Ep 2. Tomatoes Wrapped in Pork Belly

As the title suggests, Midnight Diner season 3 episode 2 revolves around a dish called Tomatoes Wrapped in Pork Belly. The episode starts off with a regular customer, a businessman named Katsuo, visiting the Midnight Diner. He requests the dish but is informed that it's not on the menu for the day. The chef, known only as "Master," tells him that the dish requires fresh tomatoes and pork belly, both of which he doesn't currently have. Katsuo is disappointed and decides to leave, but just as he's about to step out, the phone rings and Master receives a call from a woman who wants to make a reservation for dinner.

The woman, named Yuko, is a regular customer as well and is also fond of the dish. Master realizes that he'll have to make the dish for her and decides to go out and fetch the ingredients. He asks Katsuo to accompany him and off they go to the market. Along the way, Katsuo starts reminiscing about the time he first tried the dish and how it reminded him of his mom's cooking. He tells Master how the dish has sentimental value for him and how he wants to bring his mom to the diner to try it out one day. Master listens patiently and assures him that he'll try to make it happen.

At the market, they find a seller who has fresh tomatoes and pork belly. The seller, a cheerful lady, starts chatting with them and tells them about her passion for cooking. She suggests that they use garlic and herbs in the dish as well, as it would enhance the flavor. Katsuo and Master thank her and leave with the ingredients.

Back at the diner, Master starts preparing the dish, while Yuko arrives and takes a seat. She strikes up a conversation with Katsuo and talks about the time she first tried the dish as well. She tells him how it reminds her of her grandmother's cooking and how it holds a special place in her heart.

As Master cooks, he starts to realize the importance of the dish to his customers. He remembers how food is not just about taste but also about memories, emotions, and experiences. He reflects on how the diner has become more than just a place to eat, but a place of comfort, solace, and nostalgia for his customers.

The dish is finally ready, and Master presents it to Yuko, who is delighted. She takes a bite and exclaims how it's just like how she remembers it. Katsuo also tries it and is transported back to his childhood. They both thank Master, who in turn thanks them for reminding him of the value of his cooking.

The episode ends with Katsuo leaving the diner, feeling content and grateful. He realizes that food has the power to bring people together, to evoke emotions and to create memories. He looks forward to bringing his mom to the diner and sharing the dish with her, knowing that it would be a special moment.

Overall, Midnight Diner season 3 episode 2 is a heartwarming episode that celebrates the power of food to evoke emotions, create memories, and bring people together. With its simple yet flavorful dish, the episode reminds us that sometimes the most ordinary things can hold the most value.