The Other World Dining Hall (WN) Novel Review

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By inuzuka junpei, 犬塚惇平

4.4

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japaneseWeb Novel

Genres

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adventure comedy fantasy seinen slice of life

Chapters

127 chapters

Started

2013

Description

There is a certain restaurant located in the first basement level of a multi-tenant building in one corner of a shopping street near the office district. The historical 70-year-old restaurant, marked by a sign with a picture of a cat, is called “Western Cuisine Nekoya”. This restaurant looks completely normal through the week, but on Saturday’s, it opens in secret exclusively to some very unique guests. During these hours, doors in various areas of a parallel world open to allow customers of many different races and cultures into the restaurant. This “Restaurant to Another World”, and its food, holds an exotic charm to these highly diverse customers. This is a story of the heartwarming, once-in-a-lifetime encounters between our reality and another world, between the restaurant’s customers and its owner, and the food shared among them all.

Publication Information

Original Publisher: shufunotomosha
Original Language: japanese
Type: Web Novel

The Other World Dining Hall (WN) Review & Spoilers - Novel Translator

My Thoughts on The Other World Dining Hall (WN)

Okay, let's talk about The Other World Dining Hall. I dove into this one expecting a comfy, slice-of-life experience, and I wasn't disappointed. It's definitely a palate cleanser if you're coming off something intense, like a power-fantasy isekai or a grimdark epic. The premise itself is charming: a seemingly ordinary restaurant in Tokyo opens its doors to another world once a week, serving up familiar Japanese dishes to a host of fantastical creatures.

First Impressions

Right off the bat, the episodic nature of the story grabbed me. Each chapter focuses on a different customer and their experience with the food. It's like a series of interconnected vignettes, each offering a glimpse into the lives of these otherworldly beings and how a simple meal can impact them. It's heartwarming and surprisingly engaging.

What Works Well

The biggest draw, without a doubt, is the food writing. The descriptions are vivid and mouthwatering. It's pure food porn, plain and simple. Even if you're not particularly hungry, you'll find yourself craving whatever dish is being featured in the chapter. I also appreciated the focus on the customers and their individual stories. Seeing how the restaurant and its food affect their lives is genuinely touching and adds a layer of depth beyond just simple culinary indulgence. The multiple points of view are really well done.

Areas of Concern

While the overall experience is positive, I did notice some potential issues. A few readers pointed out inconsistencies regarding the restaurant's operating costs, menu pricing, and staffing. Apparently, running a restaurant like that in Tokyo, with those prices, would be next to impossible. It might break the immersion for readers with experience in the restaurant industry. Also, I hope the anime adaptation gets the knife handling right!

Final Verdict

Despite some minor concerns, The Other World Dining Hall is a delightful and relaxing read. If you're looking for a lighthearted fantasy with a heavy emphasis on food and character interactions, this is definitely worth checking out. Just be prepared to fight off some serious cravings while you're reading! I give it a solid recommendation.