Many disconnected short stories make for good viewing.

Each episode shows the story of one of the diner's guests. Sometimes, the Master plays a role in helping them resolve their issues. He gives them advice to problems which they otherwise would not seek from anyone else. The setting appears to be uniquely Japanese, although I have never been to Japan. I like it when the short episodes have happy endings, but sometimes the endings can be sad or tragic. Master takes pride in his cooking but he doesn't go beyond his small diner and try to establish a big restaurant, being content with his small diner. There is something to be said about a talented person not giving in to ambition, and becoming just another a business manager.

There appear to be two versions of Midnight Diner, one suffixed - Tokyo Stories, and one without. I'm presenting this review of Midnight Diner as one series, for all episodes.