Tokyo Noodle Factory (2021)

Short, Light, Makes Your Mouth Water!

It is a perfect mini series to watch when you have lunch alone with approx. 30 mins run time. The slice of life shown in the drama is very heartwarming. All the characters have their own story to tell and the last episode conclude everything in a lovely manner. I just feel 6 episode is just perfect to tell this diner story. It starts and ends really well. The food porn of course really pleasing to the eye! It makes me crave for udon, lol. To sum up, I really love this (very) short series and would recommend this to whoever looking for a light, straightforward, and full of food porn shots drama.

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Good if you don’t have expectations

This is an above average jdrama that goes well enough to be enjoyable as a daily / preferably weekly once watch. It doesn’t push boundaries or have extraordinary stuff……... But it’s enjoyable and not too much over the top.

It’s about a small restaurant and each episode generally focuses on one of the employees.

Cast acting and music is the most admirable. Light and short watch.

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A light meal that is not very satisfying

6 short episodes makes this a nice and easy watch. It does sacrifices a nuanced narrative for a fast pace.

The show is set in a suburban udon chain restaurant which is famous for their fast, no-frills but tasty noodle dishes. As you'd expect from this setting, there is a food porn angle. However, it can only be considered to be B-grade as the menu is limited. To be fair, there are mouth-watering moments and you have to appreciate the training and commitment from the staff. Thank you for your good work today!

Speaking of the staff, they are hardworking and more than a little stressed. They seem to exist in a world just one hiccup away from a total meltdown. Into that volatile mix is airdropped a new manager who has no prior restaurant experience. He is handsome and charming to a fault. Let the mayhem begin!

With such a short run, we are basically given a set of cliché characters, the inexperienced but idealistic new boss, the impulsive young punk, the hardworking powerhouse who is taken for granted, etc. The result is a mix of workplace dramedy, found family and the fish out of water trope. There is no romance involved so don't bother looking for it.

Each episode usually focuses on one of the team members and explore their backstory a little bit more and pushes the plot along. Don’t get too excited though, those exposés are skin deep. We just see a little bit more of their life after work. More like an extra line in their bio's. They have their share of relationship and familial issues, but they are presented in very broad strokes. Sometimes those challenges will spill into their workplace and the team will come together to tackle them. As expected, each resolution brings them a little closer as a team. Sometimes the end result is heart-warming and rewarding, while other times it is irrelevant and farmed for laughs. Unfortunately, most of those subplots are simple and fairly tropey. Serviceable but hardly original. This is a common observation of the script, it doesn’t stray too far from the tropes. It can feel predictable and a bit flat at times.

The acting is fine and engaging most of the time. Characterisation is larger than life and lacks subtlety. The support cast is actually quite good. Even though most of them only have bit parts, they do splash more colours onto the canvas.
The ending is as happy as you'd expect and it is a bit trite and oddly kitsch.

I want to score it higher, but the show doesn't push any boundaries nor reach any real heights. Relying too much on a parade of tropey or cringey moments is a cheap trick in my book.

It is charming at times, certainly entertaining and easy to watch but lacks any real substance. A large bowl of Kitsune udon is more satisfying.

Lire davantage

Simple and Heartwarming

Completed: 9/25/2022

"Tokyo Seimenjo" aka "Tokyo Noodle Factory" is a light and heartwarming short 6-episode drama. Each episode focuses on a specific character but it always ties back to the noodle factory and the general plot. When a new manager arrives, his unique and passionate customer service approach creates havoc within a well-oiled machine. However, his passion eventually rubs off of each of the employees and they bring along some simple and heartwarming stories.

I really enjoy the fun intro theme song of "Tokyo Noodle Factory". Oftentimes, when there's dancing and singing involved in a Jdorama, it's cringey. But this is light and fun. It reminds me of the fun ending theme song of "Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu". The udon noodles look really delicious and I learned a few more ways of eating udons. The acting is not overdramatic or anime-like. The characters are unique and work well together as a team.

I'm glad I dropped "Rokuhodo Yotsuiro Biyori" to watch this. They have a similar style, but I was bored of the other drama and don't feel like the individual stories tied back to the general cafe, as well as the noodle shop here.

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..IRRASHAIMASE~!!..

..so it's only a 6-episode film, and no wonder - the less the casts the shorter is, I do watch udon soba from youtube and didn't expect having this film, so I give it a try..
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..each episode focus on one character - a little touch from the heart so no tears will drop, light drama and I enjoy the story up to the end..
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..the casts were all new to me, upon checking their other films, they are all new - I do love the opening theme too and their dancing skills is just a bonus, too cute to watch..
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..their names are unique, taken from the colors and you will see them wearing it - I just noticed it when I checked their website..
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..even the place, taken from marugame seimen..
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..honestly not a fan of udon or soba though I didn't eat them once, only ramen..
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..and upon watching this film, I think I will give it a try to taste them..
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..love this film..

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