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littletaiko's review against another edition
4.0
Fun installment in the series, though there were definite jumps in time regrind the "action". Loved learning more about my favorite part of Japanese cuisine.
helpfulsnowman's review against another edition
I've been looking for some manga that would be great for folks who haven't found a good entry point into the format. And I think this might be it.
Feel free to start with this volume. I did, and here's what you need to know:
There is a competition to create the perfect Japanese meal from which recipes and dishes will be passed down through generations. There are two main chefs involved in the contest. Really, that's about it, and most of that you can pick up in context.
It's a great food book. It goes pretty deep into different food topics, and it's also part mystery. Like watching an episode of House where some clever person has not only found the answer to a tough question, but anticipated pitfalls along the way.
Ugh, dammit. I'm trying really hard to not say it's like Food Network meets Sherlock.
So my office mate was reading me some publisher descriptions for upcoming titles. And can I tell you something? Every single goddamn one was "It's like X meets Y." Which gets old.
Some of them don't make sense. It's like Gone Girl meets The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. I know those aren't exactly the same, but I think they share a tonal similarity that doesn't warrant them crossing.
Some of them don't make sense because you read it, and you're thinking "No, it's not. It's not like the Avengers meets Gran Turismo. Because that isn't a thing where the things can meet."
Also, it gets frustrating. I feel like the late 90's were all about "It's like nothing you've ever seen before." Which was a lie. Everything from the late 90's was just repackaged Dark City. Don't even question it. But at least THEIR lie was based on new possibilities, not imitating something else.
The only time I'll accept it from now on is when it's not used as simile. I only want things that are literally one thing crossed with another thing. Cars crossed with robots? That's what Transformers are, and I accept that. Transformers crossed with nonsense? That's a Go-Bot.
Feel free to start with this volume. I did, and here's what you need to know:
There is a competition to create the perfect Japanese meal from which recipes and dishes will be passed down through generations. There are two main chefs involved in the contest. Really, that's about it, and most of that you can pick up in context.
It's a great food book. It goes pretty deep into different food topics, and it's also part mystery. Like watching an episode of House where some clever person has not only found the answer to a tough question, but anticipated pitfalls along the way.
Ugh, dammit. I'm trying really hard to not say it's like Food Network meets Sherlock.
So my office mate was reading me some publisher descriptions for upcoming titles. And can I tell you something? Every single goddamn one was "It's like X meets Y." Which gets old.
Some of them don't make sense. It's like Gone Girl meets The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. I know those aren't exactly the same, but I think they share a tonal similarity that doesn't warrant them crossing.
Some of them don't make sense because you read it, and you're thinking "No, it's not. It's not like the Avengers meets Gran Turismo. Because that isn't a thing where the things can meet."
Also, it gets frustrating. I feel like the late 90's were all about "It's like nothing you've ever seen before." Which was a lie. Everything from the late 90's was just repackaged Dark City. Don't even question it. But at least THEIR lie was based on new possibilities, not imitating something else.
The only time I'll accept it from now on is when it's not used as simile. I only want things that are literally one thing crossed with another thing. Cars crossed with robots? That's what Transformers are, and I accept that. Transformers crossed with nonsense? That's a Go-Bot.
nakedsushi's review against another edition
3.0
Made me crave sushi so much I actually went to get some for lunch one day. I'm kinda sick of the general way each story goes with the antihero but at least there are informational tidbits in each chapter.
nakedsushi's review against another edition
3.0
The chapters get formulaic, but I can't help enjoying the content. It's hard to believe these comics have been around since the 80s because they're so relevant to the food culture of today. Most chapters highlight the importance of environmental eating, small farms, and mindful eating.
I do wish that the volumes were ordered in original publication order, though, instead of organized by subject because it makes the overall plot and dynamics of the characters really confusing when the chapters aren't in chronological order.
I do wish that the volumes were ordered in original publication order, though, instead of organized by subject because it makes the overall plot and dynamics of the characters really confusing when the chapters aren't in chronological order.
poachedeggs's review against another edition
3.0
There is absolutely no plot to this very strange manga on food battles between two magazines. Father and son compete based on common ingredients, a la Iron Chef, and long informative explications on the history and background of the chosen ingredient and its related cooking methods often follow.
This is great light reading, nonetheless, especially if you just treat it as a quasi-non-fiction that provides lots of interesting facts on Japanese food.
This is great light reading, nonetheless, especially if you just treat it as a quasi-non-fiction that provides lots of interesting facts on Japanese food.
emeraldreverie's review against another edition
4.0
Informative and interesting. A more mellow volume than the previous but full of fun anecdotes and technique. Looking forward to the next!
joaniemaloney's review against another edition
5.0
WHAT A FIND! :)
I'm so happy with this volume and I'm beyond excited to read the other ones. Basically reading them out of order in a whim but it doesn't matter much because they're selections from the original issues into volumes that focus on an aspect of Japanese cuisine. Even without the characters and the story, I'd be delighted to read these. Food! And recipes included at the front and notes for further explanation (definitions, geography, etc.) at the back. You can eat what you're reading about. How awesome is that?
The premise of this is a project called the "Ultimate Menu," which is celebrating the 100th anniversary of Tozai News. This leads our main character, Yamaoka, to go on taste tests at restaurants and competitions and other food expeditions to try and create a menu that includes the best of Japanese cuisine. As you can already tell, this project can go on forever as a manga and leave nothing untouched. I love it. This particular volume deals with fish and the various chapters (or 'courses') explores topics like: sweetfish, salmon, live fish, etc. The drawings are pretty mouth-watering on top of everything else.
Because the chapters are cut and not in chronological order, the character development does suffer a bit - I was quite confused about the wedding banquet at first - but in time you do get a sense of the characters. Sure, they're pretty dramatic but it's all part of the fun. There's a lot of passion surrounding food in this series, it's refreshing. I don't think it's going to change but Kurita is my favourite thus far, though Yamaoka does have his charms. I enjoy their banter!
I'm so going to devour the rest of the series.
I'm so happy with this volume and I'm beyond excited to read the other ones. Basically reading them out of order in a whim but it doesn't matter much because they're selections from the original issues into volumes that focus on an aspect of Japanese cuisine. Even without the characters and the story, I'd be delighted to read these. Food! And recipes included at the front and notes for further explanation (definitions, geography, etc.) at the back. You can eat what you're reading about. How awesome is that?
The premise of this is a project called the "Ultimate Menu," which is celebrating the 100th anniversary of Tozai News. This leads our main character, Yamaoka, to go on taste tests at restaurants and competitions and other food expeditions to try and create a menu that includes the best of Japanese cuisine. As you can already tell, this project can go on forever as a manga and leave nothing untouched. I love it. This particular volume deals with fish and the various chapters (or 'courses') explores topics like: sweetfish, salmon, live fish, etc. The drawings are pretty mouth-watering on top of everything else.
Because the chapters are cut and not in chronological order, the character development does suffer a bit - I was quite confused about the wedding banquet at first - but in time you do get a sense of the characters. Sure, they're pretty dramatic but it's all part of the fun. There's a lot of passion surrounding food in this series, it's refreshing. I don't think it's going to change but Kurita is my favourite thus far, though Yamaoka does have his charms. I enjoy their banter!
I'm so going to devour the rest of the series.
bluenicorn's review against another edition
3.0
Made me hungry, so mission accomplished. Very interesting to read as a genre study.
bwguinig's review against another edition
4.0
It's very Japanese and I mean that in a good way. I don't read a lot of manga, but I appreciate it as a medium and I love reading from right to left. It alters your thinking but becomes quite natural.
How does one describe Oishinbo? Honestly, I am sure of its original format, episodic comics. Here, it is a compilation of stories featuring rice and its importance in Japanese culture and history. I love Oishinbo's treatment of a staple beyond mere sustenance - there is an appreciation and love for the food that is eye opening and quite distinct from how I, and I suspect most Americans, think of food.
The only drawback is the lack of context in the presentation. While all chapters share rice as a common theme topic, chronologically, episodes appear isolated. My understanding is this compilation is more a "best of" and hence not subject to story though characters are long running. I would be interested in volumes based on publication date, but this book certainly whet the appetite for more.
How does one describe Oishinbo? Honestly, I am sure of its original format, episodic comics. Here, it is a compilation of stories featuring rice and its importance in Japanese culture and history. I love Oishinbo's treatment of a staple beyond mere sustenance - there is an appreciation and love for the food that is eye opening and quite distinct from how I, and I suspect most Americans, think of food.
The only drawback is the lack of context in the presentation. While all chapters share rice as a common theme topic, chronologically, episodes appear isolated. My understanding is this compilation is more a "best of" and hence not subject to story though characters are long running. I would be interested in volumes based on publication date, but this book certainly whet the appetite for more.