CAUTION: Keep a snack nearby when you binge these anime because there’s a good chance you’ll get hungry.
We’re huge fans of Delicious in Dungeon and Campfire Cooking in Another World here at TOM. But what if the anime food craving hits and we’re not in the mood for heavy action? Luckily, we know a couple of cozy anime with mouthwatering meals to get our appetites going.
Let’s kick things off with Maiko-san Chi no Makanai-san (Kiyo in Kyoto: From the Maiko House). Kiyo and her friend Sumire move from Aomori to Kyoto with hopes of training as maiko, apprentice geisha. Although Kiyo fails to advance into full apprenticeship, she starts working as a cook at the house instead. Each episode features home-cooked seasonal Japanese dishes and provides a peek into the training it takes to become a geisha.
Slice-of-life anime Amaama to Inazuma (Sweetness and Lightning) delivers cooking tips with a side of found family wholesomeness. High school teacher Kōhei has to adjust to life as a single dad after his wife’s passing. With help from one of his students and other friends, he learns how to cook and care for his daughter.
This next one might ring a bell for long-time Crayon Shin-chan viewers. Nohara Hiroshi Hirumeshi no Ryuugi (The Style of Hiroshi Nohara’s Lunch) takes us out to lunch with Shin-chan’s salaryman dad. Every episode features two different dishes, each with its own 15-minute segment, so you can watch it on your own lunch break.
If you’re really pressed for time, give short-form anime Wakakozake a shot. It will take you on a culinary journey with a drink pairing to boot. In each two to three-minute episode, Wakakozake highlights common Japanese izakaya and bar fare. The show’s worth checking out if you want to learn about post-work drinking and eating culture in Japan.
For more izakaya foods, Isekai Izakaya: Japanese Food from Another World is another show to watch. Even though it’s going into isekai territory with its fantasy world patrons, the foods are normally found in most real-world izakayas. Isekai Izakaya is another short anime with about 15 minutes per episode and a live-action segment that talks about the featured dish.
Once a week, the doors of restaurant Nekoya opens up to another world where residents there can experience Western cuisine. That’s the premise for Isekai Shokudou (Restaurant to Another World). Although similar in some ways to Isekai Izakaya, Isekai Shokudou has a more relaxed vibe. It’s the perfect show to put on when you’re about to sit down for a meal yourself, and it comes with a great soundtrack to boot.
But if the previous two shows are too chill for your liking, Kakuriyo no Yadomeshi (Kakuriyo: Bed and Breakfast for Spirits) serves traditional Japanese dishes with a bit more plot. It’s a slice-of-life story mixed with some romance and the occasional low-stakes action to cleanse your palate.
And lastly we have Maid-san wa Taberu dake (The Food Diary of Miss Maid) which is set to come out very soon. When a maid finds herself in Japan for a year, she decides to try all the different foods her new home has to offer.
Don’t forget to also check out other content from these shows, especially for those looking to test their skills in the kitchen. They often include recipes or restaurant recommendations for fans to try, too. If you’ve seen any of these shows, let us know which ones feature your favorite dish!
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Written by Alon Bramble for TOM News
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