"Warning - This Film Contains Graphic Violence". Not really a shocker, is it? I mean, what other reason would someone have for watching a Japanese movie titled Cruel Restaurant, than to see just that - graphic violence.

Nevertheless, this is the title card that opens tonight's movie, a hilarious little B-movie romp with enough nudity and violence to make anyone happy. Since I've been on a bit of an Asian horror kick lately, I thought what better way to kick off some reviews than with a with a little gem like this.

Our film starts with a fisherman reeling in what he hopes to be his big catch of the day. I suppose he was sort of right, since he managed to hook himself a severed arm. On the beach at the time is investigative reporter Shirizawa. She receives a call from her chief to visit the local dumpling restaurant, Tougen Dumplings and see what all the fuss is about. Apparently the dumplings are to die for, and nobody knows what the special ingredient is. Mr. Chin, restaurant manager and head chef, has sworn to never give up his secret, and won't allow anyone to apprentice under him. His only trusted associate is his waitress, Ms. Lin. After causing quite a scene, Masumoto, a local food critic, teams up with Shirizawa to uncover the restaurant's dark secret. She's convinced the secret ingredient is humans, as her sister attended the restaurant not long before and then disappeared. Thrown into the mix are two bumbling cops who are just as convinced as Masumoto that the popular dumplings are made of people. All these parts combined are a pretty good recipe for one of the better dark comedies I've seen in ages.