Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma is a beloved anime series that centers on Soma Yukihira, a gifted aspiring chef who joins Totsuki Culinary Academy, a prestigious culinary school with a graduation rate of only 10%. Soma’s ultimate goal is to become the best chef at Totsuki and one day take over his family’s restaurant.
Known for its quirky characters, fierce culinary competitions, and delectable food imagery that is almost edible, the anime has gained a reputation. Those who have completed Food Wars! and are seeking similar anime in the cooking category can explore the top recommendations for shows like Food Wars!.
Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the writer. The anime listed are not ranked in any specific order.
Top 10 Must-Watch Anime for Foodies: From Isekai Izakaya “Nobu” to Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma
1) Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma
Yakitate!! Japan, a well-known anime about cooking, tells the story of Azuma Kazuma, a young baker with “Solar Hands”that give his bread a unique warmth, softness, and flavor. Kazuma embarks on a journey in the competitive world of baking, where he faces off against other talented bakers in various cooking challenges, all in pursuit of becoming the ultimate master baker in Japan.
For fans of Food Wars!, Yakitate!! Japan offers a delightful viewing experience with its one-of-a-kind bread-making concept, charming characters, and comical expressions upon tasting delectable bread. The anime is sure to leave viewers longing for the taste of freshly baked bread through its mouth-watering creations.
2) The Isekai Izakaya Experience at “Nobu”
Despite the typical focus on food preparation in cooking anime, Isekai Izakaya “Nobu” stands out with its unique approach. This anime centers around an izakaya (Japanese pub) in a different world, where it serves traditional Japanese dishes and beverages to customers from a fantasy realm.
Both Food Wars! and the recommended anime showcase the creation of specific dishes and characters’ nostalgic reactions as they enjoy Nobu’s food and drinks. The accurate portrayal of traditional Japanese cooking methods and the underlying theme of food’s ability to bring people together make this anime a perfect recommendation for fans of Food Wars.
3) Izakaya: Japanese Pub
Despite its lack of recognition, Restaurant to Another World is a true gem among cooking anime. Centered around a quaint eatery in Tokyo named Nekoya, the anime follows the restaurant’s hidden tradition of serving both humans and non-humans on different days of the week. From mythical dragons to enchanting fairies, this establishment attracts a diverse array of fantasy creatures who come to savor the delectable comfort food from the human realm.
Similarly to Food Wars!, this anime captures the beauty of dishes with meticulous precision. The audience is entertained by observing the joyful reactions of non-human patrons as they indulge in the cuisine. In essence, this heartwarming show delivers a blend of food, fantasy, and emotions – all of which are sure to please fans of Food Wars.
4) Chuuka Ichiban!: The Best Chinese Cuisine
The 1990s anime series, Chuuka Ichiban! (also referred to as Cooking Master Boy), is a beloved classic. It takes place in China during the Qing Dynasty and chronicles the journey of Mao, who strives to become a renowned chef and carry on his mother’s culinary heritage.
Similar to Soma in Food Wars!, Mao participates in difficult cooking competitions that push his abilities against other skilled chefs. However, instead of Japanese dishes, Chuuka Ichiban! focuses on Chinese cuisine, providing a unique and captivating viewing experience while still showcasing intense cooking battles reminiscent of Food Wars. Additionally, the incorporation of a historical Chinese backdrop adds an extra layer of complexity and immersion to the narrative.
5) Toriko: Gourmet World
Toriko is a dream come true for those who love both Food Wars! and shounen anime. It offers a fantastic blend of action, adventure, and cooking. The Gourmet Age, the setting of the story, is a world where exquisite ingredients and delectable food are greatly prized. The protagonist, Toriko, is a renowned Gourmet Hunter who travels the world in search of rare ingredients to prepare the ultimate full-course meal.
Toriko centers around the exploration of unique and delicious foods, utilizing ingredients captured during Toriko’s expeditions. The show showcases intense cooking competitions between skilled chefs, enhanced by stunning food animation and a distinctive concept of hunting for gourmet ingredients. Overall, Toriko delivers a thrilling and captivating cooking anime experience.
6) Ben-To: The Ultimate Battle Royale
For those in search of a cooking anime that’s both humorous and full of action, Ben-To is a must-see. This highly underrated show centers around the frenzy surrounding discounted bento boxed lunches sold in supermarkets. Despite being half-priced, these bentos are in high demand and often result in fierce fights between students vying to snag them.
The story of Ben-To revolves around Yarizui Sen’s quest to become the top bento brawler. Featuring comical characters, exaggerated facial expressions, and hilarious food fights, the anime presents a refreshing and comedic approach to food battles in contrast to the serious culinary competitions depicted in Food Wars!.
7) Food Fight! The Animated Series
One more fantastic cooking anime to consider watching is the well-known Fighting Foodons. As the title suggests, this series combines exciting cooking competitions with thrilling monster battles. The plot follows Chase, an 11-year-old chef who enters the Foodon realm in pursuit of becoming the ultimate Foodon master.
Similar to the character Soma in Food Wars!, Chase participates in cooking competitions where dishes transform into creatures known as Foodons and engage in battles against each other. With its unique blend of cooking and monster fights, as well as vibrant animation, Fighting Foodons is a delightful choice for fans of Food Wars!, particularly for younger viewers.
8) The Sweet Dreams Bakery
If you’re looking for a heartwarming and delightful cooking anime, Yumeiro Patissiere is a great choice. This shojo series follows 14-year-old Ichigo Amano as she attends St. Marie Academy, a renowned baking school in France. Like Soma, Ichigo learns to embrace her love for creating pastries and discovers her natural talent through hard work and perseverance.
Yumeiro Patissiere’s charming art style and emphasis on delectable pastries such as cakes, tarts, and chocolates sets it apart from the intense competition of Food Wars! Instead, the anime celebrates the delight of creating sweet treats rather than focusing solely on culinary battles.
9) Wakako’s Sake
For a brief yet satisfying anime experience, consider watching Wakako-Zake’s two-minute episodes. The show follows the daily routine of Wakako Murasaki, a working woman in present-day Tokyo who indulges in food and drinks after work.
Every episode centers on Wakako indulging in various food and beverages such as ramen, oden, beer, and yakitori. The show does not have a complicated storyline, but it offers captivating food visuals reminiscent of Food Wars!, making Wakako-Zake a perfect choice for a calming cooking anime experience.
10) The Culinary Quest: Delicious in Dungeon
For fans of Food Wars! seeking a darker fantasy twist, Delicious in Dungeon is a must-see. Taking place in a dungeon filled with dangerous creatures, the series follows a band of adventurers led by chef Chilchuck. He cleverly utilizes the ingredients from the monsters they defeat to create delectable dishes that keep the team going in their never-ending battles.
Chilchuck’s imaginative dungeon-inspired dishes and the adventurers’ intense reactions to them for rejuvenation add a distinct flair to the cooking battles depicted in this anime. The juxtaposition of the eerie dungeon atmosphere with the vibrant, mouth-watering food imagery also adds an interesting dynamic.
As a whole, Delicious in Dungeon combines elements of fantasy adventure and cooking, making it an enticing choice for Food Wars! fans looking for a different take on the genre beyond traditional cooking competitions.
Final Thoughts
Similar to the beloved anime Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma, all of these recommendations provide the key components that fans of cooking battle anime crave – delectable food imagery, captivating culinary themes and methods, competitive aspects, and quirky characters united by their love for food.
After completing Food Wars!, if you’re looking for more intense cooking competitions, heartwarming stories, or straightforward food-centered anime, these choices are guaranteed to fulfill your craving for food-themed shows. So, gather your ingredients and begin watching now!
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