The Kamogawa Food Detectives
A cozy, heartwarming read about food, memories and healing; The Kamogawa Food Detectives is a quiet delight worth savouring.
I wanted to read a short book during my travelling time & as this book was on my read-list, I picked it up instantly. Getting into The Kamogawa Food Detectives (by Hisashi Kashiwai) was like sitting down to a comforting meal that hits all the right nostalgic notes. The vibe is super cozy and low-key, just the kind of book I needed to unwind with. The story follows a father-daughter duo, Nagare and Koishi, who run a quiet little diner in Kyoto but there’s a twist. They also double as “food detectives,” helping people recreate dishes from their pasts that hold deep emotional meaning. It’s such a simple premise but it works beautifully.
Each chapter introduces a new customer with a food memory they want to chase and while the structure is pretty predictable, I actually found that really soothing. There’s something special about the way the book leans into comfort and routine. Some of the stories were really moving, especially the ones tied to loss or childhood. I couldn’t help but think about the foods from my own past that I’ve never quite been able to recreate. It reminded me just how much emotion we tie to flavours and meals.
If I had one small wish, it would be to see more of the detective work itself. Nagare clearly puts in a lot of effort to get these dishes just right but most of that happens off the page. Still, the heart of the book lies in how these meals help people heal and remember, so I didn’t mind too much. Also, fair warning: the food descriptions are so vivid, I kept getting hungry every few pages lol 😄
Smash Hit Score: 4/5
The Kamogawa Food Detectives is a gentle, feel-good read with a lot of heart and a great way to slow down and enjoy the little things. The writing is warm, the characters are lovable and it left me feeling a little more connected to my own memories. If you’re into food-centric stories, this one’s definitely worth curling up with.