What do you think?
Rate this book
Let's Eat Together, Aki and Haru. #1
Let's Eat Together, Aki and Haru, Volume 1
Close friends and college roommates Aki and Haru share a love of tasty food! Aki's simple home-cooked recipes keep Haru motivated to tackle his schoolwork, and Haru's bashful appreciation keeps Aki excited to cook for him. Each season of the year offers a whole new from homemade ramen to fried chicken to natto pasta, the boys and their friends savor the many delicious flavors of their youth. Enjoy a mouth-watering bite of this light and refreshing slice of life story!
Let's eat!
Let's eat!
130 pages, Paperback
First published September 19, 2020
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
July 19, 2026
He doesn't run home just to cook a meal before you're home, he doesn't tell you nothing, all you hear is "come on" / I know that right now you're mad, sick, and tired of him, so all I need is one chance (Impress You – Stevie Hoang & Kay B).
Good luck finding that song on Spotify, #busymusicnerd #anthonyfantano #heisbald! Speaking of which, I wouldn't actually know the status of any song and whether or not it's on Spotify because I've never been able to wrap my head around the prospect of not owning my own music #pretentious #Seattleite. No but really, I’m going to try having that be the last unrelated tangent in this review because I’m starting to get annoyed at myself. Like, why can't you just stay on subject! You know that one YouTuber who deadass makes twenty hour long essays about kid shows like iCarly and Victorious? I won't name names because that seems a bit mean spirited, but yeah, I remember people were always defending his boring ass videos because his content is “well-researched” and that “you’re supposed to listen to them while doing other things!” I'm just sitting here thinking, isn't that a wild ass defense? First of all, it’s really not that hard to do thorough research on a show made for babies, and second… is that really what you want to be known for? A meanderer of the utmost extent to where the best you can hope for is that people will only ever half listen to what you have to say!? I can’t imagine. Anyway, I’m going to try having that be the last unrelated tangent because I’m starting to get annoyed at myself for being unable to keep on subject. Please full listen to what I have to say about Let's Eat Together, Aki and Haru, because it's very important that you know my opinions on Let's Eat Together, Aki and Haru! So yeah, I’ve actually been having what the cool kids would call a Reading Slump™ as even though I haven’t actually read any terrible books for the longest time (something like a Playing the Palace), sometimes reading a novel that’s just mid can be worse because then you walk away from it with no real emotion. And even bad art should illicit a reaction, no? Like, I feel like my mind was Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind-ed the way I can't recall the last five books I've read! And because I’ve been having a hard time in the prose department, I figured it was time to break out the old school methods like John Wick taking a jackhammer to his floor to open up his chest full of weapons.
I'm going for a, “people keep asking me if I’m back and I’m thinking… yeah, I’m back!” moment, but instead of a thirst for revenge, I’m just reading manga again. Ooh, pretty pictures Seriously though, I don’t think there’s a better manga I could have restarted this journey with than Let’s Eat Together, Aki and Haru, because this was an absolute delight. You know how I’m always complaining about love-interests who don’t seem to like each other much at all? Well, it turns out that I should have searched over here where trope infested BookTok slop hasn’t yet infected this art form because this manga has everything I’m always looking for in a romance. Two characters who like each other? Check! An easy-going plot that doesn’t go too in-depth in unnecessary backstory? Yes indeed. And hey, to top it all off there's gorgeous art that no brain dead A.I. user could possibly hope to replicate. Oh, I guess I should talk about what this manga is about if I’m going to spend all this time vaguely glazing it, huh? Well, Let’s Eat Together, Aki and Haru is about two roommates (“omg they were roommates”) who live together in domestic bliss and Aki loves to cook for Haru. He fills Haru's stomach with foods of delight so then later he can fill his stomach with his Turkish Delight! Bad jokes aside, that’s really all there is to the plot, as the manga follows a Delicious in Dungeon episodic style in its pseudo cookbook format where we’re given instructions on how to make whatever good ass dish Aki’s making in that specific chapter. Seriously, don’t read this while hungry, because I found that I had to frequently walk away from Let’s Eat Together, Aki and Haru several times to get a snack! And that becomes a whole thing in and of itself because I don't eat where I read like some kind of slob. The indignity! If nothing else, this manga gives us insight into a lovely world where people have the energy to make dinner from scratch every day! Pshhh, yeah right. No but really, people who do cook as often as is presented in this manga are awesome, and I really do think that this manga is realistic in the sense that the characters are always shown eating on a budget (as they’re all in college) and often have to use leftovers in creative ways in order to, again, make some good ass food.
“They have zero distance.”
It's cool and a bit inspiring, I can't lie. Moving on though, can you pretend like I made a really insightful food related pun about how this manga is Pigs-in-a-blanket the way I felt like I myself was being wrapped in a blanket while reading it? Thanks. In that regard, I really loved how Let’s Eat Together, Aki and Haru felt like the author comprised an entire story around my most favorite moments in manga. You know, there's always a bit where a bunch of random characters who haven't interacted as much before sits around a dinner table in a small apartment and starts chowing down. All my favorite parts in something like Love Hina or Negima take place on a cold dark night and the characters are chilling cozy inside eating and drinking. It's cool, man. My favorite arc in One Punch Man has nothing to do with battling, but rather when Saitama has a hot pot ready for him and Genos to eat and the gag is that a bunch of other side characters keep randomly walking in and joining in on the festivities. Something about it really warms my heart! So by having an entire story revolving around this specific aspect is the most lovely surprise ever. Also, I just totally prefer manga about food to be like this rather than something like Food Wars! because I never really got the whole "combining food with horny thing that a lot of people seem to do. You know, like folks who use trendy phrases like "food porn" or "orgasm of the taste buds" or whatever BuzzFeed bullshit people are always going on about. Like, just eat your food and stop being a little weirdo about everything! I did think it was kind of funny how every side character in this manga speculates on the exact nature of Aki and Haru’s relationship because it’s like… come on now, they live together, cook together, and eat together! That’s love in any sense of the word, even if they’re not doing one of those mutual zerk off sessions that’s always initiating romance in those books with shirtless men on the cover. Oh, and you want to know what else? Speaking of sweaty shirtless men just reminded me that I also came up with a new solution to Odysseus and his crew fighting against the Sirens! If they just had Achilles with them then the temptation of beautiful women would have had no effect on him because he’d be too gay to even notice. Just like the godly blessing that had shielded him for his entire life, the homosexuality would aid him in his own odyssey!
Okay, that’s three unrelated tangents, but that’s the last one… I hope. I'll save any of my Odyssey rants over Matt Damon as Odysseus or little boy Tom Holland playing little boy Telemachus for if I ever reread my favorite book, Circe! So yeah, despite my near constant complaining about how it feels like every story nowadays has a distinct lack of conflict to keep things interesting, the truth of the matter is that none of it really matters if the story just passes a standard vibe check. Let’s Eat Together, Aki and Haru is a low key manga, so it makes sense that any stakes that might occur are low key as well, because the ultimate narrative betrayal would be trying to make this manga heavier than it needs to be. Take, for example, that one Halloween Garfield comic strip that came out way, way back when where it implied that the entire story was a figment of Garfield’s imagination. Um, okay? "Woah, it's dark and gritty so that means it's better!" Like, step aside CinemaSins, nobody's looking for re-contextualization in Garfield. I specifically remember creator Jim Davis adding an afterward later on talking about his intentions behind the weirdly dark comic strip, and he talked about how he wanted his readers to think for once, and it’s like… dude, nobody’s reading Garfield because they’re trying to think! It’s a “back of the cereal box” kind of comic and any attempt to be deeper than that is misguided at best and ignorant at worst. Ah damn, I guess that was another tangent, wasn't it? Oh well, let's try to bring it all home now. If I wasn't clear yet, then just know that I really enjoyed how this manga was going for a very specific vibe and grows and blooms outward from the original premise rather trying to go for hard-turn narrative pivots and out of left field tonal shifts. Sure, Let’s Eat Together, Aki and Haru is rather simple in presentation and doesn’t move the needle much in terms of explicit romance, nobody's debating that fact, but I didn’t mind one bit because sharing a meal together is a love-language in and of itself, right? It's that unsaid thing that anybody reading can understand on a fundamental level. Besides, this aspect only highlights how special Let's Eat Together, Aki and Haru really is because it features a love that doesn’t need to be yelled from the rooftops or expressed through public theatrics, but that can be felt illuminated around a candle-lit dinner table.
Gimme a chance to impress you, if only you knew just how I'm feeling inside / And yes i promise you, I won't make you cry... oh, I would die just to make you all mine.
Good luck finding that song on Spotify, #busymusicnerd #anthonyfantano #heisbald! Speaking of which, I wouldn't actually know the status of any song and whether or not it's on Spotify because I've never been able to wrap my head around the prospect of not owning my own music #pretentious #Seattleite. No but really, I’m going to try having that be the last unrelated tangent in this review because I’m starting to get annoyed at myself. Like, why can't you just stay on subject! You know that one YouTuber who deadass makes twenty hour long essays about kid shows like iCarly and Victorious? I won't name names because that seems a bit mean spirited, but yeah, I remember people were always defending his boring ass videos because his content is “well-researched” and that “you’re supposed to listen to them while doing other things!” I'm just sitting here thinking, isn't that a wild ass defense? First of all, it’s really not that hard to do thorough research on a show made for babies, and second… is that really what you want to be known for? A meanderer of the utmost extent to where the best you can hope for is that people will only ever half listen to what you have to say!? I can’t imagine. Anyway, I’m going to try having that be the last unrelated tangent because I’m starting to get annoyed at myself for being unable to keep on subject. Please full listen to what I have to say about Let's Eat Together, Aki and Haru, because it's very important that you know my opinions on Let's Eat Together, Aki and Haru! So yeah, I’ve actually been having what the cool kids would call a Reading Slump™ as even though I haven’t actually read any terrible books for the longest time (something like a Playing the Palace), sometimes reading a novel that’s just mid can be worse because then you walk away from it with no real emotion. And even bad art should illicit a reaction, no? Like, I feel like my mind was Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind-ed the way I can't recall the last five books I've read! And because I’ve been having a hard time in the prose department, I figured it was time to break out the old school methods like John Wick taking a jackhammer to his floor to open up his chest full of weapons.
I'm going for a, “people keep asking me if I’m back and I’m thinking… yeah, I’m back!” moment, but instead of a thirst for revenge, I’m just reading manga again. Ooh, pretty pictures Seriously though, I don’t think there’s a better manga I could have restarted this journey with than Let’s Eat Together, Aki and Haru, because this was an absolute delight. You know how I’m always complaining about love-interests who don’t seem to like each other much at all? Well, it turns out that I should have searched over here where trope infested BookTok slop hasn’t yet infected this art form because this manga has everything I’m always looking for in a romance. Two characters who like each other? Check! An easy-going plot that doesn’t go too in-depth in unnecessary backstory? Yes indeed. And hey, to top it all off there's gorgeous art that no brain dead A.I. user could possibly hope to replicate. Oh, I guess I should talk about what this manga is about if I’m going to spend all this time vaguely glazing it, huh? Well, Let’s Eat Together, Aki and Haru is about two roommates (“omg they were roommates”) who live together in domestic bliss and Aki loves to cook for Haru. He fills Haru's stomach with foods of delight so then later he can fill his stomach with his Turkish Delight! Bad jokes aside, that’s really all there is to the plot, as the manga follows a Delicious in Dungeon episodic style in its pseudo cookbook format where we’re given instructions on how to make whatever good ass dish Aki’s making in that specific chapter. Seriously, don’t read this while hungry, because I found that I had to frequently walk away from Let’s Eat Together, Aki and Haru several times to get a snack! And that becomes a whole thing in and of itself because I don't eat where I read like some kind of slob. The indignity! If nothing else, this manga gives us insight into a lovely world where people have the energy to make dinner from scratch every day! Pshhh, yeah right. No but really, people who do cook as often as is presented in this manga are awesome, and I really do think that this manga is realistic in the sense that the characters are always shown eating on a budget (as they’re all in college) and often have to use leftovers in creative ways in order to, again, make some good ass food.
“They have zero distance.”
It's cool and a bit inspiring, I can't lie. Moving on though, can you pretend like I made a really insightful food related pun about how this manga is Pigs-in-a-blanket the way I felt like I myself was being wrapped in a blanket while reading it? Thanks. In that regard, I really loved how Let’s Eat Together, Aki and Haru felt like the author comprised an entire story around my most favorite moments in manga. You know, there's always a bit where a bunch of random characters who haven't interacted as much before sits around a dinner table in a small apartment and starts chowing down. All my favorite parts in something like Love Hina or Negima take place on a cold dark night and the characters are chilling cozy inside eating and drinking. It's cool, man. My favorite arc in One Punch Man has nothing to do with battling, but rather when Saitama has a hot pot ready for him and Genos to eat and the gag is that a bunch of other side characters keep randomly walking in and joining in on the festivities. Something about it really warms my heart! So by having an entire story revolving around this specific aspect is the most lovely surprise ever. Also, I just totally prefer manga about food to be like this rather than something like Food Wars! because I never really got the whole "combining food with horny thing that a lot of people seem to do. You know, like folks who use trendy phrases like "food porn" or "orgasm of the taste buds" or whatever BuzzFeed bullshit people are always going on about. Like, just eat your food and stop being a little weirdo about everything! I did think it was kind of funny how every side character in this manga speculates on the exact nature of Aki and Haru’s relationship because it’s like… come on now, they live together, cook together, and eat together! That’s love in any sense of the word, even if they’re not doing one of those mutual zerk off sessions that’s always initiating romance in those books with shirtless men on the cover. Oh, and you want to know what else? Speaking of sweaty shirtless men just reminded me that I also came up with a new solution to Odysseus and his crew fighting against the Sirens! If they just had Achilles with them then the temptation of beautiful women would have had no effect on him because he’d be too gay to even notice. Just like the godly blessing that had shielded him for his entire life, the homosexuality would aid him in his own odyssey!
Okay, that’s three unrelated tangents, but that’s the last one… I hope. I'll save any of my Odyssey rants over Matt Damon as Odysseus or little boy Tom Holland playing little boy Telemachus for if I ever reread my favorite book, Circe! So yeah, despite my near constant complaining about how it feels like every story nowadays has a distinct lack of conflict to keep things interesting, the truth of the matter is that none of it really matters if the story just passes a standard vibe check. Let’s Eat Together, Aki and Haru is a low key manga, so it makes sense that any stakes that might occur are low key as well, because the ultimate narrative betrayal would be trying to make this manga heavier than it needs to be. Take, for example, that one Halloween Garfield comic strip that came out way, way back when where it implied that the entire story was a figment of Garfield’s imagination. Um, okay? "Woah, it's dark and gritty so that means it's better!" Like, step aside CinemaSins, nobody's looking for re-contextualization in Garfield. I specifically remember creator Jim Davis adding an afterward later on talking about his intentions behind the weirdly dark comic strip, and he talked about how he wanted his readers to think for once, and it’s like… dude, nobody’s reading Garfield because they’re trying to think! It’s a “back of the cereal box” kind of comic and any attempt to be deeper than that is misguided at best and ignorant at worst. Ah damn, I guess that was another tangent, wasn't it? Oh well, let's try to bring it all home now. If I wasn't clear yet, then just know that I really enjoyed how this manga was going for a very specific vibe and grows and blooms outward from the original premise rather trying to go for hard-turn narrative pivots and out of left field tonal shifts. Sure, Let’s Eat Together, Aki and Haru is rather simple in presentation and doesn’t move the needle much in terms of explicit romance, nobody's debating that fact, but I didn’t mind one bit because sharing a meal together is a love-language in and of itself, right? It's that unsaid thing that anybody reading can understand on a fundamental level. Besides, this aspect only highlights how special Let's Eat Together, Aki and Haru really is because it features a love that doesn’t need to be yelled from the rooftops or expressed through public theatrics, but that can be felt illuminated around a candle-lit dinner table.
Gimme a chance to impress you, if only you knew just how I'm feeling inside / And yes i promise you, I won't make you cry... oh, I would die just to make you all mine.
February 10, 2025
I give a 3.5 stars - no round up
If you're a fan of Japanese cuisine this will be right up your alley. The art was fantastic especially the food scenes. I also appreciate the recipes for the portrayed food at the end of each scene. A few of which I took notes. The story is really sweet about two guys living as roommates while they go to college and their super sweet elderly landlady that lives next door. They have eating parties with their friends, go to the flea market and generally go about their lives. The scenes consist of big changes or accomplishments in their lives such as a work promotion or finishing a huge project for school. Like a younger gen Odd Couple. There's hints of possible LGBTQ+ but nothing overt just subtle words here and there. Overall a very wholesome and cute graphic novel.
If you're a fan of Japanese cuisine this will be right up your alley. The art was fantastic especially the food scenes. I also appreciate the recipes for the portrayed food at the end of each scene. A few of which I took notes. The story is really sweet about two guys living as roommates while they go to college and their super sweet elderly landlady that lives next door. They have eating parties with their friends, go to the flea market and generally go about their lives. The scenes consist of big changes or accomplishments in their lives such as a work promotion or finishing a huge project for school. Like a younger gen Odd Couple. There's hints of possible LGBTQ+ but nothing overt just subtle words here and there. Overall a very wholesome and cute graphic novel.
October 15, 2024
Pleasant but a little dull.
Two average college guys with a few normal friend secondary characters.
They drink beers and play games and eat together. It's nice.
The food is not innovative or fancy, or even a well-balanced meal, this isn't like What Did You Eat Yesterday?, Volume 1. It's not going to teach you to make food unless you're just starting to feed yourself and need tips like "add veggies to instant ramen."
Two average college guys with a few normal friend secondary characters.
They drink beers and play games and eat together. It's nice.
The food is not innovative or fancy, or even a well-balanced meal, this isn't like What Did You Eat Yesterday?, Volume 1. It's not going to teach you to make food unless you're just starting to feed yourself and need tips like "add veggies to instant ramen."
November 24, 2025
2 ✨
it’s not bad! they’re so cuteee but i’m cursed to not be able to enjoy stories if there’s no angst. FREE MEEEE
it’s not bad! they’re so cuteee but i’m cursed to not be able to enjoy stories if there’s no angst. FREE MEEEE
July 18, 2026
น่ารักดี หนุ่ม 2 คนมาเช่าบ้านอยู่ด้วยกัน คนนึงก็ทำกับข้าวตามที่อีกคนอยากกิน พร้อมความสัมพันธ์ที่ดูมีพิรุธว่าเห้ย แค่รูมเมทร่วมบ้านจริงอ่อว้า แอบชอบกันป้ะเนี่ย กิ๊ว ๆ
October 14, 2024
This was so cute, and I LOVED all of the food descriptions and recipes.
June 5, 2025
4.5☆
This is so cute!! Having the recipes included of everything they cook is such a nice touch!
This is so cute!! Having the recipes included of everything they cook is such a nice touch!
September 11, 2024
A delicious first volume about two friends and roommates Aki and Haru who spend their days eating delicious food with each other.
This volume is on the lighter side of most BLs where the focus is on the food. The manga emphasizes the food by outlining the recipes to create certain dishes while also noting alternatives. Given food is the main highlight of this series, the manga also does weave in character details regarding their lives and personalities. Personally, I felt this makes the story more relaxing to read because there isn’t a focused plot although it does make one hungry.
There is no plot in this series. It’s about two friends living together, enjoying their time with each other while eating delicious food. Each interaction between them is coupled with a type of food solidifying the notion that there is food for every occasion. That said, there are many subtle hints that both Aki and Haru have feelings for each other. They just haven’t made it clear to each other yet. It’ll be interesting to see how their relationship grows and whether or not they’ll confess.
I enjoyed Aki and Haru’s dynamic. I have a soft spot for these complementary yet opposite personalities between main characters. In this series, one loves eating and the other loves cooking. This is probably influenced by their feelings for each other, but it was heartwarming to read their interactions. They both knew how to support the other. They really should be a couple already.
Since this is predominantly food centered, I should try out a recipe or two. Most recipes are simple enough to make with the right ingredients and effort. I haven’t tried cooking any after reading this volume, but I have made a few in the past!
The artwork is great and has a sort of laid back feel to it. There is subtle iconography and character facial expressions throughout which aid in the story’s delivery. However most of the time, the story is calm and happy so there’s no need for any extra or unnecessary emotions. The artwork pertaining to food is thoroughly detailed and although the characters are too, the latter doesn’t shine as bright.
Overall, this was a fun read! I enjoyed reading this even though there wasn’t a lot of relationship growth or romantic interactions. I liked the calm and everyday interactions that took place between Aki and Haru while preparing and eating food together.
Read more reviews @ Mystic's Review Shelf
This volume is on the lighter side of most BLs where the focus is on the food. The manga emphasizes the food by outlining the recipes to create certain dishes while also noting alternatives. Given food is the main highlight of this series, the manga also does weave in character details regarding their lives and personalities. Personally, I felt this makes the story more relaxing to read because there isn’t a focused plot although it does make one hungry.
There is no plot in this series. It’s about two friends living together, enjoying their time with each other while eating delicious food. Each interaction between them is coupled with a type of food solidifying the notion that there is food for every occasion. That said, there are many subtle hints that both Aki and Haru have feelings for each other. They just haven’t made it clear to each other yet. It’ll be interesting to see how their relationship grows and whether or not they’ll confess.
I enjoyed Aki and Haru’s dynamic. I have a soft spot for these complementary yet opposite personalities between main characters. In this series, one loves eating and the other loves cooking. This is probably influenced by their feelings for each other, but it was heartwarming to read their interactions. They both knew how to support the other. They really should be a couple already.
Since this is predominantly food centered, I should try out a recipe or two. Most recipes are simple enough to make with the right ingredients and effort. I haven’t tried cooking any after reading this volume, but I have made a few in the past!
The artwork is great and has a sort of laid back feel to it. There is subtle iconography and character facial expressions throughout which aid in the story’s delivery. However most of the time, the story is calm and happy so there’s no need for any extra or unnecessary emotions. The artwork pertaining to food is thoroughly detailed and although the characters are too, the latter doesn’t shine as bright.
Overall, this was a fun read! I enjoyed reading this even though there wasn’t a lot of relationship growth or romantic interactions. I liked the calm and everyday interactions that took place between Aki and Haru while preparing and eating food together.
Read more reviews @ Mystic's Review Shelf
February 11, 2026
4.5 ⭐
This is my fourth time trying to read this single little volume of manga, because I kept trying to start it at work on Hoopla, but then my break would finish and I'd forget about it. XD Reading at work is not conducive to a one-sitting, enjoyable reading time, please learn from my mistake! I finally gave up and went ahead and Link+'d it.
Because of that, I read the first couple chapters in full each time, so I feel really familiar with the story at this point. I really do like this volume though, my own repetition-bias aside. Each little scene the chapters present are just so cozy and sweet. I wouldn't say that this volume is really BL, besides an inkling here and there -- but I don't mind, because I find the simple friendship between Haru and Aki very comfortable. As a side character remarks, the two have zero distance, so I find watching them a very warm and pleasant experience.
As always, I love the cooking and all the dishes! The hot sandwich chapter is my favorite.
I'm not really a social person at all, but reading this really made me wish I had a close group of friends I could have food parties with! This manga just makes it look so yummy and lovely. This is a nice manga where I enjoy both the food and the characters, so on a tier list of cooking manga (a genre that I enjoy very much), it would rank very high for its sweetness and slice-of-life sensibility.
The reason I docked half a star, though, is because the art comes so close to suiting my fancy without quite getting there. Something about it just doesn't quite hit the mark for me. That overall is really the only thing though that I would say 'bothers' me a little about this. Besides that, I highly recommend this for a quick, cozy, rainy-day read. :)
This is my fourth time trying to read this single little volume of manga, because I kept trying to start it at work on Hoopla, but then my break would finish and I'd forget about it. XD Reading at work is not conducive to a one-sitting, enjoyable reading time, please learn from my mistake! I finally gave up and went ahead and Link+'d it.
Because of that, I read the first couple chapters in full each time, so I feel really familiar with the story at this point. I really do like this volume though, my own repetition-bias aside. Each little scene the chapters present are just so cozy and sweet. I wouldn't say that this volume is really BL, besides an inkling here and there -- but I don't mind, because I find the simple friendship between Haru and Aki very comfortable. As a side character remarks, the two have zero distance, so I find watching them a very warm and pleasant experience.
As always, I love the cooking and all the dishes! The hot sandwich chapter is my favorite.
I'm not really a social person at all, but reading this really made me wish I had a close group of friends I could have food parties with! This manga just makes it look so yummy and lovely. This is a nice manga where I enjoy both the food and the characters, so on a tier list of cooking manga (a genre that I enjoy very much), it would rank very high for its sweetness and slice-of-life sensibility.
The reason I docked half a star, though, is because the art comes so close to suiting my fancy without quite getting there. Something about it just doesn't quite hit the mark for me. That overall is really the only thing though that I would say 'bothers' me a little about this. Besides that, I highly recommend this for a quick, cozy, rainy-day read. :)
June 17, 2024
Liked this, but it was just a little boring. I love food stories where there's one person who cooks and another who eats everything like it's delicious. This is that with a little bit of childhood friends/ roommates action. The thing that didn't work for me was how heavily focused on the food it was. It read more like a cookbook with a little story in the background. They would sometimes recite the recipes step by step while they were cooking and then have the recipe at the end of the chapter. There was some story progression, but it was very minimal.
This is reminiscent of like Our Not-So-Lonely Planet Travel Guide and Confessions of a Shy Baker. They're very calm and cozy books to read and the relationship is clearly there, but for me personally it's not enough. If you're into those books though I'm sure you would enjoy this one. I may pick up the next one out of curiosity, but it won't really be a series I gravitate towards.
This is reminiscent of like Our Not-So-Lonely Planet Travel Guide and Confessions of a Shy Baker. They're very calm and cozy books to read and the relationship is clearly there, but for me personally it's not enough. If you're into those books though I'm sure you would enjoy this one. I may pick up the next one out of curiosity, but it won't really be a series I gravitate towards.
February 22, 2026
Let's Eat Together, Aki and Haru, Vol 1 was a cute manga with some nice artwork. I enjoyed the concept and all of the food/recipes. Unfortunately, it lacked a proper storyline. I can tell Aki and Haru have the potential for more, but nothing really happened in this volume.
November 14, 2024
3.5 stars
January 26, 2025
sweet <3
Read
December 13, 2024Disappointing but not surprising to see Tokyopops print quality is still cheap and shitty lol
Kinda cute, kinda boring and these characters drink an insane amount of alcohol (to me) but I might continue it anyway bc what else am I gonna do with my life
Kinda cute, kinda boring and these characters drink an insane amount of alcohol (to me) but I might continue it anyway bc what else am I gonna do with my life
September 14, 2024
This is so sweet that I’m going to need to wrench my teeth out of my mouth
November 29, 2025
This was really cute. There isn’t a whole lot of story, but the characters are sweet and keeping the focus on food makes it work. The roommates are extremely close and maybe there might be a tiny hint of romantic interest there? Maybe?
If you like food manga and slice of life vibes, definitely give this a go.
I’m curious to see what develops!
If you like food manga and slice of life vibes, definitely give this a go.
I’m curious to see what develops!
August 18, 2024
I hadn't realized this was going to be another knockoff of
What Did You Eat Yesterday?
- a little surprised it's okay for multiple series to rip off a successful formula so directly? - but it ended up being pretty cute.
Would probably be 4 stars or higher without the reciting-recipes bits, because the actual story is fresh and enjoyable. They could still be college roommates spending a lot of time being domestic and cooking/eating together, with a bit more story sprinkled in.
But it is very sweet, and the recipes themselves make me laugh because they're at least fully aligned with the age and lifestyle of their characters. The steps are all extremely simple, and one chapter's recipe is literally just "put sweet potatoes in a toaster oven for 30 minutes." No spices added, even. They just toast it, take it out of the oven, then bite into it like a corn dog.
Unlike What Did You Eat Yesterday? and Confessions of a Shy Baker , which both center around adult couples in established (closeted) relationships, Aki and Haru are still "just friends." It's clearly set up as a slow burn, with the two of them committing to a long life together, without mention of how their roommate status would be disrupted by the addition of romantic significant others.
Aki worries about it and is reassured by Haru, although it's hard to tell how much awareness Haru has at this point. Is Aki the one who's more in tune with their not-exactly-just-friends status? Or is Haru simply better at keeping his emotions quiet?
Seems like this could be another slow-paced, long-running series, and if so, I'd be curious to watch their progression as they graduate from college (they're already third years) and move into the working world. Seems like it'll stay sweet, a very light and refreshing accompaniment to the series that kicked off this formula.
Would probably be 4 stars or higher without the reciting-recipes bits, because the actual story is fresh and enjoyable. They could still be college roommates spending a lot of time being domestic and cooking/eating together, with a bit more story sprinkled in.
But it is very sweet, and the recipes themselves make me laugh because they're at least fully aligned with the age and lifestyle of their characters. The steps are all extremely simple, and one chapter's recipe is literally just "put sweet potatoes in a toaster oven for 30 minutes." No spices added, even. They just toast it, take it out of the oven, then bite into it like a corn dog.
Unlike What Did You Eat Yesterday? and Confessions of a Shy Baker , which both center around adult couples in established (closeted) relationships, Aki and Haru are still "just friends." It's clearly set up as a slow burn, with the two of them committing to a long life together, without mention of how their roommate status would be disrupted by the addition of romantic significant others.
Aki worries about it and is reassured by Haru, although it's hard to tell how much awareness Haru has at this point. Is Aki the one who's more in tune with their not-exactly-just-friends status? Or is Haru simply better at keeping his emotions quiet?
Seems like this could be another slow-paced, long-running series, and if so, I'd be curious to watch their progression as they graduate from college (they're already third years) and move into the working world. Seems like it'll stay sweet, a very light and refreshing accompaniment to the series that kicked off this formula.
October 7, 2024
I thought this was pretty cute! I was a bit thrown by how small the volume was when I got it but once I started reading there's enough actually going on in the panels that it didn't feel much shorter than a standard manga. Once I got to the author's note at the end and realized this series began as a twitter series the structure of the series made much more sense to me. I liked the art style, I thought it was cute.
I also enjoy that this is pretty slow burn but at the same time it seems like they both already like each other and just haven't said it out loud, so they treat each other like they are kinda already in a relationship. I love this trope so I'm very excited to continue this series.
I also enjoy that this is pretty slow burn but at the same time it seems like they both already like each other and just haven't said it out loud, so they treat each other like they are kinda already in a relationship. I love this trope so I'm very excited to continue this series.
March 13, 2025
3.25
Cute but simple. Very simple characters with simple dialogue. I could tell very quickly that the two main characters are not the main characters. The main character is the food. The “gimmick" is learning about how to make these dishes while Aki and Haru are just here. In fact, Yukino clocked their personality completely in chapter 2 and they've been that one-note since. I get that this is a manga about food but I want Aki and Haru to be more than just cardboard.
I hope volumes 2 and 3 actually expands more on their characters and let the food take a back seat a little bit because I'm at the point where I'm literally skimming all the recipe talk just to get more of Aki, Haru, and their friends.
Cute but simple. Very simple characters with simple dialogue. I could tell very quickly that the two main characters are not the main characters. The main character is the food. The “gimmick" is learning about how to make these dishes while Aki and Haru are just here. In fact, Yukino clocked their personality completely in chapter 2 and they've been that one-note since. I get that this is a manga about food but I want Aki and Haru to be more than just cardboard.
I hope volumes 2 and 3 actually expands more on their characters and let the food take a back seat a little bit because I'm at the point where I'm literally skimming all the recipe talk just to get more of Aki, Haru, and their friends.
September 17, 2025
3.5 - half stars should be a thing!
A really nice, cosy middle of the road read. And I don't mean that in a bad way. I don't feel this first volume is a 4-star rounded up. It's cosy, it's fun/nice you get the recipes, the characters are lovable, and the art style is cosy and chill in an enjoyable way. That said having read "She loves to cook, she loves to eat", I must say that story and overall premise to me personally is a bit more captivating. That said if you’re a foodie or just into Japanese cuisine, then I believe this might be a good manga to pick up and read as it’s a lot more about the food and you get the recipes!
That said I will continue the series even if it will not be more than a cosy middle of the road read. =)
A really nice, cosy middle of the road read. And I don't mean that in a bad way. I don't feel this first volume is a 4-star rounded up. It's cosy, it's fun/nice you get the recipes, the characters are lovable, and the art style is cosy and chill in an enjoyable way. That said having read "She loves to cook, she loves to eat", I must say that story and overall premise to me personally is a bit more captivating. That said if you’re a foodie or just into Japanese cuisine, then I believe this might be a good manga to pick up and read as it’s a lot more about the food and you get the recipes!
That said I will continue the series even if it will not be more than a cosy middle of the road read. =)
October 2, 2024
“Eat something…you’ll feel better”
Let's Eat Together, Aki and Haru is a cheesy friendship manga about friends living together and making sure they eat something…
Some of the chapters have minor recipes…tied to the anthology format (with some chapters shorter than others).
Aki and Haru attended high school together, and after graduation they rent a place with other residents. The early chapters focus on the “shared space” but quickly abandons it for two friends that do things, eat food, and take it day by day.
I have no idea what these two go to school for or if they have jobs, but at least they are having a good time…
Let's Eat Together, Aki and Haru is a cheesy friendship manga about friends living together and making sure they eat something…
Some of the chapters have minor recipes…tied to the anthology format (with some chapters shorter than others).
Aki and Haru attended high school together, and after graduation they rent a place with other residents. The early chapters focus on the “shared space” but quickly abandons it for two friends that do things, eat food, and take it day by day.
I have no idea what these two go to school for or if they have jobs, but at least they are having a good time…
November 5, 2024
*4.5/5*
Listen, if you're looking for a book where a lot happens or it's very plot-heavy or very dramatic, this absolutely isn't the book for you. Just like other reviews say, it's basically two guys, and sometimes their friends, eating, with some small interpersonal/feelings based conversations happening in between. This is very much a "here for the vibes" book!! And I was here for the vibes!!! So I enjoyed this very much and plan on continuing!!
Also, fair warning if you don't like repetition, they often explain how they're making the food in the chapter and then include the recipe at the end, but I tend to just skip the recipe, so it's not a big deal for me.
Listen, if you're looking for a book where a lot happens or it's very plot-heavy or very dramatic, this absolutely isn't the book for you. Just like other reviews say, it's basically two guys, and sometimes their friends, eating, with some small interpersonal/feelings based conversations happening in between. This is very much a "here for the vibes" book!! And I was here for the vibes!!! So I enjoyed this very much and plan on continuing!!
Also, fair warning if you don't like repetition, they often explain how they're making the food in the chapter and then include the recipe at the end, but I tend to just skip the recipe, so it's not a big deal for me.
July 2, 2026
This is super cute! I'd recommend if if you like food manga and/or sweet BL manga. I love the golden retriever-black cat pairing and the boys' friendship. I actually would really like it for them to remain "just" friends, but a few moments make it seem like this will go the worried romantic route.
Unlike several other food manga that I've read, since the boys are in college, all of the foods are fairly simple and doable in a short amount of time with inexpensive ingredients and pantry staples. I might actually try making a few of these.
Unlike several other food manga that I've read, since the boys are in college, all of the foods are fairly simple and doable in a short amount of time with inexpensive ingredients and pantry staples. I might actually try making a few of these.
December 22, 2024
A manga centered around friendship and food. Aki and Haru are college roommates and friends. Haru is the studious one who appreciates Aki's recipes and cooking. Each chapter brings a new recipe and new closeness between the two of them where they enjoy their drinks and food.
It's a series of food adventures and nothing much more than that which is why it's a nice little brain break all about indulging in delicious food and drink.
It's a series of food adventures and nothing much more than that which is why it's a nice little brain break all about indulging in delicious food and drink.
February 23, 2025
if you love slice of life cooking manga with a sweet undertone of romance and just a dash of found family, this is your safe space!! think 'she loves to cook she loves to eat', or 'witch hat atelier kitchen', two of my faves. this one has a childhood friends-to-lovers theme with two absolutely adorable guys. I guessed it would be right up my alley, and I'm glad I was right, because I bought all three volumes at once lol!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2025
I wanted to love this one more than I did. The concept is cute—two guys bonding over food is always a cozy setup—but it just didn’t pull me in the way I hoped. The characters felt a bit flat, and their chemistry didn’t quite spark for me. The pacing was a little slow, and even though the food moments were visually nice, the overall story felt like it was missing some depth or tension to really hook me.
It’s not a bad read, just not super memorable. Maybe it gets better in later volumes, but this one didn’t leave me hungry for more.
November 3, 2025
Fun art and great attention to detail in the stylized food portions. Despite most, if not all, of the meals being cheap eats you’d see any struggling youth enjoying, the artist thrills with punchy and dynamic scenes. The characters fell much flatter. At times feeling like a purposeful trope bait, but at others just feeling accidentally two-dimensional. So though you feel perfectly at home in this twenty-something’s apartment, the story leaves you going ‘wait how did we even get here again?’
January 15, 2026
I read the whole series. It is a very cute little story about two people that loving cooking and sharing meals. Their friendship grows and it becomes love but it is very light on these feelings IMO. I would have liked a little bit more in that department cause it the ending was cute with his photography show, the impact could have been deeper if the ground work was there. But I hope these two cuties have a HEA.
June 6, 2023
I hesitate to call it bl as there’s nothing overtly bl-y in vol 1 but both amazon and bookoff classify it under bl, so bl it is.
It’s just relaxing slice of life stories where Haru and Aki hang out in the house they rent together while Aki constantly makes delicious food for Haru his definitely-not-boyfriend.
It’s just relaxing slice of life stories where Haru and Aki hang out in the house they rent together while Aki constantly makes delicious food for Haru his definitely-not-boyfriend.
May 6, 2025
Wish I found this during school cause these recipes actually look tasty and affordable. They’re literally boyfriends but not. I think the subtleties of romance aren’t really there yet! They seem cute together but I need the relationship to progress beyond being bros with zero distance between them. Gonna binge thisss
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews