Hungry for More? Now That You’ve Finished Delicious in Dungeon, What’s Next?

Ahhh, Delicious in Dungeon. You left a hole in our stomach that only a demon could hope to fill. But fear not, our dear readers! You have come to the right place if you are looking for piping hot series to stuff your face with. Now that the manga is wrapping up and we are waiting for the second season of the anime to air (and what a finale that was!), we have selected four works that will make you wonder, laugh, and appreciate food all the more. In short, we hope that with these series the wait will be more bearable—dare we say, even enjoyable! 

Ready? Itadakimasu! 

Heterogenia Linguistico 

By Salt Seno 

After his professor is injured, rookie linguist Hakaba is entrusted with his work, a research trip to study the language of monsters. Travelling together with his guide Susuki, he dives into the complex world of interspecies communication! 

If the prospect of having a young Laios and Izutsumi embark on a rich, cultural adventure sounds like something right up your alley, then Heterogenia Linguistico should definitely be on your reading list. In this series, we follow a unique duo as they journey across continents to discover the wonders of language. But what makes this title special? Well, aside from the fact that these linguistics exchanges happen between our dear human protagonist and different monsters, Heterogenia Linguistico also offers a deep reflection on humanity and how we, as humans, have developed our own languages and customs. Heterogenia Linguistico also tackles prejudice and the fear of the “other.” One of the goals of the series is to show how by interacting with different cultures we can surpass these self-made barriers, much like we have seen with the cast of Delicious in Dungeon as they realize that while of different races, they all share common traits. Overall, this is a charming read that offers its own teaching moments, and it’s a must for language and anthropology enthusiasts. 

A Witch’s Printing Office 

By Mochinchi, Art by Yasuhiro Miyama

What nerd wouldn’t enjoy exploring an RPG-style world? Not Mika Kamiya! She was just about to enjoy her Comic Market haul when fate whisked her away to a fantasy land. All Mika wants is to find a way home, so she’s hunting for spells—but rather than search all over, they’ll be coming to her to attend her magical-book-selling event, Magic Market! With a very “animated” catalog of guests, eccentric attendees, and out-of-control lines, what could possibly go wrong?! 

There are those series that make you go, “Ah, I wish I lived there.” Delicious in Dungeon is one of them, but many more fit the bill. However, once you stop and truly think about it, sometimes you realize that a trip to another world might not be the best—especially if you are the type of person who prefers to spend their Saturday evenings at home with a good book. But then you think again and say, “Hey, at least I could learn something new!” And growth (and fun) is the theme of our other recommendation, A Witch’s Printing Office. Because what is left other than holding on to the “adapt and overcome” mentality when you are thrown into another world? Under the premise of bringing Comiket to another world, what this series truly excels at is its portrayal of human resilience. Mika, our protagonist, might have acquired some magical powers along the way, but it takes human guts to open a print shop and deal with customers’ demands!

Restaurant to Another World 

By Junpei Inuzuka, Shufunotomo Infos Co., Ltd. 

By all appearances, Western Restaurant Nekoya is a normal restaurant serving normal people—but unbeknownst to the regulars, it also attracts an alternative clientele. Every Saturday, all manner of fantastical beings come to dine, and what is familiar fare to humans can be downright exotic for visitors from beyond. To these customers, Nekoya is known by a different name: Restaurant to Another World. READERS BEWARE: Opening this book may lead to uncontrollable drooling and a grumbling belly! 

One of the aspects that attracted us to Delicious in Dungeon was, of course, the food! The basilisks’ eggs, the kelpie meat, even the grilled parasite. Exotic foods that could simply not exist in this realm (except the balut. That’s a real thing—well, without the sheep). But one thing we might have entertained (and we strongly believe would have succeeded, Marcille’s taste buds be damned!) is the idea of Senshi opening a restaurant. Could you imagine that? Well, in Restaurant to Another World, we are treated to just that! A restaurant with a peculiar chef that serves monsters and humans alike. This series is a feast for the eyes and for the soul, as the dishes are just as tasty as the interactions between the customers and staff. If you are looking for a cozy read this summer with a central motif that food is comfort, then Western Restaurant Nekoya is sure to take your order. 

Seven Little Sons of the Dragon 

By Ryoko Kui 

Ryoko Kui, the master storyteller behind the beloved manga series Delicious in Dungeon, pens seven brand-new tales that will delight fantasy fans and manga devotees equally. Covering a broad range of themes and time periods, no two stories in this collection are alike! 

Last but definitely not least, before and during the serialization of Delicious in Dungeon Ryoko Kui worked on different one-shots, now collected in Seven Little Sons of the Dragon. Apparently, our formidable author could not stop writing about dragons, as three of the seven stories feature them in some way. Still, as we read through the collection, we quickly realized how Ryoko Kui was always one to experiment within the bounds of fantasy and fiction. “Byakuroku the Penniless” is outstanding both in art style (imagine if a sumi-e painting came to life) and in message. Another treat is “‘My Child Is Precious,’ Cries the Dragon,” in which we get a sneak peek at what might be the blueprint for Maizuru from Delicious in Dungeon. We cannot recommend this collection enough to fans of the author and fantasy buffs, as each story is a masterclass in storytelling. 

 

Since the first chapter, we knew that Ryoko Kui’s Delicious is Dungeon was one for the books. Offering incredible worldbuilding, charming characters, and a compelling story of “food equals love,” this series has attracted worldwide accolades—and rightfully so. However, now that this journey has come to an end, we hope that this selection will inspire you to venture off onto new paths and explore untapped horizons. And who knows? You might even find out that Laois was right, and dragons are just that cool.