The Solitary Gourmet finds new friends and new fans in this moving, life-affirming feature film continuation of the hit television series.

In Singapore at least, eating alone is considered a social faux pas. Why don’t you have any friends? Are you a misanthrope who shuns humanity? But as hit manga series The Solitary Gourmet shows, there is no shame in eating alone, and in fact, might bring with it its share of intrigue and surprisingly heartwarming (mis)adventures along the way, in the quest for a satisfying meal, as it proves that eating alone doesn’t have to be lonely.

In this feature film continuation of the decade long TV adaptation, Yutaka Matsuhige returns to his iconic role as Goro Inogashira (the titular ‘solitary gourmet’), and does triple duty in his additional roles as both scriptwriter and director of the film. The Solitary Gourmet was a surprise hit with its slow, meditative style of writing, taking its time to showcase Goro’s inner thoughts as he appreciated humble but delicious dining experiences alone, and made the middle-aged salaryman an unusually charming and loveable protagonist. Maintaining those same qualities that skyrocketed the series to popularity, the feature film now takes Goro on a brand new adventure, as it celebrates the power of food to connect people across cultures and generations.

The film’s premise is initially simple: Goro receives a message from an old friend’s daughter, urging him to help fulfil her father’s dying wish—to taste a particular soup from his childhood one last time. What follows is a cross-cultural culinary adventure that takes Goro from France to Japan to an obscure Korean island, fighting his way through delayed ferries, a ramen seller beset by depression, and even a raging typhoon, all in the valiant pursuit of a bowl of nostalgia. Even for newcomers to The Solitary Gourmet universe, the film eases you in, and instantly welcomes viewers into Goro’s world, with a devastating charm derived from its low-stakes storytelling and infused with a gentle sense of whimsy that makes you laugh and feel intensely, never feeling contrived or forced.

The opening scene perfectly sets the tone—Goro, flying to France from Japan, agonises over his in-flight meal options, caught in decision paralysis for so long that the plane goes into turbulence and meal service is cancelled. When he decides to rest to stave off his hunger, he ends up sleeping so well that he ends up missing the remainder of his meals till he lands. The comedic timing is impeccable, and Matsuhige’s performance captures the essence of a man whose relationship with food is as personal as it is profound, making us feel his hunger as he stumbles his way out into Paris.

But as a film about food, Matsuhige also understands how to tantalise the senses, and make even the most innocuous of meals look utterly appetising. Set against a stunning, picturesque view of the Eiffel Tower and an azure-sky as backdrop, for his first meal in France, Goro shuns the tourist traps and instead finds his way into a rustic bistro down an alley. Greeted by a smiling Frenchwoman, he orders French Onion Soup and Beef Bourguignon, and suffice to say, the shots of the meals served immediately make you feel warm inside, capturing the essence of what makes our love for food so universal – the feeling of partaking in something crafted with love.

This quiet reverence for food is precisely what carries and anchors the rest of the film. As Goro returns to Japan and journeys to a remote archipelago in search of the long-lost recipe, his investigation leads him to a sleepy fishing village. Sweeping drone shots fly us over land and sea, immersing us in the breathtaking scenery of these hidden offshore gems. His search leads him to conversations with local fishmongers and a stop at a humble seaside eatery, where he savours a deceptively simple seafood soup. The cinematography elevates each meal into a sensory experience, emphasising textures, colours, and the delicate swirl of steam rising from a perfectly crafted dish. There is an effortless ability to highlight the universality of food without any forced messages about cultural appreciation—just a sincere, unspoken acknowledgment of how food connects us all.

The remainder of Goro’s journey sees him and the companions he meets along the way indulging in an array of dining experiences, none of which are Michelin-starred restaurants, but all brimming with authenticity, often menus and items that are born from simple kitchens, such as an inconspicuous roadside restaurant, to a quiet ramen shop serving up incredible fried rice. Goro’s inner monologues admiring the food never comes across as a stuffy gourmet grading or reviewing food, never pompous or critical, but instead reflecting a man who simply loves food, who finds deep joy in each bite, making us crave and cherish these meals alongside him.

The Solitary Gourmet also isn’t afraid to indulge in a bit of playful absurdity. When Goro, still dressed in his ever-present business suit, finds himself attempting to paddleboard across the sea after missing the last ferry, you don’t question the logic—you simply go along with it. His journey brings him into contact with an eclectic cast: a woman running a food research institute while trying to escape her past (Yuki Uchida), a by-the-book immigration officer who refuses to share a meal for the sake of professionalism (Yoo Jae-myung, bringing fantastic comic relief), and a former ramen chef (Joe Odagiri, in a stoic but deeply moving turn) whom Goro convinces to help recreate the fabled soup. We go along with Goro’s journey, and we feel for each of these characters where even in fleeting moments, these characters leave an impact, all brought together and connected by the quiet, universal magic of food.

And as far flung as some of these side quests might feel, Matsuhige has worked wonders to bring all these characters and storylines together in one final hurrah, a deeply satisfying conclusion that wraps up each arc, where everyone finds themselves touched and their lives changed by this unassuming businessman who loves his food. The Solitary Gourmet isn’t an award-chasing arthouse film, nor does it need to be. Instead, it’s a quiet triumph—a reminder of life’s simple pleasures and the serendipity found in everyday moments. Walking out of the cinema, you don’t just crave a good meal—you leave with a renewed appreciation for the small joys in life. The Solitary Gourmet is a gorgeous, five-star feast for the soul and all the senses, a film that assures us that the world is vast, life is rich, and every meal is a chance to savour the moment. Enjoy every morsel of this life-affirming experience.

The Solitary Gourmet plays exclusively at The Projector Cineleisure. Tickets available here