Right, here’s yet another Japanese TV show that I’ve been watching that I can definitely recommend. This one is Lunch ON!, an NHK World television show that is the English translation version of a NHK television show called Salameshi, dealing with the subject of lunches eaten by the working man/woman.
And yes, weekday lunches in Japan are just as exciting as you’d expect them to be. There are no sad sandwiches to be seen here; instead, there are noodles and dishes with rice and onigiri and, of course, bento. Oh, how I wish our work cafeterias served the dishes that I have seen on this show! Of course, it’s more likely that more unusual or quirky lunches and lunch traditions and customs are featured on the programme but it’s still a good insight into the country. Not so cool is the waking up an extra hour early to put together that bento, or in some cases, the making of many bentos for others. Just as interesting are the different jobs they cover, from various salespeople to archaeologists to scientists to shopkeepers, etc. Also of interest to me were the clearly delineated gender roles in Japan and it was heartening to see some men subverting these roles, making their own bento.
I’m not going to lie – the narrator’s voice is infuriatingly grating. I just sucked it up and watched everything I could though…my interest in the subject trumped her voice. I’m mentioning it here so you can’t say I didn’t warn you!
Here’s one example episode on Youtube. Others can be found by searching for ‘Lunch On NHK’ on Youtube. Sadly, I’ve watched all that I could find already and I hope to catch new episodes on the NHK World app.
Fri, 25 Mar, 2016 at 19:44
I have a fear of Japanese food, because I do not eat any fish or seafood, and so much Japanese food seems to include raw fish! Rice and vegetables are more my kind of thing – and Yaki Tori!
Fri, 25 Mar, 2016 at 22:48
There are all kinds of meals in Japan, not just raw fish. You might like tempura, deep fried seafood and vegetables, or yaki niku, grilled meats. All kinds of noodle dishes from soba to ramen. You can always find something nice to eat that is fully cooked. š
Sat, 26 Mar, 2016 at 15:50
It’s true – there are lots of foods that won’t have fish. However, if you don’t eat fish because you cannot, then you have to be careful of the addition of dashi (stock) in many dishes as it’s made with fish flakes.
Fri, 25 Mar, 2016 at 22:55
Hi, I listened to that show, the same one you feature. And yes, that woman’s voice is awful. I live in Japan and I have seen the show in Japanese. It is fun, but this English voice over is very amateurish and you can certainly tell that she’s just reading the text. And not very well at that.
One of the things that I think is great about Japanese food is that even in the smallest restaurant, even a hole in the wall or even the big cafeterias and diners, or institutional type restaurants in factories or hospitals, for example, they use fresh ingredients. No canned or frozen vegetables here. Everything is made from scratch and tastes really good.
Sat, 26 Mar, 2016 at 15:52
Yes, that’s true! I know it’s not common but I was impressed by many of the homegrown vegetables in the show. But yes, where others don’t have a garden, everything is still fresh. Rarely is there a ready-prepared dish or meal.
Sat, 26 Mar, 2016 at 02:30
Glad I’m not the only one who finds the narrator’s voice insufferable! It sounds so artificial and fake in a show that’s otherwise full of heart.
Sat, 26 Mar, 2016 at 15:59
Yup! I totally agree with you here. Ah well, good thing the content is excellent!
Sat, 26 Mar, 2016 at 07:49
we love this show too!
Sat, 26 Mar, 2016 at 16:01
Do you get NHK World in Hawaii? I guess you must get the latest episodes!!
Sun, 27 Mar, 2016 at 00:02
I watch many of the NHK documentaries and love them. I rarely watch the food shows as I am a vegetarian. Will try to now. š
Thu, 31 Mar, 2016 at 12:45
A lot of the focus is on the lunch culture so I think it will be ok!
Tue, 29 Mar, 2016 at 21:32
Thanks for the recommendation; I still pine for more Kodoku no Gourmet, but this show is a good filler. HOWEVER, THE NARRATOR. Holy macaroni. I thought you were exaggerating but I was wrong. You restrained yourself. She borderline ruins the show.
Thu, 31 Mar, 2016 at 12:39
š
Thu, 31 Mar, 2016 at 12:45
Have you finished Season 5 as well? I’m watching them as slowly as possible to keep them going…
Wed, 11 May, 2016 at 01:06
I’m in agreement with all viewers who feel the female narrator needs to be replaced. Her Japanese pronunciation is terrible. Why does NHK choose narrators that sound like their making fun of the Japanese language?
Wed, 27 Jul, 2016 at 00:00
The female narrator sounds like a middle school teenager reading from a script with no sincere connection to the video action. NHK is “baka” to continue using this irritating, screechy voice to be heard worldwide. Couldn’t stand to watch and finally switched channels.
Tue, 30 Aug, 2016 at 15:39
The narrator is ‘Terri’ , you can hear a sample of her range here
http://www.allvoicetalent.com/voice-agency/talent/terri/
what’s weird, is that the sample (except for ‘Toys’) are more or less entirely tolerable. Why does she amp up the zany mania so much for Lunch On!?
Anyhow, it’s a cute little show. Helps me appreciate P. Barrakan on Japanology…
Sat, 28 Mar, 2020 at 17:53
Hey, everyone that disliked the narrator, apparently they replaced her or just just killed her soul, because who ever they have narrating it now sounds DEAD inside.
I used to think the old narrator was too cheerful and overwhelming at first, but once I got used to her enthusiasm I actually started to enjoy her cheerfulness. But now the current narrator they have just sounds dead inside…… (at least I hope it’s a new narrator, because if it’s not, what did they do to her?!!) I miss cheerful lady… so much that this show is just hard to watch now because the narrator really dose just sound dead inside, and it makes me feel dead inside as well š¢
Thu, 14 Apr, 2022 at 05:35
There’s a new narrator of April 6, 2022. I agree, the original narrator was annoying (a combination of being condescending at times, and overly excited at others), but she had personality. The new narrator is dull.