Oishinbo
Oishinbo: À la Carte

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Step into the tantalizing world of Oishinbo, a manga series that serves up a delectable blend of gastronomy, wit, and compelling storytelling. This culinary masterpiece takes readers on a mouthwatering journey through the vibrant realm of food, guided by the enigmatic protagonist, Shiro Yamaoka.

While Shiro may appear to be an unassuming slacker, his true prowess lies in his extraordinary palate, encyclopedic knowledge of all things culinary, and a flair for culinary creativity that sets him apart from his colleagues at Tozai News. It is these unique qualities that earn him the important task of creating the "Ultimate Menu" to commemorate the newspaper's momentous 100th anniversary.

What ... sets Oishinbo apart from other culinary manga is its remarkable ability to blend delectable descriptions of food with compelling character development and an engaging plot. The narrative gracefully weaves together Shiro's personal journey, his quest for culinary perfection, and the intricate dynamics within the news office, creating a rich tapestry that leaves readers craving for more.

The artwork in Oishinbo is simply captivating, beautifully illustrating the dishes that Shiro encounters throughout his quest. Each panel is a work of art, showcasing the vibrant colors, intricate details, and mouthwatering presentation of the culinary delights. It's an aesthetic feast for the eyes that will make your taste buds tingle with anticipation.

One of the standout aspects of Oishinbo is its dedication to authenticity and reverence for the culinary world. Through the skillful storytelling and meticulous research, the series educates readers about various regional cuisines, culinary techniques, and the cultural significance of food. It's not just a manga; it's a culinary education in its own right.

Moreover, Oishinbo doesn't shy away from addressing thought-provoking social issues related to food, such as sustainability, food ethics, and the delicate balance between tradition and innovation. It adds an extra layer of depth to the narrative, prompting readers to reflect on the broader implications of their culinary choices.

In conclusion, Oishinbo is a true feast for both the senses and the intellect. It's a manga that transcends its culinary focus, captivating readers with its engaging characters, sumptuous artwork, and thought-provoking themes. Whether you're a food enthusiast, a manga lover, or simply seeking a unique reading experience, Oishinbo promises to take you on an unforgettable gastronomic adventure that will leave you hungry for more.

[Review is for the 'Oishinbo A La Carte' English release]

One facet of Japanese manga culture that's never quite ceased to surprise me is its seemingly inexhaustible appetite (bada-boom) for culinary series.

-STORY-

Oishinbo is one of the pillars of its genre, unfortunately, it's only legally available in English as part of VIZ Media's 'Oishinbo A La Carte' anthology series, which collects various chapters by subject matter rather than by publication order. It's good if you want to do an in-depth study of sake or sushi but it can be tricky to figure out what's going on with the characters, as the various selected chapters in each volume ... can be years apart in-series. The plot and set-ups can be a bit formulaic (it seems like half of the couples in Japan have some food related problem, and main character Shiro Yamaoka tells off rich, snobby, wannabe gormets on a regular basis) but ultimately you're here for the food. The character drama is just a means to that end. My personal favorite volume is #2 "Sake", which takes a deep dive into Japanese sake production and drinking culture, with a few side stories investigating other types of alcohol. The series can get political at times, but it focuses on issues such as the use of pesticides or how the Japanese government's liquor tax policy interferes with the sake industry- rather than the "Screw [insert political figure of your choice here]".

-ART-
The characters and the environments can be fairly simple, but the designs are clean. The real effort goes into near-photorealistic depictions of the various dishes and how they are produced. The layouts are simple and easy to follow. That's really all there is to say about Oishinbo's art, except for the fact that you'll often notice a considerable 'art shift' if the volume you're reading contains both early and later chapters.

-CHARACTERS-
The characters are largely vehicles for the plot. They have their characterization and they stick to it, with development happening slowly if at all. In the A La Carte anthologies you'll need to check the footnotes at the end of each volume to keep up with what's going on with them, as the series jumps around a character might go from trying to get together with 'A' in one chapter, then in the next be married to 'B' with a baby on the way. At least their basic 'schtick' is fairly entertaining.

-ENJOYMENT-
This is a cooking series, plain and simple. If you don't have an interest in Japanese food there probably isn't anything here that will hook you. If you do have an interest in Japanese food it can be quite enjoyable.

-OVERALL-

I've pointed out flaws in the A La Carte anthology format, but I understand why VIZ Media did it. This is a niche, long-running series. It would be a MASSIVE gamble to try to start publishing from chapter 1 and hope for the best. If you're willing to accept what's being served to you, you just might find Oishinbo to be delicious.

Well to start off, i first started reading this book in 1995. I came across it at the Oakland public libriary and got into the world of "Oishinbo".
I am a Japanese Chef of 10+ years and cooking related manga always mesmorized me, this book started my obsession with it.
The book starts off about a man who trys to escape his past, especially his father, he sacraficed his childhood for his own obsession with the arts. for the first 20-30books or so there were more stories based on the main charcter's past, afterwords there's cliche after cliche of "who's menu is better than who's". The main ... story still continues but get sidracked like hell with tons of side stories when most ends in a chapter or two.
Overall, I loved the manga to death untill it started getting overrated, it stopped for a temporary intermission at book 102. I just want them to get the story overwith since it's getting as bad as Case Closed(when there's more side stories than the main plot)
I'd like to give it a 10/10 till book 47 and a 5/10 till 102.