4 Best Japanese Cooking Shows Every Traveler Should See

Can't stop thinking about that perfect bowl of ramen or the crisp katsu you had at that tiny restaurant in Tokyo? You're not alone. Japanese cooking shows have taken over screens worldwide, showing us food prep that's equal parts art, history, and science.

Whether you're planning your first Japan adventure or you're trying to learn Japanese, watching these shows will give you the inside track on what to eat, where to find it, and how to order it like a local. Plus, you'll pick up some Japanese phrases along the way that'll come in handy when you're hunting down that tonkotsu ramen you've been dreaming about.

Why These Shows Are Your Best Travel Prep

Watching these cooking shows before your Japan trip is highly recommended because they feature practical language and prepare you for Japanese food culture. You'll pick up restaurant vocabulary that language apps miss, learn dining and travel phrases, and discover foods that rarely make it onto tourist menus. Plus, knowing these popular shows gives you instant conversation starters with locals.

Set aside a few evenings to watch these shows before your next Japan adventure. Your stomach and your Japanese language skills will both thank you—and you'll arrive ready to eat like a local instead of sticking to tourist spots.

Best Japanese Cooking Shows On Netflix

Ready for a food-filled Japanese movie night? All four shows below are waiting on Netflix right now. But before you press play, be sure to watch with Lingopie to learn all the translations of food words and cooking terms as they pop up.

Samurai Gourmet

Planning a food crawl adventure in Tokyo? Then this is a must-watch! This quirky series follows newly retired Takeshi, who enjoys exploring restaurants around Tokyo. Whenever he faces a social challenge (like whether to drink alone or send back a dish), he imagines what his inner samurai would do, leading to some funny and touching moments.

The genius of Samurai Gourmet is its focus on everyday dining situations tourists actually face. You'll learn how to navigate different types of Japanese restaurants—from fancy spots to standing-only noodle shops. There's minimal dialogue, making it perfect for beginning Japanese learners, but what conversation does happen is exactly what you need to know for ordering food and making small talk with restaurant staff.

Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories

This Netflix gem takes you to a tiny late-night Tokyo restaurant where "Master" serves comfort food between midnight and 7 AM. Each episode centers on a specific dish that connects to a customer's personal story, giving you a taste of real Tokyo life.

Feeling like a real foodie? Then you'll love this show as every episode features actual Japanese comfort foods like omurice (omelet rice) and tamagoyaki (rolled egg) that locals eat—not just fancy sushi that shows up in travel guides.

Now, in terms of the learning aspect, the dialogue here uses everyday Japanese at a natural pace. This means that each scene is perfect for language learners who want to pick up restaurant phrases. You can expect to hear "いただきます" (itadakimasu – "let's eat") and "おいしい" (oishii – "delicious") used naturally, plus learn how to order specific dishes.

The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House

Set in Kyoto's geisha district, this show follows Kiyo, a young woman who becomes the live-in cook (makanai) for a house where maiko (apprentice geisha) train. The series offers a rare look into two hidden worlds—traditional Japanese cooking and the secret life of maiko.

What makes this show stand out is the way it connects food with Japanese traditions. You'll see how food marks seasons, celebrations, and everyday moments in Japanese life. The show also features Kyoto dialect and cooking terms that will help you navigate local markets and food shops in western Japan.

Kantaro: The Sweet Tooth Salaryman

Based on a manga series, this offbeat comedy follows Kantaro, an office worker who secretly skips out on sales calls to visit Tokyo's best dessert shops. What makes it unique? Each episode features real shops selling traditional Japanese sweets like anmitsu, kakigori, and wagashi that you can visit yourself.

In this Japanese cooking show, you can expect to learn the names of traditional desserts, how to order them, and even seasonal variations to look for. But honestly? What we personally love about this show is that it also offers a peek into Japanese office culture and work life!

Basic Japanese Cooking Words And Phrases

While watching these cooking shows, you'll catch certain phrases over and over. Our advice? Jot them down! But if you're finding it a bit tricky, then be sure to check out the table below where I added all the basic Japanese words and phrases you need to know!

Ready To Learn More Japanese?

Want to catch every word in these mouth-watering shows? Lingopie makes it easy. Unlike regular streaming services, Lingopie turns these cooking shows into Japanese lessons. Click any word you don't understand for an instant translation. Save phrases you hear to practice later. Rewind tricky sections with a tap.

The best part? You're learning real Japanese that people actually use—not textbook phrases you'll never need.

Start with an episode of “Midnight Diner” tonight, and you might surprise yourself by ordering in Japanese at that hidden ramen shop next month. Ready to taste the language of Japan? Sign up for a FREE 7-day trial now, download the Lingopie extension, and turn your next binge-watch into your best travel prep.

Frequently Asked Questions About Japanese Cooking Shows

What are the best Japanese cooking shows on Netflix?

The top Japanese cooking shows currently on Netflix include "Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories," "The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House," "Samurai Gourmet," and "Kantaro: The Sweet Tooth Salaryman." Each offers a unique look at Japanese cuisine while showing authentic food culture that tourists rarely see.

Will watching Japanese cooking shows help me learn Japanese?

Yes! Cooking shows work well for language learning because they use everyday words you'll actually need when traveling. Food terms and restaurant phrases come up over and over, which helps you remember them. You can also see the food while hearing its name, creating stronger memory connections than just using flashcards.

Can I visit restaurants featured in Japanese cooking shows like Midnight Diner?

While the restaurant in "Midnight Diner" is a set, many spots in "Kantaro: The Sweet Tooth Salaryman" and "Samurai Gourmet" are real places you can visit. These shows often highlight actual Tokyo restaurants and sweet shops that welcome tourists. Some even have photos from the show displayed inside!

Which Japanese cooking show is best for beginners learning the language?

"Samurai Gourmet" works great for beginners since it has less talking and simple restaurant scenes. "Midnight Diner" suits intermediate learners with its everyday conversations. Both shows feature clear speaking and useful phrases you'll use when ordering food in Japan.

How can I understand Japanese cooking shows without knowing the language?

While Netflix offers basic subtitles, language platforms like Lingopie provide interactive subtitles that let you click on any word for a quick translation. This helps you catch food terms, cooking methods, and cultural references that standard subtitles might miss or simplify.

What Japanese food terms will I learn from watching cooking shows?

You'll pick up essential food words like "oishii" (delicious), names of popular dishes like "omurice" (omelet rice) and "tonkatsu" (fried pork cutlet), plus cooking terms like "yaku" (to grill) and "niru" (to simmer). You'll also learn restaurant phrases like "osusume" (recommendation) that help when dining in Japan.

How accurate are the cooking techniques shown in Japanese cooking shows?

Most Japanese cooking shows display authentic techniques used in actual Japanese homes and restaurants. Shows like "The Makanai" are especially known for showing genuine home cooking methods. The food styling might look more perfect than everyday meals, but the preparation steps, ingredients, and cooking styles accurately represent Japanese culinary traditions.