“The Hungry and the Cooking” (作りたい女と食べたい女) is not just another yuri slice-of-life drama—it’s a deeply tender portrayal of connection, identity, and chosen family through the act of sharing meals. Adapted from Yuzaki Sakaomi’s manga and produced by NHK, this 2-season series tells the gentle yet profound story of a woman who loves to cook and another who simply loves to eat.
As their relationship unfolds across 20 short episodes, the series subtly challenges heteronormative expectations, explores women’s lived experiences, and offers one of the most honest portrayals of lesbian romance in modern Japanese TV.
She Loves to Cook, and She Loves to Eat Official Trailer
She Loves to Cook, and She Loves to Eat Summary |
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| Title: | She Loves to Cook, and She Loves to Eate |
| Series Info: | Japan (2022-2024) |
| Length: | 15 minutes |
| Total Episodes: | Season 1: 10 episodes; Season 2: 20 episodes |
| Genre: | Romance, Food, Slice of life, Girl's love |
Plot
Yuki Nomoto is a quiet, soft-spoken programmer with a passion for cooking—but with her small appetite and solitary lifestyle, her creations often go uneaten. One day, she meets Kasuga Totoko, a neighbor who absolutely loves to eat. Their lives intersect over a single bowl of simmered pork rice, and what starts as a practical solution soon turns into something deeper. Through shared meals and growing companionship, the two women navigate everyday struggles, societal expectations, and their slowly blossoming feelings for each other.
While the series is gentle and understated, it never shies away from discussing real issues—from gender discrimination and emotional labor to queer identity and chosen family. If Season 1 is about finding joy in daily rituals, Season 2 dares to go further: breaking away from toxic families, embracing one’s sexual orientation, and building a life on one’s own terms—with someone who gets you.
She Loves to Cook, and She Loves to Eat Cast
Charactor
A soft-spoken but passionate programmer in her 30s, Nomoto finds joy in making large, hearty meals—despite her small appetite. Higa brings nuance to Nomoto’s emotional awakening, portraying her journey from confusion to confident self-acceptance with grace.
Higa Manami
A seasoned Japanese actress noted for her adaptability and fortitude in subtle roles. She plays Nomoto, a programmer and food fanatic who has never investigated her romantic identity—until Kasuga comes into her life—in The Hungry and the Cooking. Higa gives her performance a subtle realism, gracefully capturing emotional fragility and self-discovery. Higa starred in several NHK and TBS dramas before.
A food-loving woman with a big heart and even bigger appetite. Kasuga becomes the anchor in Nomoto’s solitary world. Nishino’s performance is a delightful surprise—playful and caring, yet capable of intense emotional depth. Her portrayal is refreshingly natural, not filtered through a “male gaze” lens.
Nishino Emi
Originally a musician, Nishino Emi was cast via open audition. Despite being new to acting, her portrayal of Kasuga—a straightforward, sweet-hearted woman with a big appetite and bigger heart—is remarkably authentic. Her presence helped ground the drama in realism, and her chemistry with Higa Manami turned their characters into one of the most beloved GL pairings in recent Japanese media.
Supporting Cast
Nagumo Sena
Fujiyoshi Karin
Sayama Chiharu
Morita Misato
Manase Yukari
Saito Sarara
Yako Kaname
Tomosaka Rie
CAST HIGHLIGHT
Adapted from a Popular Yuri Manga
The series is based on the manga of the same name by Yuzaki Sakaomi, which tells a quiet yet emotionally resonant story of two women—one who loves cooking, and one who loves eating. The manga’s popularity and gentle storytelling attracted NHK producer Koji Sakabe, who discovered it through social media and pushed for a screen adaptation.
Gender-Aware Themes in a Quiet Format
Instead of dramatic declarations or love triangles, the story dives into small but deeply relevant topics:
– Gender bias in the workplace
– The societal expectations of women as caregivers
– Menstrual pain and health taboos
– The experience of queerness in a heteronormative culture
These themes are woven into the fabric of the show with subtlety and grace.
Authentic and Unconventional Casting
Higa Manami (as Nomoto Yuki) was cast for her acting strength and her open stance on LGBTQ+ issues.
Nishino Emi (as Kasuga Totoko) is a musician-turned-actress whose natural appearance and demeanor closely matched the character of Kasuga. Her casting through an open audition added to the show’s grounded, everyday tone.
The food scenes were supervised by professional chefs, highlighting the role of food as a language of emotion and care.
Social Commentary Wrapped in Warmth
Episodes touch on real challenges like wage inequality, care labor, and family estrangement, while still maintaining a hopeful tone. The second season especially dives deeper into themes of identity, social alienation, and emotional healing through community. Even when the show presents moments of discomfort—like casual sexism or food anxiety—it does so with empathy and realism.
She Loves to Cook, and She Loves to Eat Review
Review
⭐ Story – 4.8/5
More than just a cute cooking drama, The Hungry and the Cooking is a quietly radical piece of GL storytelling. Season 1 offers tender, slow-burn joy, while Season 2 deepens its emotional resonance by tackling queerness, gender roles, workplace inequality, family estrangement, and more. It balances sweetness and strength with grace—never preaching, always inviting.
⭐ Acting – 4.7/5
Higa Manami as Yuki Nomoto brings warmth and vulnerability to a character who starts off emotionally repressed but becomes more luminous with each episode. Nishino Emi, though originally a musician, gives a wonderfully grounded performance as Kasuga, offering bursts of energy and unwavering support. Their chemistry grows organically and believably across the two seasons.
⭐ Chemistry – 4.5/5
Nomoto and Kasuga feel real—not a fantasy GL couple but women with baggage, awkwardness, humor, and quiet joy. There are no grand declarations or cinematic kisses, but the way they care for one another, and the small touches—like texting about stew or braving a storm for each other—feel more intimate than any tropey romance.
⭐ Production – 4.6/5
Filmed in soft, cozy lighting with a focus on food prep and domestic rituals, the cinematography evokes comfort without ever slipping into idealized fantasy. Every dish looks mouthwatering. And the original music, including the Season 2 use of “Chosen Family,” enhances emotional moments without overpowering them.
⭐ Ending – 4.7/5
Season 2 offers the closure that fans of slow-burn romance crave. It’s not explosive—it’s quiet, earned, and filled with mutual understanding. The show reaffirms that love doesn’t need to be loud to be powerful. Together, Nomoto and Kasuga choose each other, not as an escape from loneliness, but as a home they built, bite by bite.
Best Scenes of She Loves to Cook, and She Loves to Eat
The Cream Stew Scene (Season 2, Episode 9)
After Kasuga finally confronts her estranged family, she comes home to Nomoto’s warm cream stew and a soft message: “Please stay where you’re happiest.” A quiet scene, but emotionally devastating.The Midnight Grocery Dash (Season 1, Episode 4)
A spontaneous supermarket trip turns into a romantic date, as they shop for ingredients and giggle over their favorite snacks.“Let’s Get Married” Paper Ring Scene (Season 2)
A folded paper ring offered under city lights. No declarations, no labels—just an invitation to build a life together. It’s pure poetry.