R to L (Japanese Style)
As part of the celebrations for its 100th anniversary, the publishers of the Tozai News have decided to commission the c... read full description
reviews
Feb 02, 2010
Lydia
rated it: 
I've decided to start basing my ratings on how educational these are. Unlike the first Volume, they are starting (with Volume 2) to get a bit more choppy story-wise. However, I'm taking away a wealth of knowledge, and not all about food!
This book primarily deals with noodle dishes. A few misconceptions on cold noodle dishes, ramen, the preparation of noodles, the actual cooking of noodles and a harsh beat down on the use of MSG are prominent in this volume.
It still cra More...
This book primarily deals with noodle dishes. A few misconceptions on cold noodle dishes, ramen, the preparation of noodles, the actual cooking of noodles and a harsh beat down on the use of MSG are prominent in this volume.
It still cra More...
Jan 25, 2010
Sueij
rated it: 
I don't generally record the manga (Japanese comics) that I read. (Though if you're interested, you must try _Hikaro No Go_!) But Scott found a new one that he thought I'd like.
Oishinbo is manga for foodies. The story line is about two newspapers whose food critics are trying to create the Ultimate/Supreme (Japanese) menus. The main critics are father and son, so there's tension there, too.
This volume is about Ramen (noodles) and Gyoza (potstickers). Being volume 3 but m More...
Oishinbo is manga for foodies. The story line is about two newspapers whose food critics are trying to create the Ultimate/Supreme (Japanese) menus. The main critics are father and son, so there's tension there, too.
This volume is about Ramen (noodles) and Gyoza (potstickers). Being volume 3 but m More...
Jun 29, 2011
Elise
rated it: 
I had been eying the Oishinbo series since I first spotted them at my local comic book shop a while back. A couple of weeks ago, I got lucky and scooped up seven titles for a dollar each at my church's stoop sale.
I've been exploring the genre of graphic novels ever since I was first introduced to them by some teaching colleagues as a way to teach literacy in a fun and engaging way (especially for the lowest-skilled readers). As somebody who also loves to cook and learn more about foo More...
I've been exploring the genre of graphic novels ever since I was first introduced to them by some teaching colleagues as a way to teach literacy in a fun and engaging way (especially for the lowest-skilled readers). As somebody who also loves to cook and learn more about foo More...
Aug 18, 2010
Laura
rated it:
More adventures of Shiro and his friends (and also some who are most decidedly not his friends, such as his father). In this volume, the gang investigates ramen and gyoza (as you might have noodled out from the title), and, in the longest arc in the book, helps a gyoza purveyor save his business from obsolence by cooking up a rather unusual offering.
As always, these English translations are presented "a la carte," a cute way of saying they're taken out of sequence for Engli More...
As always, these English translations are presented "a la carte," a cute way of saying they're taken out of sequence for Engli More...
Feb 28, 2010
Louise
rated it:
Even though I skipped the first 2 volumes and jumped straight to this one, the story was easy to pick up because the characters' backgrounds are so shallow. Each part got formulaic -- someone wants the Ultimate Menu guy to help them with something, he's hesitant, but is then convinced to help out, he has to educate people about some tasty dish, then everyone is happy, repeat for next part.
The book needs another round in the editing department because there were a couple of mistakes, More...
The book needs another round in the editing department because there were a couple of mistakes, More...
Apr 27, 2010
Vicki
rated it: 
This incredibly educational and fun manga series has been my bible for Japanese food. I am a nut about Japanese food and culture. Tetsu Kariya uses a rivalry between two food critics (father and son who just hate on each other) to frame in-depth discussions about the history, preparation, cultural significance, and sustainability of Japanese food. The food, plants, ingredients are all drawn with such delicate attention to detail that I almost want to lick the pages (mostly, I just drool on them)
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Dec 19, 2009
Rosalia
rated it:
When I read these graphic novels I always feel like the newspaper story plot and the father/son drama take a back seat to the food itself. While those are both plot points that are vital to the story, the descriptions of the food and what makes each item special (or suck) are just captivating, and I am not even that into eating. There is always a strong message of the importance of the purity and quality of the ingredients and how preservatives such as msg and even how the food is raised can a
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Oct 26, 2010
Emily
rated it:
This was my the first volume of Oishinbo I read. I really enjoyed it. The whole series makes me want to take a culinary tour of Japan. Because it is just excepts from the original Japanese manga, you have to be okay with the episodic nature, as well as jumping around the time line, but that's okay with me. I especially liked this volume for being so informative on such a basic subject, ramen, and I appreciate the environmental activism that is present in at least one of the stories.
Mar 06, 2011
Jennifer
rated it:
This is the second of the Oishinbo series I've read. It's a manga series, each volume taking on a different aspect of Japanese cuisine. The storylines are pretty hackneyed and the characters are barely developed, but it's a fun way to learn about Japanese food. I also like the seriousness with which the authors approach food, drinks and cooking. They're really serious about food without being pretentious, and the books are fun reads.
Aug 04, 2009
scarlettraces
rated it:
this gets 4 stars for subject matter more than anything else. it's hard not to be charmed by a comic that's so earnest about ingredients. and although i'm normally a completist i'm in full accord with viz's decision to bring out a 'best of' - there's already enough repetition in the one volume assembled here. (i did entertain myself by trying to pick the periods though.)
Jul 29, 2011
Another chapter, and this one was more satisfying. The problem of not reading these in chronological order was not as apparent in this volume since these were mostly stand alone stories that didn't require knowledge to other happenings. All of them continued to be funny, informative and made me starving hungry for noodle dishes.
Jul 20, 2009
Gregory
rated it:
A difficult read only in the fact that any ramen lover will be afflicted with an almost immediate desire to get themselves some ramen and gyoza upon finishing the first few stories. Both entertaining and informative, the Oishinbo series is sure to result in knowing more about Japanese cuisine and its history...and a larger waistline.
Jul 03, 2009
Despite the ridiculous melo-dramatic relationship between the father and son dualing chefs I still love these books. I really enjoy the food information and the craft of cooking dialogue. Each of these makes me want to visit Japan more. I'm also very interested in the prevalence of Chinese cooking and its impact and influence in Japan in these books - I wasn't entirely aware of the connections before.
Jan 02, 2010
Dave
rated it:
The art is mediocre (except when it comes to the food itself) and much of the story centers on what makes good Ramen and Gyoza, but it's still an entertaining and light read that occasionally strays into the politics between Japan and China.
Jan 02, 2010
Tjibbe
rated it:
This book gives the reader some knowledge about Japanese cuisine. A side effect of this is that you're constantly hungry while reading it.
The fact that everything always becomes is cook-off in this manga gets a bit tiring after a while. It's best to read something else in between chapters. That worked for my anyway.
The fact that everything always becomes is cook-off in this manga gets a bit tiring after a while. It's best to read something else in between chapters. That worked for my anyway.
Dec 31, 2011
Alee
rated it:
The rivalry between father & son "heats up" in this volume and can get a little bit in the way of the story itself. However, these are still great manga and food writing....
May 03, 2010
Token Female Gamer
rated it:
Probably my favorite of the set thus far.
The stories were all much more stand alone which made for a more enjoyable compilation experience, plus the whole book just made me want to run out and get ramen and gyoza.
Also I love how the author extols the virtues of organic food. I was surprised to see it in any of the books, but in this one they deal more with food for the "common people" and still creating regular meals with excellent ingredients is just fabulous.
More...
The stories were all much more stand alone which made for a more enjoyable compilation experience, plus the whole book just made me want to run out and get ramen and gyoza.
Also I love how the author extols the virtues of organic food. I was surprised to see it in any of the books, but in this one they deal more with food for the "common people" and still creating regular meals with excellent ingredients is just fabulous.
More...
Nov 07, 2010
Stien
rated it:
The same and as good as the other volumes: father issues, laziness and an incredible passion for food preparation.
Jul 18, 2009
Lisa
rated it:
Oooh, this made me so hungry! Very nicely done -- easier to read than Yakitate.
Feb 26, 2010
Greymalkin
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jul 17, 2011
hannah
rated it:
... a book about two of my favourite foods? HOW CAN THIS POSSIBLY BE BAD???
As far as I'm concerned, the only bad thing about this manga was the fact that it made me crave my favourite gyoza from Osaka. Sigh.
As far as I'm concerned, the only bad thing about this manga was the fact that it made me crave my favourite gyoza from Osaka. Sigh.
Jan 22, 2010
Moonit
rated it:
These books are humorous and educational as well. The main character is a food critic who always seems to get embroiled in heated food battles. As these play he out, he invariably ends up giving all kinds of useful tips and criticism about how to properly cook japanese food. These English versions are highlight volumes, each focused around a different type of food. They made me hungry while reading them and also inspired me to try to cook some of these things myself.
Dec 09, 2011
Julie
rated it:
This was my first anime, and I'm happy to report I had very little trouble reading from right to left. I thought this was a really fun and interesting book. After I bought it, I realized it was #3 in a series, and now I really think it's possible I might read all the others one day.
Feb 09, 2012
