In recent years, cooking web novels have carved out a unique niche in online literature, attracting readers who crave both gastronomic inspiration and engaging plots.
These stories often feature protagonists on culinary journeys, whether they’re aspiring chefs, food critics, or even time travelers exploring historical cuisines.
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The beauty of these novels lies in their ability to vividly describe mouth-watering dishes while weaving them into character development and plot progression. Let’s not forget about the customer’s reaction to the food dishes.
Top Cooking Web Novels
God of Cooking
“God of Cooking” follows Jo Minjoon, a 30-year-old aspiring chef who regrets his life choices and wishes to go back in time. He gets his wish, but with a twist: he’s granted a mysterious power by an unknown being.
Now armed with new abilities, he embarks on a culinary journey, using his skills and newfound powers to navigate the competitive world of chefs and potentially find love along the way.
The story, infused with game elements and a slow-burn romance, features a calm, hardworking protagonist with hidden talents. It is set in a modern-day world with celebrity chefs and a competitive culinary scene, showcasing various cooking styles and challenges.
Expedition Cooking with the Enoch Royal Knights
Mell Risurisu, a Fore Elf, is poor, unskilled, and magic-less. She joins the royal order of knights, Enoch, to improve her life and that of her little sisters. Assigned as a field medic to a small squadron, she’s appalled by the terrible food they’re given – hard bread and rubbery jerky.
Using her knowledge of the forest and its resources, Mell decides to take matters into her own hands and cook delicious meals for her team, becoming a vital asset to their survival.
Gourmet Food Supplier
The story centers around the restaurant’s owner, a seemingly lazy and self-absorbed protagonist who possesses a secret: he has a “system” that grants him incredible culinary abilities. The novel follows his journey as he navigates the world of gourmet cooking, encountering unique customers, facing challenges, and developing his skills.
Gourmet Food Supplier is a mixed bag. While the premise is intriguing and the culinary aspects are engaging, the unlikeable protagonist and repetitive formula hinder the novel’s overall appeal. Readers who enjoy stories with a strong focus on food and cooking might find the novel enjoyable, while those seeking a well-developed story with a likeable protagonist might want to look elsewhere.
Gourmet of Another World
Gourmet of Another World is a Xuanhuan novel centered around a chef who opens a restaurant in a fantasy world. The setting is a world of powerful martial artists, mythical beasts, and divine beings, yet this unassuming restaurant becomes a destination for even the most powerful.
The chef, while seemingly ordinary, possesses extraordinary culinary skills. He can create mouthwatering dishes using ingredients like phoenix eggs, dragon blood rice, and the meat of a ninth grade supreme beast. The restaurant’s unique offerings attract a diverse clientele, including powerful warriors, mythical creatures, and even a group of “crazy women” whose stomachs have been conquered by the chef’s delicious food.
Gourmet of Another World is an action-packed fantasy novel with a unique culinary twist. While the protagonist might lack depth, the interesting worldbuilding, powerful characters, and mouthwatering food descriptions make this novel a worthwhile read for fans of Xuanhuan and culinary fantasy.
Food Feast Poem
“Food Feast Poem” is a fantasy novel where Ye Zhi, a gamer with exceptional cooking skills, is transported into the body of a frontier lord. He uses his skills to conquer challenges, including legendary beasts and ancient plague dragons, turning them into delicious meals.
This story blends action, adventure, comedy, and mystery as Ye Zhi, a chef, swordsman, poet, and king, builds his kingdom in a world filled with magic and swordplay.
The House Witch
The House Witch is a heartwarming and humorous novel that blends fantasy, romance, and mystery. The story follows Finlay Ashowan, a witch with domestic powers who serves as the royal cook for the King and Queen of Daxaria. Finlay keeps his past and true identity a secret, focusing on creating uncanny meals and maintaining a low profile.
However, his secret doesn’t stay hidden for long. Along with his kitten familiar, Kraken, Finlay gets drawn into the royal court’s intrigues. He faces challenges such as dealing with unscrupulous knights, protecting the pregnant queen, managing conflicts with the royal mage, and uncovering a spy in the castle. As these events unfold, Finlay’s past starts catching up with him, complicating his life and his burgeoning romance.
Gourmet Gaming
Gourmet Gaming is a VRMMORPG novel about a protagonist struggling with bulimia who finds solace and power in a virtual world where he can indulge his love for food. The story follows him as he navigates the game world, leveling up through his culinary skills and forming strong bonds with his fellow players.
Gourmet Gaming is a lighthearted and enjoyable read with a unique premise. While the protagonist’s personality can be divisive, the novel’s focus on food, strong supporting characters, and engaging gameplay mechanics make it an entertaining read for those interested in VRMMORPG and slice-of-life stories.
A Certain Middle-aged Man’s VRMMO Activity Log
38-year-old Tanaka Daichi, a middle-aged man living a mundane life, finally gets to fulfill his childhood dream of playing a VRMMO. Unlike other players who aim for power and fame, Daichi chooses “useless” skills like cooking and crafting, focusing on enjoying the virtual world at his own pace.
The novel follows Daichi’s journey in the VRMMO, where he utilizes his unique skillset to achieve his goal: simply enjoying the game. He stumbles upon opportunities to use his skills for profit and even gains recognition for his culinary talents. However, he faces challenges with his “casual” approach to the game, particularly in PvP (Player vs Player) situations.
Isekai Izakaya Nobu
“Isekai Izakaya Nobu” is a lighthearted fantasy series about a Japanese bar called “Nobu” that mysteriously appears in a medieval fantasy world. The bar’s unique menu of traditional Japanese cuisine attracts customers from all walks of life, who are amazed by the unfamiliar flavors and dishes. The story follows the interactions between the bar’s owner and waitress, who remain somewhat mysterious to the customers, and the diverse cast of characters who enter Nobu seeking food, drinks, and a taste of the real world.
The novel is episodic in nature, focusing on individual encounters with customers and their reactions to the bar’s food and atmosphere. While it features elements of cooking and food preparation, the story emphasizes the social interactions and the impact of the bar’s unique offerings on the fantasy world.
The novel is popular for its charming atmosphere and enjoyable exploration of Japanese culture, despite some criticism for its portrayal of foreign cultures as inferior to Japanese cuisine. It has been adapted into manga, anime, and drama series, showcasing its appeal to a wide audience.
I love the anime.
A Wizard’s Guide To Defensive Baking
Mona, a 14-year-old girl, lives a comfortable life in her aunt’s bakery, where she uses her unique magic to make gingerbread men dance. However, her life takes a dark turn when she discovers a dead body on the bakery floor.
An assassin is targeting magic folk in the city, and Mona appears to be the next target. With the city’s wizards suddenly gone, Mona must navigate this dangerous situation and confront the assassin, who may not be the only threat to her safety.
Tondemo Skill de Isekai Hourou Meshi
Mukouda Tsuyoshi, a regular guy, is accidentally summoned to a fantasy world alongside three heroes. However, his skill “Net Super” pales in comparison to their powerful abilities. Realizing the dangers of this new world, Mukouda decides to escape the shady king and his castle.
Tondemo Skill de Isekai Hourou Meshi is a laid-back isekai story where the main focus is on the protagonist’s everyday adventures with his companions, all fueled by his love of cooking and exploring. It offers a refreshing take on the genre, emphasizing camaraderie and simple enjoyment over epic battles and grand quests.
Doomsday, Let’s Open A Restaurant
In a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies and mutants, a chef named Xiao Feng discovers he has the power of Culinary Mastery, which allows him to create dishes that not only nourish but also grant special abilities and power-ups to those who eat them. He opens a restaurant called “Great Potential” which becomes a safe haven in the dangerous city.
As Xiao Feng explores the city, he meets other survivors and encounters various monsters, using his culinary skills to survive and complete missions issued by a mysterious system. With a growing menu of mutant ingredients and expanding skills, Xiao Feng must navigate the treacherous world and unlock the secrets of his abilities to survive.
Welcome to the Outcast’s Restaurant!
Dennis, a skilled cook, is betrayed and exiled from his guild, the Silver Wings Battalion. He sees this as an opportunity to pursue his dream of opening a diner in the countryside. He meets Atrielle, a noble girl who was exiled and enslaved, and together they open the diner.
Their first customer is an exiled knight, followed by a mage and a sage who become regulars. Despite the knight bringing trouble to the diner, Dennis’s cooking skills and bravery help to overcome challenges. The diner becomes a popular spot, and Dennis’s legend grows as the talk of the town.
Bon Appétit
Bon Appétit is a fantasy romance novel with comedic elements, following Luana, a reincarnated princess who finds herself in a world where she’s destined to die. Driven by her passion for cooking, she becomes known for her unique cheese jerky, but is misunderstood as a witch.
Duke Legion, a powerful general who has lost his sense of taste, takes Luana to the Empire to break a generational curse. Her delicious jerky awakens his lost palate, and he begins to fall for her. Luana, determined to care for him, wants to ensure he eats well and gains weight.
The novel explores the themes of reincarnation, food, curses, and romance. While Luana’s bubbly personality and culinary skills charm the Duke, their relationship is tested by his distrust of witches. The story takes a darker turn when he imprisons Luana in a dungeon, leading to a toxic dynamic.
Strange World Little Cooking Saint
This Xianxia novel tells the story of Shiyu, a modern-day chef who tragically dies and finds herself transmigrated into the body of a beggar in a fantasy world. The twist? This world is based on a novel written by two of her best friends, a world she loved and even begged to be written into.
Shiyu, however, isn’t a damsel in distress. She’s determined to improve her life, and that of her fellow beggars, through the power of cooking. She uses her modern culinary knowledge to create delicious dishes, gaining both fame and fortune in a world that values strength and magic.
The novel promises a journey from “weak to strong,” filled with heartwarming moments, witty humor, and serious challenges.
This is a unique and engaging story with a focus on cooking, character development, and a touch of romance. The reviewers praise the translator’s dedication to improving the novel and the strength of the plot. If you enjoy Xianxia stories with a strong female protagonist and a dose of humor, this novel might be for you.
The Dutch Slope’s Western Cafe
The Dutch Slope’s Western Caf” is a Josei romance novel about a university student who stumbles upon a mysterious cafe called “Evening Rain” in Nagasaki. The cafe is unique in its connection to evening rain and its owner, a strange shopkeeper who has a secret.
The story follows the student as she discovers the world of traditional Japanese confectionery and eventually begins working at the cafe. The novel explores themes of slow romance, culinary artistry, and the beauty of small town life in Nagasaki.
Many have praised the novel’s peaceful atmosphere, delightful descriptions of Japanese confectionery, and the charming relationship between the protagonist and the shopkeeper. While the plot is simple and predictable, many appreciate the sweet and innocent tone.
The Peasant Gourmet Chef
The Peasant Gourmet Chef is a fantasy romance novel set in Ancient China, following the story of Li Hehua, a modern woman who transmigrates into the body of a lazy, abusive village woman.
The novel offers a blend of fantasy, romance, and family drama with a focus on cooking, self-improvement, and overcoming adversity. While some readers appreciated the strong female lead, the romance, and the emphasis on family, others found the plot frustrating and the portrayal of certain characters problematic.
Daddy Fantasy World Restaurant
Daddy Fantasy World Restaurant is a fantasy novel following a food critic reborn in another world, forced to open a restaurant by a miserly system. The story follows the protagonist, a reincarnated ex-general, as he cooks and interacts with fantastical creatures like elves, dwarves, orcs, and even dragons.
Daddy Fantasy World Restaurant offers a blend of fantasy, comedy, and heartwarming family elements. While the slow pace may be a barrier for some, the unique restaurant setting, the adorable daughter, and the intriguing world-building make it a potentially enjoyable read for those who enjoy such themes.
The Other World Dining Hall (LN)
The Other World Dining Hall is a lighthearted fantasy novel that follows the adventures of a seemingly ordinary restaurant called “Western Cuisine Nekoya”. Every Saturday, this restaurant opens a secret door to a parallel world, allowing customers from diverse races and cultures to experience modern Japanese cuisine. The novel focuses on heartwarming encounters between the restaurant’s owner and these otherworldly guests, each with their unique preferences and stories.
The novel features episodic storytelling, exploring different characters and their reactions to the food and the modern world. It emphasizes the joy of shared meals and the fascinating cultural exchange that happens through food. The novel has been adapted into both manga and anime, further solidifying its popularity.
Cook of the Mercenary Corp
Cook of the Mercenary Corp follows the story of an ordinary cook who is transported to a fantasy world. He stumbles upon a group of mercenaries and, lacking any other options, becomes their cook.
While the novel focuses on the protagonist’s cooking, it’s more about the journey and the relationships he builds with the mercenaries. He uses his culinary skills to support them and become a legend in their world.
Cooking with Wild Game
Asuta Tsurumi, a Japanese teenager and chef trainee, tries to save his father’s cooking knife from harassment at their restaurant and ends up diving into a fire. Instead of dying, he is transported to a new world.
He is rescued by Ai Fa, a huntress with attitude, who has her own problems. Asuta must use his cooking skills to survive in this unfamiliar world, filled with danger. Will he be able to adapt and thrive, or will he succumb to the challenges around him? The story follows Asuta’s journey as he learns to cook with wild game in this new world.
Overall
This selection of cooking web novels includes tales of culinary school drama, food-based isekai adventures, and heartwarming stories of family recipes passed down through generations. Some novels focus on the competitive world of professional kitchens, while others explore the healing power of food.
Readers will find themselves immersed in detailed cooking processes, learning about various cuisines and techniques alongside the characters. These stories not only entertain but also educate, often inspiring readers to try new recipes in their own kitchens.
Whether you’re a foodie looking for your next read or a literature enthusiast hungry for a new genre, these cooking web novels promise to serve up a delightful blend of flavor and fiction