After buying a Kindle Paperwhite, I discovered that Kindle Unlimited was available for free as a promotion, so I decided to try the much-recommended Delicious in Dungeon, starting with volume 1—and I was instantly hooked. I devoured all 14 volumes in no time. The series has since been adapted into an anime, but since I haven’t watched it, I’ll be focusing here on the manga.
As the title suggests, the story follows an adventuring party that, desperate for food in the depths of a dungeon, begins cooking and eating the monsters they encounter. Set in a Dragon Quest–like fantasy world, the party includes a warrior, an elf mage, a dwarf, and others. While their everyday eating habits resemble our own, consuming monsters turns into an exotic culinary challenge. The deeper they venture, the stranger the creatures become—and the more surprisingly appetizing their preparations. The biological details of the monsters and the meticulous thought put into how they might be cooked make the dishes feel oddly convincing, to the point where the reader can almost taste them.
Because resurrection magic exists in this world, death is sometimes treated rather lightly. Yet this ties cleverly into the recurring theme that “eating is a privilege of the living.” If a corpse remains intact, resurrection is possible; but once it has been consumed and transformed into nourishment, revival is no longer an option. What begins as a quirky gourmet fantasy with playful undertones gradually evolves into an exploration of themes such as the food chain, reincarnation, and ultimately, food as a primal expression of life itself. While serious moments emerge, the characters maintain a lightheartedness and humor that keep the story perfectly balanced. At times, double-page spreads near a chapter’s climax even evoke the grandeur of religious paintings, showcasing the author’s artistic skill and deep fascination with living things.
Ultimately, the series blends a remarkable variety of elements around the theme of food—fantasy, gourmet culture, comedy, drama, racial conflict, and philosophy. Like a full-course meal that stimulates every sense, Delicious in Dungeon is, quite simply, absolutely delicious.