Studio Trigger’s latest offering has indeed been a mouth-watering experience, which is why, you might just be looking for some of the best anime like Delicious in Dungeon. What separates Dungeon Meshi from the other works of the dungeon crawler genre is how it’s able to seamlessly combine a fantasy adventure with gourmet.
The series has been a culinary masterclass that builds an engaging world full of monsters. but they are eventually turned into rare cooking ingredients. The characterization of the main protagonists is also very unique to this genre, with none sticking to any particular tropes.
Delicious in Dungeon has been an incredible experience ever since it aired. The list below will go over some of the best anime like it that you should not be sleeping on.
7 best anime like Delicious in Dungeon
7) Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash
Grimgar of Fantasy Ash doesn’t exactly deal with food the same that Delicious in Dungeon does. However, their similarities lie in how they tackle the dungeon-crawling genre and create a sense of camaraderie between the party members.
Grimgar focuses heavily on character development. The story follows a group of weak adventurers who were forced to band together because they were not picked by any other party. The narrative then develops the bond that starts growing between them and how powerful they become as a party.
The anime focuses on the struggle that each party member goes through. It’s a very emotional tale with a lot of comic relief that helps with pacing. No matter how dark and difficult things get, it’s determination and the bonds they share that help them grow from strength to strength.
6) Handyman Saitou in Another World
Handyman Saitou in Another World starts very similar to Delicious in Dungeon. They both come off as very silly dungeon crawlers that provide a fair bit of emphasis on humor over everything else.
However, as the narrative progresses both anime start to get deeper and deal with more philosophical ideas. Handyman Saitou takes a break from comedy to invest time in character development and creating a deeper bond between Saitou and the rest of his party members.
Delicious in Dungeon, on the other hand, deals with philosophical notions around life and death, and what it means to actually die in the dungeon. Fortunately, both anime stays true to its core principles and soon cuts back into comedy (or food) after a couple of serious moments.
5) Toriko
Toriko follows the journey of the titular protagonist who is a Gourmet Hunter constantly searching for the rarest ingredients. His goal is to make a diverse and unparalleled full-course meal. For his dreams, Triko is willing to go to hunt down the most dangerous of creatures
Toriko is set in the Gourmet Age, where only a small portion of the planet is safe for human existence. The rest of it is called the Gourmet World. It is inhabited by dangerous wildlife who are subject to some of the harshest temperatures and weather conditions.
The anime champions the “over-the-top shonen battle anime” trope and perfectly combines it with culinary expertise. If you love fantasy where power scaling and fight scenes play a big role, Toriko might just be your thing. It’s indeed one of the best anime like Delicious in Dungeon.
4) Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Food and gourmet is not one of the main focuses in Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. But it does have some similarities with Delicious in Dungeon. Especially when it comes to the uniqueness of its main characters and the exceptional world design.
The series takes place in a fantasy world much like Dungeon Meshi and follows the journey of an elven mage. Freiren was once a member of the hero’s party. The anime starts after she accomplishes her goal with Himmel, the hero, to take down the Demon King.
The story takes place over a long period with frequent flashbacks to Frieren’s time with the hero’s part. The narrative portrayal is clever and those who are familiar with Dungeons and Dragons will be able to relate quite well with both of Frieren’s parties (past and present) and their struggles.
While the series revolves around death a fair bit, it has very warm and loving undertones that is brilliantly paced with ingenious moments of comic relief.
3) Restaurant to Another World
Restaurant to Another World is often considered to be one of the more underrated Isekai anime by many. It is an adaptation of a light novel and the narrative takes place in Western Restaurant Nekoya which is a seemingly mundane restaurant located in Tokyo’s shopping district.
However, there is an alternate reality to the establishment when they are secretly open on Saturdays and a portal opens to another world. They depart from their normal clientele and during Saturdays they serve fantastical creatures like elves, dragons, and beastment.
The story revolves around Aletta who is a young demon struggling to hold onto a job for long. She is persecuted for being a member of the demon clan, and she eventually ends up in Nekoya.
Creatures from all over the alternate world come to have the Master’s cooking, where they are treated to modern cuisine. Restaurant to Another World is indeed another amazing and “feel good” anime like Delicious in Dungeon.
2) Isekai Izakaya
Isekai Izakaya has one of the more straightforward plots that you will find in an Isekai anime. It takes place in a restaurant called Izakaya Nobu which is run by head chef Nobuyuki Yazawa and waitress Shinobu Senke.
However, one day they discover that the front door of their establishment also leads to an alternate world of fantasy filled with knights, adventurers, as well as other fantastical creatures.
The mouthwatering delights that Izakaya Nobu offers have captured the hearts of the citizens of Aitheria, which is a city located in the parallel world. As the rumors of their restaurant spread, Nobu starts receiving guests from all walks of life and backgrounds who have their own riveting stories to tell.
Isekai Izakaya gives a very unique twist to the Isekai genre. However, the Japanese-styled dishes that are showcased here will leave any Delicious in Dungeon fan hungry for more
1) Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill
For being an Isekai anime with an absurdly long name, Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill has one of the simplest plotlines that you can ask for from a series that champions culinary expertise over anything else.
Series protagonist Mukohda is an ordinary salaryman who gets whisked away to an alternate world. Here he is suddenly asked to fight against the demon lord. But because of his NetSupermarket skill and low base stats, he was able to wriggle his way out of demon-slaying duty.
However, his adventures eventually allow him to meet Fenrir and make a contract with him. Fenrir is a legendary monster who eventually our protagonist befriends with the help of his Supermarket and culinary skills.
Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill is another anime like Delicious in Dungeon where food plays a pivotal role in pushing the narrative to its climaxes and conclusions.
