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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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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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  8. 10.0/10(1 votes)

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

    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

    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

    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 - Shoulder Rosukatsu Set Meal of Honcho, Ageo City, Saitama Prefecture

    S7:E1

    Inogashira Goro (Matsushige Yutaka) got off at Ageo Station in Saitama. He is looking forward to eating tonkatsu since he missed a chance to eat one the day before due to work commitment. But he has to attend a meeting with a client first. The client, married couple Arai (Kino Hana, Yamagami Kenji) who runs a kimono shop, is said to be the troublesome type. Goro is about to find out why they are called that way... After the meeting, Goro searches for a shop that sells tonkatsu that he has been pining for. He finds it in an eatery called "Kiseki Shokudo". Inside, he is welcomed by the proprietress (Tabata Tomoko). Goro marvels at the menu of pork katsu and steak, set meals, and their fair prices. "It's kiseki (miracle)!" But most of all, he is astounded by the huge size of the meat cuts!

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  12. 10.0/10(1 votes)

    #11 - One-Person Buffet of Kyodo, Setagaya Ward, Tokyo

    S7:E2

    Inogashira Goro (Matsushige Yutaka) was in Setagaya waiting at a tennis court for a client (Owada Baku) to finish playing a match with friends. Much to his chagrin, Goro who is not much into ball-based sports, obliged the client's request to practice swinging the racket... After their meeting, Goro managed to follow a somewhat vaguely drawn map towards Kyodo station. He felt hungry after experiencing relief from reaching the endpoint of the map. However, he was at a residential area with no shop within sight. By chance, he saw a sign outside a usual looking detached house. It read "Macina Mecina", a shop that offers buffet meals. Out of his "hunger's curiosity", he entered and got ushered in by the proprietress (Ishino Yoko). Goro began to enjoy the real pleasure of a buffet feast, determined to go over and taste each and every dish...

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  13. 10.0/10(1 votes)

    #12 - Tanmen and Pork Sukiyaki of Shimonita, Gunma Prefecture

    S7:E4

    Inogashira Goro (Matsushige Yutake) is in Shimonita, Gunma for business. He arrived too early so he strolled around a neighborhood that seems preserved in the Showa era. He decides to eat at a Chinese diner called "Ichiban" that boasts of its delicious tanmen and handmade gyoza, served by an elderly couple and their young apprentice Numata (Tozuka Junki). Next, at the request of city hall, Goro inspects an old brick warehouse that is being planned to be refurbished and reused. After business was done, he tries to head back to Tokyo but falls asleep at the station while waiting for the train. He blames station conductor (Masana Bokuzo) for not waking him up. Instead of staying at the station, he decides to eat for the meantime, and heads for a restaurant he saw earlier in the day. It was a sukiyaki shop known as "Columbia"...

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  14. 10.0/10(1 votes)

    #13 - Natto Chigae and Self Bibimbap of Cheongju City, South Korea

    S7:E9

    Inogashira Goro (Matsushige Yutaka) has come to South Korea for the first time. He meets with the president of a trading company, President Im (Sung Si Kyung) who wanted to consult him regarding future trade with European markets. Goro says Korean traditional crafts have potential, and so he was sent to Jeonju City to inspect the products himself. He was accompanied by assistant Park Soo-Young (Park Jung-ah) to serve as his translator and guide. In Jeonju, they both visit makers and markets selling traditional furniture and umbrellas. Afterwards, Goro has an opportunity to stroll around town alone. He feels hungry and decides to try an eatery called "Tobang" that sells set meals. However, Goro of course does not understand the menu and just orders the most inexpensive item. What was brought to him suprised him. There were spicy pork, natto jjigae, and a variety of kimchi and side dishes...

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  15. 10.0/10(1 votes)

    #14 - Special Garlic Soup and Fresh Salmon Sauteed in Butter of Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture

    S7:E11

    Inogashira Goro is having a busy day, visiting clients in Chiba City. He comes to Mihama Ward via Nishi-Nobuto Station to negotiate with the manager of an Indian restaurant (Ueno Yukio) who has a thick Kansai accent. But Goro feeling tired from the day's work, cannot focus well. The scent of curry is also driving him wild with hunger. He ends the meeting immediately to look for a shop. Fortunately, he finds it right away. It was "Ebisuya", a cafe and restaurant that offers Western style food. He is greeted by senior proprietress (Fujita Yumiko) and the junior proprietress (Kobayashi Asako). The smell of garlic immediately hits him. It was from the shop's specialty item: Special Garlic Soup. Goro chooses it from the menu, as well as Crab Pilaf, Garlic Toast, Salmon Sauteed in Butter...

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  16. 10.0/10(1 votes)

    #15 - Garlic Chive-Egg Rice and Shrimp Chili of Hatchobori, Chuo Ward, Tokyo

    S7:E12

    Inogashira Goro is in Hatchobori to visit a long time client and friend, Igarashi (Otomo Kohei) who manages a music bar. The last time they've been in contact was four years ago when Igarashi made some drunken, unreasonable job request to Goro. This time, he has another "unreasonable" request... After finishing business talks, Goro starts looking for a shop to eat lunch. There were high-end shops within the area but eventually, he found "Chinese Food, Shibuya". It's exactly what he was looking for, an eatery that offers "the common people's meals". Inside, the shopowner (Kadono Takuzo) ushers him in. There were so many Chinese-style dishes to choose from, Goro had a hard time deciding. In the end, he orders Nira-Tama (Garlic Chives Stir Fry with Eggs), Shrimp Toast, Shrimp Chili...

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  17. 10.0/10(1 votes)

    #16 - Meat and Eggplant Stir-Fried in Soy Sauce and Chicken Karaage of Minami-Nagasaki, Toshima Ward, Tokyo

    S9:E6

    No description available

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  18. 10.0/10(1 votes)

    #17 - Guizhou Home-style Twice-cooked Meat and Natto Hot Pot of Shin-Koiwa, Katsushika Ward, Tokyo

    S9:E7

    No description available

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  19. 10.0/10(1 votes)

    #18 - Drive-In Yakiniku Set Meal of Mogimachi, Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture

    S9:E9

    No description available

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  20. 10.0/10(1 votes)

    #19 - Tripe Stew and Ham-Katsu of Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture

    S9:E10

    No description available

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  21. 10.0/10(1 votes)

    #20 - Cheese Hamburger Steak and Beef Tenderloin Shogayaki of Isezaki-Chojamachi, Kanagawa Prefecture

    S9:E12

    No description available

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  22. 9.0/10(1 votes)

    #21 - Shizuoka Oden of Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture

    S1:E4

    Our solitary protagonist travels outside Tokyo, this time to Chiba where he has an appointment with a staff from a popular wedding venue. Inogashira-san arrives in Shin-Urayasu, and marvels at the Western American-style lay-out of the town. Later on, his tour of the wedding facilities brings up certain memories for him... the time when he was in Paris with a famous actress. He ponders whether he has regrets about not ending up with her, and yet gets distracted by feelings of hunger. He goes in search for a place to eat and ends up in a stylish restaurant known as "Loco Dish..."

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  23. 9.0/10(1 votes)

    #22 - A Cafe's Neapolitan Pasta in Kichijoji, Musashino City

    S1:E7

    The lone merchant who says he can "eat anything," has had a sudden attack of indecision. His inability to decide on what and where to eat begins when he arrives in the casual, vibrant town of Kichijoji. This made him late for his meeting with a client - an owner of a jazz cafe. Afterwards, Inogashira-san finds himself back to his dilemma as he goes around town deciding where to eat. Finally, an odd feeling made him stop in front of a restaurant called "Kayashima." He steps inside and looks over the menu, only to get lost in the maze of varied dishes being offered...

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  24. 9.0/10(1 votes)

    #23 - Queso Fundido and Pipian Verde of Minami-Azabu, Minato Ward, Tokyo

    S7:E3

    Inogashira Goro (Matsushige Yutaka) was in Minato Ward to visit an international school center where many foreign children were playing. Client Yamamoto Catherine (Toyota Ellie) wants Goro's services in looking for antique toys as gifts for the kids from their home countries. When the topic of lunch was brought up, Goro heard the word "lasagna". It made Goro hungry so he immediately set out to look for an eatery. But Goro was picturing something Western in mind, so a basement Mexican restaurant, "Salsita" caught his eye. The menu was literally foreign and strange to him but he decided to try it anyway. He was welcomed by a staff (Watabe Gota). Goro tried to visualize the dishes described in the menu but couldn't imagine them at all. But he left it to luck, and went for the items he never tried before: sopes, Yucatan style chicken-lime soup, zucchini pudding, queso fundido, pipian verde...

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  25. 9.0/10(1 votes)

    #24 - Green and Red Mapo Tofu of Mikawashima, Arakawa Ward, Tokyo

    S7:E5

    Inogashira Goro (Matsushige Yutaka) is walking at a shopping street near Mikawashima Station. He looks at wares sold by the shops. He next meets with Sugiyama (Nakayama Shinobu), a soon to be shopowner of a sweets store. She wants Goro to come up with decors and accessories for her shop. Before Goro leaves, she gives him some kimchi and even directions on where to find the shop that sells it. Goro goes to the shop and buys more kimchi for himself. Then, he suddenly feels the pangs of hunger, and searches for a restaurant to eat within the area. He tries a Chinese shop called "Shinjitsuichiro" thatspecializes in mapo tofu. Inside, he finds it is run by a young chef (Okada Yoshinori). The shop also has many versions of mapo tofu and tea, with designated colors like, "white", "red", "black", etc...

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  26. 9.0/10(1 votes)

    #25 - Natto Pizza and Spicy Pasta of Higashi-Mukojima, Sumida Ward, Tokyo

    S7:E7

    Inogashira Goro (Matsushige Yutaka) visits the owner of a fish dish shop near Higashi-Mukojima Station. The client (Ito Katsunobu) wishes Goro to find an antique chest drawer he found on the internet. Goro is not confident he can find it but asks help from all his colleagues through email. When work was over, he wanders around town looking for a place to eat. He tries a cozy, snug-looking Italian-themed shop that has a kiln oven. The menu offers pizza and pasta dishes with broad, unspecific names: Natto Pizza, Ham and Egg Pizza, Spicy Pasta, Salty Pasta, etc. Goro wishes to order one pizza with two kinds of flavor but the proprietor (Nakahara Takeo) who is blunt and gruff-looking says: "There are requests I can and cannot do"...

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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".