Summary
- Cooking manhwa bring fantasy races together in interdimensional conflict, making Peace Restaurant a place of calm amidst chaos.
- Famous Restaurant surprises with dark suspense rather than everyday tales, intertwining drama with spicy secrets and hidden agendas.
- The Archmage's Restaurant blends fantasy and gastronomy, giving an isekai twist to the typical wandering adventurer storyline.
Some of the most fun manhwa to read are the ones about food. These can be any genre and tell a wide variety of stories, especially when they're set in restaurants. With a single setting, there can be more focus on the characters who visit and the conflict of the story.
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These post-apocalyptic stories fully capture the gloom and dread that comes with living in a world that has been torn apart.
Of course, the food itself is very important, and each manhwa will utilize it differently to enhance the story it is trying to tell. Food can be a means of catharsis, the goal of the main character, or even just a tool used to achieve something great. Either way, it always looks incredible.
1 The Returning Hero's Restaurant
MyAnimeList Score: 6.35
- Published: 2022 to Present
- Genres/Theme: Action, Fantasy, Gourmet, Isekai
- Author: Geonma
- Illustrator: Muel Kim
After completing his job as a hero, Kyungho is finally able to return to Earth after ten years. Unfortunately, the planet has been overrun by demonic beasts, causing civilization to break down and the planet's spirit guardian to die. To save the world, the spirit needs to be healed, and the best way to do that is with food.
Although this manhwa is full of funny moments, it's also very wholesome. Kyungho's main motivation for saving the world is his mother, who is injured after he returns, and the only way to save her is with the guardian spirit's help.
2 Famous Restaurant
Anime Planet Rating: 3.8/5
- Chapters: 29
- Published: 2023 to 2024
- Genres/Theme: Drama, Mystery, Suspense
- Author: Mingyu
- Illustrator: Drawing Changgo
Most restaurant-themed manhwa are about everyday life, but Famous Restaurant is the complete opposite. It's a dark mystery full of suspense and drama, which was a surprise given the initial tone and atmosphere. It's a hidden gem that can be read in one sitting.
The story follows Joo In-Gong as he opens a restaurant in an attempt to look as successful as his peers. Although it doesn't work out initially, he's able to become popular using a spice blend created by his neighbor. Unfortunately, the miracle seasoning may not be what it seems.
3 Rookie Chef With The Magic Touch
MyAnimeList Score: 6.83
- Published: 2022 to Present
- Genres/Theme: Drama, Gourmet
- Author: JRobin
- Illustrator: Studio Inus
Sometimes, the best restaurants are connected to well-known hotels. In this manhwa, the hotel industry has abandoned the Michelin Star rating system and decided to hold a competition instead. The main character is Kang Seonghoon. Despite having little experience, he has a special skill that allows him to create great dishes.
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Their intelligence, problem-solving abilities, and strategic thinking make these individuals compelling and entertaining figures for readers.
Although the start is a little slow, the competition gives this story suspense and excitement. Some readers don't like Seonghoon's attitude and disposition at the beginning, but his growth as a person is also part of his journey.
4 Michelin Star
Anime Planet Rating: 3.8/5
- Chapters: 192
- Published: 2013 to 2016
- Genres/Theme: Comedy, Gourmet, Romance, Slice of Life
- Author: Song Kim
- Illustrator: Song Kim
Michelin stars are a rating system reserved for the best of the best, but originally, they were initially a guide for drivers, helping them locate places to eat and stay. This manhwa is about chef Ryu Taewon and his goal of creating his own Michelin-star restaurant. This leads him to a failing, high-end restaurant called Le Petit Maison.
Cooking manhwa are known to be relaxing and comforting, often focusing on community connection. This manhwa is a fast-paced introduction to professional cooking, portraying the intensity of working as a cook for a popular restaurant.
5 Peace Restaurant
Anime Planet Rating: 3.8/5
- Published: 2023 to Present
- Genres/Theme: Action, Fantasy
- Author: Tyang
- Illustrator: SeowooSeowoo
Restaurant manhwa that are set in fantasy are fun because they usually involve interactions between many fantasy races. In this story, there has been a break in dimensions, causing many different worlds to connect. Through all the fighting and strife, one place remained safe - Peace Restaurant.
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These characters were unwilling to settle into their roles as heroes, but eventually lived up to them reluctantly.
One of the best things about this story is the protagonist. Sua is a great chef but also the strongest person in the story. Amid demons, saints, and interdimensional monsters, she remains at the top of the food chain.
6 Healing Life Through Camping In Another World
Anime Planet Rating: 4/5
- Published: Apr 24, 2024 to Present
- Genres/Theme: Fantasy, Gourmet, Isekai
- Author: Geumui-haeng
- Illustrator: Maengkkan
The life of a chef can be extremely difficult, and many can't take the pressure. Chef Kanghyun lost his sense of taste due to the constant stress, and he was forced to move to the countryside to rehabilitate. It was there that he found a path to a different world where he learned to enjoy cooking again.
This is a great slice of life manhwa, and as the title suggests, it's on the slower side, focusing on daily drama rather than big scandals or events. It's a story about healing using food, whether it's for creation or consumption. It's a great comfort read.
7 Hero's Diner
MyAnimeList Score: 7.09
- Published: 2022 to Present
- Genres/Theme: Action, Comedy, Fantasy
- Author: Medjed K
- Illustrator: Jaera
For most chefs, serving good food to the customer is the goal. For a hero who painstakingly defeated the demon lord in another dimension? Not so much. Yoo Seungwoo's wish after defeating the demon lord was to return home and open a diner to serve food from Terra, the dimension with notoriously disgusting food.
This is a fun story with a unique concept when it comes to cooking manhwa. The food looks good, and gives great buffs, but tastes terrible. It's also set on an earth where monsters from other dimensions invade, which gives rise to hunters.
8 Afterlife Diner
MyAnimeList Score: 7.27
- Published: 2023 to Present
- Genres/Theme: Drama, Gourmet, Supernatural
- Author: Hyung, Sangjun
- Illustrator: Hwajeong
In this manhwa, even ghosts need to eat. One day, Lee Kang-jin is approached by a lawyer who tells him his aunt has left him a restaurant as his inheritance. He reluctantly agrees and quickly learns that the restaurant is not normal, attracting odd customers who don't pay.
For a story about ghosts, there are many heartwarming moments. Each ghost has a story and each has a reason for staying in the mortal world. It feels like each character is important, even if it's only for a short period.
9 The Archmage's Restaurant
MyAnimeList Score: 7.31
- Published: 2023 to Present
- Genres/Theme: Fantasy, Gourmet, Isekai, Workplace
- Author: Bad Boys
- Illustrator: Studio Inus
In most isekai stories, the protagonist is always on the move, going from one adventure to the next. It's rare for them to settle down anywhere. In this manhwa, Ellison finally achieved his dream of owning a restaurant after fifteen years of military service. After being isekai'd, the one thing he wanted to do was make good food in a world where spices are hard to get.
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This story is a great balance of slice-of-life and adventure, often alternating between conflicts inside and outside the restaurant. For readers who enjoy action, Ellison is an extremely powerful character capable of defeating dragons, and there are many great fight scenes.
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