8 Food-Related Anime/Manga Series You Must See

Article by Özlem Burcu Öztürk

1. Maiko-san Chino Makanai-san [Kiyo in Kyoto: From the Maiko House]
2. Rokuhodo Yotsuiro Biyori
3. Isekai Izakaya Nobu
4. Isekai Shokudō [Restaurant to Another World]
5. Wakakozake
6. Deaimon: Recipe for Happiness
7. Emiya-sanchi no Kyo no Gohan [Today's Menu for the Emiya Family]
8. Kakuriyo no Yadomeshi: Ayakashi Oya do ni [Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits]

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The food in these series is so mouth-watering that if you are on a diet or hungry, think twice before reading or watching them.

1- Maiko-san Chino Makanai-san[Kiyo in Kyoto: From the Maiko House]

Maiko-san Chino Makanai-san is about two young girls, Sumire and Kiyo, who decide to become Maiko. They leave their hometown and go to Kyoto. But their teacher doesn't see Kiyo as a suitable candidate. Before Kiyo goes back home, she shows her passion for cooking. It opens a new career path for her in the Maiko house. As a Makanai, she starts cooking for Sumire and other Maiko in the house.

This manga series is written and illustrated by Aiko Koyama and has an anime television series and a live-action adaptation.

Maiko-san Chino Makanai-san also won the 65th Shogakukan Manga Award for the shōnen category in 2020.

2- Rokuhodo Yotsuiro Biyori

Yotsuiro Biyori is about a Japanese-style tea house called Rokuhodo. Sui, the tea expert, runs this tea house with his friends, Barista Gure, Patissier Tsubaki, and Chef Tokitaka. They also help customers with their various problems in this tea house.

Rokuhodo Yotsuiro Biyori is a manga series by Yū Shimizu and has an anime series adaptation and a live-action television drama with Nozomu Kotaki [Johnny's West] as the leading actor. The anime's theme song was Sakurairo Cliché, sung by Aki.

3- Isekai Izakaya Nobu

The Isekai Izakaya Nobu is about a Japanese-style bar [Izakaya] called Nobu, which has a door connected to another world. Customers drink "Toriaezu Nama" ale and eat delicious snacks that they have never tasted before.

Isekai Izakaya Nobu is a novel written by Natsuya Semikawa. It also has a light novel adaptation, a manga series, anime series, and a live-action television drama adaptation.

4- Isekai Shokudō [Restaurant to Another World]

Nekoya is a popular restaurant that serves Japanese versions of Western dishes to customers, who are dragons, elves, fairies, mages, and humans from different kingdoms, on Saturdays.

Isekai Shokudo is a fantasy, cooking-themed novel written by Junpei Inuzuka. It also has a light novel adaptation, manga adaptation, and anime series.

5- Wakakozake

Wakakozake is about Murasaki Wakako, an office lady who likes drinking and eating alone after a stressful day.
This manga series by Chie Shinkyu also has an anime series and a live-action television drama adaptation.

If you are interested in solo activities in Japan, don't forget to check out my solo katsu article.

6- Deaimon: Recipe for Happiness

When Nagomu Irino receives a letter from home about his father being hospitalized, he gives up on his dream of becoming a famous musician. He returns to Kyoto after ten years to become a successor of the family's wagashi [traditional Japanese confections] store. But when he returns, he gets surprised with a ten-year-old abandoned girl named Itsuka, who is also working in the shop and has an idea to become the successor. So, a contest starts between them.

Rin Asano's Deaimon manga also has an anime series adaptation.

7- Emiya-sanchi no Kyo no Gohan [Today's Menu for the Emiya Family]

Emiya-sanchi no Kyo no Gohan is a manga of Visual Novel Game Fate/stay night series. But it takes place in a spin-off world. The story is about Shirō Emiya's Japanese cuisine cooking for his family and friends in a peaceful environment.

This manga is written and illustrated by TAa. It also has an anime adaptation and a game.

8- Kakuriyo no Yadomeshi: Ayakashi Oya do ni [Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits]

Kakuriyo no Yadomeshi is about a college girl named Aoi Tsubaki who can see Ayakashi [spirits in Japanese folklore]. One day, Aoi gets kidnapped by an Ogre god. He takes her to a world where all the Ayakashi live. He tells Aoi that her grandfather made a contract in exchange for his debt, and she must marry him. She refuses, and instead of marriage, Aoi offers to work for him at his inn. But nobody wants her except the nine-tailed fox. He helps her to open a small restaurant near the inn. She starts to help Ayakashi, who has trouble with her delicious cooking and kindness.

Kakuriyo no Yadomeshi light novel series written by Midori Yūma. It also has manga adaptation and anime series.

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