Our Dining Table
BOYS’ LOVE COOKED TO PERFECTION
Eating around other people is a struggle for salaryman Yutaka, despite his talent for cooking. All that changes when he meets Minoru and Tane―two brothers, many years apart in age―who ask him to teach them how to make his delicious food! It’s not long before Yutaka finds himself falling hard for the meals they share together―and falling in love!
Reviews (83)
Ripped cover
The front cover was completely ripped off like it was done deliberately! And the cover page was also ripped out then shoved in the package!!
A pleasant, light, & inoffensive meal that could've used a little extra seasoning.
After reading it twice, I can confidently say I liked Our Dining Table. There are, however, a few things that keep it from being a story I'd love. Two things in particular were a bit of a letdown: 1. Minoru. If Mita Ori meant to tell a good love story, they got at least half of it right with Yutaka. Minoru, however, is where it falls apart. You get the sense that he's a responsible, hardworking person who ultimately cares about people, but his attitude throughout the entire book makes it so you don't care for him as much as you want to. Minoru never shows any real warmth - throughout the entire book, his only moods are either Irritated, Uninterested, or Somber. Even when he's verbally expressing vulnerability, joy, or love, it almost never shows in his face, and it makes you question just how genuine he really is. Like Yutaka, Minoru and his family have a tragic backstory, but you don't really feel for Minoru much when he starts telling it. Minoru's little brother and Minoru's father were both much more likable, but it felt strange for me not to like the man that Yutaka actually ended up falling in love with. Minoru's blandness could have been forgiven if it was at least used as a running joke throughout the story, but Our Dining Table never presents itself as a comedy. 2. The lack of color. A lot of manga tends to be drawn in black & white, but this is one instance where that style doesn't suit this story. Because food is such an essential element here, and as beautifully as it's drawn, it would've been so much more appetizing and meaningful had it been presented in color. Many things can have leave a lasting impression in black & white, but the food in this story doesn't seem to be one of them. I was ambivalent about the lack of any uniquely LGBT elements in this story. If Mita Ori made either Yutaka or Minoru a woman, it wouldn't have changed anything about the story. On the one hand, it's a disappointment, but on the other, it's refreshing - an LGBT love story with zero homophobia, zero struggles with being closeted, and zero straight characters embarking on a difficult journey to acceptance. The same-gender element in this story is essentially taken for granted, but perhaps the lack of drama surrounding that fact can give straight readers an easier time connecting with Yutaka and Minoru. And here's who I loved in this story: Yutaka, Tane (Minoru's little brother), and Minoru's father. Yutaka hit all the right emotional beats, while Tane brings a sense of mild humor and cuteness to the story. Tane's father made me smile for every scene he was in - goofy, easygoing, friendly, and I connected with his expression of grief more than Minoru's. This actually might have been a better story if Minoru was cut out completely - if the father's only child was Tane, and the father was also around Yutaka's age, it might've been a lot more heartwarming to see *him* fall in love with Yutaka instead. A young, easygoing, recently widowed single father with limited culinary skills falls for a lonely but talented cook who never connected with his adopted family? I'd definitely read that one.
my heart is warm and my stomach is hungry
Reading this book feels a bit like getting a nice hug. The characters are endearing, the food sounds delicious, and the romance is wholesome. I liked that the story didn't solely focus on romantic relationships -- it's more of a "becoming family" story than a romance, IMO. Recommended if you're looking for something sweet.
Beautiful
This absolutely warmed my heart and brought tears to my eyes. Tane was so adorable, I just couldn't quit smiling. Definitely a good thing to read when you need to be uplifted. And we will be reading again and again.
Cute Story, Recommended Read
I thought the plot was great, especially the family history which explanation of why they had issues as adults, although clearly unresolved in this book. Tane calling Yutaka by the wrong name was cute. However, this is what kept me from loving this book... *SPOILERS* 1) Minoru frowned through the entire book. It didn't seem like Minoru was ever going to forgive his mother for dying and live happily, even though he'd found Yutaka. He was also quite jealous of his little brother being so close with Yutaka which didn't seem to jive with how much time the brothers spent together. Though the father was there, it seemed like Minoru was raising his brother and took him everywhere. 2) I didn't like the epilogue where Tane seemed embarrassed by Yutaka, contradictory of how close they once were and made me not like teen-Tane AT ALL. 3) Child-Tane looked like he was yelling most of the time and that made me think he was always acting like a brat. And, for some reason, the artist decided to leave out at least one of Yutaka's eyes here and there throughout the book and and I did a double-take every time I saw it. I'm all for unique style but not when it distracts from the story. Book arrived in perfect condition.
It's such a lovely novel
This book is amazingly sweet and endearing. It's not tooth-rotting fluff (which I also enjoy), but like a nice mug of tea on a cold day, a fuzzy blanket when you're chilly. I think I was smiling through the entire thing, and I felt cheered up after reading it. The extra at the end was the cherry on top. The only reason I docked a star is because there are some plot points that are brought up, but not fully resolved. There are hints of family issues with both men, but I felt only one of them got a well-rounded conclusion. It's not enough to distract from the story, just something I noticed upon my second (or third) reading.
What a treat!!!
I discovered this title by chance and was convinced to try it by all the positive reviews. It was such a nice story I love it! It even made me tear up a bit at the end I love all the characters,the food theme,the tenderness of the family dynamic and the cute epilogue!
Really wonderful.
This was a great read. I hope there will be more to their story; the story after Yutaka said, "Let's live together." Some sexy scenes with Minoru as the seme would be awesome. Minority is definitely the same here. I would also like to see Yu's family have to acknowledge how shitty they were and apologize. I so want this to be done as an anime, it's that good.
Unfairly Cute
I wanted a feel good story, I was getting sick of nothing but the explicit stuff, and this warmed my cold dead heart so much. It gives you so many feels, and the main characters are totally endearing. I wish this was a series so much, one book wasn't enough, but if you want a feel good story, this is where it's at. If you want tied up loose ends.... Not so much. :D
Heart: Full. Stomach: Empty. Mood: Lifted!
This was absolutely adorable! I honestly wish it was longer because I'd love to see some more resolution for Tane's family issues, but a happy ending and warm romance is a pretty good note to end on.
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