The Curious Kitten at the Chibineko Kitchen - (Meals to Remember at the Chibineko Kitchen) by Yuta Takahashi (Paperback)

About the Book

"In a remote seaside town outside of Tokyo, Kotoko makes her way along a seashell path, lured by whispers of an enigmatic restaurant whose kagezen, or traditional meals offered in remembrance of loved ones, promise a reunion with the departed. When a gust of wind lifts off her hat, she sees running after it a young man who looks like her recently deceased brother. But it's not her brother; it's Kai, the restaurant's young chef, who returns her hat and brings her to the tiny establishment, where he introduces her to Chibi, the resident kitten, and serves her steaming bowls of simmered fish, rice, and miso soup-the exact meal her brother used to cook for her. As she takes her first delicious bite, the gulls outside fall silent, the air grows hazy, and Kotoko begins a magical journey of last chances and new beginnings."--

Book Synopsis

Your table awaits at 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, The Midnight Library, and Studio Ghibli films like Spirited Away.

Menu
Namero-don: Seasoned minced fish served on rice
Easy omelette sandwich
Umebishio: Pickled-plum jam
Sukiyaki-don: Beef hotpot, served over rice

In a remote seaside town outside of Tokyo, Kotoko makes her way along a seashell path, lured by whispers of an enigmatic restaurant whose kagezen, or traditional meals offered in remembrance of loved ones, promise a reunion with the departed. When a gust of wind lifts off her hat, she sees running after it a young man who looks like her recently deceased brother. But it's not her brother; it's Kai, the restaurant's young chef, who returns her hat and brings her to the tiny establishment, where he introduces her to Chibi, the resident kitten, and serves her steaming bowls of simmered fish, rice, and miso soup--the exact meal her brother used to cook for her. As she takes her first delicious bite, the gulls outside fall silent, the air grows hazy, and Kotoko begins a magical journey of last chances and new beginnings.

Review Quotes

One of Electric Literature's 10 Heartwarming Japanese Books Perfect for Cozy Nights

"Charming . . . Easy to read, this book will take readers on an emotional and nourishing journey." --The Seattle Times

"A warm hug of a novel." --AARP

"Heartwarming . . . If you enjoyed Before the Coffee Gets Cold, you might enjoy this magical tale set in a seaside town outside of Tokyo." --Savvy Tokyo

"As warm and comforting as the meals it describes . . . Takahashi is skilled at creating cozy, tranquil scenes, with light-dappled, evocative descriptions. . . . The charming characters have moving narratives. The food, which is sensorially described, has a starring role as well, with regional and cultural exposition and recipes at the end of each chapter. . . . Soul-nourishing." --Shelf Awareness

"Profoundly relatable . . . A heartfelt addition to contemporary Japanese literature. It offers readers not just a story but an emotional journey that resonates deeply with anyone who has experienced loss. . . . The author skillfully illustrates how food can act as a bridge between the living and the departed. . . . A must-read for those seeking solace in stories about love and remembrance." --Storizen Magazine

About the Author

Yuta Takahashi is the award-winning author of the eight-book series Meals to Remember at the Chibineko Kitchen as well as several other popular series spanning historical and contemporary fiction. He was born in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, and now lives in Tokyo.

Cat Anderson (translator) has won the Japanese Literature Publishing Project's International Translation Competition and is the translator of The Bookshop Woman by Nanako Hanada.