Hungry for a Good Story?
Our Book Picks from Hisashi Kashiwai
At Izakaya Midori, we believe that food tells stories, evokes memories, and brings people together.
Recently, we discovered two Japanese novels that do exactly that, but with words instead of ingredients. Both of them left us feeling warm, nostalgic, and yes… a little hungry.
The Restaurant of Lost Recipes
By Hisashi Kashiwai
Imagine a secret restaurant tucked away down a quiet Kyoto back-street. At this extraordinary place, people come to rediscover lost dishes and the precious memories attached to them. Through their culinary sleuthing, the restaurant revives recipes thought forgotten, reconnecting people with moments and feelings they had almost lost.
It’s a gentle, heartwarming story — the kind that makes you want to sit down with a warm bowl of ramen and savour every word. Each chapter is like a quiet meal with someone you’ve missed for years, comforting and nostalgic.
he Kamogawa Food Detectives
By Hisashi Kashiwai
In this story, a father-and-daughter duo run a small Kyoto restaurant and act as food detectives. They help people recreate dishes from their past, uncovering emotions, stories, and cherished memories along the way.
Every investigation begins with a craving and ends with a full heart. It’s a beautiful blend of gentle mystery and the comforting charm of Japanese food.
By the end, you’ll be smiling, maybe a little hungry, and definitely touched by the way food can connect us to what matters most.
Why We Love These Books
Both novels remind us why we love sharing meals and tasting new flavours.
Food is about connection, memory, and emotion. Kashiwai’s writing captures that perfectly, turning every dish into a story and every story into a dish.
We’d Love to Hear From You
Have you read either of these books? Or perhaps you have a favourite foodinspired story that made you feel warm inside?
We’d be so happy if you shared your recommendations in the comments below.
Let’s discover new stories together and keep the love of food and reading alive.
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