Original subtitles

This is the story of a man who, even though he lives a full life...

...has no appetite for that life anymore.

Even the affection for his family has faded.

Let me tell you about this man.

Making money wasn't a problem, but it left a bitter taste.

Because he behaves this way...

...dragged through this sweet and sour, sad life...

...his once youthful, fit body became fatter, his heart began to complain...

...and his belly bulging out.

The flower of his life, which should bloom beautifully with age ...

...was frozen by his civil life and was encased in ice.

Yet in his heart burned the secret desire...

...to break free from this senseless life and regain all that lost time.

Like this famous chef, I too had put my work before my family.

As a result, I now lived in a capsule hotel.

Well, let's start this story, about two different worlds...

...who clash on all fronts before ultimately becoming one.

Dear Gabriel, I had the pleasure of presenting you with your previous Crystal Star.

Now here's your third. Without a doubt the most prestigious. Voila.

Did this prize require great sacrifices? -Not a single one.

I'm only happy with my nose in the pan.

Your loved ones will like that. -Close ones are often further away from us...

...then the stars.

Mr. Carvin, is this a turning point in your existence?

A dream come true?

What do you think of gastronomic influencers?

What is going on?

Pace, people. We open in 20 minutes.

Don't think about the journalists, just about the dishes.

In the absence of your father, I will give the orders here.

Come on, people. To work. -Yes, chief.

What are you going to do? -Blowjob the reviewer.

Bag washer. -Please, Louise.

Stay. -No, I'm going.

Sorry.

Are you just going to let her go?

Like you let mommy go? -Your dear mother.

Without her you're a stumbling, whining old wreck who snubs everyone.

Oh, poor guy. Go away. -Fine.

I just saw mom in tears.

She almost ran me over. -Really and truly?

It's always very intense when you argue.

When winter comes, in the dreary season...

...will reveal the dark and terrifying side of love...

...stretching out his greedy heart to pour indifference...

...about those he has always loved.

Whose nonsense is this? -Mine.

I wrote a book after college.

What kind of book? -A collection of poems.

A woman looking for the perfect man. "Monsieur Quelqu'un."

Anyway, I never dared to publish the bundle.

Welcome.

Sorry for the waiting time. Have a seat.

Miso ramen? Correct. One miso ramen, please.

One moment, please.

Go away.

Don't you realize how much you hurt Mai?

All your favorite ingredients are in it.

Thank you.

There are four ready. -Everything is fine here?

Serve these plates. -Yes, chief.

The fish. Serve, dammit. -Yes, chief.

Yes, boss.

Are there any dishes left? -Shut your heads and hurry up.

Pig ready, chef? -Guard.

We need to find our damn talent again. My, my.

It makes me fucking sick. This doesn't work like that. Shit.

What are you watching, you idiots? Nothing works.

Where's the puree? -Goddammit.

Hey, look.

Gabi.

Isn't life good like this?

Peaceful. In the fresh air.

No, life is not good.

Hey, pearls take away the malaise.

calm down calm down now

Listen, we all ride out the malaise in our own way.

I'm exhausted. -Then retire.

You probably still have a dream. -Not a single one.

Go on holiday with the family.

How so? We are not that kind of family anymore.

Moving this body is already quite a hassle.

Then shift your mind.

Go away with your witchcraft.

Leave my mind alone. -What do you have to lose?

My dignity.

You understand?

Let your thoughts come and go.

Don't try to block them , much less control them.

Concentrate on nothing but swinging...

...and at the sound of my voice.

It doesn't work for me, I told you. -What exactly do you remember?

What? Something of...

From... -From?

Something of...

Of a taste.

Umami.

Umami. Nondeju, do you remember that competition of best chefs?

42 years back in Paris? -So what if I still remember that?

Yeah, I lost to a guy who served a noodle soup.

And that retarded jury had just discovered a new taste.

You were determined to understand what that fifth taste was.

Without ever succeeding. Yes, that was on March 11, 1978.

The anniversary of Claude François's death. -I remember everything. I can see it right in front of me.

What happened to that Japanese chef? -He must be a living legend there.

Do you think I should...

And.

Nerve-wracking, this, huh? Isn't there an H on it?

I'm not used to Google. Ah yes. There he is.

Where's the F? Fe.

I do not see him. What? Then you do it. -At this rate...

...your Japanese will be dead before you find him. -Where's the F then?

And.

Tetsu... -Still.

T-E-T...

Found it. -What the hell. Nondeju.

Here.

And, damn it.

Ramen.

Voila. -Yes that is him.

Where have you been hiding? -He's not hiding. There he is.

Tetsuichi Monta.

Bunch of barbarians.

Dad's got it covered. -Not now, Nino. Don't you see that?

Look. -What the hell are you talking about?

Walk, Leo. What is going on?

Didn't you hear me? Dad's gone.

Fanny, the tarbot.

I return after unraveling an old chimera.

Still the voicemail. "An old chimera."

You could wait for it. -He'll be back tonight.

He would never let me run the restaurant .

He took my small suitcase. He hates airports and stations.

Hello. I have to go there.

I'm sorry sir.

No. -What do you mean no?

The next train leaves tomorrow morning. At 6:20 am.

Is there no train tonight? -Tomorrow morning.

Tomorrow morning, tomorrow morning. That is not possible. I have to find a train.

Where is that train going? That one over there?

I've been traveling since yesterday. I tired.

I need sleep. Hotel.

Hotel? -Yes, tomorrow morning.

I don't know where I am. -Oh, hotel.

I. Hotel, me. -Hotel.

What an intellect. Unbelieveable. Hotel, yes. Easy. To sleep.

For heaven's sake.

So small, so comfortable.

Are you also coming for the Light Festival?

It's okay. You can do that.

Hey, come on. Come on.

Nondej.

Not too hot. Feels good.

Very good.

That's how I met the great French chef.

That evening. I talked about how my life had been taken over by my work.

And about the wild waves of society...

...from which I had desperately fished out some scant honors.

This diabetic pilgrim couldn't possibly understand what I was rambling about...

...but it didn't matter.

Like everyone who stays at this hotel, we shared the loneliness that evening.

I haven't seen my daughter in five years . They won't let me in.

But can I blame my daughter for that?

The average time I spent with my daughter was 37 minutes per day.

With my colleagues and clients it was 9 hours and 13 minutes.

This calculation excludes after-work drinks.

Those boring days passed in the blink of an eye.

Life is so short.

Yes, life really is short.

The sadness in my heart, as always, asked my stomach for help.

My oldest ruined his entire school life when his mother left me.

My lack of attention was killing them , he said.

Ovarian cancer killed her.

So my son came back to live with me.

Determined to make it.

Determined to become a great chef . Okay.

My second wife, Louise, is fucking the guy I owe my success to.

Some crazy reviewer.

We had a son together. Nino. A kind of idealistic daredevil.

He has a pure heart. He's spoiled rotten, yes.

I have few flavors left from the past. They have been replaced...

...because of the shit that is my body. That's how it is.

Because of old age, things... You get older and you let go.

Too much salt. -Yes, life is too salty.

Too much salt.

BETTER FAILURE NEXT TIME

This is a coffin.

It's a disaster. -Jean certainly can't replace him.

Make no mistake, he works hard for it. -He's a showman.

He does not have the holy gift. -Good night.

I think they're done.

Look at that. Come on.

I cannot replace my father.

If the influencer knows that it is me who cooks...

Why should we tell her?

If she thinks it's your father, she'll hype it up. It's a snob thing.

Although, if you cook like you did tonight, it's the end of practice.

I haven't slept this well in years.

Just hold on.

Sayonara.

Just hold on. Wait a second.

Here's my card.

I don't have a card, but I'll write it down. That...

That's my restaurant. If you 're ever in France, come visit, okay?

So. Yesterday.

Farewell. -Bye.

Mr. Someone.

Take me, yes? Voila. Right now.

No, stop. The door opens automatically. -Automatically?

How so? Ridiculous, automatic.

Here is your key to the Imperial Suite. Have an excellent stay, Mr. Carvin.

Please...

Elevator goes up.

Close doors.

I've thought about lying to her. I have huge doubts.

What if she wants to see the chef? -You may be right.

Don't know.

That's her, I think. Quick, get out of here.

Heavens, what are you doing? Did you come all the way by bike?

By bike on the train. Where is my father?

What? -He was cut off without a word.

He's in Japan.

In Japan? -Yes.

Never mind. It goes automatically. -Shit.

Hallo.

What the hell is this?

What's...

What a horror.

It can't be possible here.

Welcome.

Have a seat.

Do you speak English? -I'm sorry, no English.

Impossible. I'm wrong about the place. Yes, this is not the right place.

He never mentioned a competition. -He lost, so he hid it.

Halfway around the world in his state, alone...

Only? He is currently stuck with his old acquaintance.

But it becomes a drama when he starts drinking.

This is the first one I find.

When these oyster beds were decimated by the epidemic...

...oyster farmers from Hiroshima sent us baby oysters to save us.

Crazy. -So that pearl is a bit Japanese.

He is for you. A pearl only has value if you give it away.

Serious? -As a godfather you don't just give...

...useless gifts.

What exactly is that, umami? -Umami?

Umami is a good thing. I would even say it is necessary.

All our ramen is full of flavor. This, this, this, these are umami.

Koremo, wat?

Try the shoyu ramen. -Fine.

One shoyu ramen. And something to drink?

Beer? Sake? -No, no alcohol for me.

Dangerous for the heart. I've had five bypasses.

My heart exploded. -I'll be right back.

Shit.

Nondeju. Of Grand Prix.

That is not possible. It's him. Good Lord.

And, what do we do now?

What should we do with your father in Japan? -We have to find him.

If something happens to him, we will never forgive ourselves.

Don't be so theatrical. He'll be fine.

How petty bourgeois you are.

The bastard.

What a balance.

Hello, this is Tetsu. -I'm looking for a Frenchman.

Have you perhaps seen a Frenchman?

Yes indeed. Right now there's a Frenchman sitting in front of me...

Guard. I don't understand it. -One moment, please.

No do not bother. Excuse me.

Please. -What is that?

There is nobody.

Hallo?

Miss, can I have a moment? See the chef. Is that possible?

Okay, I'll call my daughter. She speaks French.

Hello? -What took so long?

I was just about to go to sleep.

Can you have a word with a French customer? I have no idea what he wants.

I haven't spoken French in years. Ask grandpa.

Grandpa is busy cooking. I'd rather not bother him.

Please, something is really bothering him. Do it for me. It's probably important.

Give it to him. -Leave me alone with that phone.

What now? Hello? Hello? -Good day, Sir.

May god bless you. -My mother would like to know what you want.

I would like to speak to the chef to compliment him.

I will tell her.

Hello? -It seems he wants to talk to Grandpa.

Why? -To say it was tasty, I guess.

Thank you. Now you can go to sleep. See you later.

One moment, please.

The slander that circulated on the Internet...

...had torn off the wings of this young woman.

Her plucked feathers fluttered down to a sad melody.

Nino, on the other hand, refused to use a cell phone.

In search of freedom he resisted...

...against the modern consumer society, version 2.0.

Although such ideals sometimes require compromises.

IN SEARCH OF LOST TIME

This gentleman really liked your ramen, Dad.

Thank you very much.

Don't you recognize me?

It's me, Gabriel Carvin. From 40 years ago, remember?

Over there. Here, the Grand Prix.

Do you remember?

Don't tell me I came all this way for nothing. What is the damage?

How many? -You cannot pay with the card.

Shit, I have no cash. Damn. -Let me pay for you, sir.

Good. Thank you.

Gabriel. Do you remember?

In Paris. With your wife.

Then just fucking check it out.

Sorry about that. No, it's okay.

Once again, my apologies. Very kind. Thank you.

For a moment I was afraid he would stay.

Poor man, he was so disappointed.

No problem. He's a great chef. Perhaps the best in the world.

What? So you know him?

He came second in that competition.

You were still in your mother's womb at the time.

You can't let him go like this.

He must have a good reason to come all the way here for you.

I will take a look.

Mom, I'm in the bath. -Sorry, but please stay on the line for a while.

Was there anything else? -We're going to help that Frenchman.

Why?

I lost him.

Hello? Mom? -Hello. Yes I'm still here.

I found it, I think.

Be careful.

Guard.

Excuse me. I'm sorry my father was so unkind.

Please forgive him. When he's reminded of my mother...

...he always reacts like this. Then he freezes in fear.

Please.

We have two days to repair the damage. Okay?

Super. -Thank you very much.

I'm here to discover the secret of umami.

When I say it like that it sounds miserable, but that's how it is.

He wants to know what umami tastes like. That's why he came to Japan.

Can he be that stupid? Is he making fun of us?

He said himself that he thought it sounded miserable.

Miserable? Like in your favorite book? -Beats.

Is there anything about umami in Les Misérables?

Are you ready? I'm in the bath. -Sorry. Thank you.

Oh, wait a minute.

Can you ask him to come to the restaurant tomorrow night?

By then I'd have talked grandpa into it.

My mother is going to convince my grandfather to help you.

Come to the restaurant tomorrow evening. -Thank you ma'am.

Thanks, Mai. Good night.

Well, I'll see you tomorrow.

Now get the plague.

Nino must be there by now. -At his age I would have done the same.

Stupidity comes with age.

I should have gone to get your father.

That second evening he was reminded that his son...

...despite his best efforts, he wouldn't cook well enough.

That worried him.

That day the famous influencer would come...

...for the second tasting.

She would report on the star restaurant...

...to her followers worldwide.

Considering the three stars, she began to feel somewhat displeased.

'Would it have been worth tasting?' was the tenor of her thoughts.

Perhaps the restaurant has lost its luster.

There are all kinds of criticisms online, most of them not very credible.

But she, as the queen among influencers...

...tried to judge as impartially as possible .

I do not get it. I do everything exactly the way he does it.

Maybe I should make one of my own recipes...

...instead of imitating him.

No, she wants what's on the menu.

You can do it.

Really and truly? -Really and truly.

No, no, don't do that. -What? Yes, the door. Now drive.

Please.

Have a seat. He'll come as soon as he's done cooking.

Three stars is something different from such a poor cafe.

You've had too much to drink. -I don't understand a word of it, darling.

Let him go, I said. -He's just drunk.

That's not the point.

Don't let him in again. Sorry, but please go away. Go.

Look.

Just take a good look.

Admire it.

Admire it. Admire it. You're also going to die someday.

All alone.

Like a piece of dirt.

And.

Only.

Fine, I'm going already.

And.

You take over for a moment.

Papa...

...maybe he's in the park.

TASTE THIS

Which hotel are you staying in?

You speak French, villain.

I was a chef in New Caledonia for seven years.

Come on, get on your feet.

The name of your hotel, please. -I do not know anymore.

It has five stars. -Five stars?

Don't you know what that is, five stars?

You don't give a shit.

I'm thirsty.

My feet are frozen.

The Grand Park Hotel, please.

He's not going to puke, is he? -No idea.

Guard. Get in and keep an eye on him. Otherwise I won't take him.

Right, yes.

That's what it should be. Nothing to do about it.

Mom, I'll take him upstairs and explain everything to him.

I wish you a pleasant stay. If you need anything, let me know.

Excuse me, with your friend in that state... -He's not my friend.

But if he's left alone like this, I have to inform the manager.

What? -It could be dangerous in this condition.

It's for his safety. Hopefully you understand that.

Understood. You do not need to inform the manager.

Good. Thank you.

Do you know where daddy is? -In a restaurant in the center.

Good. -I'll call again later.

Kus, Nino.

2ND PRIZE

Mister SOMEONE GEDICHTENBUNDEL

Oh, my head.

What happened?

What are you doing there?

Hello? -I decided to help him.

Thank you. -I'll be back in the afternoon...

...to prepare for the evening. -Be careful.

What is? -He spends the day with the Frenchman.

Can you help me in the restaurant? Please?

Once I read the last few pages .

Matsuba-san? With me.

Excuse me for calling you so early.

The thing is, I would like to ask you a favor.

Scandalous. I'm sure you have better things to do than deal with my nonsense.

I'm going back to Tokyo. And then I take the first plane to Paris.

If you do not mind...

...I would like you to stay and discover the meaning of umami.

No, don't feel obligated.

Certainly not. Nothing forces me to do anything in life.

It is nonsense. I was hypnotized by a charlatan.

Listen.

It would be my honor to assist you in your search.

Thank you in advance.

What's on the programme? -Eat, eat and eat.

To eat? There is no better program. -Correct.

We're going around the back.

Matsuba-san. Sorry it's so short notice. And so early.

Welcome. Follow me. I've been counting on you.

Soaked.

Please, come on.

Tell me, Tetsu, what is your friend looking for?

He's not my friend. Nor is he a customer.

No customer?

He is looking for the secret of umami.

That's funny. Is there such a thing as the secret of umami?

Let me explain why you are here. -And is that funny?

All those miles to find out what umami is is actually quite funny.

It looks delicious.

Umami? -No, just very good against hangovers.

To start, you need to cleanse your palate and your intestines.

This way you will be better prepared to find what you are looking for.

Enjoy your meal.

Like this?

And what does that mean? -It's an expression of surprise.

Surprised?

Stunned, for sure.

Matsuba will lend you a kimono and shoes...

...that are more suitable for our climate.

No, I don't wear something like that.

What do you mean, a kimono? I used to wear that when I did judo, but now...

It's very hilly... -Exactly.

...and we go cycling. -Misuse? In a kimono?

Misuse. In a kimono.

I really never go cycling. I can't do it, my knees hurt.

Excellent.

Guard.

What is? -Give this here.

What a super cool thing.

This is certainly better than what you just ate. Please.

She thinks you're not eating right. -Thank you, Madam.

This tastes good.

He likes it. -Good.

I'll tell his father he's here.

She's going to call your father. -No, it's a surprise.

He would rather not. -Oh, I understand.

I wander around town a bit, waiting for my father.

Doesn't this suit you much better? If only you were a few years younger.

And if only he were a little less chubby. Shame.

Anyway, that bike belonged to my father.

He rode it until he was 103. I am very attached to it.

That bicycle belonged to her father. He rode it until he was 103.

So she is very attached to it. -I won't damage it...

...because I'm not going to ride it. You're not in good spirits.

Just say her father can rest in peace.

Fuck you, jerk. Then pass, idiot.

Shit.

My mother doesn't want you to be alone.

With restaurateurs as parents, I learned to take care of myself.

She'll be sad if I don't go with you.

Okay then. Where are we going?

Have mercy. Have mercy. -You have to earn umami.

I don't like the mountains.

Where did you learn French so well? -At school.

After English, Spanish and Korean.

So you've traveled a lot? -No never.

Why learn all those languages ​​if you don't travel?

Learning is traveling.

I would say that traveling is learning, but to each their own.

There is a bus to the ski area.

Use the body as much as possible before it rots. Come on.

The best pig farmer in the region lives up there .

Pigs? -Yes.

A pig farm, up there? -Up there.

Pigs. Pigs.

Are you sure you don't want to come? -Sure.

Can't ski?

How is that possible when you live in the mountains? I can teach you, if you want.

Come, come along.

Come on.

Holy shit.

Shit, I cycled too fast.

My heart almost bursts out of my chest.

Well, let it out then.

It's like I'm talking to David Carradine, in an episode of Kung Fu.

No, he's Chinese.

Then you better go for Mr Miyagi from Karate Kid. He is Japanese.

Miyagi. Miyagi kan de pot op.

Would you like me to say that Obelix is ​​German?

Oh, there she is. -Tetsu.

Noriko-san.

Is this the strange bird looking for umami?

Indeed. -You're still freezing to death...

...before you find umami sitting in the cold. Come on let's go.

Sorry to keep you waiting. Please.

Taya-chan, you're late. -Sorry, I couldn't leave.

Uncle left everything to you? Is he ill? -No, he's fine.

Yuriya, can you do the cash register?

Yuri, put your cell phone away. If you don't help seriously, you don't get paid.

Then what's wrong with uncle? -He's fine.

First take this to table 4. -Okay.

After closing time I explain everything in detail.

Good. Here we go.

Sorry to keep you waiting. Please. Take your time.

Welcome. -Welcome.

How many are you? -With five.

Five? There is a table available at the back, if that is okay with you.

Calm down, though.

Cheers. -Cheers.

This meat is a symphony. -Umami is in the pig's bone.

And I use that as a basis for my broths.

Noriko plays music for them. That's what gives their meat so much flavor.

I'd like to see that. Really and truly.

Come on, people. Working. -Yes, chief.

Super.

May you enjoy it.

CHEF JEAN'S LOBSTER WITH VANILLA WAS SUBLIME

A GREAT FAMILY

Suddenly he was home again. I hadn't heard from him for years.

It was difficult to welcome him with open arms.

I have fond memories of uncle.

Really and truly? I do not recall...

...that that miserable alcoholic was ever kind to me. Not even a little.

Yuri, stop constantly looking at your cell phone.

Then what do you want me to do? -Help clean up the restaurant.

Simple enough, right?

Wait, wait. Where are you going?

Go outside for some fresh air. It stinks of smoke in here.

Raising children after 40 is really difficult.

How so? I was 16 when I became a mother. That's just as difficult.

Aren't you afraid to leave Mai alone with that Frenchman?

What scares me most are the times when she is completely alone.

But she's on medication, right? Should you really be concerned?

Neither the medication nor the psychiatrist helped.

She can't forget that revenge porn.

The nude photos that stupid ex-boyfriend posted on the internet.

I think she needs something completely different.

It's like she's been raped. She sees herself as defiled.

She'll be fine. She has a strong mind.

Enough about me. You have to restore the bond with your father.

TAYA INCOMING CALL

Are you OK? Not too cold? -No.

Is this him? The man looking for the secret of umami?

Is he an old acquaintance of yours? -Yes that's right.

Umami, is it?

May I introduce you to Go, master of this place...

...and confectionery virtuoso. -What is that?

This is astonishing. -Candy.

Candy?

My godfather has been farming oysters for 60 years. This is the first one he found.

Crazy, right?

Do you taste?

Awaken the taste buds.

The sacred exchange of sour, salty, bitter and sweet. Taste it all.

Feel the insatiable desire for one more bite. And another one.

Looking for great miracles. Feel the fire burning.

In other words, it equals sex.

That is difficult to translate.

I would say the master was just talking about ecstasy.

About love. To be more precise.

Thank you very much.

A three-star restaurant, that must be delicious.

It's probably not bad. I can't tell you what's on the menu.

I dream of having such a menu in my hands.

And, Monsieur Quelqu'un, what's on the menu?

What is? Are you OK?

I'm sorry.

Boneless Noir de Bigorre pork leg, foie gras, candied shallots...

...grilled mushrooms, black truffle...

Unbelievable.

Sodeju. -We are happy to see you too.

WITH WINTER COMES THE FEARING SIGHT

OF LOVE

THE SECOND MOST BEAUTIFUL THING I HAVE EVER SEEN

TO YOU

CHEF JEAN'S LOBSTER WITH VANILLA WAS SUBLIME

YOU CANNOT CLAIM THAT THERE IS A BETTER PLACE ON EARTH

AFTER EATING AT MONSIEUR QUELQU'UN

A PLACE SUPPORTED BY HEAVEN AND A GREAT FAMILY

Oh, I'm starving.

Good evening, Fumi. -Uncle of mine.

Sit down, everyone. In the back.

A table for two, please.

What are you doing here? -I've been told...

...that here are the two best chefs in the world.

How happy I am.

You have no idea how happy I am. I'm happy.

We've all been looking for the moon...

...which was forced upon us by arrogant men.

But now we have realized that each of us already has our own star.

That moment has arrived.

What if the best recipe was the one that unites with life?

That of a family kitchen, of sharing. Far from certainties...

...but as close as possible to the small, essential pleasures of existence.

Yes, from the warm aroma of bread.

The heady scent of fresh herbs swaying in the wind.

From the smell of chestnuts and mushrooms in a wicker basket.

All those things that make us feel alive.

Sometimes taste hypnotizes us and takes us to rare places...

...where recipes are passed down from generation to generation.

Where landscapes are part...

...of our senses and our culture, in infinite varieties.

Today I still wonder what the odds were...

...that all these, often indigestible, ingredients of existence...

...would come together and form a delicious bowl of ramen.

Yes, all those things add up to...

...umami.

On umami.

A taste, a wandering, a heart strengthener.

It doesn't work for me, I told you. -What exactly do you remember?

What? Something of...

From... -From?

Something of a...

Of a taste.

And...

And?

From a... A taste of...

A taste...

...from family.

It's all there. I can see it right in front of me.

Yeah, that's all I remember.