I love Japanese literature. I had a great time with this book. I really like the concept of being able to talk to someone you've lost, say something you really wanted to say, express your feelings, etc., so that it helps you process all the emotions and find a way to move on. The story of Yoshio and Setsu was my favorite, made me cry a little, but that made me love it even more.

Thank you so much John Murray Press and NetGalley for this ARC.

At the Chibineko Kitchen, you are able to see and speak to a passed loved one for one last time through the use of a meal…

I feel like I can picture everything that is happening in the book either the vivid descriptions. I do think that the pacing in middle was very slow as this is where I began to lose interest in the book and debated DNFing. I decided to continue as I was curious about how it will end and whether it would improve in terms of pacing. It unfortunately stayed the same but it is a short read so just because it hasn’t worked for me, doesn’t mean it wouldn’t work for somebody else. I do like how the book gives history behind certain things mentioned in the book, as I hadn’t heard of most of the things that were brought up so it was interesting to learn more about. I also like how it includes the recipes for the food that is being made, which is a nice attempt to make the reader more immersed into the story.

Whilst reading, I did notice a few similarities to the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series, whilst also reminding me of the Kamogawa Food Detectives series with how food or drinks are used in order to talk to people who have passed away. I feel like if you love these two series like I do, it’s still worth checking out this book.

I feel like most of the characters lack the kind of depth that I would want for a story like this to make me invested fully in them and their stories. I found myself being indifferent towards them. There’s little character development and there’s characters I wanted to know more about like Kai. The characters come across as very one dimensional, which is a shame as they and the plot had a lot of potential. It just unfortunately didn’t work for me as much as I thought it would.

It also took me over 3 weeks to read this book, which is way too long for a book just over 200 pages. I do wish the mechanics of the being able to see dead people through a remembrance meal was discussed earlier on, to set out the scene of how this all was possible as it made it lack logic and left me feeling confused as to how it all worked, until to me, a somewhat weak explanation was provided.

Thank you to NetGalley and John Murray for the opportunity to read this book early, in exchange for an honest review.

⚠️ CWs: death, car accident, grief, terminal illness; mentions mental health illness, suicidal ideation, animal death, infertility ⚠️

Such a cozy read before bed!!

I always have soft spot for Japanese Literature that include cat in its story. That's why I am so enthusiast to read this!!!

This book is combination between Funiculi Funicula series and Kamogawa Food Detective series. Could you imagine it? :D

I love how the author describe the food, it's so detailed and made me imagine how the taste is like! The interesting part, Author-san also give the recipes, so as non-Japanese who have interest in Japanese Cuisine, it adds my knowledge and references sooooo much.

This is just other "no plot just vibes" book, so I recommend you to read it slowly and feel the coziness inside it.

It's look like I'll buy the copy since it contains recipes that might useful for future.

Btw, I LOVE THE COVER SO MUCH! It just gave me charms everytime I see it. Can't wait to follow the series!

Such a charming and heartwarming book that I wanted to go on for longer. I loved the idea of the recipes for each chapter. Overall, I laughed, I smiled and I most definitely cried. Absolutely beautiful! Thank you to NetGalley, the amazing author Yuta Takahashi and publishers for the arc of the gorgeous book, The chibineko kitchen. 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If you've enjoyed other Japanese novels of a similar vein like Before the Coffee Gets Cold, the Kamogawa Detectives or the Restaurant of Love Regained you'll enjoy The Chibineko Kitchen.

The book is ultimately a series of short-interconnected stories which are ideal for those of us who may not be able to sit and read the book in one sitting, with the main plot following the owners of a cosy seaside café who serve the customers a remembrance meal set which allows the customer to speak to their departed loved ones as they eat the meal.

The Chibineko Kitchen by Yuta Takahashi

This book is a heartwarming exploration of love, dreams, and human connection. Through the stories of characters who have experienced loss, it offers a touching and inspiring message about living life to the fullest. It encourages readers to chase their dreams and embrace every moment, reminding us that our time with others is precious.

One of the most uplifting aspects of the book is how it shows that, even in tough times, love and connection remain strong. The relationships portrayed go beyond sadness and highlight the beauty of supporting one another, despite life's challenges.

Overall, this book is both inspiring and reflective, teaching us to live without regrets and appreciate the people around us. It’s a moving story that encourages us to cherish every moment and every relationship, making it a truly enriching read.

Thank you @johnmurrays and @netgalley for the ARC of this book!❤️

Thank you to @netgalley and @johnmurrays for this #arc

#thechibinekokitchen by #yutatakahashi has been shared by many fellow #japanesefiction fans as similar to #beforethecoffeegetscold and there does seem to be a massive influx of books like this and with soooo many cats too 😂😂

For me, this novel was good but not on the same level as #beforethecoffeegetscold, maybe because it is a short book it lacks the details and the depth or maybe it's because @kawaguchi.coffee has a series of books to build the world in. The stories were lovely and the idea was solid but again, the individuals that sought help, all had their problems sorted in a way, it was too easy maybe?

I do wonder if I had read this before the other series, ify feelings would be vice versa? That said, if there is a second book I am keen to follow the journey of the story and see what the author does next.

This is a great short read introduction to #translatedfiction for sure so if you are beginning your journey, give it a go 😊

#honnomushi100 #reading #japanesefiction #translatedfiction #translatedjapaneseliterature #booksfromjapan #booklover #bookstagram #translatedgems #japaneseauthor #translatedjapaneseliterature #japaneselit #JAPANESEAUTHORS #newjapanesefiction

This book was very cozy and a super fast read (I've read it in a 24h span). It was very similar to the idea of 'Before the coffee gets cold' but with a little less structure in the actual system of the reason why you're able to speak to the dead and it's rather only the death and hasn't really anything to do with time travelling but the feeling is similar. I find the stories to be slightly more superficial than the ones in 'Before the coffee gets cold' but therefore it is more sweet than just devastating and you get a bit more backstory on the actual restaurant whcih ties the book and its characters together into more of a whole story and not just a few short stories. I wished for the characters to be a little more fleshed out though.

Also you get recipes! I'm so excited to try some of them! (I must say though that some of them are based on what's available on a Japanese market and it might not be as readily available at least in germany, same goes for instructions). I'm aware this has to do with this book being written for the Japanese book market at first.

If You're a fan of 'Before the Coffee gets cold', 'The Kamogawa Food Detective' or 'The Restaurant of Love Regained', I highly recommend this book.

I rate this book 4/5 stars, hoping to maybe read something by this author again with a little more depths and enjoyed the translation debut.

This book was so cute, heartwarming, and super quick and easy to read. I had to read it quite slowly though as I wanted to saviour the time with these characters and the cat Chibi. The setting, the prose and the translation were all so good and the book itself just grips you from the very first page.

The restaurant is set around The Chibineko Kitchen, a place that people visit to eat food to honour and remember those who passed away. Tale also says that if you eat at The Chibineko Kitchen, it will bring the loved one to you for one last conversation. Kotoko lost her brother, and her story of finding peace with his death is the one that starts in the book. Each chapter then follows a person who lost a loved one and visits the kitchen in the hope of seeing them one last time.

This book reminded me of Before the Coffee Gets Cold and had that signature Japanese mystical realism I love reading about. I liked how the book portrays grief, love and healing and showed that each person grieves differently. It is also a story of second chances, as each character gets a chance not only to say goodbye but also to have a fresh start. Oh, and I loved the little recipes of the food that were featured in the chapters as interludes between the different chapters of the book.

I know that there are supposed to be more books in this series, as this book finished on a big of cliffhanger, so hopefully they are going to be released as well, as I would love to go back to these characters again.

Healing fiction was a whole new genre for me and I didn't know what to expect. One of the definitions I found, is: 'These novels are those that you can read comfortably without having to consume much energy while reading. They are also comforting and invigorating.'

I disagree with the first sentence as far as this book is concerned, but the second sentence is true. It wasn't the most comfortable read. Not in the way a cosy mystery is eg. I had to stop reading in the train because I had to cry all the time, but it was an invogorating experience in the end.

The Chibineko Kitchen serves remembrance meals or kagazen, apart from being a normal restaurant. The steam often brings back the loved ones of mourning people and they can say all the things they couldn't say. And I wondered why I had to cry...

Kotoko's brother's death has left her guilty. She is completely lost and decides to give it a try. She meets Kai and the cat Chibi at the beautiful seaside restaurant and that sets everything in motion.

It's a beautiful story (with recipes btw) that is so universally recognisable and I think that's why it got to me.

Thank you NetGalley and John Murray Press for this beautiful ARC.

If Before The Coffee Gets Cold and The Kamogawa Food Detectives had a child, this would be it!

It follows a similar vibe of those two books combined. People visit a restaurant to have a meal that will bring their loved ones back for a short period of time, until the steam of the food disappears.

It is a short, cute and emotional book! Different stories that somehow are connected. Magical realism well executed.

‘𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒉𝒊𝒃𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒌𝒐 𝑲𝒊𝒕𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒏’ is a charming and heartfelt read that immerses you in a world where food, memory, and grief beautifully intertwine. Set in a cozy seaside restaurant, this story explores the poignant theme of revisiting lost loved ones over a shared meal, offering a tender look at healing through the power of food. The writing is gorgeously simple yet impactful, capturing the essence of Japanese fiction’s ability to evoke deep emotions with subtlety. Each character brings something unique, and their connections, especially between Kotoko and Kai, shine with sincerity.

The setting of the Chibineko Kitchen, with its vivid descriptions of the coastal atmosphere, adds a lovely layer to the book, and the magical cat, Chibi, who plays an essential role throughout the story, is a delightful touch. Each chapter introduces a recipe, tying food to memory in a way that feels both tangible and emotional, making you want to savor every moment alongside the characters.

While there are minor moments of repetition, the book’s atmosphere and gentle pacing far outweigh these small hiccups. And while it taps into familiar themes from books like ‘𝐁𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐞 𝐆𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐝’, ‘𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒉𝒊𝒃𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒌𝒐 𝑲𝒊𝒕𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒏’ feels fresher, more engaging, and definitely more heartfelt. It’s a slice-of-life story with a touch of the fantastical, perfect for fans of cozy reads with a dash of melancholy and a love for the healing magic of food.

If you’re looking for a comforting, emotional escape, this book is a must-read. The stunning cover and charming inclusion of recipes make it even more special.

ᯓ★★★★★ᯓ

Book Review: The Chibineko Kitchen

If you're searching for a heartwarming story, look no further than The Chibineko Kitchen. 🌊🍜

We follow Kotoko, a woman grieving the sudden loss of her brother, who travels to a secluded, sea-side restaurant in hopes of reconnecting with him. The vivid descriptions transport you to the wood-paneled kitchen by the water, where the scent of it's home cooked style food fills the air.
The food becomes the link to remembrance, healing, and final goodbyes.

Each page is filled with warmth and nostalgia, with food acting as a form of memory and comfort.

If you’re a fan of Japanese stories that explore the connections between family, loss, and the usual food links with these types of books I'd reccomend.

The book does have some emotional topics and links to the subject of losing loved ones.

This was such a lovely and emotional story.

This is the story about a cafe in Japan that will bring your loved ones back precisely one time by serving a nostalgic meal.

It is a wonderful tale of how we deal with grief and how we begin to heal. It is well told and will make you feel all sorts of emotions. Joy and sadness, frustration and understanding, but most of all acceptance and the beginnings of healing.

The writing is wonderfully accessible and the translator did a good job. It barely read like a translation of a Japanese work, which is an accomplishment in and of itself. #

The characters we meet feel real and well fleshed out in what is allowed for this setting. The pacing is well done and it was a joy to read. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed 'Before the coffee gets cold and other stories from a similar vein.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the Arc. I truly enjoyed this book and will be buying a physical copy when it is released in November.
All opinions are my own and I am posting them voluntarily.

I love a good slice of life novel, and 'The Chibineko Kitchen' was just that.
'The Chibineko Restaurant' is a magical place that allows people to reconnect with the loved ones they've lost through a remembrance meal.
Every chapter tells a different story, but all the characters in the stories are connected. Each story also ends with a recipe.
The novel does a great job with portraying grief and sorrow, and at the same time filling you with hope.
It's a comforting and intimate read that I would recommend to people who enjoyed 'The Kamogawa Food Detectives' and 'Before the Coffee Gets Cold'.

Huge thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a free digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Losing a loved one is difficult and completely shatters the lives of the ones left behind.

The Chibineko Kitchen deals with grief. The restaurant offers healing through food by specializing in remembrance meals that are 'shared' and offered to loved ones who have passed.

The story is beautiful and the characters are well written; they are given a sense of closure and the courage to move on after their interactions with the ones they have lost.

The cat Chibi adds to the story by just being cute. Recipes to the remembrance meals have also been given at the end of each chapter.

Such a sweet and heart-warming, yet sad, read.

The Chibineko kitchen provides memorial meals - delicious food that evokes memories of, and somehow a final encounter with a departed loved one. Kotoko is our initial entry to the kitchen, meeting her brother for the final time as she eats the food he loved to cook - her presence continues throughout the narrative as others make their way through the kitchen, and as the chef himself needs the same support.

I loved the inclusion of recipes throughout the story - a lovely touch.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

Please note that I am rounding but if I could put decimals it’d be a 4.5 for me!

First of all thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for allowing me to read this! I was very excited to get my hands on this one!

“Follow the bank of the Koitogawa river until you reach the beach. From there a path of white seashells will lead you to the Chibineko Kitchen. Step inside, they'll be expecting you.”

The Chibineko Kitchen was like watching the most cozy and sweet almost magical story while reading it. I truly think this will touch the hearts of fans of Before The Coffee Gets Cold, by: Toshikaza Kawaguchi.

I deeply enjoyed the story told in this only 208pg book. I enjoyed how all the characters were all somehow involved in each other's stories as well as how much of the Japanese Culture and food was in this story, allowing foreigners to learn as they read. I love the cute little recipes at the end of each chapter/part as well. I just deeply enjoyed this story overall.

I think the translator did an amazing job, I think, however, the only thing that did affect my rating for this story was just that I feel the translation did slightly affect how it was read. I feel sometimes it’s something that can happen quite often when translating books to English. I would be curious how it would have read had I been able to read it in its original language. Even so, I am so glad we are able to read it.

This has for sure been added to my list of ARCs I’d like to own a physical copy of to have on my bookshelf.

Thank you to NetGalley and John Murray Press for the ARC

A heartwarming and cozy novel. The book tackles grief supremely and leaves you filled with joy. I also enjoyed the food component and though the recepies in each chapter was a unique quirk. Each chapter was a new story that intertwined with the main story. A slower paced and character driven book that was a pleasure to read.

A heartwarming book about love, grief, and food.
When Kotokos' brother dies tragically she blames herself. The guilt is overwhelming. Then someone tells her about the Chibineko Kitchen, a little mysterious restaurant where they serve kagezen, which is an offering of food or a remembrance meal. The rumor is when you eat there you can see and maybe even talk to your passed loved one. Kotoko is sceptical of course, but the need to ask her brother for forgiveness is stronger.
Each chapter tells a different story, but they`re all connected. Every chapter ends with a recipe.

This is another food-comforting book available on the market (such as The Restaurant of Lost Recipes). These little stories may not be for everyone, but they definitely can serve a therapeutic purpose.