User reviews

Very interesting Japanese series about Chefs trying to achieve the ultimum, Michelin stars and experience all the drama and consequences that come with it it's is truly captivating and very well acted we love this series and wished it will have many more seasons. It's true to the core of cooking and fine dining and the acting seems so natural, we love the detailed information about ingredients used and showcased. The actors are very well chosen and play a significant role in the entire drama! They encompass the entire story of trying to put together the best restaurant in Tokyo !! Awesome series Love love love it !!!

I understand this show is about fine dining and Michelin stars. It's about the love of food and how it can transcend a feeling. That said. This show does it at the expense of personal responsibility. There are some choices people made without consequences and somehow the love of food and making it became the point. That really is the only minor issue. Some parts were a bit overly dramatic and somewhat cheesy, but I think that comes with JDrama. Overall good writing and acting. The girlfriend of one of the main characters (Shoshei) was a bit one dimensional and I honestly couldn't understand his attraction to her or his willingness to stay with her given her Father's treatment of him. Then again, cultural aspects I need to learn to look at outside of my Americanized view. Also, what was with random characters just showing up in a next episode? I'm beginning to sound negative I know. I really did like it.

La Grande Maison Tokyo is, in a nutshell, a more relaxed and quieter original Japanese version of popular new Western restaurant/chef series like the "The Bear" (2022-, streaming on Disney+).

I was particularly reminded of "The Bear", there are quite a few parallels to La Grande Maison Tokyo:

Both series feature very talented and ambitious young chefs as the two main protagonists.

Both chefs are eager to redeem themselves with new restaurant projects, after harsh setbacks in their professional and/or personal life.

And both series project the fine dining ratings from the famous "Guide Michelin" as almost mythical North Stars and ultimate goal posts for the chefs and their kitchen staff to strive for.

If you like gourmet food and fine dining settings, but were overwhelmed by the f-bombs, the screamfests and the mental breakdowns in "The Bear", you will likely enjoy the more relaxed and refined "La Grande Maison Tokyo".

I re-watched the 2019 series recently since two related sequels will be released in December 2024 in Japan:

• A new, one-time episode "La Grande Maison Tokyo Special". Set in a post-COVID pandemic world where the gastronomic sector faces though choices.

• A film "La Grande Maison Paris", which depicts similar challenges in Paris, France (closing the circle since the original series started in Paris through flashbacks)..

One final word of advice for viewers unfamiliar with J-Drama or Anime: The actors often seem to overact (facial expressions like grimaces etc.) when viewed through Western lenses. This is standard for many J-Dramas and Anime series, you will get accustomed to it. Don't let such acting expressions influence your judgement..

Rating: 8/10. (9/10 if you like J-Dramas as a genre).

PS: The "Guide Michelin" really does exist in the world of fine dining. There however are many misconceptions about the "Michelin stars". For example, Michelin stars are always given to the restaurant, not just an individual chef. But the head chefs obviously are the main protagonists during the award ceremonies. Only the quality of the food is judged, not the presentation or the restaurant amenities (this is wrongly depicted in the series, Michelin testers don't throw napkins on the floor on purpose). The century-old Michelin rating system remains consistent and very simple, it goes from one star to three stars maximum. One star already indicates a very advanced quality level of cooking, the entry barriers to just attain a single star are very high.

PPS: Please see my separate IMDB list on eating and drinking if you are interested in more gourmet/food and beverage-related movies and documentaries.

It's one of the best gourmet the show. And it's quite emotional as well, I recommend you to watch this! It'll make you so hangry!!

It's not bad. After a somewhat dramatic opening that caused the main character to not being able to get a job at all (despite his credentials... Yes I know letting a peanut allergy is such a bad move but he would still, most likely, be able to find work somewhere but probably will descend into alcoholism and drugs if this were a hollywood western made series - look at the bears and burnt)...

Anyway, the story after that dramatic moment is the usual feel good, power of friendship and teamwork. Kimutaku did bring some good spicy drama and tension with his character but nothing mind breaking. Everything pretty much resolved towards the end.

But wow I came for the food and it did not fail me. It looks so good and innovative. Watching this late of night is a bad choice because it is making me hungry and wanting to eat some fine dining.

The other characters are not too bad too and the "villains" of the show is not a comical villain, just somewhat annoying sometime because it stopped the flow of the story and it made them so petty.

Best show, kimura has aged but gave great performance.

A nice food gourmet drama and sometimes may excite you the food. Its a short drama with a little emotion at times but overall well directed.

Good storyline and script with brilliant acting. Exaggerated Japanese drama but in soap opera style, it was fun to watch. I liked it also because the presented food was bona fide Michelin class level cooking

Nice present for the cooking scene. 10 stars for kimura.

If you looking for gourmet drama where you actually enjoy the foods, this is it. This show made me miss my family and it make me want to cook for them.

This show is defenitely on my top 3 gourmet drama i have watched in the past 15 years.