The Restaurant of Lost Recipes

‘Author Hisashi Kashiwai shows a tremendous amount of empathy for his characters as well as a gentle humor. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll open a delivery app’ – Apple Books

The Restaurant of Lost Recipes, translated from Japanese by Jesse Kirkwood, is the second book in the bestselling, mouth-watering Japanese sleuthing series for fans of Before the Coffee Gets Cold, and follows on from The Kamogawa Food Detectives. This edition includes an exclusive letter from the author, Hisashi Kashiwai.

Tucked away down a Kyoto backstreet lies the extraordinary Kamogawa Diner. Running this unique establishment are a father-daughter duo who serve more than just mouth-watering feasts.

The pair have reinvented themselves as ‘food detectives’, offering a service that goes beyond traditional dining. Through their culinary sleuthing, they reconstruct beloved dishes from the memories of their customers, creating a connection to cherished moments from the past.

Among those who seek an appointment is a one-hit wonder pop star, finally ready to leave Tokyo and give up on her singing career. She wants to try the tempura that she once ate to celebrate her only successful record. Another diner is a budding Olympic swimmer, who desires the bento lunch box that his estranged father used to make him.

The Kamogawa Diner doesn’t just serve meals – it revives lost recipes and rekindles forgotten memories. It’s a doorway to the past through the miracle of delicious food.

‘Feelgood and foodie themes collide in this follow-up to The Kamogawa Food Detectives‘ – The Times

Readers are saying:

‘The book opens a window on a different view of Japan , it has a touch of mystery and magic . It is a gentle and heartwarming read’ – 5 stars

‘A delightful, wholesome book with a wonderful setting and distinct characters. The descriptions of the food are so creative and I found i really wanted to try them, they sounded delicious!’ – 5 stars

‘A captivating, heart-warming novel, recommended for lovers of the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series.’ – 5 stars