to the bathroom. A bit embarrassed, he had no choice but to use the facility of the nearest shop he could find, a nomiya or a drinking/eating establishment called "Sumire." Since he is feeling hungry, he decides to stay after finding out that not only drinks are being served but real meals as well. But then, an unruly drunk steps inside the shop...

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  10. 10.0/10(1 votes)

    #9 - Okinawa Soki-Soba and Agu Pork Broiled in Natural Salt of Nakameguro, Meguro Ward

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    S1:E12

    For the last episode, Inogashira-san meets an unusual-looking married couple on his way to an appointment. However, he realizes that he had missed his lunch so he grabs a quick bite along the way. He then goes to meet with the young pretty owner of a pre-used clothes shop in Nakameguro. Afterwards while strolling around town, he winds up in a street filled with restaurants offering varied menus. He decides to try out an Okinawa-themed restaurant called "SokaBokka..." for a delightful tropical island feast.

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  11. 10.0/10(1 votes)

    #10 - Leek and Meat Stir-Fry of Shin-Maruko, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture

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    S2:E1

    On a hot day, Inogashira travels to Shin-Maruko. While waiting for his female client (a passionate owner of a dance studio) he decides to kill time in a dessert shop called "Showa-do" and orders a refreshingly sweet creamy concoction. Later on, after his appointment, Inogashira finds himself thinking about a certain busy eatery he had seen earlier in the day. It was a casual diner called "San-chan Shokudo." It was full of lively customers, all eating and drinking alcohol in the middle of the day. It could be a good place to eat and yet he does not drink. He wonders if it's worth a try....

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  12. 10.0/10(1 votes)

    #11 - Black Tempura on Rice of Ningyo-cho, Nihon-Bashi, Chuo Ward

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    S2:E2

    Inogashira goes around the old cultural town of Ningyo-cho, looking for Japanese gifts to send to his European female friend. Since his friend is expecting a child, Inogashira wants to get her something for her pregnancy as well as an item that denotes Japanese culture. While looking for shops, he stops by a tea shop called "Mori no En" and tries out their sweets made with green tea. Later on, as he was browsing in a shamisen shop, he feels the need to eat something that's classically Japanese... and so, tempura comes to mind. He goes around the area searching for a tempura-ya until he smells the aroma of frying foods. It was coming from a shop called "Tempura Nakayama"...

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  13. 10.0/10(1 votes)

    #12 - Wasabi Kalbi & Egg on Rice of Numabukuro, Nakano Ward

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    S2:E3

    Inogashira meets with a client at a cafe called "Alcolic Cafe Roje" in front of Numabukuro station. His meeting ends on a positive note, so he decides to remain in the shop and celebrate by ordering a slice of tart and some tea. However, his second business meeting does not seem to bode well. It is with a young female entrepreneur who is described as too flighty by her own loquacious mother. Afterwards, he wanders in the residential neighborhood in search of a place to eat, and much to his surprise and relief, he stumbles upon a yakiniku shop called "Heiwa-En"...

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  14. 10.0/10(1 votes)

    #13 - Thai Curry and Soupless Chicken Noodles of Kita Senju, Adachi Ward

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    S2:E11

    Inogashira heads for a certain destination in Adachi Ward. However, hunger strikes as soon as he arrives in Senju, so he goes in search of a place to eat. He stops in front of a Thai restaurant called "Laikanok." He is reminded of a recent conversation he had with a lady friend of his regarding a potential business deal involving Thai products. "This could be field research," he surmises. "It's like killing two birds with one stone." He decides to have Thai cuisine for lunch. He steps inside but feels hesitant. The restaurant is full of female customers only. No, wait... there is one male customer - another lone wolf like himself...

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  15. 10.0/10(1 votes)

    #14 - Guinea Fowl and Eel Bowl of Akabane, Kita Ward

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    S3:E1

    Goro arrives in Akabane, Kita Ward, pleasantly surprised at how the town has changed. He goes to fruit shop and cafe called "Puchi Mondo" to meet with his client, a rather eccentric lady dressed up in GothLoli-style clothes. She asks him to find akuma (devil) statues for her collection. After his strange meeting, he stays at the cafe to have some refreshments, a fruity creamy sandwich set. Next, he goes to his second client, an owner of a kimono shop. As he arrives there, he is told by the owner's daughter that her father has gone off to another place and asks to meet him there. She gives him some directions plus a heavy bag and umbrella to "please give it to him since you're headed there anyway..." Goro obliges and walks around town to a meeting place that turns out to be a snack bar. The walk made Goro very hungry and of course, we know what that means... He remembers a certain eel shop he visited before and goes to look for it. However, another nearby eel shop catches his eye...

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  16. 10.0/10(1 votes)

    #15 - Lamb Karahi and Laghman of Higashi-Nakano, Nakano Ward

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    S3:E5

    Goro arrives in Higashi-Nakano. He strolls around a shopping street with an old-Showa feel. Then, he goes to a small theater owned by a senpai of his, an indie filmmaker. Before their meeting, he is treated with a sweet-salty Sakura flavored gelato. Afterwards, his senpai asks him for help regarding a movie themed exhibit. However, Goro has a hard time ending his meeting as his senpai has a habit of talking endlessly when it comes to movies and theaters. Finally he extricates himself from it and he goes in search of a place to eat and chooses a restaurant with a Bohemian atmosphere. It's called "Caravan Sarai" serving Afghan and Pakistani cuisine of lamb-based dishes and kebabs.

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  17. 10.0/10(1 votes)

    #16 - Minced Chicken and Avocado Cutlet and Chicken Rice Pot of Uguisu-Dani, Taito Ward

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    S3:E8

    Goro arrives in Uguisu-dani on a hot summer day and stops to have a coffee float in a cafe. Afterwards he goes to his appointment with an owner of a large cabaret-style theater ballroom. He is asked to provide French fixtures and decors for the place. Goro is happy with the prospect of having a huge business deal that it probably made him very hungry. Refusing offers of drinks from his client, he rushes off to eat somewhere, and yet ironically, ends up at a place where people can drink booze starting at 10 am. It's called "Tori Tsubaki", a drunkard's heaven that features inexpensive yet "mega"-sized nibbles and items, including cutlets, chicken dishes, and beer.

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  18. 10.0/10(1 votes)

    #17 - Roast Pork Sandwich and Salsiccia of Kotake Mukaihara, Nerima Ward

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    S3:E9

    Goro arrives early in Mukaihara for a business appointment, so he stops by a cafe called "Surprise" to partake of a roll cake with a curious name. Arriving at his meeting with his client and friend, an owner of a charming gallery store of European pieces, he notices that she is in a vexed mood. She tells him her orders will not arrive in time for her opening tomorrow. So Goro decides to stay to help her, and eventually pulls out an all-nighter. With his task accomplished, Goro sets out the next morning, pleased and of course, very hungry. He chances upon a chic bread store that calls itself "Machida no Parlor." Goro orders himself a hearty breakfast of pork sandwich, quiche, Italian sausages, and different kinds of rustic bread...

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  19. 10.0/10(1 votes)

    #18 - Stewed Beef and Five Ingredient Rice-in-a-Pot at a Drive-in, To-kamachi City, Niigata Prefecture

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    S3:E11

    Goro travels to Niigata Prefecture in his BMW. The rice fields and pastoral scenery make him look forward to eating a rice-based feast after his meeting. He also stops by a shopping street in the station area and tries out some delicacies with names taken from local expressions and phrases. Later, he visits an unusual old house turned into a work of art. There he meets with the town's fun activity planner, a small hairy man with an unlikely name. Later, Goro views the terraced rice fields, reminding him of his other purpose. He drives around until he spots a roadside diner called "Toge no chaya Kura" which serves kamameshi (rice in a pot) dishes and stews.

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  20. 10.0/10(1 votes)

    #19 - Lamb Mint Curry and Cheese Kulcha of Kiba, Koto Ward, Tokyo

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    S4:E6

    On a slightly rainy day, Goro goes to meet with a client in Kiba, Koto Ward. The client is a hard-working single mom and manager of a flower shop (Fueki Yoko). She is asking Goro for help in finding gifts to be given away to participants of an event for single mothers. Later, Goro walks around Kiba, and notices it's almost dinner time. He comes across "Kamal Pool", a bar and restaurant that offers Indian Tandoor cuisine. Goro reads the menu in front of the shop, picturing its dishes of authentic Indian curry and lamb dishes. Overpowered by the "magic charm of curry", Goro eagerly opens the shop's door...

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  21. 10.0/10(1 votes)

    #20 - Pollack Roe Cream Pasta and Pork Cutlet Sandwich of Torigoe, Taito Ward, Tokyo

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    S4:E7

    Goro is in Taito Ward to meet with a client at his home in Torigoe. However, for some reason, the client (Tochi Hiroki) who is a model hand gun enthusiast decides to meet somewhere else instead. Goro also checks out the area's old shopping districts: Sakata Shopping Street and Okazu Yokocho. He buys a few food items and eventually feels hungry himself. Luckily, he immediately finds a nice shop along the way. Its name is "Mamezo", a drinking/coffee shop establishment run by a husband (Fumiyo Kohinata) and wife (Nishida Naomi) team. Goro seems torn as he looks at the hodgepodge of a menu that offers a variety of Western and Japanese dishes...

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  22. 10.0/10(1 votes)

    #21 - Vietnamese Shrimp Salad Roll and Chicken Glutinous Rice of Kamata, Oda Ward

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    S4:E11

    Goro is waiting for a client, Santanda (Namba Keiichi), the head of an accounting company, at his office in Kamata, Oda Ward. While waiting, a uniformed middle-aged office clerk, Shiratori Mirei (Isayama Hiroko), brings him a glass of tea. Instead of leaving, the clerk stays and tries to make small talk. She even gives unsolicited advice to Goro regarding work, making him feel uncomfortable. Later, Goro, irked by what happened at that meeting, goes off in search of a restaurant that could soothe his raging stomach, as well as his foul mood. The place he chooses is "Thi Thi", a shop that serves delicious and aromatic Vietnamese home-style dishes...

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  23. 10.0/10(1 votes)

    #22 - Shrimp Dumplings and Grilled Onigiri of Ebisu, Shibuya Ward

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    S4:E12

    When Goro arrives in Ebisu, he stops by a shrine. There, he picks up a lighter dropped by an older man (Ishibashi Renji) and gives it to him. Then, he goes to see a client, a barista (Kobayashi Kentaro) owner of a coffee shop. He is having a hard time understanding this client's strange description of his request. The barista even treats Goro to an impromptu magic trick. Later, Goro again chances upon the man from the shrine. To show his appreciation for Goro's deed earlier, the man invites him to his shop, an izakaya called "Saiki" that also serves delicious seasonal dishes, elegant appetizers, and yummy rice balls...

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  24. 10.0/10(1 votes)

    #23 - Lamb Hamburger and Vegetable Couscous of Nishi-Ogikubo, Suginami Ward, Tokyo

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    S5:E3

    Inogashira Goro (Matsushige Yutaka) arrives in Nishi-Ogikubo to meet with a senior colleague (Kokuta Nobuaki) from his schooldays. He finds him drinking at his usual haunt, the grilled skewer alley... His senior is getting married and wants Goro to choose a carpet for his and his future wife's new house. However, fiancee Sachiko (Kai Marie) is not happy about it for some reason. Goro, sensing a couple's quarrel, leaves immediately. The awkward and tense atmosphere made him feel hungry. He goes around the neighborhood looking for a shop. He decides to try something new and unfamiliar: "Moroccan Cuisine, Tam Tamu". Inside the cramped small eatery, the proprietress (Ito Kazue) tells him that it is fine to use a table for four. He surveys the menu that teems with foreign yet delectable-sounding North African terms and dishes: "Tajine", "Harissa", "Harira", "Brik, "Berber omelet"...

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  25. 10.0/10(1 votes)

    #24 - Chicken Rice and Soupless Noodles of Yongle Market, Taipei, Taiwan

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    S5:E5

    It is Goro's (Matsushige Yutaka) second day in Taiwan. On this day, he will research on Taiwanese products for the upcoming trade exhibition in Paris. He goes to the National Traditional Arts Center in Yilan County. There, he finds all sorts of good ideas for the exhibition: glassware, tea utensils, brushes. He also tries candy-coated tomatoes being sold there. At a tea house, Goro encounters a young entrepreneur Liu Shinichi (Mizuma Ron) who gives him a tip on where to go and find more Taiwanese goods. "Go to Dinghua Street". Goro takes his advice and visits the old warehouse district at Dihua Street in Taipei. The exotic items there made Goro hungry, so he goes on a food-hopping adventure around Yongle Market. He chooses an eatery called "Yǒnglè Xiǎochī" and asks for a meal of Taiwanese street food. Next he tries a stall called "YuanWei LuRou Fan"...

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  26. 10.0/10(1 votes)

    #25 - Lamb Shoulder Roast and Lamb Chop of Chitose-Funabashi, Setagaya Ward, Tokyo

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    S5:E7

    Goro has been busy lately. Although he is thankful for the work, he has been feeling a bit tired. He goes to Sakuragaoka via Chitose-Funabashi Station to visit the younger sister of a friend. She is yoga instructor, Saito Rei (Asami Reina), who wants to consult Goro regarding changing the interiors of her own new yoga studio where she is planning to move into soon. She also taught Goro a yoga technique that could help him relax in case he is feeling tired. After the meeting, Goro tries the yoga technique in the middle of the street to see if it works. However, he feels hunger instead of relaxation, and so he goes in search of an eatery. While walking in a residential area, on his way back to the station, he comes upon a small sliver-type of building, which has two entrances. It is a yakiniku shop and bar, called "Maasan", that serves "Jingisukan (Genghis Khan)", or grilling of lamb meat and mutton. Goro enters inside and is greeted by the owner (Kawano Naoki)...

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Best Episodes Summary

"Yakitori and Yaki Meshi of Monzen-Nakacho, Koto Ward" is the best rated episode of "Solitary Gourmet". It scored 10/10 based on 1 votes. Directed by Kenji Mizoguchi and written by Yoshihiro Taguchi, it aired on 1/4/2012. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Dan Dan Noodles Without Soup of Ikebukuro, Toshima Ward".