What Did You Eat Yesterday? – Series Review & Episode Guide

Shiro is a well-respected lawyer who works at a small law firm. Although he is competent in his job, Shiro never does overtime and always leaves work right on schedule. Unbeknownst to his coworkers, he wants to return home to make dinner for his hairdresser boyfriend, Kenji. Shiro is deeply closeted and his colleagues don't know about his relationship.

Both in their early forties, Shiro and Kenji live together in an apartment. They have been in a committed relationship for several years. Shiro's serious and practical personality is the polar opposite of the lively and whimsical Kenji. Nonetheless, the boyfriends always find a way to compromise each other's eccentricities.

Shiro is very passionate about cooking. Every episode features an extended segment of Shiro preparing a delicious meal for Kenji after work. When shopping for ingredients, Shiro has an obsessive habit of chasing down bargains, which provides a frequent source of comedy. His penny-pinching ways sometimes clash with Kenji's extravagant tendencies. Kenji loves indulging in unhealthy foods and expensive gifts, which gets frowned upon by Shiro.

A lot of the drama comes from the fact that Shiro is still closeted and not comfortable with his sexuality. It doesn't help that his office coworkers often speculate about his private life, although he insists on being as reserved as possible. In addition, Shiro's traditional parents are still coming to terms with their son's sexuality. They haven't met his boyfriend yet. Kenji is understanding but not always patient with being the secret in Shiro's life.

What Did You Eat Yesterday is a charming, entertaining, and heartwarming slice-of-life drama. Each episode is packed with delightful storylines, relatable scenarios, and tasty recipes. You'll quickly fall in love with the two endearing main characters who have quirky personalities and share a cozy bond. Best of all, the humour is genuinely funny, achieving a perfect balance between hilarious comedy and sentimental drama. What Did You Eat Yesterday successfully hits all the right emotional beats.

The leads are an older gay couple, two adults who have gone through life and racked up experience points. The BL landscape is lopsided towards younger protagonists, typically students falling in love for the first time. What Did You Eat Yesterday goes in a unique direction, embracing an older age group. With the mature main characters, we experience creative stories, fresh perspectives, and a different flavour from your typical drama. Maybe this series won't appeal to some fans because the leads aren't plucky young twinks, but I appreciate the refreshing diversity.

The word 'normal' has a particular connotation when discussing LGBT relationships, but that's how I'd describe Shiro and Kenji: a happy, normal gay couple. Both are ordinary, down-to-earth characters with everyday problems. You can imagine them being your next-door neighbours, cooking dinner every night and having mundane chats. Physically, there's little intimacy between the two leads. Instead, the story highlights their emotional connection. This BL drama normalizes a romance between two men, showcasing a domesticated side of gay relationships.

What Did You Eat Yesterday serves as an excellent pathway for mainstream audiences to understand and demystify gay experiences. This series handles LGBT issues sensitively. It doesn't shy away from stereotypes, misconceptions, or bigotry, but the emphasis is on normalcy and compassion. One of the recurring storylines involves Shiro coping with his sexuality, a complex journey where he makes slow yet steady progress. What Did You Eat Yesterday portrays the nuances of his anxieties and highlights his triumphant breakthrough moments.

Both leads do a great job with the humourous and dramatic aspects of the series. Shiro's actor (Nishijima Hidetoshi) is handsome and charismatic with distinguished leading-man good looks. He gives captivating performances from start to finish, successfully making Shiro a flawed, sophisticated, yet still lovable character. Likewise, his costar (Uchino Seiyou) is just as charming. He breathes life into Kenji's personality, adding bubbly energy and enthusiasm to the comedic scenes. Best of all, the leads share a smooth rapport with natural chemistry flowing between them.

Ideally, I would've liked to see the main characters show more physical affection for each other. I don't need anything too explicit, but the romantic gestures would make this couple seem sincere. In cooking terms, their intimacy is the missing ingredient to an otherwise perfect recipe. Nonetheless, What Did You Eat Yesterday is still a profoundly enjoyable BL drama with a lighthearted and relaxing story. You'll laugh along with these characters, sympathize with their struggles, and even learn delicious recipes along the way!

What Did You Eat Yesterday has a total of 12 episodes. Each episode is around 30 minutes long. It is a long BL drama, and you can finish the entire series in approximately 6 hours. What Did You Eat Yesterday started its first episode on April 5, 2019 and ended on June 28, 2019. The What Did You Eat Yesterday drama is directed by Kenji Katagiri and Katsumi Nojiri. This story is adapted from the manga by Fumi Yoshinaga.

There is also a 75-minute special released in 2020, which takes place after the original season. The special consists of three separate stories, including a showcase specifically focusing on and Kohinata and Wataru. On November 3, 2021, What Did You Eat Yesterday released a two-hour movie sequel.