I finished Mangaban Nobushi no Gurume in one sitting and was pleasantly satisfied. The samurai was what attracted me to the drama in the first place. I saw a short trailer for it on Netflix, and it immediately drew me in. I thought it was an interesting idea for a culinary drama, so I gave it a shot. It's safe to say it didn't disappoint me. The drama isn't spectacular, but it does hit the marks for a solid slice-of-life drama.

Kasumi Takeshi (Takenaka Naoto) is a 60-year-old man who recently retired. We follow his journey to new destinations and we meet a variety of people on the way. Personally, I think some of people he met along the way were uninteresting. The writers could have done a much better job in that regard. On a positive note, his enthusiasm for the cuisines is contagious wherever he goes. Even if it's just a simple lunch box, as long as the atmosphere is good, he'll enjoy the food. I also like how he found love in simple things like sitting alone with a cup of coffee and reading a book. Takenaka Naoto, who played Kasimi Takeshi, did a very good job. However, I thought he was overacting a lil bit.

I also enjoyed the flashbacks to his past. They were relevant in showing the audience why he loves a certain food so much. One of his quotes that made me think back on special memories was this,

“They may look and taste simple, but they are still special and full of memories. I'm sure there’s a food for everyone that’s like what this croquette is to me.”

That is true not only for food but also for favorite books, movies, and so on. Even if the food isn't special to others, it is to you because of the memories you have associated with it. I think it's a lovely quote that makes us think back on good times.

Of course, I can't talk about food without mentioning how delicious it looked. It’s my favorite aspect of the drama. The cinematography was also excellent. In fact, it took me by surprise. The scenic and cuisine cinematography was visually appealing and created a soothing atmosphere. The music is also enchanting and magical, which added to the drama's atmosphere. Also, the samurai concept is unquestionably the most distinctive aspect of this drama. In every episode, the samurai appears for a brief moment, and it's always entertaining to watch.

All in all, I recommend it to anyone looking for a short, sweet, and entertaining drama.