Asian dramas like
Chubo No Alice

The intense beating in my chest goes beyond mere admiration!? Tomoya Ishida is a new editor at the fashion magazine Sophia Monthly. When his senior unexpectedly falls ill, Tomoya is quickly tasked with retrieving a column manuscript from the renowned culinary expert Ayumu Mitsuya. Upon meeting Ayumu, Tomoya is surprised to find a friendly older man who speaks with a Kyoto dialect. While waiting, Tomoya is treated to a simple yet delicious dish that satisfies his hunger, leaving him eager for their next meeting!

Uemura Kotone is a student in middle school dealing with emotional trauma. Residing in an aged apartment, she overhears peculiar noises coming from her neighbor, Akutsu Isamu. Curious about the middle-aged man's mysterious behavior, Kotone follows him to a nearby park where she discovers the reason behind his odd actions. Intrigued by Isamu, she becomes involved with the Torasu Theater group, meeting individuals with their own emotional baggage. Through this experience, Kotone confronts her own issues while unraveling Isamu's quest for a woman from his past and his hidden history.

Bottakuri is a cozy bar situated in the quiet outskirts of Tokyo. Sisters Mine and Kaoru run the establishment, taking over from their deceased parents, serving delicious meals and sake. Along with their loyal patrons, the sisters engage in resolving minor issues and exchanging insights over food and drinks. This story is inspired by the web novel "Izakaya Bottakuri" by Akikawa Takimi.

After a tragic incident, three former classmates from art school come together after a long time. They each have a unique connection to the deceased man, including his ex-girlfriend, the manager of a rugby club he belonged to, and his ex-boyfriend. As they navigate their own struggles, the trio starts meeting up and sharing meals. Oda Chiharu had landed her dream job as a designer but left due to workplace bullying. She now finds joy in cooking for others, while indulging in convenience store meals when alone. Nakamura Seiko works in the PR department of a cosmetics company and feels pressured by her family's belief that marriage is a must. Her engagement is abruptly called off by her fiancé, who also works in the same company. Amagai Eiji, who used to work as a designer in an advertising agency, is now feeling lost after being transferred to the sales department. He grapples with his identity as a gay man, which he has not yet disclosed to his parents.

"Why must we be confined by our age?" A comical yet poignant portrayal of the genuine concerns, restlessness, and frustration experienced by a woman navigating contemporary life. Delve into the romantic, professional, and intimate escapades of unmarried 29-year-old women striving to thrive in present-day Tokyo. (abema.tv)

Concerned about her younger sibling Juntaro's prospects, Itako pays a visit to the noodle restaurant managed by him. Referred to as the "Handsome Noodle House," the establishment gains its reputation from the attractive appearance of Juntaro and the part-time delivery staff. During her visit, Itako learns that Juntaro is not only involved in the restaurant business but also works as a detective, resolving numerous incidents in the area. Juntaro's social circle includes peculiar individuals like the flamboyant head of a local talent agency and a detective who frequently clashes with him.

The taste of food can vary depending on the company, location, and emotions involved. An elegant food stall, featuring three colors, operates exclusively on weekday evenings within the temple premises. A new store, set to open this spring, promises a captivating experience for visitors. The stall is managed by Shota, a skilled French chef who has mysteriously lost his ability to taste and smell, and Terumoto, a former monk with a refined palate but lacking cooking skills. Struggling in their respective careers and facing pivotal moments in their lives, the two men unexpectedly join forces.

Lava’s mother sends him to stay with his young uncle near the coast, where he quickly finds himself assigned tasks. One day, he discovers a man stranded on the beach. After taking him to the hospital, Dr. Wut identifies the man as suffering from amnesia, prompting Lava’s uncle to offer Lava’s help as his caregiver. Lava decides to call him Wave, shifting all his responsibilities onto this newcomer. To Lava’s surprise, Wave is quite particular and clumsy with physical work, suggesting he comes from a privileged background.

Chia Ling is embracing life after turning 40 with open arms. She has found stability in her relationship, made a career switch, received love and support from her family, and achieved her dream of owning a house. However, her excitement is dampened when her doctor informs her that she is displaying early symptoms of menopause. Feeling the pressure of time ticking away, Chia Ling is determined to determine her path forward. Meanwhile, her father's health is declining rapidly, prompting him to reconnect with his first love, much to the dismay of Chia Ling's mother. Juggling her work, relationship, and complicated family dynamics, Chia Ling finds herself pulled in multiple directions. But nothing could prepare her for the unexpected twist that will drastically alter her life.

Yamanaka Konoha, an 18-year-old girl from the rural Kumano area of Wakayama prefecture, comes from a family that relies on forestry for their livelihood. Konoha's mother, Senri, is a teacher of traditional farming methods and local history to tourists, while her father, Ichiro, dreams of opening a restaurant in Osaka. Konoha was raised in the forested hills by her grandfather, Sadamichi, who taught her ranger skills and meditation techniques. With a natural talent for tasting food, Konoha decides to pursue a career as a chef after her grandmother's passing. She joins her father in leaving Kumano for Osaka, where she plans to learn the art of cooking while Ichiro works towards opening his own restaurant.

The series portrays Oizumi as the supervisor of a yet-to-open diner in Chigasaki, Kanagawa. Different individuals are featured in each episode as they visit the restaurant. This NTV show is a unique joint effort with Japanese rock group, Southern All Stars, and talent agency, Amuse, to commemorate Southern All Stars' 30th anniversary and NTV's 55th anniversary. A total of 33 songs by Southern All Stars serve as the inspiration for each episode in the series.

He is the epitome of a grumpy father! Kanzaki Kanichi, a doctor and father of three, is a nosy expert who likes to give lectures to not just his own family and patients, but also to random kids and couples in public. His children are close to rebelling against him, but luckily their mother Miyako keeps them calm. (KIKU-TV)

Ota Aiko is employed as an interior decorator and excels in her profession, although she struggles with household chores. Despite her strong desire to get married, there is a discrepancy in values regarding marriage between her and her fiancé. At a wedding she attends, Ota Aiko encounters Asano Tomoko, a former classmate from high school who lacks romantic feelings for others. Asano Tomoko, unlike Ota Aiko, is skilled in household tasks, particularly cooking, but is facing a creative block in her career as a picture book author. Following a certain incident, the two women agree to cohabit with the arrangement that Ota Aiko provides lodging while Asano Tomoko prepares delicious meals.

Jin Geum Seong, a struggling nobleman, resides with his mother and faces difficulties in making ends meet. While gathering wood on the mountain, he comes across a woman swimming nearby. Thinking she is attempting to end her life, he intervenes and rescues Choi Hye Seong, the third daughter of Choi Jin Sa. However, things take a surprising turn when Hye Seong is revealed to be a man named 'Salbyul.' A romantic relationship blossoms between Hye Seong and Geum Seong, resembling a flower blooming on a sunny spring day.

Chen Chia Lin, aged 39, does not own a car, a house, or a spouse, and recently lost her job. Hailing from southern Taiwan, she was brought up by her family to excel academically and be a respectable woman. However, Chen felt that her aspirations could not be fulfilled in her hometown. Following a disagreement within the family, she decided to move to Taipei for further studies. After two decades of striving to make a name for herself in the city and adhering to societal norms, Chen is now determined to embrace her life with unwavering self-assurance.

Ar Chen, a mother, wife, and chef, decides to end her marriage with her self-centered husband. Following their divorce, he discovers love and success, yet yearns for reconciliation with his ex-wife. Can a new relationship erase years of love shared with Ar Chen? Will she follow her heart or pride in making her decision?

A daughter discovers she has two fathers when she unexpectedly meets her biological father, realizing that the man she has always known as her father is actually her stepfather. Wang Xiao Mi, after graduating from university, becomes enamored with the talk show industry in China. She impresses investor Ke Lei during an open mic session and secures a job. Wang Xiao Mi then invites her parents to watch her performance, leading her mother Luo Qing to recognize Ke Lei as her ex-husband whom she has not seen in two decades.

Yuria, a 50-year-old woman, leads a peaceful life by teaching embroidery classes at her residence, where she resides with her spouse who is a writer, and his mother. However, her life takes a drastic turn when her husband suffers a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Upon reaching the hospital, Yuria is confronted by a sorrowful young man who reveals himself as her husband's partner.

In 2006, the life of a woman takes a dark turn as love, misfortune, and recklessness lead to a downward spiral. The body of 56-year old Kawajiri Matsuko is discovered in her downtown apartment where she lived alone. Asuka is taken aback to learn that she had an aunt named Matsuko. Her father instructs Asuka to clean out Matsuko's living space. While sorting through Matsuko's cluttered room, Asuka stumbles upon a photograph. As she delves deeper into Matsuko's past, she questions why someone who appeared so happy with their family had to meet such a tragic end. Back in 1973, Matsuko, a recent graduate from a national university, began working as a junior high school teacher. When she covered up for a student who was caught stealing during a school trip, Matsuko faced disgrace and was ultimately expelled. Feeling trapped, Matsuko resorted to desperate measures, resulting in the death of her physically frail sister Kumi before fleeing from her childhood home. Despite her father's favoritism towards Kumi and strictness towards Matsuko, this was only the start of Kawajiri Matsuko's downfall.

Du Kai Qi is a single woman who enjoys reading comic books and working as a chef at the upscale French restaurant Figaro Cuisine

Located in a quaint eatery tucked away in a shopping area, this unique restaurant operates exclusively during the late hours and offers only one dish on its menu. Despite the limited options, patrons are drawn to the establishment for its lively conversations and the owner's eagerness to prepare any meal requested. The show follows the daily lives of various customers, such as a yakuza member, a struggling actor, a group of office workers, a newspaper delivery boy, and a dancer. (Credit: Tokyograph)

Mita Sakura is seen as unconventional by her coworkers at the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department for her choice to work in the department handling unidentified bodies. With around 20,000 unidentified bodies in the country, Mita Sakura dedicates herself to reuniting these individuals with their families. Working alongside her colleague, Tsukimoto Makoto, who possesses a contrasting personality and interests, they both share the common goal of identifying these deceased individuals. Despite their differences, Mita Sakura is known for her warmth and intelligence, while Tsukimoto Makoto is described as reserved and aloof. Together, they piece together clues left behind on the bodies to uncover their identities.

Aoyama Sara is a struggling single mother who is desperate to live peacefully with her daughter Moe. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she witnesses a woman who resembles her committing suicide. In a bid to escape her troubles, Sara decides to assume the woman's identity, only to uncover a web of secrets and challenges. She soon realizes that she is not just a look-alike, but actually a genetic clone of the woman, and she is not the only one. As Sara connects with other clones, she begins to view them as a newfound family. However, she must protect herself and her newfound relatives as they are targeted for assassination by an unknown assailant. This series is a remake of the Canadian TV show "Orphan Black" from 2013.

Xia Meng Xun, Tang Chao, and Bai Zhou, three affluent individuals, found themselves connected by three enigmatic Buddha statues. Their journey was marked by peril as they delved into their family's hidden truths and discovered love along the way.

Will a former assassin turned vet and a detective manage to find commonality? Kim Soo Hyun is a veterinarian who also operates as a skilled assassin, receiving lucrative offers from various individuals and groups

Five women came together to start a restaurant called Bei Zhe Nan Yuan in Beijing, where they not only built a successful business but also found personal growth and love. You Shan Shan, the main shareholder, played a key role in uniting her closest friends for this venture. Bao Xue, a cheerful actress, and Dai Xiao Yu, who recently returned from abroad, are cousins who share a lively dynamic in their daily lives. The other two shareholders, Si Meng and Feng Xi, also bring their own unique qualities to the restaurant, with Si Meng being a dedicated housewife and Feng Xi moving to Beijing for love.

The plot centers on an unusual private tutor named Yoshimoto, who is brought in to educate the second son of the Numata household. As the unconventional tutor shakes things up, the struggling student and his family undergo a transformation. Unlike previous adaptations that focused on intense high school entrance exams, the 2013 version will delve into contemporary issues such as bullying and school avoidance.

Following the loss of her parents, Lalin must remain resilient as she takes charge of the family business. While at her resort, she encounters Dawhan, a girl suffering from amnesia, and reconnects with Lan after a significant period apart. In Khao Yai, their deepening relationship ignites unvoiced emotions and creates an undeniable connection.

The series follows the lives of individuals who have fallen out of love. Matsuo Ryo is employed at a landscaping company and holds a negative view of women. During a visit to a client's office, he encounters Satogawa Akane, a secretary to a CEO who is highly regarded by male colleagues for her beauty and intelligence. However, Akane, disillusioned by a past relationship, is not interested in pursuing romantic relationships and only engages in sexual encounters with married men. A new colleague named Kinosaki Haruto shows interest in Akane. Meanwhile, Ryo is approached by his boss with a proposal to marry his daughter Tanno Ayaka and eventually take over the company, but Ryo sees Ayaka as a sister figure and feels embarrassed by the suggestion. Ayaka, who works at a construction site by day and a girl's bar by night, struggles with her own sexual identity. One night at the girl's bar, she is approached by a female customer named Kuroda Azusa.

Akari holds a position as a manager at a cafe and is known for her sincerity and positive reputation. However, she harbors a hidden aspect of her life. Following the circulation of a video, Akari gains popularity on social media, drawing her previously peaceful family into the online realm.

The team from the 38th Japanese expedition to the South Pole is currently stationed at the Dome base, which is situated 1,000 km away from the main Showa base at an altitude of 3,800 m. This location is known as one of the most hostile places on earth, with an average temperature of -54 deg Celsius, making it impossible for any living organism or virus to survive. The team consists of seven members, three of whom are researchers and the remaining four are support staff. Despite their different roles, they must coexist in the limited space of the Dome base for a year. The only source of happiness for them is when they gather to enjoy a meal together. Apart from that, they have to endure the starkness, pressure, and anxiety that come with living in such extreme conditions, with no means of escape and only their fellow team members for support.

The "Lion's House" is a hospice situated on a picturesque island, catering to individuals with limited life expectancy. Shizuku, a 29-year-old who was informed of her shortened lifespan early on, decides to spend her remaining days there. Despite some regrets about her strained family relationships, Shizuku struggles to choose a snack from her past during the designated snack time at the facility. As she joins the other residents in experiencing a mix of joy and sorrow, Shizuku reflects on what she will discover and leave behind in her final days at the hospice. (TVJapan.net)

Toko operates a cozy eatery called Snack Kizutsuki. The establishment specializes in snacks and does not offer alcoholic beverages. She warmly greets patrons who may be burdened with emotional scars.

Maki Eda, a beautiful and ambitious woman, has a strong dislike for vegetables. One day, she crosses paths with Katayama Nagisa, a handsome art teacher who teaches at a boys' school and follows a vegetarian diet. Through a twist of fate, they end up living together. Despite Nagisa's somewhat indifferent treatment of Maki, she finds herself falling for him. However, she soon discovers that Nagisa is gay. Despite this realization, Maki is comforted by the delicious organic meals Nagisa prepares. As they work through their own issues, they become increasingly important to each other, but...

This tale offers a calming and intellectually stimulating glimpse into the tranquil daily routine of Jun and Yoshio, a married couple who have shared many years together. It showcases their traditional Japanese seasonal cooking and their leisurely strolls to well-known spots in Tokyo.

In the starring role, Yoko Moriguchi plays a woman who had a thriving career as an editor at a prominent publishing company. After her fiance vanished unexpectedly, she found herself implicated in an embezzlement scandal that cost her job. She then took on the role of manager at Club Indigo, a unique host club located in Shibuya. As mysterious events unfold at the club, she and her hosts join forces to investigate like a group of novice detectives.

In the quiet hours of the evening, a chef at a cozy restaurant provides comfort to patrons with his flavorful creations. As a result, visitors flock to this nighttime spot to enjoy a meal and find solace in having their life challenges eased.

This drama narrates the tale of the Chunjiin family, who run a traditional eatery renowned for its Kimchi, and the enigmatic patrons they encounter. Ho Tae, an orphan who was abandoned as a child, grew up in a children's home and eventually turned to a life of crime. His life takes a turn when he visits Chunjiin and becomes captivated by the restaurant. However, he soon finds himself under attack by rival gang members, only to be rescued by Kang San, the daughter of the restaurant's owner. As Kang San welcomes Ho Tae into her family, he starts to form a bond with the restaurant and its environment, slowly recovering forgotten memories from his past. This touching narrative explores themes of love, the philosophy behind Kimchi, and the challenges faced by the Chunjiin family as they confront competition from other eateries. Additionally, it delves into Ho Tae’s troubled history that resurfaces to trouble him, as well as the mystery surrounding the sudden disappearance of Kang San’s father right after Ho Tae is embraced by the family. (JTBC)

A young woman experiencing a difficult breakup with her long-term boyfriend encounters a man who has endured a heart-wrenching first love while on Jeju Island

Located in Kinshicho, Tokyo, there is a cleaning company run by Daisuke along with his two childhood friends, Yu-chan and Ippei. Together, they offer cleaning services to a diverse range of clients, each with their own unique stories. Recently, peculiar incidents have been taking place in Kinshicho, such as a QR code appearing on a street corner. This QR code, when scanned, reveals the truth behind long-standing mysteries and disturbing events. The mastermind behind this QR code is journalist Aoi, whose investigations have uncovered connections between many of Daisuke's clients and past cases. Unintentionally, Daisuke, Yu-chan, and Ippei find themselves entangled in these cases.

Following the war in Kyoto, Ichika works hard to rescue her family's traditional ryoten eatery from economic hardship. To achieve this, she enters a marriage of convenience with Yamaguchi Amane, a man 15 years her junior.

The Hotta family, known for their unique ways, operates Tokyo Bandwagon, a combination secondhand bookstore and cafe located in the historic area of Tokyo. They are a rare large four-generation family in today's society. Living by their own set of unconventional family principles, the Hottas also take on the task of solving unusual occurrences that happen in the old town. Ao, the 26-year-old second son of the family, works as a freelance tour guide. Despite being the son of his father's mistress, he has been treated as an equal member of the family. Ao's charismatic persona, blending playful antics with moments of deep emotion, makes him quite the heartthrob among women. However, his world is turned upside down when he meets Makino Suzumi, a university student, and falls head over heels in love with her.

Traveling to Narita in her cherished car, the wife tragically passes away in a bus accident. Her husband, Kikuo, discovers her GPS device, which reveals unknown locations she had visited. Feeling suspicious of her actions, Kikuo sets out on a quest to uncover the secrets hidden within the GPS history.

Love exists in various forms. Secret Ingredient narrates the journey of a Korean man who decides to leave behind his opulent lifestyle in Seoul to find his long-lost childhood sweetheart. His ultimate goal is for them to love each other not based on their past or present selves, but on the potential for a joyous, satisfying, and deeply loving future together. (Viu PH)

The narrative revolves around an enigmatic cook and his after-hours eatery that operates from midnight until dawn. Each night, the diner showcases the mundane tales of its customers as they converse and enjoy the signature dish.

At 25 years old, Kurumi Ichiki has already experienced living in France during her youth. Upon returning to Japan, she found employment as a waitress at a prestigious traditional restaurant. Known for her culinary skills, Kurumi catches the attention of Prime Minister Ato Ichiro and Executive Secretary Koga Seiji, who are in search of a cook for the prime minister's residence after 70 years. Seiji recognizes Kurumi's natural talent for cooking during an encounter and offers her the position. Despite initial hesitation, Kurumi accepts the job and begins working at the prime minister's residence. However, she faces challenges in a difficult environment with the head chef and his team at the official residence's restaurant.

Children are facing a challenging environment due to the ongoing restrictions in place to limit the spread of the new coronavirus, leading to an increased risk of abuse while spending more time at home. How can we and society support them during this difficult period? Sakura, who grapples with making oyakodon (a dish with chicken and egg), offers us a clue through her alternating acts of kindness and strictness.