I saw this book for download on Netgalley and it sounded right up my alley so I decided to download it. Food Wars is one of my favorite series and while this isn’t exactly the same it still reminded me of it. I’m super glad I came across this because I thought it was absolutely amazing.

I’m very intrigued by the concept of the series. I can’t wait to see how this modem day Japanese restaurant ended up in medieval Europe and how it seems to still be connected to modern times at the same time.

Each chapter of the volume can be seen as a short story centered around a particular person/group of people and a particular kind of food. I really like how it plays out over the course of the volume and I look forward to more in the future.

I love the art style. The food looks absolutely delicious and really makes you want to try it.

Overall I highly recommend this for manga fans. I know I compared it to Food Wars but this is solely because of the food content but this isn’t nearly as fan servicey and is more age appropriate for younger teens imo.

Speaks in incomprehensible language *drool, drool, drool, drool, drooool*

Sorry, let me wipe my mouth and try again – Droooooool
I LOVE books about food and people who are connecting and finding joy around a dinner table. Why, I haven't figured out yet, but I always want to join the characters in eating the delicious food on the pages and I love how food makes a great ending to a day.

”Otherworldly Izakaya Nobu, Volume 1” by Natsuya Semikawa and Virginia Nitouhei is set in a medieval-inspired European town where people speak German. I am from Denmark and many German words sound identical to how we pronounce words and this fact added a layer to the story to me. It's set in a world I could relate to and that inspired me because it got me thinking that just around the corner, there might be my new favorite place and new favorite food.

A lovely drool-worthy read.

Otherworldly Izakaya Nobu Volume 1
By Natsuya Semikawa
Art By Virginia Nitouhei
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC copy for an honest review.
This is a cozy slow story composed of 6 vignettes, each tell the story of people finding a pub and relaxing. The stories them selves are a bit repetitive, this could got a bit annoying as I read it in one sitting but that's just me, the art was really nice though and the food looked wonderful.
Rating: 3 1/2 Stars

Down a back alley in a fictional medieval European city stands an unusual restaurant: one with glass windows, a sign in Japanese, and a warm, inviting atmosphere in a cold climate. Izakaya Nobu, a pub where Chief Nobu creates meals that astonish and delight patrons, becomes a culinary haven for local soldiers tired of the same old kartoffeln (potatoes), a reminder of the joy of youth for a greedy and cynical tax collector, and a source of wonder for a spoiled little aristocratic girl. Though customers might enter with doubts, by the end of the meal they have found contentment and fellowship in sharing such excellent food and drink.

Granted, this manga is really light on plot, but any story that emphasizes the discovery of delicious new foods and the joy that brings is one I will surely love. The artwork really conveys the change in customers' spirits as they sample new-to-them dishes and find deeper appreciation in the world around them. This will surely appeal to readers who enjoyed the cozy foodie fantasy worlds of Legends and Lattes, The Nameless Restaurant, or the manga Restaurant to Another World. 4 stars,

Thank you, Udon Entertainment and NetGalley, for providing an eARC of this book. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.

Plot: A series of vignettes about villagers who find comfort in a local pub.

Pros: Nice artwork. Wish it was in color though. The food would be more appetizing and maybe make the love the characters have for the food more relatable if you could see the foods in color. Despite that fact that this story was not quite my cup of tea, I can see foodies enjoying the story through the visuals and descriptions of the food served in the story.

Cons: Unfortunately, the story just didn't do it for me. It was 6 vignettes that all told the same story over and over again. Person in vignette hears about amazing pub. Person doesn't believe it can be that good. The pub owner makes them food. It really is that good. Repeat!

Audience: I think the target audience for this would be someone who enjoys a slow story that is cosy, low stakes, and doesn't have much of a plot. This is tailored towards people who enjoy the comfort of food, and enjoy a good meal.

Personally, this story was not for me, but I think those looking for a cosy read could possibly enjoy! 3/5 stars

Thank you to netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

A Japanese pub set in medieval Europe. This is broken up into a four chapters where the European characters have problems that are solved by the food in this pub! I liked this manga. It was a cute, unique idea and it delivered!