She Loves to Cook, and She Loves to Eat, Vol. 5

作りたい女と食べたい女 [Tsukuritai Onna to Tabetai Onna] #5

by Sakaomi Yuzaki, Caleb Cook (translator), Phil Christie (letterer)

Nomoto-san and Kasuga-san have decided to live together, but apartment hunting as a same-sex couple has been quite the stormy voyage. Luckily, Yako-san connects them with a realtor that may be able to help—and slowly but surely, the pair move toward their new life together. Meanwhile, Nagumo-san has taken a good look at herself, and she decides to pay a visit to the hospital… 

Genres: Manga, LGBT, Romance, Queer, Graphic Novels, Comics, Yuri

178 pages, Paperback

First published February 15, 2024

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely adore this series. Though I thought this particular volume was a little slower than it's predecessors, I appreciated the character development that Yuzaki provided. I'm definitely excited to continue the series. It has so much depth and realistic portrayals of the many aspects of queer relationships.

[Danika at The Lesbrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could read this slice of life series forever. If you’re looking for a queer comfort read, I can’t recommend this highly enough.

Full review at the Lesbrary.

[Elizabeth A · Rating 4 out of 5]

My comfort read in the midst of the chaos that might result in a self inflicted recession. It's good to be reminded that there are kind, caring, and loving people who take care of each other and enjoy good food together.

[Maia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This serious continues to be SO CHARMING! Nomoto and Kasuga continue to house hunt, but run into difficulties on renting together as a same sex couple. Their friends are there to cheer lead, and offer resources and support. I love these foodie lesbians!

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

With their coupling complete, Kasuma and Nomoto are moving to the next phase - cohabitation. Which makes this volume a crash course in the difficulties that same-sex couples face in Japan.

And that’s a decent place to go with this - there’s a lot here that you don’t often hear about and I am always cool with a series that grounds itself firmly in the now and deals with actual issues.

The real superstar of this volume is actually Yako, the asexual of the group, who is nothing but a fount of wisdom and acceptance for everybody she comes across. There’s something kind of wonderful about just seeing her live her best life - the bonus chapter is one of the most uniquely enjoyable I’ve read in ages.

Nagumo’s issues with eating get the rest of the volume’s focus and the mangaka really did their research - they even cite sources. What’s nice is that this conveys without feeling too info dump, always the risk here, even if it’s framed as her talking to a therapist.

What I thought worked especially well was her reaction when she realizes that she’s not alone and there’s a name for what this is. That sort of sheer relief when you suddenly know you’re not imagining the difficulty you face is immense, I can tell you from experience, and I think her response is completely believable.

It was very clever to have her issue concern anxiety over social eating while showing the intense bond between Kasuma and Nomoto, one forged almost entirely over food. Not to mention how central it’s been to their friend group. I love how they quietly alter their behaviour to be more welcoming to Nagumo, even though they were already very friendly to her.

There’s also some quiet progress between our leads as they begin to slowly get more physical with their relationship. It’s been interesting to see them find such emotional intimacy before even really think about physical intimacy; a nice reminder that love comes in all sorts of forms.

This is really good. Like I said last time, it will never be a favorite, it’s just a little too pedestrian, not that I want it to be crazy dramatic or anything. Yet I recognize what it’s doing and respect the heck out of it, especially when it’s willing to take outdated social mores to task.

5 stars - acceptance is the word for this story and this volume in particular. As usual, it gets basically everything right.

[Chelsea 🏳️‍🌈 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was the last volume but there’s another one coming. This was mostly domestic scenes as the main couple move in together. It was so sad to see how hard it was to find housing that would allow them to live together as a couple. I like how this series discusses serious societal issues queer people face in a realistic way.

[doowopapocalypse · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a sincerely sweet book.

[Iker Bilbao · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pero que cosa más requetebonica este tomo.

[✧₊⁎Haru • 🦦🪷⁎⁺˳✧ · Rating 5 out of 5]

FERMI TUTTI COS’È STO FINALE VELATAMENTE ANGST IO COME SOPRAVVIVO FINO AL PROSSIMO VOLUME😭🩷 comunque il capitolo dell’Ikea date per arredare casa mi ha fatto sciogliere they’re so wholesome🥺🩷

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ugh I can't deal with this series, it's just too cute and earnest, and it makes me cry too much! XD Love the characters, the slice of life feel, and the artwork. Very, very warm and comforting 💕

[♡Jacqueline♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm enamored in the way Sakaomi Yuzaki portrays every day steps within a relationship

[Courtney Lanning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great volume full of sweet and tender moments, tense scenes that grab your heart, and a spattering of real-world issues that are so often swept under the rug (disabilities, lesbian erasure, etc).

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pase los últimos tres días leyendo esta maravillosa historia y siento una calidez en el corazón muy linda. Este tomo y el anterior en específico me pegaron de tantas maneras diferentes. Grité internamente, golpeé mi almohada y pataleé como si fuera una niñita enamorada. Pero genuinamente el progreso la relación de las protagonistas me hizo sentir como si me enamorara. Me encanta la conexión que tienen, cómo cuidan de la otra y cómo se comunican bien.

Otro de mis temas favoritos fue la amistad femenina. Al menos dos de las cuatro personajes principales habían tenido problemas para conectar en el pasado pero encontrar un grupo que no solo las acepta pero las hace sentir cómodas es algo con lo que me puedo identificar muy bien.

Debo admitir que lloré mucho con la historia de Nagumo y con varios pensamientos de Nomoto porque me puedo identificar muy bien con ellos. Pero me alegra mucho ver sus desarrollos de personaje y si bien no es como que todo se resuelva por tener mejores relaciones con personas queridas o la comida, y aunque todavía hay pensamientos o situaciones que nos atormentan, sí creo que te da la valentía de seguir adelante.

Excelente historia 🩷

[Pickletape · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story continues to be so wholesome and comforting. It also continues to tackle topics with nuance and care. I’ve honestly never read a manga before where the mangaka has taken time and done research on topics like social anxiety and the queer spectrum before. It’s quite refreshing and shows the mangaka really cares. I can’t wait for the next volume!!!

[Fer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coma sempre uma leitura encantadora.
Outro volume mais das minhas lesbianas cozinheiras (e comelhonas) favoritas. Só quero que lhes vaia todo bem e que se queiram muitíssimo e que se cozinhem cousas riquíssimas. Aborda aspetos da vida LGBTQ no Japão mais alá do óbvio.

[poet · Rating 5 out of 5]

somehow I've only logged every other one of these. I've read them all I swear.
it's just kind of refreshing having a cute gay comic that actually deals with the state of LGBTQ rights in Japan.

[Mercè · Rating 5 out of 5]

L'he devorat! D'acord que cada cop em sobren més les referències als plats que mengen, però m'encanta com tracten temes complexos i actuals i els personatges actuen amb tanta tendresa!

També m'agrada que posa el focus en prejudicis importants o situacions que socialment poden ser emocionalment exigents, justament per mostrar la diversitat i acceptar-la.

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've found another rare gem in my yuri manga reading! It’s wholesome, utterly charming, and most importantly, empowering!

A fair warning, though: you might often find yourself craving all sorts of delicious dishes while reading this. I literally had to pause my reading at 10-something in the evening just to cook myself some instant ramen or treat myself to a bowl of ice cream and chips! 😭

My rating after five volumes: ✨ A solid 10/10 ✨

The story follows two adult women both living in the same apartment building: Nomoto, who loves to cook, and Kasuga, who loves to eat. Their relationship begins when Nomoto, passionate about cooking but limited to making small portions, finds herself preparing more food than she can eat alone. Living far from friends and colleagues with whom she could share her meals, she decides to invite her neighbor Kasuga—who she learns enjoys eating hearty portions—to help her out! As they bond over food, the story explores various social, economic, and political issues, but in a way that never feels overwhelming, preachy, or emotionally heavy-handed. Without giving away too much, I can genuinely say that I love this manga to pieces!

I loooove how realistically the series portrays the everyday challenges that women and lesbian couples face. It manages to be incredibly sweet and heartwarming while also being honest about the real struggles that women and lesbians experience in a patriarchal, heteronormative society like Japan! It’s truly refreshing to see a yuri manga that doesn’t shy away from these exhausting, harsh realities while still celebrating love, resilience, and connection.

And with the addition of two new characters—Yako and Nagomo—the series also expands its representation, touching on topics like asexuality and a lesser-known form of eating anxiety disorder.

‘She Loves to Cook, and She Loves to Eat’ isn’t just a story about food and two women falling in love, where majority of things revolves around kissing and sex. No. This manga doesn’t cater to a certain male gaze or fetishization. Instead, it authentically portrays the reality of being in a same-sex relationship. And no, boys—it’s not all about what happens in bed!

I am obsessed with this manga! Gigantic kudos to its mangaka, Sakaomi Yuzaki, for creating such an incredible work of art and bringing it to the world. I’m eagerly awaiting the release of Volume 6!

[Bread King · Rating 4 out of 5]

i love themmmmmmmmmm soirry

[c · Rating 5 out of 5]

this story is just so gentle and conscientious and intentional (i see u blåhaj 🦈🏳️‍⚧️). i love it so much!

[Susana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Qué preciosidad. De momento, se ha convertido en mi favorito. Deseando que salga el tomo 6.

[eve ⚡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

they're EVERYTHING😭💖

[tamara 🪲 · Rating 5 out of 5]

THATS ALL?????

[Agnès · Rating 5 out of 5]

El millor volum de moment! La relació avança i elles són moníssimes. Els altres personatges també tenen els seus moments i es tracten temes interessants. La meva obsessió no fa més que crèixer, les estimo tant :')

[Heather D-G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was thinking that this was the final volume in this series, but in the afterword the author mentions a volume six! Hooray! These characters feel very dear, so I’m happy to be able to look forward to spending more time with them.
I hope we get to witness Sena healing as well.
This continues to be a fantastic, cozy, and romantic pleasure.

[Mads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not me crying at the kind realtor’s speeches 😭

[Kate Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stars: 5 Stars
Format: Print
Series: She Loves to Eat, and She Loves to Cook Volume 5
Steam Level: Not Steamy

Warning: do not read this before bed or on an empty stomach. The food looks absolutely delicious and I found myself so hungry afterwards.

Quick Thoughts:
- When I first started reading this series I was a little weirded out by the drawing of teeth while eating but I’m used to it now
- Something I ADORE about this series is that there is an honest and open conversation about being Ace. In fact, two characters identify, and say out loud, that they are asexual lesbians (this happens in a previous volume I didn’t review)
- In this volume there’s a fantastic conversation with them asking for consent to touch and saying that just because they’re together doesn’t mean they don’t need to ask in the future
- I also learned about deipnophobia (an anxiety disorder that is an aversion to eating in the presence of other people) and it’s treated by the other characters in a sensitive and supportive way despite not knowing (like me) anything about it
- In this volume it talks about the discrimination same-sex couples face in Japan just trying to do something simple like getting an apartment together
- This whole series does a fantastic job in being diverse and showing how they support each other. The love and understanding they share when family isn’t, is wonderful
- I so wanted to hug Nomoto and tell her what she’s feeling is valid and it’s all about taking baby steps towards being the person she wants to be

Overall I would recommend it to just about anyone if only for them to see how to be an understanding and supportive friend. I’m excited to see where this series goes next.

[yossi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I tried my hardest to be normal when I'm reading this, but it's proven to he hard. I'm overwhelm by the love I have for this so much that I just want to jump off a bridge or scream to the world that I love this or both.

Anyways!

I first watched the drama adaption since its first season came out. I love the characters and their stories ever since then, planned to read the manga but didn't get around to do so. Then, the second season came out and I got reminded once again how these characters held a special place in my heart. Unfortunately, though, I got around to read this only recently.

The drama was amazing, so I knew that the source media would be as, if not more, amazing and I can say that I'm correct!!!

I was in tears not because it was sad, but because of how simple the story was, yet still managed to highlight a lot of important things. It was the kind of story that made you feel like you were home, that made you feel like you would be accepted no matter what. It was the kind of story that would hug you and told you "it is okay"

Even when you weren't in a similar situation to the characters, you just knew they would welcome you without question.

That was the kind of things I felt when I read it.

I was rooting so hard for the characters. It was cute and I had an overall great time while reading it.

[MJR · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy how this volume delves deeper into Nomoto and Kasuga's reality as a same-sex couple while also gives more insight into the lives of Nagumo and Yako. There's not much cooking/food in it but I loved it all the same.

Some content warnings
Chapter 41 (An Accepting Space) tackles Nagumo's deipnophobia; it depicts a visit to a medical professional and a conversation about her history with the eating disorder with Yako afterwards.

As the volume depicts the struggles of a same-sex couple, it mentions discrimination against queer couples. Chapter 45, titled Closet, tackles a situation experienced by Nomoto.

There is also a brief moment in Chapter 42 (Moving) that touches on familial estrangement where Kasuga tells Nagumo about how she has restricted her family's access to her and her residential information. She also tries to comfort and gently advise Nagumo (heavily alluded to having a difficult relationship with her family and is thinking about restricting their access to her just like Kasuga has done).

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

1-5巻まとめての感想：
はじめはグルメ漫画なのかな、と思いつつも母との会話の中で話題に上がったので読み進めてみた。
が、途中から、食べたくても食事ができない人や、食べるのは好きだけど作るのは興味ない人、が現れ、「食」に対する姿勢に息苦しさを感じてきた私(嫌いではないがあまり食に興味がない)の居場所もあるんだな、と感じられた。
そして、家族との確執も「育ててくれた親に対して恩知らずな」というような世間一般に言われそうなアプローチでなく、「自分と合わないのなら親でも距離を置いていい」という姿を見せてくれて、そこでもまた自分の姿勢に寄り添ってくれるように感じた。
（ちょうど新しい友人と家族観について話したばかりだった。彼女も家族との確執と話すと大抵の人に「それでも家族じゃん、仲直りしなよ」と言われるのがストレスだと言っていた。私もメディア内の「家族」のイメージが嘘くさく綺麗なドラマが多くて、題名に「家族」がつく作品は見たいと思えない、という話をしたら、意外がられた。「危険だ、ここまで家族の事話すつもりなかったのに、色々話してしまった」とも）

そして、途中からは主人公二人の恋模様と、LGBTQの人々の暮らしにくさも描かれるようになり、はじめに予想してたのとは違う漫画で、良い意味で予想ハズレだった。
私は自分は多分ほぼアセクシャルだと思ってるので、そのあたりもちらっと描かれると嬉しい。
（そして、正直恋愛要素が入ってきた時は「恋愛要素要らないのに」と思ったが、変にドラマチックに描くわけでもないので、色々勉強になって興味深い）

星５つでないのは、リアルだからこそ、物語としてはちょっと物足りないため。
（まぁ、私が「面白い」と思いがちなのはSFファンタジー要素があるものメインだし。）