Delicious in Dungeon Volume 1 Review *No Spoilers
I love shows on the Food Network, and shows that are about competitive cooking. But I almost never watch these shows. Why? Because I always end up very hungry and lusting for the food shown on screen.
If you are anything like me, then Delicious in Dungeon Volume 1 by Ryoko Kui and published by Yen Press is perfect for you. It shows adventurers cultivating (slaying really) fantastical monsters such as slimes and living armor and using them as prime ingredients in their next meal. This manga even shows the recipe used for these meals (though the recipes are impossible to follow, since these monsters don’t exist).
The Practical Side of Adventures
In addition, the premise of the manga answers a very practical question. Where do all of these epic heroes get their meals while they are busy being heroes? That is the premise of this entire manga.
A Minor Criticism
The only criticism I have is that Marcille (the mage elf) is the only female character readers really get to interact with. And of course, she is the only one that is vocal about not wanting to eat some of these things (though she is a good sport and eventually gives each dish a try). She definitely gives the impression that she is kind of “girly” and that she should be against this "gross" type of food precisely because she is a woman. It was just a random dash of female stereotyping in an otherwise great first in this series.
Final Thoughts
This series is delightful and fun and won’t make you want to run out to a nearby restaurant at 10 at night for a meal you do not need to eat anyway. It is very relaxing, and somehow makes sense in a bizarre way. I recommend it to anyone who in general loves watching or reading food-themed things.
...This basically sums up the series.
I want to thank Yen Press for localizing this manga! I make no profit of these book reviews (and have no plans to either) so I hope you enjoy!
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