Delicious in Dungeon ダンジョン飯

 

Delicious in Dungeon Review (Rating: 5/5)

Overview

Dungeon Meshi is a Japanese manga series by Ryoko Kui, serialized from 2014 to 2023. Set in a fantasy world, it gained attention for its unique approach of combining adventure with cooking. It has also received international recognition for its originality and storytelling.
Reference: Wikipedia (English)

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Synopsis

The story takes place in a vast dungeon filled with treasure and danger. During an expedition, the adventurer Laios and his party lose one of their members, Falin. To rescue her, they venture back into the dungeon, but they soon run out of money and food. Facing this challenge, they make a daring decision: to survive by eating the monsters they encounter. Thus begins a peculiar adventure that mixes danger, strategy, and culinary creativity.

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Main Characters

• Laios: The protagonist and a swordsman. Determined to save his friend, he is also fascinated by the anatomy and edibility of monsters.

• Marcille: An elf magician. She often struggles with the idea of eating monsters but joins Laios out of loyalty.

• Chilchack: A practical thief with expertise in traps and machinery. He often brings a grounded perspective to the party.

• Senshi: A dwarf warrior who loves food and has deep knowledge of cooking and ingredients, adding both humor and insight to the group.

These four characters form the core of the story, driving the adventures and interactions throughout the series.

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Story Progression

The story generally follows a pattern: the party explores the dungeon, battles monsters, and then cooks and eats them. The alternation between combat and cooking scenes creates a blend of suspense and humor.
However, the series goes beyond simple comedic or culinary elements. It delves into the characters’ backgrounds, their internal struggles, and the mysteries of the dungeon itself. The act of eating becomes tied to themes of life, survival, and the bonds between companions, giving the story both depth and coherence.

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Unique Features

The most distinctive feature of Dungeon Meshi is its realistic portrayal of cooking and eating monsters, an idea that could easily be absurd but is executed convincingly. The manga provides detailed cooking processes, almost as if the recipes could be tried in real life.
Character development is another strength. Laios’s curiosity, Marcille’s internal conflicts, Chilchack’s practicality, and Senshi’s culinary expertise all contribute meaningfully to the story. As the narrative unfolds, readers realize that this is not just an adventure tale but also a reflection on human life, culture, and cooperation.

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My Thoughts

This is one of the manga I would most strongly recommend to others. At first, it seemed like a typical isekai or fantasy adventure, but the depth of the story quickly proved otherwise. Each character’s background and personality are meticulously crafted, and the story flows smoothly without forcing events.
As you read, you naturally become curious about the continuation of the story, the characters’ pasts, and the world itself. The idea of eating monsters might sound strange, but the manga treats it seriously, offering surprising realism and even connections to concepts like food education and survival. The ending leaves a lasting impression, and it made me want to explore other works by the author, such as Dream Hour. I would love to see a spin-off series as well.

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Conclusion

Dungeon Meshi is a unique manga that combines fantasy adventure and culinary creativity. The concept of eating monsters is both shocking and thought-provoking, while the carefully developed characters and world make the story deeply engaging.
Whether you enjoy fantasy, adventure, or stories about food and survival, this manga offers something compelling for a wide audience. Its appeal crosses cultural boundaries and is likely to captivate readers from any country.