Best cooking anime shows? There are many things that anime is known for. And one of those things is cooking anime that focuses on chefs and regular people striving to be the best they can be in the kitchen, stopping at nothing to make the most delicious and mouthwatering food possible.
Like most people who love to eat with their eyes, food can have an amazing way of connecting people and stories together, and even drawn anime food is no different.
No matter what food you’re into, if you love cooking and anime, well then sit back and let’s go on a taste trip. In no particular order;
Best Cooking Anime Shows
30.
Fighting Foodons
Kakutou Ryouri Densetsu Bistro Recipe
- Episodes: 26
- Studios: Group TAC
- Aired: Dec 11, 2001 to Jun 25, 2002
- Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Game, Gourmet
At number thirty on our list of best cooking anime shows to make you drool is Fighting Foodons, a parody of Pokemon. It is an anime series that is genuinely entertaining, it can be so bad it’s good. Fighting Foodons doesn’t take itself very seriously, and it’s better because of that, it fully exploits its goofiness and embraces the cringe dad jokes.
Fighting Foodons premise is similar to Pokemon or Yu-Gi-Oh, master chefs do battle with magical monsters “Foodons”; strange monsters that are created from various foods. We follow Zen, his younger sister Karen, and a young boy Pitan, as they battle an evil empire using their Foodons. Side note It’s also a series perfect for watching with the kids.
29.
Oishinbo
- Episodes: 136
- Studios: Shin-Ei Animation
- Aired: Oct 17, 1988 to Mar 17, 1992
- Genres: Comedy, Gourmet, Slice of Life
Oishinbo is one of the best food anime you can watch if you are a fan of the genre. It is a series that wastes no time teaching you how to learn and savor food, and with no unnecessary added plot themes because it is a beautiful series about food that is very underrated.
Oishinbo’s plot is told through the perspective of journalist Shirou Yamaoka, a cynical food critic who has been tasked by his boss, along with his colleague Yuukom Kurita, to provide recipes for the ultimate menu.
28.
Silver Spoon
Gin no Saji
- Episodes: 11
- Studios: A-1 Pictures
- Aired: Jul 12, 2013 to Sep 20, 2013
- Genres: Comedy, Slice of Life, School
More than seeing how food is grown and raised, Silver Spoon also manages to show how it ends up as a meal now and then, giving us some great cooking scenes. Though the series is not a full-blown cooking anime series, it is fascinating seeing the agricultural side of food.
In Silver Spoon, we follow Yugo Hachiken, a young student as he embarks on a comedic story as he tries to fit into a completely new environment, meeting many unique people along the way. As he struggles to appreciate his surroundings, Hachiken hopes to discover his dreams, so that he may lead a fulfilling life on his terms.
27.
Kakuriyo: Bed and Breakfast for Spirits
Kakuriyo no Yadomeshi
- Episodes: 26
- Studios: Gonzo
- Aired: Apr 2, 2018 to Sep 24, 2018
- Genres: Demons, Drama, Gourmet, Romance, Supernatural
Kakuriyo is another cooking anime that most people may have overlooked. It’s a feel-good series with plenty of cooking, Japanese folklore, a cozy atmosphere, and a slash of romance.
The narrative focuses on Aoi, a girl in her late teen who is involved with spirits. When she gets spirited away by a handsome Ogre spirit and declared as his bride as payment for her grandfather’s debt, she refuses and wants to work off the debt instead. And here is where her cooking skills really come to use.
26.
Bonjour♪Sweet Love Patisserie
Bonjour♪Koiaji Pâtisserie
- Episodes: 24
- Studios: SILVER LINK., Connect
- Aired: Oct 10, 2014 to Mar 20, 2015
- Genres: Comedy, Gourmet, Harem, Romance, Slice of Life
If you enjoy pastries in any way, eating them, baking them, exploring advanced baking, etc Bonjour♪Sweet Love Patisserie is the anime for you. It’s a series that though just five minutes per episode can be surprisingly stimulating at times.
The story follows Sayuri Haruno, a girl who attends an elite confectionery school Fleurir on a scholarship to follow her dream to open a pastry shop. There she meets several charming young men.
25.
Ippon Bouchou Mantarou
- Episodes: 2
- Studios: J.C.Staff, animate Film
- Aired: Jun 21, 1991 to Dec 21, 1991
- Genres: Gourmet
Ippon Bouchou Mantarou is a rare forgotten obscure cooking anime that holds formidable merit and remains watchable even today. It’s a series that talks about nothing but cooking, showing different cuisines, the details behind making them, and sometimes even their origins.
Ippon Bouchou Mantarou is an anime about cooking competitions told through the perspective of Mantarou, who has decided to go down the culinary path as his family.
24.
Yotsuiro Biyori
Rokuhoudou Yotsuiro Biyori
- Episodes: 12
- Studios: Zexcs
- Aired: Apr 11, 2018 to Jun 27, 2018
- Genres: Gourmet, Slice of Life
Yotsuiro Biyori is a wholesome, silly, and heartwarming cooking anime series that is overlooked. It was a series that will make you hungry with all the different types of foods it shows us, all the while showing the relationship between people and food.
The premise is about a homely traditional Japanese-style cafe called Rokuhoudou, and its welcoming atmosphere. We follow the owner Kyousui Tougoku and his staff who care about their guests on a deeper level than just their money. Putting more effort into making quality food and their customer service.
23.
Gourmet Girl Graffiti
Koufuku Graffiti
- Episodes: 12
- Studios: Shaft
- Aired: Jan 9, 2015 to Mar 27, 2015
- Genres: Comedy, Gourmet, Slice of Life
Cooking can be love or life and Gourmet Girl Graffiti tries to show that with a sister-sibling relationship that puts a smile on everyone’s face with the food, comedy, friendship, and hardships along the way.
The premise of Gourmet Girl Graffiti is simple: surround a girl Ryou Machiko, her friend Shiina, and her cousin Kirin Morino with various cultural cuisines, while eating together and sharing experiences that seem to make food taste better.
22.
Wakakozake
Wakako-zake
- Episodes: 12
- Studios: Office DCI
- Aired: Jul 5, 2015 to Sep 20, 2015
- Genres: Gourmet, Slice of Life
Wakakozake is a calm, peaceful, funny, and heartwarming food anime that you can’t go wrong with. If you’re looking for a travel cooking show with twelve restaurants, dishes, and their accompanying drinks this is the series for you.
Wakakozake is a short look into one woman’s enjoyment of food, drink, and pairings.
21.
Antique Bakery
Seiyou Kottou Yougashiten: Antique
- Episodes: 12
- Studios: Nippon Animation, SynergySP, Shirogumi
- Aired: Jul 4, 2008 to Sep 19, 2008
- Genres: Boys Love, Comedy, Gourmet
Antique Bakery is a very funny and romantic food anime that’s just endearing. It’s a shounen-ai most viewers always usually recommend. It’s a virtually stunning anime that I loved how they played with the backgrounds to convey a character’s emotions.
Antique’s plot is based on cakes, mature dramatic plots, and slice-of-life with a bit of romance added for flavor. With a high school crush, a world-class pastry chef, and a former middle-weight boxing champion.
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20.
Cooking Papa
- Episodes: 151
- Studios: Eiken
- Aired: Apr 9, 1992 to May 25, 1995
- Genres: Comedy, Gourmet, Slice of Life
At number twenty on our list of best cooking anime is Cooking Papa. It’s a series that is hilarious, cute and you will love more with each episode. It is a great anime for cooking anime fans but also for an evening with family.
Cooking Papa is told through the perspective of Mr.Araiwa and his family. He loves cooking delicious dishes for his family whenever he can. We follow these normal family’s day-to-day who love food and drinks.
19.
Mister Ajikko
- Episodes: 99
- Studios: Sunrise
- Aired: Oct 8, 1987 to Sep 28, 1989
- Genres: Comedy, Gourmet
Mister Ajikko can be seen as one of the pioneers of the cooking anime genre. It establishes the tropes of cooking battles and exaggerated reactions to eating delicious food. Though the series is quite underrated it is decent, consisting of a fair story, nostalgic 80-90s art style, and alright characters.
The story follows a boy that never gives up, Youichi Ajiyoshi a culinary prodigy who manages the eating house together with his mother. But when he gets involved in a cooking competition with other rivals in the race for the best tastes and dishes. He begins to evolve, exploring and polishing his culinary skills to the highest level.
18.
Restaurant to Another World
Isekai Shokudou
- Episodes: 12
- Studios: SILVER LINK.
- Aired: Jul 4, 2017 to Sep 19, 2017
- Genres: Fantasy, Gourmet, Slice of Life
Restaurant to Another World takes an untraditional spin on cooking anime. Combining elements of isekai, slice-of-life, and cooking. While the series doesn’t explain how the dishes are made, it features detailed animation depicting food, a detailed description of the taste, and the joy of eating it.
The main premise is centered on a Japanese restaurant with doors connected to other worlds. These doors open every Saturday to otherworldly customers ranging from elves, fairies, animal men, even dragons, and much more.
17.
JK Meshi!
- Episodes: 26
- Studios: Kyotoma, Office Nobu
- Aired: Oct 6, 2015 to Mar 29, 2016
- Genres: Comedy, Gourmet
JK Meshi! Can be an acquired taste, you either hate or love the student film vibe the cooking anime gives up. With cute characters, an amusing story, and being a simple series about making food that almost anyone can.
The premise here is simple and effective, three girls — Reina, Ryouka, and Ruriko sit around discussing all sorts of things but mainly topics from school. After they have finished or get distracted or hungry, the cooking begins using the odds and ends of food they have around the kitchen.
16.
Isekai Izakaya: Japanese Food From Another World
Isekai Izakaya: Koto Aitheria no Izakaya Nobu
- Episodes: 24
- Studios: Sunrise
- Aired: Apr 13, 2018 to Sep 14, 2018
- Genres: Fantasy, Gourmet
Isekai Izakaya is a unique cooking anime series that takes a different approach to how it shows Japanese cuisines and food culture. It’s a series that seems made specifically for the cooking anime fan, with the plot focusing mostly on characters drinking and enjoying their food.
The entire series centers around Nobu, a Japanese bar, and its customers from other worlds, who get to experience Japanese cuisine for the very first time.
15.
Bartender
- Episodes: 11
- Studios: Palm Studio
- Aired: Oct 15, 2006 to Dec 31, 2006
- Genres: Drama, Gourmet, Slice of Life
Next on our list of best cooking anime is Bartender, a love letter to beverages and those who serve them. The series is calm, emotional, realistic, and gentle, teaching you about life and drinks.
Bartender centers on a bar called Eden Hall, where bartender Ryuu Sasakura, well known for his near-magical ability, serves just the right drink to soothe each customer’s soul from their problems.
14.
Sweetness & Lightning
Amaama to Inazuma
- Episodes: 12
- Studios: TMS Entertainment
- Aired: Jul 5, 2016 to Sep 20, 2016
- Genres: Comedy, Gourmet, Slice of Life
Sweetness & Lightning is a light-hearted cooking series with some phenomenal character stories. It’s an anime for anyone who wants to watch parenting themes, with lots of cooking or characters coming together to build strong friendships and unite to accomplish a goal.
Sweetness & Lightning is a slice-of-life about a father, his young daughter, and his pupil, Kotori. Together the three form a mutual friendship centered around their need to cook different kinds of dishes, as well as a means to keep each other company.
13.
Ristorante Paradiso
- Episodes: 11
- Studios: David Production
- Aired: Apr 9, 2009 to Jun 25, 2009
- Genres: Drama, Gourmet, Romance, Slice of Life
Ristorante Paradiso is a deep and relaxing slice of life cooking anime with a nice pace to it. It’s a series with a well-thought setting, characters, and good food. Ristorante Paradiso is a cooking anime show, I would recommend everyone to try it. You might enjoy it too.
It’s a story about the staff at a peculiar restaurant somewhere in Rome called Casetta dell’Orso, staffed mostly with mature men with glasses. They sweep away their customers with their warm smiles and voices. But will everything change? when Nicoletta travels there intending to ruin her mother’s life.
12.
Polar Bear Cafe
Shirokuma Cafe
- Episodes: 50
- Studios: Studio Pierrot
- Aired: Apr 5, 2012 to Mar 28, 2013
- Genres: Comedy, Slice of Life
Polar Bear Cafe is a charming, funny, and incredibly sweet cooking anime series that deserves more love. It’s a series that surprises anyone who watches it in a good way. It is a cooking anime for fans that want some slice of life in the genre they love.
Polar Bear Cafe is about the daily lives of a bunch of animals, and a human who runs a cafe. Who get themselves caught up in all sorts of misadventures with their customers and friends.
11.
Today’s Menu for the Emiya Family
Emiya-san Chi no Kyou no Gohan
- Episodes: 13
- Studios: ufotable
- Aired: Jan 25, 2018 to Jan 1, 2019
- Genres: Comedy, Gourmet, Slice of Life
Today’s Menu for the Emiya Family is a show about cooking. The story itself contains real cooking techniques and food focusing on characters from the original series we love. It’s filled with many heartwarming moments. Bringing two of your favorite things together to offer delicious entertainment.
The plot follows Shirou after the threat of the Holy Grail War no longer over Fuyuki City. As he cooks for his household and shows Saber and other characters of the Fate series the wonders of modern cuisine. Using unique ingredients and a limited budget.
10.
Moyashimon: Tales of Agriculture
- Episodes: 11
- Studios: Telecom Animation Film, Shirogumi
- Aired: Oct 12, 2007 to Dec 21, 2007
- Genres: Comedy, Gourmet, School, Supernatural
Here comes another unique anime among the best cooking anime that is quirky and often underrated, Moyashimon. It is a series that is very educational and entertaining.
The plot follows Tadayasu Sawaki who can see and communicate with bacteria and other microorganisms. He attends an agricultural school in Tokyo and with his professors and classmates; they see how food is made and processed.
9.
Poco’s Udon World
Udon no Kuni no Kiniro Kemari
- Episodes: 12
- Studios: LIDENFILMS
- Aired: Oct 9, 2016 to Dec 25, 2016
- Genres: Fantasy, Slice of Life
At number nine is Poco’s Udon World, though not a full-blown cooking anime, it is a heartwarming series about father-son relationships with cooking and food helping to give more feelings and significance to certain scenes.
We follow Souta Tawara, who, after his father’s death, visits his hometown Kagawa, where he soon meets a strange boy named Poko in his family’s old udon restaurant. And their adventure begins, focusing on familial love and bonds; both conventional families and found ones.
8.
Ben-To
- Episodes: 12
- Studios: David Production
- Aired: Oct 9, 2011 to Dec 25, 2011
- Genres: Action, Comedy, Gourmet, Martial Arts
Ben-Tou is a cooking-themed anime that is an over-the-top parody work. With shounen elements, multiple love-interests, comedy, harem, and fanservice it is an inclusive series for fans of other genres of anime as well.
When high schooler You Satou unwittingly becomes embroiled in an all-out brawl between people wanting half-price ready meals in a supermarket, he is invited by upperclassman Sen Yarizui to join her Half-Priced Food Lovers Club. Together, they learn what it truly means to fight for your food.
7.
Yakitate!! Japan
- Episodes: 69
- Studios: Sunrise
- Aired: Oct 12, 2004 to Mar 14, 2006
- Genres: Comedy, Gourmet
Yakitate!! Japan is a wonderful cooking anime about making bread, it’s a unique cooking anime that I honestly enjoyed a lot more than I thought I would. It is an over-the-top, cheesy, silly, and innocent anime that is just simply entertaining and kind of refreshing.
The plot follows Kazuma Azuma who embarks on a quest to create Japan’s own unique national bread. Along with his newfound friends and rivals, he takes part in the competitive world of baking.
6.
Yumeiro Patissiere
- Episodes: 50
- Studios: Studio Pierrot, Studio Hibari
- Aired: Oct 4, 2009 to Sep 26, 2010
- Genres: Gourmet, School
Yumeiro Patissiere is a cooking anime that revolves around food competitions and friendship. It’s a series that made me want to eat a lot of delicious food, and all the time learn a few culinary skills. It is an enjoyable series as long as you love food and hard-working characters.
The story focuses on Ichigo Amano who’s trying to achieve her dream of becoming a famous patissier and with the help of her sweet spirit.
5.
Ramen Fighter Miki
Muteki Kanban Musume
- Episodes: 12
- Studios: Telecom Animation Film
- Aired: Jul 5, 2006 to Sep 20, 2006
- Genres: Action, Comedy, Martial Arts, Parody
At number five is a rather unorthodox cooking anime Ramen Fighter Miki. It’s a series with plenty of cooking but also a lot more fighting than you would expect. It’s the perfect anime for cooking fans who want something quirky for a change.
Miki Onimaru is a kindhearted woman but with a short temper, who helps deliver ramen for her mother’s restaurant. But because of her temper, she gets herself and others around her into many misadventures.
4.
Kiyo in Kyoto: From the Maiko House
Maiko-san Chi no Makanai-san
- Episodes: 12
- Studios: J.C.Staff
- Aired: Winter 2021
- Genres: Comedy, Gourmet, Slice of Life
Kiyo in Kyoto is a new cooking anime that I just love for its cute animation style, happy, uplifting feel, and interesting info about traditional Japanese foods. They used food in the series to show the invincible bond between people who cook and eat.
Kiyo in Kyoto is a touching tale of two childhood friends, Kiyo and Sumire lifting each other and other maikos up as they grow together.
3.
New Cooking Master Boy
Shin Chuuka Ichiban!
- Episodes: 12
- Studios: Production I.G, Nihon Ad Systems
- Aired: Oct 12, 2019 to Dec 28, 2019
- Genres: Comedy, Gourmet
New Cooking Master Boy is a continuation of 20-year-old classic Cooking Master Boy, an extremely dangerous cooking show to watch when you’re hungry. It has an over-the-top reaction to cooking style and is considered a pioneer of the cooking anime series.
The plot centers on Liu Mao Xing who has a magical touch with cooking. Like his mom, Mao believes cooking should bring happiness to people, and with his friends, they battle ‘The Underground Cooking Society’ to collect a set of legendary utensils that grants the user immense power.
2.
Toriko
- Episodes: 147
- Studios: Toei Animation
- Aired: Apr 3, 2011 to Mar 30, 2014
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Gourmet
Toriko is a cooking anime that deals with food creatively differently than we are used to seeing. It shows food and cooking in a very shounen way that’s very entertaining, and it’s a great way to get others interested in the cooking anime genre.
In a world where food differs from what we know, this series tells of Toriko, a Gourmet Hunter who seeks to find the rarest and most delicious ingredients.
1.
Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma
Shokugeki no Souma
- Episodes: 24
- Studios: J.C.Staff
- Aired: Apr 4, 2015 to Sep 26, 2015
- Genres: Ecchi, Gourmet, School
And last but not least on our list of best cooking anime shows to make you drool! is Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma, don’t ask surprised we all knew this series was definitely going to make it into this list.
Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma is an anime about cooking battles. The story revolves around Soma Yukihira who wants to become a cook and surpass his father in cooking. When he’s sent to Tootsuki Culinary Academy, an elite cooking school where only 10 percent of the students graduate. Will Soma and his classmates be able to survive?
Honorable Mentions
Cookin’ Idol Ai! Mai! Main!
- Episodes: 305
- Studios: Studio Deen
- Aired: Mar 30, 2009 to Mar 22, 2013
- Genres: Comedy, Gourmet
Dae Jang Geum: Jang Geum’s Dream
- Episodes: 26
- Studios: Sonokong, Heewon Entertainment
- Aired: Oct 29, 2005 to Apr 29, 2006
- Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Gourmet, Historical
Laid-Back Camp (Yuru Camp△)
- Episodes: 12
- Studios: C-Station
- Aired: Jan 4, 2018 to Mar 22, 2018
- Genres: Comedy, Slice of Life
Cooking with Valkyries (Nu Wushen de Canzhuo)
- Episodes: 10
- Studios: Blade, Thundray
- Aired: Jun 28, 2019 to Aug 30, 2019
- Genres: Comedy, Gourmet, Slice of Life
Piacevole: My Italian Cooking (Piace: Watashi no Italian)
- Episodes: 12
- Studios: Zero-G
- Aired: Jan 11, 2017 to Mar 29, 2017
- Genres: Comedy, Gourmet, Slice of Life
Love Rice (Love Kome: We Love Rice)
- Episodes: 12
- Studios: Encourage Films
- Aired: Apr 5, 2017 to Jun 21, 2017
- Genres: Gourmet, Slice of Life
Adorable Food Goddess (Meng Qi Shi Shen)
- Episodes: 12
- Studios: Wawayu Animation
- Aired: Dec 29, 2018 to Mar 9, 2019
- Genres: Comedy, Drama, Historical, Gourmet, Romance
Drifting Dragons (Kuutei Dragons)
- Episodes: 12
- Studios: Polygon Pictures
- Aired: Jan 9, 2020 to Mar 26, 2020
- Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Pan de Peace!
- Episodes: 13
- Studios: Asahi Production
- Aired: Apr 3, 2016 to Jun 26, 2016
- Genres: Comedy, Gourmet, School, Slice of Life
And with that, I am finally done! Thanks for sticking around to the end, it was supposed to be a shorter list, but it kept growing. What did you think of my list? Do you think I missed one? What’s your favorite so far? What do you think of cooking anime?
I want to know so talk to me in the comment section down below. Check out our other amazing content, don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t already, and share with your loved ones who love anime too.
Till next time…Remember to be good to yourself and try out a new recipe this holiday.
Thanks for reading!
