Anime is famous for many things. From unique stories to varied characters and colorful styles, it's all there. But there is one thing that many anime are really good at: food presentation.
True, it may seem that this is not so important. However, it has been found that food in animealmost always finds a way to look both beautiful and very appetizing. And remember, these are drawings.
There are quite a few cooking anime that are quite fun to watch. While cooking anime shows a different take on food, it's still a really interesting anime genre that's worth checking out.
On the other hand, now we are preparing an anime, it showsextra dimension in food evaluation and presentation. When it comes to making an anime show, there is added visual interest.
Often the two get mixed up with each other, and that's not entirely a bad thing.
But this list will focus on anime that has cooking in it. Or at least the cooking features in the plot. Look and see what you think!
25. Silver spoon.
Three words: agricultural research. That's what this series is.
Mostly through the eyes of Yugo Hachiken, a diligent young man who decided to go to agricultural school to escape the stress of his parents.
You may be wondering how this will fit on the cooking list, read on.
In addition to seeing how food is grown and grown, the series also manages to slip in some good cooking scenes.
There is something exciting about seeing the agricultural side of things and how they turn into food.
From a culinary standpoint, there isn't much to say about the series, but it's well presented and the series leaves a good impression with its plot and characters.
24. Wakakozake
Have you ever just wanted to eat after a long day?
Murasaki Wakako certainly knows, and the series is about her trips to different places where they enjoy good food and drink.
In many ways, the series can be seen as a type of food cooking show.
While it may show different places and dishes you can enjoy there, it also has some good cooking moments.
Overall, this is a pretty relaxing anime with lots of good food moments. Given that it's more about the enjoyment of food and drink than cooking, it's fair to say that the series makes for a more relaxed viewing experience. Which is great after a long day at work!
23. Bartender
Some may argue that this series cannot be considered cooking compared to some of the others...however, making alcoholic beverages all day long counts as cooking in my book!
Especially since the series explores how different drinks work together and what makes them different from each other.
This series differs from traditional anime in many ways.
However, you can't help but appreciatethe details they come in when it comes to creating drinks and how that affects the people in the show.
A bartender named Ryuu plays the main role in this series and helps various people to offer them drinks that somehow become what they need.
It's not every day you can find a whole series featuring bartenders, so if you like that sort of thing, I say jump in.
22. Ristoranto Paradiso
Since the series' first episode, this anime has found a way to draw you in, whether it's the story, the characters, or (oddly enough) the food.
There is a certain depth to this story as it explores different characters, mainly Nicoletta, and how she learns more about her mother at a restaurant called Casetta dell'Orso.
The series has a lot of stories about Italian cuisine and character learning. But also shows a good amount of cooking to enjoy.
Most of the series is quite entertaining in terms of the different stories and how they connect to different characters.
The fact that he finds a way to mix and focus in a restaurant just adds a series to the layers. Charming watch.
21. J. K. Meshi
For those who love short but cute series, this is worth a try.
It's a fairly simple series that mostly features high school girls learning how to cook simple meals.
However, each episode manages to slip through some good cooking lessons and food facts.
There is not much plot, but there is something to do here. And it's pretty cute in its own way.
Compared to previous entries, he cooks a lot more. The series is less than 5 minutes per episode, so it's a quick watch.
As a food series, it's not too bad and lays out some interesting facts. If you're looking for a short series that features simple meals and chatting with girls, you might want to give it a try. It doesn't take long to invest.
20. Cooking with Valkyries
Some may recognize these characters from the popular game Honkai Impact 3rd.
However, the connection only affects the characters as the anime series is more like an alternate side story.
Each episode is a few minutes in which pretty girls cook simple dishes.
The format is similar to the previous one, but compared to it, there seems to be more emphasis on cooking and how simple ingredients can make a good meal.
In short, this is a pretty helpful mini-series that features cute girls cooking food with ingredients that can be bought at almost any grocery store.
Pretty simple but enjoyable series that has lots of tips on simple home cooking and how to learn how to cook your own meals.
19. Bonjour Sweet Love Patissier
This is another short series. But this time it's sweets.
There's more of a focus on romance here, given that it's about a girl named Sayuri entering a pastry school and dating handsome and talented men.
However, it has good points for baking and making desserts.
The variety of desserts presented in the series is actually quite interesting. And the fact that each character has a certain style adds a sense of realism.
As short as it is, there could be more in the aspect of baking (I think).
However, it is sweet and pleasant. So if you're looking for a short but sweet series with romance and baking at its core, add this to your watchlist.
18. Isekai Shokudo
To be honest, there's a lot of fantasy and food fascination in this series.
However, it also shows that you cook or talk a lot about it.
Basically, the show has a restaurant... but it's certainly not a regular restaurant.
Every Saturday this restaurant has a door to another world. Yeah, it's an anime, what did you expect?
Each episode has different dishes and characters who appreciate them.
Interestingly, the characters are somewhat similar to food critics and notice how food is prepared. The cooking scenes aren't all that great, but there are plenty of shots worth appreciating throughout the show.
Isekai Shokudou brings a more casual feel to the isekai theme. As an anime about cooking and food, I think it's a good mix of food and fantasy.
17. Yuru Camp
While it's true that it's primarily a series of hikes, there's some gastronomy to be found there.
Basically cooking that can be prepared when you go camping.
You can consider this the second feature of the series that you can enjoy if you love nature.
Yuru Camp talks about a group of girls who get together while camping.But he also has a good level of appreciation for food along the way.
Most of the dishes are quite simple, but it's nice to watch them being prepared.
This is a series that essentially shows that you appreciate beautiful nature and good food with it. So, if you like funny series about nature and good food, you should definitely check this out.
16. Rokuhoudu Yotsuiro Biyori
There are many cooking shows that feature either female or male shonen.
This series takes a turn to the left, being a slice of life anime featuringmen .
Very nice and the way it presents various dishes and sweets. But I think that the female audience will like this one much more.
There are not many works with Japanese sweets, so this is a nice addition. Of course, there are also some cooking scenes here. And while the life story passage about four men working in a Japanese-style cafe isn't all that weird, it's a pleasantly obscure series.
Overall, this is a fun anime that features both Japanese sweets and traditional food. A modest show with adorable treats.
15. Isekai Izakaya Nobu
Here's another episode that talks about a modern place with a door that opens to another world. What happened to these storylines?
What sets this show apart from others is that it focuses more on alcohol and the food that comes with it.
In every episodethere are different dishes which can be enjoyed with a drink, and there is even a live performance segment at the meal.
It's a different format than regular anime, but it's fun to watch. I totally understand why some might not like it, but I would suggest at least giving it a try if you're open.
The other world is also more medieval, and the characters don't always look one-off. Thus, there is a general combination of appreciation for food and alcohol, given what distinguishes this food from others.
Simple but unusual anime.
14. Muteki Kanban Musume
This is a rather unorthodox anime, to say the least.
The series follows Miki Onimaru, a poster girl who works at her mother's Chinese restaurant.
At first, you might think that the series is mostly about cooking with a dash of fighting.
Well,much more fights than you might expect.
This results in less focus on cooking, but there is a lot of it in the series.
To be honest, the series is quite strange, but it has some appeal. Try it if you like unusual things.
13. Kakuriyo no Yadomeshi
Mixing the supernatural and cooking is something you don't always see (well, outside of Japan).
But Kakuriyo no Yadomeshi makes it work.
Cooking is not always present, but there are moments worth appreciating.
It originally started as a series of novels and was about a young girl named Aoi who is swept away to become a demon's bride.
She ends up opening a small cafe and much of the plot shows how her cooking affects different people.
It may lean more towards the supernatural genre, but the way it implements her journey with cooking deserves such a high spot on this list.
Simply put, this is a kind of culinary journey with the supernatural.
So for those who are into the supernatural and want to see something a little different, this is a good series to jump into. You can also check out some of the reviews to see what you think before diving into the pilot.
12. Oishinbo
Yanaoka, a cynical food critic and author, is tasked with writing an article about Japanese food and culture.
You would think it would be a series about culture and food, but no.
In fact, there is also a solid culinary work here!
Particular attention is paid to Japanese culture, and Japanese cuisine is the main feature. Which means there are a lot of culinary moments in the episodes.
Not many people know the series, because it is quite old (it first aired in the 1980s).
But even in modern times, it fits well as a food/cooking series.
In addition to looking at the cooking and how ingredients are used in it, there's some story to help keep things interesting along the way.
11. Piace: Watashi no Italian.
Want to switch to a different cuisine for a change?
Then why not in Italian, because that's exactly what the Piace anime has.
This is a small series, but it brings together as many culinary and various Italian dishes as possible.
Now it might be a bit fast, but it has interesting characters and does its best in terms of presentation.
The story is mainly about the heroine Nanase and her growth in an Italian restaurant. The way they show her learning and how she ends up making her own dish is really very interesting.
We can say that this is a slightly unusual series. But it's also a rare series that features a different cuisine outside of Japan, so it's really very inspiring.
10 Charming Food Goddess
As you start this series, just expect a few surprises.
Although it starts with a girl named Ye Jiao in Ye Jinxuan's body, it becomes about... more. Much more.
This anime has a mixture of genres.
But cookingprevails in the series and obviously the animation effort has really focused on that aspect.
The plot may seem a bit strong, but you can still enjoy some great cooking as you delve into the story.
I also love how this anime explores how different ingredients can work together, even if it's mentioned in passing.
The plot and characters can be discussed whether they are really enjoyable or not. But the way this show presents cooking is quality work.
9. Mr. Ajikko
We have a rather old series with Mr. Ajikko, which in the late 80s of the last century originally aired a little less than 100 episodes.
It wasfirst series Ocooking , released in Japan as an anime.
It follows a young culinary prodigy named Yoichi and follows his growth as a chef as he competed against various people.
Focus on how food is prepared and what makes it so delicious. So really this is a real classic of the anime genre.
Essentially, this is alsopure cooking anime .
So why isn't he at the top of this list?
Well, you have to consider the age of this show as well as all the new cooking anime.
It's still an enjoyable series and even with age remains strong as a food anime and I highly recommend checking it out if you like old shows from that era. But know that there is a lot more culinary anime content out there.
8. Toriko
In a world where food is different from what we know, this series is about Toriko, a gourmet hunter who seeks to find the rarest and most delicious ingredients.
You read it right.
The culinary aspect of the series is represented by Toriko's partner and Chef Komatsu.
In addition to Toriko's story, the series also follows Komatsu's history as a chef and his rise.
In a way, the series is a food journey.and cooking (literally food hunting) mixed with a lot of action.
It's creative, it's different, and definitely an anime to try some good shounen food shows.
7. Chuuka Ichiban!
Not many people may know this series, given that it was from the 90s.
But with the release of a series of sequels at the end of the twentieth anniversary, this is a series worth paying attention to.
Set in China, it follows a boy named Mao and his journey to become a legendary chef just like his mother.
Given the setting of the series, it is expected to feature mainly Chinese cuisine. It has a lot of stuff, but it mixes a lot of East Asian stuff.
What makes it so high on the list is how theatrical it can be with food scenes.
Admittedly, this might be a little overdone. But it adds to the spectacle of fun.
In fact, this is junk, but a delicacy for food fanatics.
6. Yakitate Japan
Bread. This is the star of this anime series.
The story follows Azuma and how his love for bread drives him to make the best bread of all time. If that sounds amazing, then you really need to watch more anime.
There's a lot of creativity to be found in the series, and it can be over the top at times, but still feels based on a true storyline.
However, being a shounen-style series about bread baking, it is expected to be unusual.
It's pretty silly, but the way bread is baked is pretty fun.
As a cooking series, it's one of the most memorable pieces from the classic mid-2000s anime era.
Now I know that a series about baking bread might not sound like much. But trust me Yaquitat!! Japan has found a way to make things interesting.
5. Yumeiro Paticier
Now it's more about baking than cooking, but it comes first in how he explores baking down to the smallest detail.
There are legs in this story that follows Ichigo's path to becoming a real pastry chef, as well as other talented characters.
The way he explores various recipes for pastries and desserts makes up many of the show's highlights.
Beyond these themes, it should be noted how quirky and endearing the characters can be as the series progresses.
As a shojo series, it can veer more towards romance and drama.
However, bakingremains strong and you can't help but appreciate it.
Sweet and cute with a quirky side is the best way to describe the show.
4. Koufuku Graffiti (gourmet girl graffiti)
If you like anime that has cute girls doing cute things, this is a series worth checking out.
Throughout the show, good food in good company is valued.
The best way to describe the series is as a trifle that is guaranteed to entertain.
It's not exactly a detailed description of the cooking process, but you can appreciate the connection the characters go through.
The main story follows a young girl named Machiko who finds joy in cooking when she meets her young cousin and becomes close to her, especially as she looks to marriage and learns to be a good wife.
It's an enjoyable story with a focus on enjoying homemade food and what it means to cook for others. Some interesting points in the mixed reviews on MyAnimeList, so take a look at this page if you want more details.
3. Emiya-san Chi no Kyo no Gohan
In many ways, this series can be considered very similar to the previous one.
The difference between the two is that Koufuku Graffiti focuses more onjoint meal and enjoyment of food.
In this series, more attention is paid to the overall process of preparing food and the time spent together. The idea that food can bring us closer.
This anime, in fact, is an alternative to the saga of fate.
You don't need to know the entire Fate series for this, so don't worry. But also, if you've never seen it, that's great too.
This is a very relaxing series with a simple plot based on the ideas of a soulful home meal.
You'll get all that fluff from watching, plus you'll even have the opportunity to learn how to cook along the way.
Note: If you search for it in English, it's called "Today's Menu for the Emiya Family". However, a version with an extra bed might have been better to look at.
2. Amaama Inazume
Warming up is the best way to describe this series as well.
Thanks to the father and daughter, who once began to buy food in the store, they, along with a new school friend, begin to learn how to cook.
The way the show shows the characters and the effort they put into learning is amazing.
There is just a real sense of their progress as the show goes on. Another thing that makes this series great is how the characters behave towards each other.
It's the way this series combines cooking and gluing that makes you want more.
Of course, you can consider it another slice of life with cooking. But there's a lot of sweetness and content to be found here that can be caught more in the subtext.
1 Food Wars: Shokugeki no Soma
Of all the series listed here, Shokugeki no Souma reigns supreme as the epitome of great food anime.
To put it simply, this is a shonen version of a culinary journey involving a school that raises the ranks of students through culinary battles called "Shokegi".
As a food anime, it takes the top spot for exploring different storytelling styles with different characters.
Moreover, it takes into accountthe importance of learning and the importance of working in the food industry. But these lessons can be applied to any life: you should always strive to be better.
In addition, you are attracted by the creativity of the dishes and the beauty of their presentation.
Having reached its fourth season at the time of this writing, Shokugeki no Soma continues to rank as the best cooking anime you'll want to watch.
