Ep 4. Red Pickled Ginger Tempura

Midnight Diner season 3 episode 4, "Red Pickled Ginger Tempura," follows the usual format of the show with the diner opening at midnight and attracting a varied group of customers. The episode centers around the story of a young woman named Haruko who comes to the diner looking for a specific dish - red pickled ginger tempura. She is searching for the recipe because it was her grandfather's favorite, and she wants to make it for him to cheer him up as he is currently in the hospital.

Throughout the episode, the diner's owner and chef, known only as "Master," interacts with Haruko and the other customers who come into the diner. Each customer has their own story and reason for being there, and as always, Master is there to listen to them and provide advice or comfort.

As Haruko waits for the red pickled ginger tempura to be made, she strikes up a conversation with another customer, a middle-aged man named Yamada. He tells her the story of how he met his wife and how they used to visit the diner frequently together. However, his wife has since passed away, and he comes to the diner alone now to remember her and feel close to her again.

Another customer, a young man named Kaoru, comes in and orders the dish Haruko is waiting for. He is a regular at the diner and the two strike up a conversation about the dish. Kaoru shares his knowledge of the recipe and even helps Haruko make it herself in the diner's kitchen.

As they prepare the dish, they bond over their love of cooking and their struggles in life. Haruko confides in Kaoru about her worries and fears for her grandfather, and Kaoru reveals his own struggles with his job. By the end of the episode, Haruko is able to make the dish successfully and brings it to her grandfather in the hospital, where he is moved to tears. She realizes that the experience of making the dish and the memories it conjures up are just as important as the taste of the food itself.

Once again, Midnight Diner delivers a heartwarming and touching episode about the power of food to bring people together and create meaningful connections. "Red Pickled Ginger Tempura" is a standout episode in the series and highlights the show's ability to explore the human experience through the simple act of sharing a meal.