The Curious Kitten at the Chibineko Kitchen

The beloved Japanese bestseller about a magical restaurant that will nourish your soul

De: Yuta Takahashi, Cat Anderson - translator

Narrado por: Hanako Footman

*COMING IN FEBRUARY 2026! The second book the series: The Calico Cat at the Chibineko Kitchen*

“Wonderful . . . A cozy, emotional gem . . . Each chapter is a quiet, healing moment, filled with food, memory and the comfort of cats.” —The Seattle Times

Your table awaits at the Chibineko Kitchen, where a soul-nourishing meal in the company of the resident kitten will transport you back in time to reunite with departed loved ones—for fans of Before the Coffee Gets Cold, The Midnight Library, and Studio Ghibli films like Spirited Away.

In a remote seaside town outside of Tokyo, Kotoko makes her way along a seashell path, lured by whispers of an enigmatic restaurant whose kagezen, or traditional meals offered in remembrance of loved ones, promise a reunion with the departed. When a gust of wind lifts off her hat, she sees running after it a young man who looks like her recently deceased brother. But it’s not her brother; it’s Kai, the restaurant’s young chef, who returns her hat and brings her to the tiny establishment, where he introduces her to Chibi, the resident kitten, and serves her steaming bowls of simmered fish, rice, and miso soup—the exact meal her brother used to cook for her. As she takes her first delicious bite, the gulls outside fall silent, the air grows hazy, and Kotoko begins a magical journey of last chances and new beginnings.

Menu
Namero-don: Seasoned minced fish served on rice
Easy omelette sandwich
Umebishio: Pickled-plum jam
Sukiyaki-don: Beef hotpot, served over rice

Reseñas de la Crítica

One of Electric Literature’s 10 Heartwarming Japanese Books Perfect for Cozy Nights

“Charming . . . Easy to read, this book will take readers on an emotional and nourishing journey.” —The Seattle Times

“A warm hug of a novel.” —AARP

“Heartwarming . . . If you enjoyed Before the Coffee Gets Cold, you might enjoy this magical tale set in a seaside town outside of Tokyo.” —Savvy Tokyo

“Highly recommended for those seeking sweetly uplifting healing fiction. An affecting title in the vein of Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s Before the Coffee Gets Cold series or Hisashi Kashiwai’s The Kamogawa Food Detectives series . . . Poignant, bittersweet.” —Library Journal

“As warm and comforting as the meals it describes . . . Takahashi is skilled at creating cozy, tranquil scenes, with light-dappled, evocative descriptions. . . . The charming characters have moving narratives. The food, which is sensorially described, has a starring role as well, with regional and cultural exposition and recipes at the end of each chapter. . . . Soul-nourishing.” —Shelf Awareness

“Profoundly relatable . . . A heartfelt addition to contemporary Japanese literature. It offers readers not just a story but an emotional journey that resonates deeply with anyone who has experienced loss. . . . The author skillfully illustrates how food can act as a bridge between the living and the departed. . . . A must-read for those seeking solace in stories about love and remembrance.” —Storizen Magazine

Sweet and Delightful Story Flow Nurturing The Heart

Tenderly written beautifully read… a delightful visit into a garden of opening the heart. Just as the stories unfold in loving memories, I found myself flowing with sweet tender moments in my own mind.
Beautifully read, the narrator speaks cat, like one who has a long acquaintance with the language. This book is a not-nearly-as-much-as-I’d-like-to-hear-from-this-author gift Tgank You