The Menu of Happiness

by Hisashi Kashiwai

Welcome to the Kamogawa Diner, where every meal is a mystery ready to be solved.

This unique establishment is run by a father–daughter duo who offer more than just mouth-watering meals. They act as ‘food detectives’, delving into the past to produce nostalgia-infused dishes for their hungry clientele.

Among the patrons is a once-renowned pianist whose promising career was marred by a self-inflicted injury. She longs to taste the yakisoba she shared with the only man she ever truly loved. The diner also welcomes a man haunted by shadows of regret. His mind races back to the gyoza served by the parents of a lover he once jilted, as he seeks understanding and, perhaps, forgiveness.

For the Kamogawa Diner doesn't just serve food. Each dish is a portal to the past, serving not just sustenance but solace and reconnection through the miracle of its delicious recipes.

Genres: Fiction

223 pages, Paperback

About the author

Hisashi Kashiwai was born in 1952 and was raised in Kyoto. He graduated from Osaka Dental University. After graduating, he returned to Kyoto and worked as a dentist. He has written extensively about his native city and has collaborated in TV programs and magazines.

source: Amazon

Reviews

[Mehvy M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, cozy read with glorious descriptions of the food's textures, aromas, and colors 🍜

It contains six bittersweet stories connecting the clients to their food.

I picked this up, unaware it was the third book in The Kamogawa Food Detectives series, yet everything was easy to grasp.

That being said, there is a variation of a certain conversation in every chapter: particularly regarding the cat, Drowsy … and instances of clients comparing the Kamogawa Diner's simple interior with the high quality of the food (and utensils).
I understand that the author originally wrote this book in Japanese, so the charm of these reminders about the cat, for instance, may have lost its impact in translation.

[Terrez · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 ⭐
This whole series just brings me the warmest and coziest mood, can't wait for the other books

[Rosanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Struggled with characters as they weren’t endearing. Maybe because it was translated into English

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the short stories and how the main point of the stories is that food can hold such great memories. Very quick and cozy read

[Ainee Ansaari · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely, bite-sized look at Japanese food culture. It's simple, honest, and easy to digest. I really enjoyed the concept of the father-daughter duo running the agency. Having been to Japan twice just for its food, this resonated a lot with me!