The Chibineko Kitchen – ARC Book Review

Welcome to the Japanese seaside café The Chibineko Kitchen, where a soul-nourishing meal in the company of the resident kitten will transport you back in time to reunite with departed loved ones—for fans of Before the Coffee Gets Cold and The Midnight Library.

It’s a beautiful morning, and nineteen-year-old Kotoko Niki is far from home. Whispers of an enigmatic café whose kagezen, an extra portion of a meal for someone who has passed away, promise the impossible—a reunion with the departed—have led her to a seaside town outside of Tokyo. Still devastated in the wake of her beloved older brother’s sudden death, Kotoko can only hope for a miracle. As Kotoko struggles to heal from her loss, the restaurant’s kitten, the young chef, and the other patrons—each in search of answers of their own—teach her that she is not alone in her grief. Told in a succession of voices, memories, and even recipes, Yuta Takahashi’s touching debut is sure to linger long in readers’ hearts.

This was a very cute, emotional, heartbreaking read to me and I actually enjoyed this book really much.

The Chibineko Kitchen is a special kitchen, reserved to make remembrance meals. Kotoko lost her brother and she comes across this special kitchen, dedicated in serving the remembrance meals of the loved ones. The restaurant kitten plays a vital role in the restaurant which is why the name implied. The stories talk about how people visit this restaurant, orders the meal and then reconnect with their loved ones.

The story in general is well written and is quiet engaging. I like how after every chapter there is the recipe of that meal written so readers may have a taste of the meal. I love reading Japanese novels as most of the Japanese novels have a unique storytelling and this book is no exception. I realized that there is part 2 of the series which is not translated yet into English and which I am looking forward to read the part 2 and enjoy the taste of Japanese meal. Overall a four star read.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.