In the anime industry there are many things that anime is known for. From their unique stories to vivid animation and varying characters. But there is one thing many animes do exceptionally well: food presentation. We have all experienced a scene where the food in an anime has made our mouths water. The food presentation in animes is not only highly appetizing but beautifully crafted. Within cooking animes we see a different approach to handling food and a different appreciation for food. Watching these cooking animes is not only entertaining but it always makes me hungry. This list consists of food porn, the agricultural industry of food and some history of food. So, grab a snack and get ready to enjoy some food related animes!
Silver Spoon
1 Season, 11 Episodes
Genres: Comedy, Slice of Life
Yuugo Hachiken is a hard-working student who tired of living up to the expectations around him. As the new school year begins, Yuugo Hachiken decides to enroll in Ooezo Agricultural High School without of the approval of his parents. Ooezo being a boarding school, Yuuho hopes to escape his from his expectations. However, his high school is nothing like he expected. How will Yuugo face the challenges with the decision he made.
This anime is not your traditional cooking animes. In this series, we focus on the strenuous labor of caring for livestock and vegetation. What I enjoy from the series is the different view provided when it comes to food. Unlike other cooking animes were we see the process of how food is made; we usually do not see the behind the scenes of the agriculture life. We follow our protagonist as he learns about this lifestyle, discovers himself in the vast countryside and learns a new appreciation for his surroundings and food. Moreover, one of the major reasons I wanted to watch this anime was because it was by written by Hiromu Arakawa, the creator of Fullmetal Alchemist. For the anime fans that do not know or for the new anime fans, Silver Spoon, is an anime that is influenced by the author’s childhood since she grew up on a dairy farm in Hokkaido. As viewers, we also get to see bits and pieces of the author’s life within the series. As well as, understanding why the series showcases the agricultural life in such a pleasant view. The characters within the series truly drive the story. We see how the characters have variety dreams. Furthermore, the art style is realistic and beautifully drawn. Although, this anime is not about cooking, I do recommend it as part of the process of food production. Check out this great anime and create your own thoughts about.
Bartender
1 Season, 11 Episodes
Genres: Slice of Life, Gourmet, Drama
Hidden in the backstreets of the Ginza district is Eden Hall a lone bar operated by Ryu Sasakura. However, not just anyone can find Eden Hall, rather, it is Eden Hall that must find you. Customers of varying backgrounds, each plagued with their own troubles, wander into this bar. This mysterious bar can console and guide each distraught soul.
For the record, I would like to state that this anime does not advocate for overdrinking or illegal activities. I would like to say that this series is geared towards a more mature audience as our protagonist and the characters are set up in a bar spilling their secrets. If you drink alcohol, then you must have a brand or drink that helps relax you with just one sip. For me it is wine. After a long day at work or stressful day a glass of wine helps me unwind. This anime series tries to capture the essence of providing a customer with a drink that helps them forget their troubles. This is an episodic series, which means we get new characters that interact with our protagonist Ryu. Bartender teaches the basics of bar etiquette, fun facts about certain drinks, and the history behind several cocktails and other drinks. Which is completely different from your traditional animes. Personally, I enjoyed the heavy dialogue regarding the cocktails. Some of the criticisms with this anime is that it seems more educational than entertaining, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with it having educational value. Also, the heavy dialogue can be a turn off for some viewers. Moreover, the usage of a dark color pallets and the jazz music truly sets the atmosphere within the series. It feels as if we have entered a different world. Even though, this series is not for everyone this anime does a fantastic job of blending reality with the fictional world. So, check out this anime if you are looking for a therapeutic and healing anime.
Kakuriyo: Bed and Breakfast for Spirits
1 Season, 26 Episodes
Genres: Slice of Life, Drama, Gourmet, Romance, Supernatural
Abandoned as a child by her mother, Aoi Tsubaki has always had the ability to see "ayakashi"—spirits from the Hidden Realm. Shirou Tsubaki, her grandfather who shared the same ability, took her under his wing and taught her how to live with the ayakashi in peace. With the abrupt passing of her grandfather, is turned upside down when a mysterious ayakashi claims her as his bride. Aoi learns that her grandfather has sold her as collateral for a debt he has. Aoi confused and hurt is forced to travel to the realm of the ayakashi. What will become of Aoi’s life?
Based off the popular Light Novel of the same name Kakuriyo No Yadomeshi or Kakuriyo: Bed and Breakfast for Spirits is a supernatural romance-drama that revolves around food. Haven’t you heard, a way to man’s heart is through his stomach. This anime does a great job in emphasizing the importance of food. Most people have a dish that brings them comfort. This series focuses on how food makes people happy. Enjoying some good food with good company always makes the dish taste better. Furthermore, Studio Gonzo has done a good job on the art and animation. Not perfect per say, but over my expectations. With vivid colors, detailed backgrounds and distinct character designs sets the ambiance for the series. Although this series has cooking in it, there is a lot of emphasis on the romance and drama within the show. Overall, Kakuriyo: Bed and Breakfast for Spirits is a hidden gem that is overlooked. So don’t miss out on a good series.
Chuuka Ichiban!
1 Season, 52 Episodes
Genres: Action, Comedy, Drama, Gourmet
In this series we follow Mao, who has become Master Chef. We follow Mao as he travels China to learn more about cooking and become a legendary chef. First off, I would like to state that this is a donghua (Chinese anime). This is donghua appeared in the late 90s for its popularity as a good series and one of more notable donghuas for the time. This donghua not only showcases a lot of food porn but we get a glimpse of Chinese cuisine and cooking techniques. In this donghua, we explore more major regions of China: Beijing, Szechuan, Shanghai, and Guangdong. Which not something we typically see in anime. Being an older series and many viewers being unaware it makes it a bit difficult more this series to be appreciated the way it should. The animation in this series is dated and it does not flow as well as today’s anime. However, the simplicity and the art style does captive you for the time and provides a great nostalgic vibe. For a cooking anime it does not fall short of providing quality entertainment.
Wakakozake
1 Season, 12 Episodes, Duration ~ 2 minutes
Genres: Gourmet, Slice of Life
Murasaki Wakako, who is 26 years old, loves going out alone to enjoy eating and drinking, especially when something unpleasant happens at work. This anime follows Wakako through many solitary outings, where she enjoys different combinations of food and drink! A quick and simple anime about appreciating your food. When was the last time you sat down without any distractions and truly enjoyed your meal? Hard to say right. This anime gives respect to the food when eating. How a good meal can take away your fatigue and make you smile. Although, this anime is nothing spectacular and the art style is a bit bland compared to other animes, it still provides good entertainment. This is a great 2-minute series to zone out to. Worth the watch!
Gourmet Girl Graffiti
1 Season, 12 Episodes
Genres: Comedy, Gourmet, Slice of Life
The path to becoming a fine wife begins with being an accomplished cook—at least, that is what Ryou Machiko's late grandmother had led her to believe. For a middle schooler, Ryou's cooking skills are incomparable; but recently, though Ryou's food looks appetizing and smells inviting, the taste has not been delicious. However, that all changes when her cousin, Kirin Morino begins to live with her. How will their lives change together?
This is a cute anime with a “sexy” way of show casing their appreciations for food. With each episode we have a new mouthwatering dish. We also see the passion for cooking and food. Moreover, one of the major themes within the series is that food tastes better with good company. The colorful art style and the detail in cooking presents itself as a good cooking anime. There are some critiques I have about the series. In the series there is a lack of character development, and the plot is flat. We have a straight-forward with good character design, a nice art style and a decent plot. As a slice of life cooking anime, it hits all the marker in regards to those categories. A great anime to watch if you are in the mood for something easy and interesting.
Restaurant to Another World
1 Season, 12 Episodes
Genres: Fantasy, Gourmet, Slice of Life
Western Restaurant Nekoya is a popular restaurant located on a street corner in a Tokyo shopping district. Serving both traditional Japanese food and Western dishes. This is a popular restaurant among Tokyo's residents and mysterious clientele whose door is only open for on Saturdays. Now this is a fun anime to watch if you are a fan of RPGs, or fantasy. This is a fantasy cooking anime. The owner of the restaurant serves a variety of clientele from dragons to beast men. As each client is enters the restaurant they cannot wait to being eating. This is your typical fantasy world inside a restaurant. I enjoyed the vibrant color pallet, the episodic narrative, the cute characters and delicious looking food. I was entertained the entire time and this show made me hungry.
Isekai Izakaya: Japanese Food from Another World
1 Season, 24 Episodes, Duration ~14 minutes
Genres: Fantasy, Gourmet
The novels center on a bar called "Nobu"—located in Kyoto, Japan, but with a door that is connected to the bar in another world. The visitors include denizens of the other world, and customers seek out its excellent "Toriaezu Nama" ale and cuisine.
This is another anime that had me hook since episode 1. What I really enjoyed from this series was the pleasant depiction of the food. We have a traditional Japanese restaurant serving a parallel universe. We see different Japanese cuisines presented to in a simple manner. We have a dish that pairs perfectly with a glass of beer or sake. This anime feels as if its intention is a guide of Japanese cuisine. Which for me personally, I truly enjoyed since I am unaware of their food and culture outside. An interesting fact about this series is that the first 10 minutes of the episode consists of the anime and the remaining 4 minutes a tour of Japanese restaurants or a cooking lesson of the dish in the episode. For me, I thought that was a neat aspect, connecting fantasy with reality. Overall, I really enjoyed this series. It is a great glimpse into the Japanese cuisine.
Honorable Mentions
Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma
Yakitate!! Japan
Yume-iro Patisserie
Yotsuiro Biyori
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