There is nothing special about this story. This more of a slice of life story than an adventure one. But I doesn't mean it's a bad story at all. It's actually kinda good. I enjoyed this story about cooking and a nice, likeable FMC.

The side characters were quite good and not one dimensional. I definitely recommend this for a leisurely reading.

I'm really torn. It's kinda cute but also kinda boring. Each chapter is a new "adventure" but in the end this novel is 90 percent about cooking. It seriously lacks any action. If there is action it is really short and easily solved. Even when the MC gets kidnapped her kidnappers are no one to take serious, they're just to happy to have her cook for them.

Also that they have "recipes from other worlds" – in other words Japanese food – shows that this is not a serious, well... more>> developed story but just some "feels good" filler for a short break.

The author mentioned that he / she (?) usually writes stories for girls and that this is an attempt to reach boys as well. Honestly, I seriously doubt that, characters like Zara are typical for girls' books. One good thing is, the characters / teammates (except Zara and the MC) are all in ordinary relationships and that is a really nice change of pace. The teammates are sort of like family but there is no romance option.

Edit:

Now, after reading Vol. 2 and 3 I have to change my opinion a bit. The back story progresses nicely, there is still cooking but a lot less and not everything is Japanese. However they use the term "umami" constantly, the English word is glutamate but I guess that would turn readers off...

Also, not every chapter is a different expedition anymore, some "expeditions" take several chapters and it feels way more like a naturally flowing story now. So it really got way better.

I change my vote from 3 to 4 stars. <<less