Food coma is a real thing, especially for people indulging in gourmet cuisine!

And yet the simplicity of certain foods or cuisines draws you in. If you love watching cookery shows, you will understand my point. Now, what if we have dramas that combine our love for cookery shows with BL romance- a match made in heaven!

We are listing some of our favorite gourmet BLs/GLs, because obviously the concept is uniquely ambiguous to Japanese culture and no one does it like Japan!

Let’s Eat Together, Aki and Haru

Love doesn’t always begin with loud declarations, it can be slow and steadfast, beginning from friendship. As evident in the gourmet movie “Let’s Eat Together, Aki and Haru”. What starts as a companionship, slowly morphs into something more meaningful. As roommates, Aki & Haru share the same apartment and are college students. They also share their love for good food. Aki loves to cook and Haru is his taster. As they experiment with different cuisines (simple to complex), their lives begin to intertwine. From being friends, they grow closer and their feelings change. A new sequel has been announced and I’m dying to watch their new journey, waiting for confessions to happen!

Perfect Propose

A “Friends to Lovers” trope, this adaptation perfectly blends food love with romance. An over exhausted Hiro collapses on a sidewalk. The lack of proper meals and overworking has tired him out. Fortunately, childhood friend, Kai comes to his rescue. What starts out as simple co-existence (because Kai’s owner is hospitalized, and he has nowhere to go), develops into something more substantial, as Kai craves a place for himself in Hiro’s heart and household. The actors had an unbelievably natural chemistry and I’m hoping we get a sequel soon!

What Did You Eat Yesterday?

One of the most popular and successful franchises in the Japanese BL industry, this adaptation has two seasons coupled with a full length movie. Focusing on the middle aged gay couple, Shiro & Kenji, the series takes us through their daily lives as they share their joys and sorrows. Shiro’s love for gourmet cuisine is obviously the highlight of this show and Kenji is his taster, lover and better half, rolled into one. The intricacies of the food that Shiro prepares is as complex as their relationship. The storyline takes us on a slow burn journey where we watch them grow closer as Shiro gives up on his inhibitions and learns to tackle his insecurities; while Kenji patiently waits on the sidelines. Their romance is familiar, it slowly grows on you as the actors literally embody the finer nuances of their characters!

Our Dining Table

What happens when a tiny cute button connects two absolute strangers with his love for food? Sparks fly and love blooms. When salaryman Yutaka hands his rice ball to Tane, little does he know that the adorable kid would draw him out of his shell. Yutaka is unable to eat with other people. Tane is absolutely bored with the food that his elder brother, Minoru cooks. As such, Tane compels Yutaka to teach them how to cook his delicious food. With each meal cooked, Yutaka gets rid of his inhibitions as he grows closer to the Ueda family. Along the way, love blossoms between Yutaka and Minoru, and the rest as they say is history!

She Loves to Cook & She Loves to Eat (Season One & Two)

This show is an absolute joy and the lack of promotions is appalling. Also, there is international platform streaming it, so we are left with no choice but rely on fan subbers; but don’t let that deter you from watching this subtle romance. Cooking is how Nomoto de-stresses, but one day, she finds herself making way more than she can eat by herself. And so she invites her neighbor Kasuga, who also lives alone. The impromptu invite leads to further food sessions where Nomoto impresses Kasuga with her cooking skills. The beauty of this show lies in its subtle approach. While the first season touches on the periphery of the budding romance between the leading ladies; the sequel offers them an opportunity to get to terms with their sexuality and feelings for each other. By the end of the second season, Nomoto and Kasuga are dating and have moved in together. Every meal that Nomoto cooks is filled with love and appreciation for Kasuga. They are an unlikely pair but so in love!

Special Mention- Fermat No Ryori

This show isn’t exactly a BL drama, but we can tag it in the bromance category. The special mention is because of the natural chemistry between the main leads, Gaku & Kai. Can mathematics inspire gourmet food? This show answers this unrealistic question with its unmatched enthusiasm. Gaku is gifted in mathematics but lack of confidence makes him give up on his dreams. While aimlessly working in the school canteen, he meets the genius chef, Asakura Kai. Kai suffers from an incurable disease which is making him lose his sense of taste. As such, he is looking for a successor to lead his popular restaurant K. As Kai shapes Gaku into his future heir, their love for food and mathematics combines into a formidable art. They grow closer as Gaku struggles to maintain his composure in Kai’s absence. Ultimately, they give up on success and choose to share the joys of simple cooking in a small town restaurant!

Let us know if you have watched any of these recommendations. Share your love for these shows in our comments section!