What Did You Eat Yesterday? 3

Book 3 sends Shiro home for New Year’s, a family holiday, to spend more time with his recovering father and trying-to-be-supportive mother. That means we get to see Kenji cook ramen for himself, showing that he’s got a few culinary skills of his own. The story also hints at how being a gay man in Japan, with various expectations about families, can be difficult for an older generation to accept. A childless couple of any gender, though, can identify with the occasional worry of “who will take care of me when I’m older?” Shiro also struggles with the question of whether to help support his parents financially, with all the feelings that entails about loyalty and gratitude and pride preventing the acceptance of help. They have a lot to negotiate, since they’re not 100% accepting of their son’s choices, but they still love him.At work, Shiro has trouble working with a female apprentice, while Kenji picks up a new customer by being sensitive to her needs. Shiro and his female bargain-hunting friend also talk about their relationships — as one gets older, one may understand that staying together is easier than all the work in finding a new partner. That doesn’t deny their love for each other, but adds a realistic reason to work at staying together, too. What a beautiful series, reaching so many points of appeal — taste, emotion, and satisfaction. (Review originally posted at ComicsWorthReading.com.)

The What Did You Eat Yesterday got a little old after the first 2-3, and I won't use any of the recipes.

the best mangaka in my opinion

This volume eliminated any doubts I had lingering from volume 2! Shiro not only show's his nice/caring side, but we also get to see more of Kenji, and discover that in many ways he is just as big a foodie as Shiro! It was great to see more depth to these characters, see more about their relationship dynamic, and see more than just the food (which still looks delicious!)