This was cozy I enjoyed each page it had my attention and I wanted to keep reading. I like the idea of this book and I do see myself buying this book. Or hopefully getting a physical ARC which would make my year.

*2.5/5
(Thank you to Penguin Books for giving me an eARC of the book.)

It was a quick read and I liked the variety of recipes included after each story. Unfortunately, the flat characters with little character development felt like other characters in the cozy magical realism genre; nothing stood out. There were also repetitive descriptions of the seaside town, restaurant, and cat from multiple characters.

(CW: death, grief)

This is a great example of healing fiction, a book that you read to find comfort. Usually these book consist of a series of vignettes centered around a location, in this case the Chibineko Kitchen. This restaurant serves kagezen or remembrance meals. And it has a kitten. Sometimes, while the steam rises from the remembrance meal, a lost loved one might return for one last conversation.

This book didn't try to do too much. There were a total of four vignettes. The first was about a young woman who had lost her brother. This same young woman ends up being a through line in the book and she serves the last meal in the book, this time to the young man whose mother owned the restaurant and who had recently died.

There's also a meal served to a young boy who has regrets about how he treated a classmate and to an elderly man who wants to ask his departed wife a question.

This book also has tasty sounding food and actual recipes as well. I'll read more in the series.

The cover of this book appealed to me and left me wanting to know more about what was in its' pages. It accurately depicts a location from the novel.

There have been a number of books published recently that come from Japan and, as in this one, many also feature cats. In my opinion, this title is one of the best.

The reader is invited to visit this special kitchen. They will find what is on the menu to be quite interesting.

I felt drawn to Kotoko and deeply empathized with her grief. Will the Chibineko Kitchen help her? Would you want what is on their menu? It is definitely something to think about.

Kotoko is just one of the characters in this warmhearted story that is about both grieving and living. It is a book to be savored.

Highly recommended to those who would like a story with some magic.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for this title. All opinions are my own.

The Curious Kitten at the Chibineko Kitchen is a beautifully written and gentle story providing four interwoven tales of grief, hope, and, finally, acceptance and peace. The Chibineko Kitchen is a small cafe just outside Tokyo which offers patrons a last encounter with a deceased loved one with the aid of the young chef who somehow knows the perfect remembrance meal for each meeting and the little cat who acts as guide for the deceased to the table.

Written by Yuta Takahashi and translated by Cat Anderson, this book is, at times, both heartbreaking and heartwarming and I felt as satisfied, at the end, as the patrons of the cafe. This is a fairly short but lovely book and one I recommend highly.

Thankyou to Netgalley and Penguin Group for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review

the curious kitten at the chibineko kitchen is a japanese magical realism book that talks about grief, loss and hope in a healing way.
it includes four short stories about different people who are grieving a loss and visit the chibineko kitchen in hopes of sharing one last meal with their loved ones. despite dealing with heavy themes this book has a very cozy atmosphere and it's a really heart-warming, comforting read. it reminded me a lot of 'before the coffee gets cold'.
i enjoyed seeing how all the stories were connected and the recipes were very nice additions! i also have to say cat anderson did a wonderful job translating this to english! i really look forward to reading the other books in the series.
～thank you to penguin group and netgalley for the arc!

This was a cozy read that explored emotions after a loss of a loved one, tied together with 4 interconnected stories at the Chibineko Cafe. I enjoyed the addition of Japanese recipes in between the stories too.

This story is divided into four parts and each part features a main recipe. In this story, we read about the restaurant called The Chibineko Kitchen that is located in a seaside town outside of Tokyo, Japan. The Chibineko Kitchen is known for offering remembrance meals. Overall, it was a good read and learned about the mourning rituals in the Japanese culture. Would definitely love to continue the series.

Thank you to Penguin Group Viking Penguin for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Do you wish you could share one last meal with a deceased loved one? Take an emotional and wholesome journey to The Curious Kitten at the Chibineko Kitchen.

Profoundly relatable and heartwarming, The Curious Kitten at the Chibineko Kitchen is set in a small seaside town outside of Tokyo, Japan. It follows Kai and his adorable little kitten, Chibi, as they provide more than just mouth-watering meals. At the Chibineko Kitchen, restaurant goers have one last chance to eat a meal with a loved one—until the steam goes out.

“When you eat a remembrance meal at the Chibineko Kitchen, you can hear your loved one’s voice again. Their memory comes back to you.”

Personally, I have yet to read the similar/comparative novel, Before the Coffee Gets Cold, readers alike have said this was more enjoyable due to containing the “missing piece” that the mentioned did not provide. Its four short stories are interconnected beautifully, while creating a natural, personable storytelling.

Although this is an easy and quick read, the author is tremendously skilled at creating cozy, idyllic scenes with reminiscent descriptions of the main star of the book--the food. One of its charming qualities, each short story introduces a basic description of a food and ends with its special recipe. Truthfully, I was so touched that I was crying while reading the recipe while my mouth was watering and stomach growling.

Even with the heavy themes of death and grief, this sad but light-hearted book bestowed a therapeutic storytelling without addressing any emotional-behavior problems and/or reaching any therapeutic goals. And yet, it provided me the same sense of catharsis like a therapy session would; my soul felt nourished. It has easily become one of my favorite all-time reads, but especially in the magical realism and fiction genre.

I miss my grandma so much. “I hope you have everything you need, and all the books your heart desires. I hope you are free of troubles, in that place where there is no sickness.” Until we meet again, bà ngoai.

A few tips to make it more of an immersive read: listen to “Relaxing with Japanese Bamboo Flute, Guzheng, and Erhu | Musical Instrument Collection” by Ambient with Flute on YouTube and have a full box of tissues ready.

HUGE thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Books, and Yuta Takahashi for providing me this ARC! You all will have to pry this beautiful book from my cold, dead hands (my Kindle).

This was such a cozy, nice and soothing book about grief. I loved the setting with the mysterious cafe, the CAT, the characters, the food... everything.

The pace is quite slow, but that's the way grief moves. There's not going to be a rush to see the end of it and the plot in this book moves the same way.

I found the hope and belief of moving forward, yet still remembering our loved ones, comforting.

I definitely want to read the next book in the series.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Viking Penguin for an e-copy of THE CURIOUS KITTEN AT THE CHIBINEKO KITCHEN to review.

I rate THE CURIOUS KITTEN AT THE CHIBINEKO KITCHEN five out of five stars.

A heartwarming and cozy read set in a small seaside town, this book follows Kai and his resident kitten, Chibi, as they provide more than just delicious meals. At Chibineko Kitchen, customers have the chance to share one last meal with a departed loved one—until the food goes cold.

Though it shares some similarities with Before the Coffee Gets Cold, I found myself enjoying this book much more. The four interconnected short stories blend together beautifully, creating a natural, slice-of-life feel rather than following a set structure.

The writing is simple yet charming, adding to the book’s lightheartedness despite its themes of grief and remembrance. The idea of reconnecting with someone through a meal tied to shared memories gives the story an intimate and emotional depth. One of the most charming touches is that each story ends with a recipe for the featured dish. It adds to the immersive experience, giving readers the chance to recreate meals and form a deeper connection with the story.

Despite the heavier themes, The Curious Kitten at the Chibineko Kitchen is a soothing and uplifting read. It’s easily become one of my favorite books in the slice-of-life, healing fiction genre.

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Books, and Yuta Takahashi for an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book!

The Curious Kitten at the Chibineko Kitchen is a heartwarming and cozy read, perfect for cat lovers and fans of slice-of-life stories. The gentle storytelling and charming atmosphere make it a relaxing experience, though the plot is light and more focused on the daily interactions between characters and their feline companions. If you enjoy wholesome, feel-good tales with a touch of culinary charm, this book is a delightful choice.

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Books, and Yuta Takahashi for an Advanced Reader's Copy of this title!

In a small kitchen by the sea, with a tiny kitten asleep on a nearby chair, a well-placed meal can bring you a chance to speak with the dearly departed. Numbed by the grief of losing her brother in a tragic accident, Kotoko takes a chance on advice from a friend and travels to Chiba Prefecture to eat of the kagezen, a traditional meal offered in remembrance of a departed loved one, in the hope of speaking with her brother once more. With a few bites of simmered fish - the same special dish her brother used to make her, served by enigmatic restaurant owner who seemed to know exactly what she needed - Kotoko is transported through the mists to a reunion, a redemption, and the chance to change her life forever.

This was a heartwarming novel about the ways in which we experience grief and regret, and the power of food and community to help us process and carry on. Each part of the book calls back on a previous diner's experiences, showing the interconnectedness of community and the ways in which one experience can touch multiple people and bring them together. I think this book did a great job of showing the ways in which different kinds of grief and regret can hold us back, and embodies the sentiment of "what is grief, if not love persevering" and I had a great afternoon reading this book between some longer novels. I would recommend this to anyone who feels like they need a palette cleaner (pun intended), some reflection, or who is experiencing grief and might like a new perspective.

I admit I don’t necessarily like any of these books or types of books but keep hoping I will because cats.

The Curious Kitten at the Chibineko Kitchen by Yuta Takahashi is a delicate, atmospheric tale that blends Japanese culinary traditions with magical realism to explore grief, memory, and healing.
Set in a coastal town outside Tokyo, the novel follows Kotoko, who discovers a mysterious restaurant where "kagezen" meals—traditional offerings for the deceased—promise supernatural connections to departed loved ones. The story begins with beautiful imagery: a seashell path, a wind-blown hat, and the uncanny resemblance between Kai, the young chef, and Kotoko's recently deceased brother.
Takahashi skillfully weaves Japanese culinary tradition into the narrative fabric, using food as both literal nourishment and metaphorical bridge between worlds. The descriptions of steaming fish, rice, and miso soup evoke not just flavors but memories and emotions. Each meal at Chibineko Kitchen blurs the boundary between past and present, allowing Kotoko moments of clarity and connection that ordinary life cannot provide.
The titular kitten, Chibi, serves as both companion and guide through this liminal space where the living and dead seem to overlap. While some plot elements rely heavily on convenient coincidences, the emotional authenticity of Kotoko's journey toward acceptance makes this a moving read.
A thoughtful exploration of how food carries cultural memory and personal history, this novel offers a tender portrait of finding new beginnings even in the aftermath of profound loss.

I've been loving the current "healing fiction" trend in translated novels, and this is one of my favourites I've read so far. I wouldn't describe it as cosy, because grief and loss are the main themes, but it does feel healing in the way it deals with those themes. This was a quick, but very touching read, that I think will stay with me.

This is a Japanese magical realism book that I flew through in two days. It's short but very sweet, and reminds me a lot of Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. Both books include a cafe with magical properties that give its visitors a way to move forward in their lives. This book has the bonus of a very cute orange cat and some awesome Japanese recipes that were discussed in the book. The major themes of the book are grief, regret, death, misunderstandings, and finding purpose in life. Looks like this one is also being turned into a series, and I'd definitely like to revisit Chibineko Kitchen!

The perfect combination of cats, coziness, and healing. If you want a book to cozy up with, just as you would a kitten, this is the book for you. Love this.

*3.5* A moving novel that intertwines food with grief while teaching us about the acceptance of death! The characters of this story are relatable and personable and really just longing for closure. The addition of the recipes after each chapter is such a nice touch as well! This one definitely leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy by the end- highly recommend for anyone who likes a comforting story with magical realism elements.

Thanks NetGalley and Penguin for this ARC!

Kotoko has been mourning the death of her beloved brother. When informed of a restaurant that serves a remembrance
meal that allows one to hear the voice of a departed loved one, she goes to the restaurant hoping to connect with her
brother.
Taiji is in his fifth year of elementary school who attends a cram school at the end of the day to prepare for the
exam for his first choice of private junior high school. Fumika is a new female pupil at the cram school.
When questioned by another pupil about Taiji's interest in Fumika, his reply is overheard by Fumika. Unfortunately.
Fumika stops coming to the school and Taiji deeply regrets the comments she overheard. When Kotoko tells
him about the restaurant, he travels there in the hopes that the meal will allow him to connect with Fumika.
Yoshio and his wife Setsu were long time patrons of the restaurant, but Yoshio has stopped going after Setsu's death.
He asks Kai, the son of the restaurant owner, to prepare a remembrance meal at his home, Kotoko accompanies Kai
to Yoshii's home to prepare the meal which will allow Yoshi to have one last conversation with Setsu.
The remembrance meals provide the answers each one seeks and gives each the ability to move on.
#TheCuriousKittenattheChibinekiKitchen #PenguinBooks #NetGalley