The Menu of Happiness

Feel-good and foodie themes collide in this follow-up to The Kamogawa Food Detectives – The Times on The Restaurant of Lost RecipesKashiwai is among a certain coterie of Japanese writers to have perfected a globally successful literary formula: create a cafe-esque setting with beloved staff who deliver plenty of empathic kindness to customers whose visits inspire standalone narratives … Deliciousness lingers – Booklist on The Restaurant of Lost RecipesThis cosy book delights in Japanese cuisine – Kirkus on The Restaurant of Lost RecipesA treasure-trove of positivity and charm – Prima on The Restaurant of Lost RecipesIn addition to tantalizing recipes, the narrative is driven by the desire to recapture lost love, reconcile with a parent or relive one’s youth. Ingredients and items are lovingly detailed … The equivalent of delightful comfort food – Library Journal on The Restaurant of Lost Recipes * Library Journal on The Restaurant of Lost Recipes *Like sights and sounds, tastes are also deeply connected to one’s memories. The depictions of the beautiful scenery of Kyoto and its native dishes, which are like the original landscape of Japan, warmed my heart – Genki Kawamura, author of If Cats Disappeared from the World, on The Kamogawa Food DetectivesAuthor Hisashi Kashiwai shows a tremendous amount of empathy for his characters as well as a gentle humour. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll open a delivery app * Apple Books *

Hisashi Kashiwai was born in 1952 and was raised in Kyoto. He graduated from Osaka Dental University. After graduating, he returned to Kyoto and worked as a dentist. He has written extensively about his native city and has collaborated on TV programmes and magazines.

Jesse Kirkwood is a literary translator working from Japanese into English. The recipient of the 2020 Harvill Secker Young Translators’ Prize, his translations include The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai, Tokyo Express by Seicho Matsumoto and A Perfect Day to Be Alone by Nanae Aoyama.