(Miyuki) That settles one dish.
Now, what should I make for the other one?
(Narrator) The last drink of the day —
how can one make it as delicious as possible?
This drama is
the story of one woman who pursues that question relentlessly.
The taste of alcohol
can go from zero to one hundred depending on how you spend your day.
(Miyuki) I'm off!
♪～
～♪
(Cicadas chirping)
(Shimamura) Whoa~
(Aoi) It's so hot today!
(Miyuki) Apparently the high today will reach 38 degrees.*
(Shimamura) What?! I'm going to melt!
(Miyuki) Hehe.
(Miyuki) A scorching hot day isn't necessarily a bad day for me.
Of course, because it means the drink will taste even better.
What kind of evening drink shall I have today?
Now then...
(Shimamura) Ahh...
(Aoi) Ahh~ that brings me back to life.
(Umino) Hmm? Is the water sprinkling already done?
I was just about to go outside — what a shame.
He was obviously just eating ice cream and slacking off.
Exactly.
Oh, that's right — Miyuki-kun.
Do you have a bit of time after work today?
(Miyuki) Hm?
Just about five minutes would be fine.
Well, if it's only that long...
(Umino) Yes!
Oh, could everyone else also stay a bit this evening?
Just five minutes.
(Aoi) Is something happening?
(Umino) Oh, nothing much —
I was thinking of revamping the website,
and a photographer friend of mine
is going to come take some photos for it.
After all, Shimamura-kun just got his own refresh with that center part,
right?
(Shimamura) Well, I suppose that would be nice.
(Aoi) The current photos are pretty rough, aren't they.
Yeah, they really bug me.
Same.
But if those photos are going to change, it's worth waiting for.
(Umino) My friend the photographer has won international awards,
so we can expect some great shots.
(Shimamura) How do you know someone that impressive?
We were sitting next to each other at an izakaya last night and hit it off.
Hehe.
(Aoi) They're not coming.
(Umino) That's strange — they should be here any minute.
Five minutes is up, so I'm heading home.
Wait!
Let me call them now.
Hello, Kageyama-san?
About the time we agreed on — how much longer until you...
What? Around 8 o'clock?
Oh... was that how it was?
Understood.
Oh come on — apparently Kageyama-san got the time mixed up and is coming at 8.
(Aoi) It's definitely Umino-san's miscommunication.
(Miyuki) Let's reschedule the shoot for another time.
I'm heading home.
(Umino) Oh, wait — Miyuki-kun!
Kageyama-san has to go to Hawaii for work starting tomorrow,
so today is the only chance!
Please, I'm begging you!
(Miyuki) I did have some work I wanted to get done,
but if those photos are going to change, I suppose it can't be helped.
All right. I'll stay.
Yes!
But come on — two hours is a bit long, isn't it?
(Umino) Don't worry — I've got just the thing.
(Aoi) What is it?
(Umino) A flowing sōmen kit!*
We're doing flowing sōmen at a client dinner coming up,
(Aoi) What kind of clients are these?
(Shimamura) Well, the dinner itself sounds like it'll be a lot of fun.
(Aoi) Miyuki-san, you won't be joining in, right?
I'll join.
(Aoi) What?!
Miyuki-san eating during overtime...
(Shimamura) This is going to be a historic day.
(Miyuki) All right — float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.
Move your arms like you're boxing.
Okay, I'm sending them down!
Ready!
Oh!
Ahh~ delicious!
Sōmen you catch while it's flowing tastes twice as good as usual.
Oh — since we're here...
Hahaha!
Ahh~ so good~
Flowing sōmen and beer go great together~
(Aoi) Sending the next round!
Ready!
Oh...
(Miyuki) This time for sure —
Oh!
(Shimamura) Whoa there~!
Hehehehe!
Mmm~ this is so good.
(Umino) Shimamura-kun, welcome to our world!
Don't mind if I do!
Wow~!
Ahh~ the best!
Aoi-chan, keep it going!
Sure, sending more and more!
(Miyuki) All right, now it's my turn.
My summer is about to begin.
Gleaming sōmen — come to me now!
Oh!
Hehe — delicious!
(Aoi) Umino-san!
Miyuki-san hasn't gotten to eat any!
(Umino) Oh, sorry — my body just moved on its own.
Are you angry?
Not at all — I'm not going to get angry over a bit of sōmen.
(Shimamura) Besides, Aoi-chan wants some too, right?
-(Shimamura) Let me swap with you. -(Aoi) Thank you!
Okay, here we go!
(Miyuki) This time for sure!
(Aoi) Mmm~ so good!
Oh no!
Miyuki-san, I'm so sorry — I grabbed them without thinking!
Don't worry about it at all — I'm completely fine.
There's absolutely no problem.
She's absolutely bothered.
Miyuki-san, would you like to switch spots?
Are you sure?
Of course! Please, your turn to eat.
Alright, I'll send them down!
Oh!
(Umino) Hehehe!
Delicious!
(Shimamura) One more round!
-(Miyuki) Oh! -(Aoi) Oh...
(Umino) Hahaha...
Hehe, delicious!
Hehehehe!
Miyuki-kun, you have no talent for flowing sōmen!
(Shimamura) Miyuki-san, would you like to eat straight from the tray?
I'm fine.
This is the last round.
(Miyuki) Already the last one?
(Deep breath) (Miyuki) Focus.
I've overcome so many challenges up to now.
Surely this time too...
Sending it down!
Here!
(Aoi) Miyuki-san!
(Shimamura) You did it!
(Umino) I knew you could do it, Miyuki-kun!
Yes.
(Umino) Welcome to our world!
(Aoi) Miyuki-san, please savor every bite.
Thank you. But...
Aoi-chan, please have it.
Hm?
I've decided that before my evening drink,
I don't eat anything halfway.
What? But then why did you...
Moving around is better preparation than sitting at your desk the whole time.
(Miyuki) This means tonight's evening drink will be even more delicious.
Miyuki-san is, and always will be, Miyuki-san.
(Kageyama) Sorry to keep you waiting!
(Umino) Kageyama-san! Oh, perfect timing!
(Kageyama) Ooh, this is nerve-racking.
-(Kageyama) Okay, here we go! -(Shimamura) Ready!
(Kageyama) Say cheese!
(Shutter click) (Kageyama) Got it!
(Umino) Oh, let me see, let me see, let me see!
(Kageyama) Hmm? How do I do this again?
(Umino) Huh?
(Shimamura) Wait — Umino-san, isn't this person a professional?
(Kageyama) A professional? What are you talking about?
Aren't you a famous professional photographer?
Well, I only just started with cameras last week.
What?!
And going to Hawaii starting tomorrow?
That's the Hawaiian Center* — with my family.
(Shimamura & Aoi) Umino-san!
(Sound of can tab opening)
(Umino) Oh, come on!
We got to eat some delicious sōmen, didn't we?
Miyuki-kun, cheers!
(Miyuki) Tonight, it's definitely sōmen.
Right now, I am the woman in Japan who most wants to eat sōmen.
(Chinyama) For tonight's dinner — how about flowing sōmen?
Hm?
(Miyuki) Every time I come here,
this supermarket seems to have some kind of supernatural intuition.
(Chinyama) Flowing sōmen is today's recommendation!
(Yūta) Aww~ so close!
Aww~ so close!
(Ushiba) Manager, isn't this flowing sōmen course a bit short?
It's impossible to catch anything!
(Miyuki) He's right — it really is too short.
(Chinyama) What can I do? The space is tiny.
(Miyuki) He's right about that too — this is no place for flowing sōmen.
(Ushiba) Then maybe don't do it at all?
The whole point of flowing sōmen is in the flowing!
Yes, sir.
All right, let's send another round!
(Yūta) Ready!
Now!
-(Yūta) Got it~! -(Akiko) Got it! Hahaha!
Delicious!
Mama, buy me some!
(Akiko) Hahaha!
-(Akiko) One bag of sōmen. -(Chinyama) Thank you!
-(Akiko) Oh wait, actually make it two bags. -(Chinyama) Two bags!
All right.
(Miyuki) If I recall correctly, somewhere around here...
There it is.
A friend gave it to me as a housewarming gift not long ago.
It's slightly thicker than regular sōmen,
with a distinctive heartiness and springy bite.
While the water comes to a boil for the sōmen,
first I'll make Yanaka ginger wrapped in meat.*
There's asparagus, green pepper, enoki mushrooms,
and all sorts of other things to wrap in meat,
but my personal number one is Yanaka ginger wrapped in meat.
(Sound of meat sizzling)
(Miyuki) Steam it through until fully cooked inside.
All right — perfect.
Since it's a thicker noodle, it takes a little longer.
In the meantime...
Finely chop the tomatoes and cook the bacon.
Add mentsuyu* to the oil now rich with bacon's umami.
Add a touch of sugar and chill it with ice.
Then, using some leftover beef,
to make a sōmen with a heartier, more satisfying feel,
I'll use sesame sauce.
(Timer beeps)
(Miyuki) Drain the sōmen and rinse well under cold water.
The more you rinse, the more delicious it gets.
Finish by shocking it in ice water.
The first: tomato and bacon,
with daikon radish sprouts for a fresh, clean feel.
Finish with cheese and black pepper.
For the second: sesame sauce.
Then add beef, green onion, and cucumber.
And drizzle chili oil on boldly.
Finally, top with egg yolk and Korean seaweed for a hearty, satisfying touch.
Finish with a sprinkle of sesame...
Summer has arrived in my home.
Itadakimasu!
(Sound of can being opened)
Oh~!
Ahh~
(Miyuki) Naturally, it was worth waiting for this moment.
It's a good thing I didn't halfheartedly eat sōmen at work.
Mm.
(Miyuki) Wonderful.
The pairing of ginger and meat is something shōgayaki* has already proven,
but I want to spread this way of eating it to people all across Japan too.
Ahh~
(Miyuki) On a hot day, even the drink tastes better than ever.
(Miyuki) Mmm~ this refreshing lightness —
this is something that neither soba nor udon can give you —
it's a feeling unique to sōmen.
The official gourmet of midsummer — that is sōmen.
The tomatoes keep it fresh and light,
but the bacon's umami means it pairs perfectly with the drink.
Ahh...
(Miyuki) Mmm~
The thick noodle's satisfying, luxurious texture and springy bite —
the sauce clings so well to these noodles,
and the bold sesame sauce is absolutely perfect with them.
Mmm~
Perfect.
Ahh~
Ahh...
(Miyuki) A summer evening, sōmen, and a drink — this is bliss.
Thank you for the meal.
-(Miyuki) Good morning! -(Umino) Oh, morning.
-(Shimamura) Goooood morning! -(Umino) Morning.
(Shimamura) Oh, Umino-san, actually —
did the website photos come through?
They did, they did — all great shots.
They've already been put up on the website.
Hehehe.
(Aoi) Huh? Nothing's changed.
Hmm?
What's with this photo?
After everyone left, I had Kageyama-san
take some extra shots of a few other things.
(Kageyama) Oh, that's a good one!
(Shutter click)
(Aoi) So where are our photos?
(Umino) Ah —
They're lower down on the page — see?
(Shimamura) Huh?
Shouldn't these photos be the main feature?
(Umino) Kahaha!
What are you talking about, Shimamura-kun?
The face of this branch is me — the branch manager.
I need to push my own face out there front and center.
(Aoi) The website has somehow become even stranger
than it was before.
(Umino) No no — it's much better than before.
Right, Miyuki-kun?
I suppose so.
Oh, you know what —
next time, let's get some photos of me serving customers too!
Welcome!
(Miyuki) Well — thanks to the flowing sōmen,
I found a wonderful evening drink,
and next time,
maybe I'll try doing solo flowing sōmen at home.
(Miyuki) Long live Chinese noodles!*