Best Cooking Anime

Summary

• Mouthwatering dishes and engaging storytelling make cooking anime a perfect blend of entertainment for food lovers.
• Shows explore the process of cooking, cultural aspects of food, and emotional connections, celebrating the quest for taste.
• Cooking anime provides a mix of entertainment and culinary inspiration, going beyond just recipes to showcase trials of chefs.

Lots of people make a nice big batch of popcorn before watching their favorite shows, but what about fans who want to sink their teeth into some serious meals? Cooking shows are immensely popular, so much so that even fictional food made in the world of anime has entranced fans for years.

Food is an amazing way for people to connect, and the stories told through Japanese animation with those themes are truly a sight to behold. Even if they’re drawn with pen and paper, some of the dishes shown in anime are absolutely mouthwatering as well.

Updated January 11, 2024 by Oluwatokiloba Folami: A lot of work goes into cooking as it is a delicate process that some people might find intimidating. The cooking process is quite hard to capture through animation but anime creators make it look effortless. They show the intricate details and the delicious, drool-worthy results that make viewers want to have a taste. The urge to want to reach out for the screen and have a taste for the food or have a craving is what can be considered a trademark for a good cooking anime. Cooking anime turns simple ingredients into masterpieces while celebrating the artistry of food and showcasing the emotional connections food creates.

1

Kirakira Precure A La Mode

Magic And Desserts

• Release Date: Jan 28, 2018
• Genre: Action, Gourmet
• Studio: Toei Animation
• Streaming Service: Crunchyroll

Ichika tries to bake a cake for her mom but this act kickstarts her journey as a magical girl who uses baking to fight evil. While baking a cake, a fairy named Pekorin appears because he detects happiness in her cake. Just as Pekorin detected that happiness, categorized as Kirakiraru, evil fairies can also detect it and show up to steal it.

Ichika manages to defeat the evil fairy who showed up to try to steal the happiness in her cake and her magical girl journey begins as she decides to stop every evil fairy from stealing any dessert with Kirakiraru. Kirakira Precure a la Mode is a magical girl anime that combines dessert making with magic and follows Ichika as she uses the power of sweets and desserts to fight evil.

2

Sushi Police

Focuses On Japanese Sushi

• Release Date: Mar 31, 2016
• Genre: Comedy, Gourmet, Mystery
• Studio: KOO-KI
• Streaming Service: N/A

Sushi Police focuses on the Sushi Police as the name implies. It is a global food agency whose mission is to make sure no restaurant in Japan serves fake Japanese sushi. To do that, they will do whatever it takes to find and bring down any restaurant that serves fake Japanese sushi.

This anime showcases traditional Japanese sushi. The beautiful visuals of perfectly made sushi, from glistening sashimi to seasoned nigiri, show the precision and beauty of Japanese food. The drool-worthy sushi scenes will make viewers want to have authentic, high-quality Japanese sushi.

3

Antique Bakery

Focuses On French Desserts

Following one passion can be scary but Keiichirou faces his fear head-on as he quits his high-paying job to open a bakery. Keiichirou hires a head pastry chef, an assistant pastry chef, and a waiter and officially starts his pastry business. Together, they go through the ups and downs of running a bakery.

Keiichirou and his staff make beautiful pastries like chocolates, tarts, and mille-feuille. Antique Bakery stands out for its focus on French desserts and the emotional connections food creates, which will make viewers feel and crave something sweet.

4

Bartender

Perfect Drink For Every Situation

It has become quite normal for individuals to look for an escape from their daily dilemmas or from the stressful day they have had at work, and this is where Ryuu comes in. Ryuu makes the best cocktails ever in the world of Bartender. His drinks are known to be so good that they can soothe a person’s worried mind.

He bartends at Eden Hall, a bar so prestigious and hidden that not anyone can get in. To get into this bar, one has to be invited by the host. Bartender showcases the thought and delicate actions Ryuu puts into making his cocktails. He connects with each of his customers to make the perfect drink to take their worries away.

5

Cooking With The Valkyries

Highlights The Simple Act Of Sharing Meals

• Release Date: Jun 28, 2019
• Genre: Comedy, Gourmet
• Studio: Blade, Thundray
• Streaming Service: Crunchyroll

Valkyries are known to be responsible for choosing which soldiers die in battle and bringing their souls to Valhalla, the hall of the slain, where they are honored and prepared for the afterlife. They are seen as protectors and guides for brave warriors. However, these brave warriors have a life outside the battlefield, and Cooking With The Valkyries captures that.

When the Valkyries are not in battle, they are busy making memories and eating good food. This anime is intimate and heartwarming as each episode showcases the Valkyries going through every cooking process with care and love.

Showcases The Joy A Simple Meal Can Bring

• Release Date: Jan 25, 2018
• Genre: Gourmet, Slice of Life
• Studio: Ufotable
• Streaming Service: Crunchyroll, Prime Video

Shirou spends his time cooking and each episode of this anime shows him cooking different meals. With no threat of war looming over his city, Shirou now has peace of mind and can live his life peacefullly. He ventures into cooking because he enjoys it and when he is not in the kitchen cooking, he is at the marketplace looking for new ingredients to turn into mouthwatering meals.

Although Shirou is on a tight budget, his cooking has not been anything but delicious. His incredible cooking skills have unsurprisingly attracted many people to him from far and wide as they want to try out his food. This anime showcases Shirou’s joy when it comes to cooking and as guests from various cities visit his house, he shows them the step-by-step process of how to make the different meals he loves.

7

Cinderella Chef

Delicious Drama Meets Historical Adventure To Create A Dazzling Meal

Ye Jiayoa loves cooking so much that she wants to be a chef. She is always down to try and experiment with Chinese recipes until one day it goes wrong, and her cooking kills her. Luckily, her life does not end there, as she reincarnates as Jinxuan Ye, a politician’s daughter in Imperial China. All Jiaxuan wants is to be able to cook, but she gets kidnapped by some bandits.

Not swayed by the danger, she finds herself in as she just wants to cook and try out new recipes, Jiaxuan makes the best of her horrible situation and uses her superb cooking skills to charm the bandits.

8

Bonjour Sweet Love Patisserie

A Sumptuous Display Of Confectionery Arts

Fans who have a sweet tooth might find Bonjour Sweet Love Patisserie very appealing, as it tells the story of a young girl who aspires to be a pastry chef. Sayuri loves sweets and loves making them even more. She gets a scholarship to a prestigious school that trains pastry chefs, and life seems to be going well for her.

However, she soon discovers that making sweets on a professional level might not be as easy as she thought. However, Sayuri’s love for making sweets is stronger than every obstacle or challenge that pastry school throws at her.

9

Delicious In Dungeon

A Flavorful Journey In A Dungeon That Is Both Thrilling And Mouth-Watering

When adventurers come across a dangerous monster, they do their best to ensure that they do not end up as the monster’s meal. However, when adventurers defeat these monsters, fans rarely see the adventurers eat the monsters. Delicious in Dungeon is an anime that changes the narrative as fans are introduced to Senshi, a dwarf who specializes in cooking and eating defeated monsters.

The taste of victory is indeed sweet, and Senshi makes sure he savors the taste of his victories by eating the monsters he defeats. Laious, the main protagonist, creates a party of adventurers to save his sister from being the meal of the feracious red dragon, and Senshi joins the party with his cooking utensils because he wants to have a taste.

10

Oishinbo

Exploration Of Japanese Cuisine, Combining Instructional Features With Tantalizing Animation

• Release Date: Oct 17, 1988
• Genre: Comedy, Gourmet, Slice of Life
• Studio: Shin-Ei Animation

Food is probably the only thing that makes Yamaoka Shirou happy. This journalist is on the quest for the ultimate menu as he tries restaurants all around Japan. Yamaoka’s father is a food critic, and he believes that his father values food more than everything else, but even with this knowledge, Yamaoka still follows in his father’s footsteps and becomes a food critic himself.

Drama aside, this anime takes viewers on a journey as Yamaoka and his lucky colleague, Kurita Yuko, try out all the dishes available in Japan, from homemade ones to exquisitely made dishes.

11

Farming Life In Another World

A Vivid Depiction Of The Perfect Rural Life, Filled With Magical Aspects

Even though Farming Life in Another World isn’t exclusively a cooking anime show, Hiraku Machio ensures to include some helpful hints and tips from his makeshift kitchen within the depths of the Forest of Death. Hiraku puts his basic survival skills to the test with only a farming tool in tow; however, this nifty piece of equipment is more versatile than it looks. With just a thought, Hiraku can transform his All-Purpose Farming Tool into an assortment of items, perfect for cooking, plowing, construction, and more.

When creating a culinary masterpiece, Hiraku guides the viewers with a step-by-step process of his cooking and harvesting techniques (and offers up real-world equivalents for his assortment of mystical ingredients). He subsequently becomes the most eligible bachelor in town as the local ladies all fight for a piece of the Machio pie.

12

Delicious Party Pretty Cure

A Mash-Up Of Magical Girl Heroism And Culinary Adventures, Serving Up A Variety Of Mouth-Watering Dishes

• Release Date: Feb 6, 2022
• Genre: Action, Fantasy
• Studio: Toei Animation
• Streaming Service: Crunchyroll, Prime Video

Hands down the cutest approach to anime about food comes via compliments of the Cure girls, who are on a mission to save the CooKingdom by rescuing the poor imprisoned Recipepes. These adorable food-themed critters are essentially what keeps the world turning, as far as anyone’s tastebuds are concerned. Fairies and humans team up to defeat the rogue Bundoru Gang with their scrumptious Magic Girl style and “Deliciousmiles!”

The PreCure franchise is still going strong with twenty seasons under its belt (sadly, only three of which are dubbed). Although Cure Precious, Cure Spicy, Cure Yum-Yum, and their friends appear to target a younger audience, any foodie who appreciates all things kawaii should certainly give this cute cooking anime a bash.

13

The Way Of The Househusband

A Flawless Combination Of Yakuza Brutality And Parental Bliss

The “Immortal” Tatsu Kuroda has more going for him than the Yakuza can offer, as his true calling in life has unexpectedly come to light. Never mind brawling, blackmail, and bad behavior; Tatsu is all about the househusband lifestyle now. From cooking to cleaning and everything in between, the former gang-banger takes the utmost pride in preparing a loving and comfortable life for his dear wife, Miku.

Simply stepping into a kitchen doesn’t guarantee a successful meal, as Tatsu quickly learns the importance of prep work. Learning to shop for groceries with the ultimate efficiency is also an invaluable skill, and there’s no need to waste time with a wardrobe change; aprons are multi-purpose items, after all.

14

Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast For Spirits

Aoi Tsubaki is a pretty decent cook by anyone’s standards; however, those dwelling in the spiritual world find her food to be particularly appetizing. Her specialized culinary expertise becomes particularly useful after she is suddenly confined to the Hidden Realm with her grandfather’s extensive debt hanging over her head. Refusing to marry an Ogre to mitigate the money owed, Aoi decides to pay her dues by opening a Bed & Breakfast for Spirits.

With the help of an insightful kitsune, Aoi learns the intricacies of each spirit species’ (aka Ayakashi) palette and adjusts her meals and menu accordingly. The Ayakashi have grown bored of the same spread offered at the revered Tenjin’ya Inn, which now has some heavy competition on its hands. Forbidding women to work in the kitchen is clearly a giant oversight on Odanna’s part.

15

Toriko

A Blend Of High-Stakes Adventure And Culinary Fantasy

One of the best cooking anime series with a comedic twist follows Toriko’s outlandish globe-trotting adventures as he searches for the ultimate ingredients. The Gourmet Hunter has landed with his bum in the butter after teaming up with the five-star chef Komatsu, and together, they make all their magnificent munchy dreams come true. This action-packed, appetizing anime is in a league of its own and will leave viewers in fits of hungry giggles.

The Gourmet Age comes equipped with unimaginable food sources, from bacon-growing trees to Mushroom Pudding, Waflotuses, and more, all freshly growing straight from the earth. And that’s before even getting into the glorious meat-eating options available. Toriko also features some top-notch cross-over episodes and invites fan-favorite powerhouses like Luffy (One Piece) and Goku (Dragon Ball Z) to the table.

16

Campfire Cooking In Another World With My Absurd Skill

Mouthwatering Dishes In A Fantastical Realm

Who would’ve thought that Isekai could fit so seamlessly into the cooking anime industry? And yet, here’s another success story. Mukohda’s Isekai Bonus may not seem like much at first glance, but an all-access pass to online shopping within the trying times of a medieval setting means no hungry bellies. That’s a win by most standards. Furthermore, Mukohda is quite skilled at rustling up a high-quality meal and easily adapts to the new array of natural ingredients from this strange world. Traditional Japanese cuisine and fantasy fusion are so irresistible that everyone wants a taste.

Without really meaning to, Mukohda collects an assortment of high-powered allies in his party, each drawn to his sensational food. These include unstoppable forces like Fel, the legendary Fenrir, an insanely overpowered slime named Sui, and Ninrir, the Goddess of Wind, in all her sweet-tooth glory. He inadvertently becomes a top adventurer capable of easily eliminating hoards of monsters, essentially all thanks to his culinary talents.

17

Sugar Apple Fairy Tale

Enchanting Sweets Set Against The Backdrop Of Goals And Friendship

Focusing on the sweeter, more artistic side of food anime, Sugar Apple Fairy Tale delves into the intricate process of sugar art, which reaches a whole new level after crossing into the supernatural realm of Highland. Sculpting with delicate crystallized candy is by no means an easy feat. To make matters worse, Ann Halford certainly seems to have her work cut out for her with the Duke of Philax constantly breathing down her neck and jumping at every opportunity to criticize her hard work.

Ann enlists a fairy warrior as her bodyguard during her surprisingly dangerous venture to become the next Silver Sugar Master. However, Challe/Shalle’s slave status doesn’t sit well with the girl, as she views fairies as a source of inspiration and not as mere tools. Ann will have to toughen up to earn her place as a Candy Craftswoman at the prestigious Sugar Sculpture Festival.

18

Silver Spoon

Evoking Cravings For Farm-Fresh Cooking And The Simplicity Of Rural Life

School is one of the most popular anime settings, not only because it’s easy for young people to relate to the daily trials and tribulations of going to class, dealing with difficult teachers, and hanging out with friends but also because the school setting is ripe for storytelling. Not all kinds of schools have received equal love in anime, however, which makes the agricultural high school setting of Silver Spoon so refreshing.

Silver Spoon is a food and slice-of-life anime about a kid who transfers from his traditional school and learns about animals, food production, and making friends. The themes are great, and while the storytelling is on the simple side, the characters are all fantastic. It’s easy to stick around to learn more about ingredients and food production when the central cast is as solid as that of Silver Spoon.

19

Sweetness & Lightning

Stirring A Hunger For Homemade Japanese Dishes

Sweetness & Lightning is an anime that goes heavy on sweetness in all the best ways. It’s about Kouhei, a father who is left to care for his daughter alone after the death of his wife. The problem is that Kouhei doesn’t know how to cook. The result is predictable: His daughter ends up eating pre-made convenience store meals, which are the height of neither flavor nor nutrition.

Kouhei is a teacher, however, and a student in his class inspires him to learn to cook for his daughter. Sweetness & Lightning splits its energy between depicting Kouhei’s relationship with his daughter and the preparation of the meals they eat together. As both a touching family story and a food anime, it succeeds beautifully, making it easy to recommend.

20

Fighting Foodons

Culinary Creativity Blended With Battles

• Release Date: Dec 11, 2001
• Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Gourmet
• Studio: Group TAC
• Streaming Service: Prime Video

Fighting Foodons is, admittedly, a controversial choice for any best food anime list. The show is bizarre, even by anime standards. It’s a food-based riff on the creature-collecting craze inspired by Pokemon. Chase, the hero, is a chef who uses foodons (weird creatures with designs based on food) to combat the series’ villain, who has been kidnapping chefs and forcing them to cook up powerful foodons with which the villain can take over the world.

No, Fighting Foodons doesn’t look or feel much like other food anime at first glance. While it certainly has its flaws, it’s also one of the most creative food anime out there. While its “food as fighters” concept won’t please everyone, the sheer creativity on display in Fighting Foodons makes it well worth a watch, whether one wants to see tasty dishes or some monster-taming madness.