Scan barcode
rorikae's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
'The Kamogawa Food Detectives' by Hisashi Kashiwai is a cozy book about a restaurant that tracks down long lost recipes and dishes for its patrons. The story centers on Nagare and Koishi Kamogawa, a father-daughter team that run the restaurant. Each chapter follows a new patron who comes to visit the diner to inquire after a dish from their past that they would like to experience again. We get to learn more about each character through their experience with the dish and how Nagare recreates the lost recipe.
I really appreciate the character work for each patron that visits the restaurant. They are all so vastly different and have different motivations for why they wish to experience that particular meal again. Many are nostalgic for old times, past relationships, or lost loved ones. Kashiwai also adds some delectable food writing that helps elevate each section. I do wish we spent a little bit more time with Nagare as he works to track down the meal based off of snippets of memories relayed by the customers. The story is very formulaic, with each character coming for a meal, telling Koishi about the meal they wish to eat again, and then returning to try the meal once Nagare has learned how to recreate it. This formula can be quite comforting, which makes this story more cozy. I would be interested to see if the following books in the series continue this formula or if they are different in any way.
I really appreciate the character work for each patron that visits the restaurant. They are all so vastly different and have different motivations for why they wish to experience that particular meal again. Many are nostalgic for old times, past relationships, or lost loved ones. Kashiwai also adds some delectable food writing that helps elevate each section. I do wish we spent a little bit more time with Nagare as he works to track down the meal based off of snippets of memories relayed by the customers. The story is very formulaic, with each character coming for a meal, telling Koishi about the meal they wish to eat again, and then returning to try the meal once Nagare has learned how to recreate it. This formula can be quite comforting, which makes this story more cozy. I would be interested to see if the following books in the series continue this formula or if they are different in any way.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief, Terminal illness, and Death of parent
aseel_reads's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
I want the recipes for all the food mentioned but otherwise, I kind of hated this? Maybe it would read better in print but the daughter was such a wanker at times??
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief, Classism, Dementia, Medical content, Death, and Death of parent
atamano's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Dementia, Grief, Death, Death of parent, and Terminal illness
haleycanread's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
A cute, lighthearted, 200 page story. Each chapter introduces a new character and their ties to a certain meal/food, finding that most “comfort foods” are so special because of the memories we have associated with them.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent and Terminal illness
zophiebrown's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
A beautiful set of 6 vignettes centered on the memories tied to food. Each story follows the same structure with meeting the new customer, hearing about the dish they want recreated, and then the reveal of the dish followed up by a father-daughter moment. Delightful and full of touching moments.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Death, and Terminal illness
sarahb919's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Cherish your moms and cherish your food! That is the lesson I’m taking away from this story!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Dementia, Terminal illness, and Alcohol
ninahuynh's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Such a wonderful concept and collection of intertwining stories! I am always amazed at how Nagare is able to find the details to the dish with just a few descriptions or words. And all the food talk and description really had me hungry and picturing Ghibili food throughout the entire book 😆 6 stories and 6 different dishes. All unique in their own way. This book really exemplifies how food and our memory are closely connected with each other.
I do wish he treated Drowsy better though :(
I do wish he treated Drowsy better though :(
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Alcohol, Death, Dementia, and Grief
elee2013's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
This is basically a short story collection from a unique restaurant, 6 chapters, 6 different foodie mysteries. The descriptions of the food are all absolutely mouthwatering — if a recipe book for this series came out, I would 100% try to make everything!
It is very cozy and comforting, but it does end up formulaic, and while the client characters are intriguing, I wanted more development or story with Koishi and Nagare. I’m on the fence about continuing with the series.
It is very cozy and comforting, but it does end up formulaic, and while the client characters are intriguing, I wanted more development or story with Koishi and Nagare. I’m on the fence about continuing with the series.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
dubious_little_creature's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
shaunashares's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent