JAPANESE DRAMA DATABASE: Aji Ichi Monme

AJI ICHI MONME (Masters of Taste) SERIES

A new dorama starring Masahiro as a learning cook, and also starring: Enji Kobayashi and Ritsuko Tanaka. starring: Nakai Masahiro, Tanaka Ritsuko, Hanamichi of 8dai Shogun Yoshimune (can't remember his name either)Nakai's a chef in training. He was top dog at his cooking school but is now working in a real restaurant. Tanaka was his classmate and really likes him.-Kelly; KT

This drama stars Nakai Masahiro (from SMAP) and it is about a young chef training in a classic Japanese restaurant (ryoutei). The part I of this drama aired like a year ago and part two is airing right now in Japan. It is originally from a comic book, so the storyline is pretty simple and fun to watch. The co-stars are: Kobayashi Nenji, Kiki Kirin, Naito Takashi, Yanagisawa Shingo, etc..... I saw the 2 houre premier of part two and it was pretty entertaining. -Shinya

PART 2: Ihashi (Nakai) is a young Japanese cook for a Japanese inn in Tokyo. He is sent to Kyoto to learn, and study Kyoto style cooking from his oyakata's (Kobayashi) elder 'cooking' brother. He arrives in Kyoto and tries to show off his 'Tokyo' style which doesn't please the four working cooking staff there. One of the four, Yokoyama (Imai ?) gives Ihashi a very hard time because he hates Kanto people. The conflict between these two is very hilarious. This drama is very funny, and you learn a lot of the Kansai dialect too.

STARRING: Nakai Masahiro (SMAP), Nogiwa Yoko, Kobayashi Nenju, Hosokawa Naomi, Takahashi Kaori, Tanka Ritsuko, Naitou Takashi, Suzuki Anju, etc.
DURATION: In the first two series, there are 11 episodes. Series 1 started in January of 1995. Series 2 started in January of 1996. Since then there have been two specials.
THEME SONG: "La.La.La." by Ohguro Maki
REVIEWS:

This is a hard one....many people like it..because Nakai is in it. I found it to be entertaining at times and very boring at times. The second series was a bit fun to watch but if you are into cooking type dramas, this is for you. - Shion