Oishinbo A la Carte delivers another winner with Izakaya: Pub Food.  In this volume is a collection of stories taken from the original series that center on eating/drinking experiences involved with Izakaya establishments.  They are bar or pub like places where someone can go with friends or co-workers to relax and even have something to eat.  Some are family owned and some are chains owned by big companies.  Because it is a collection of stories, not all of it follows directly from the previous chapter ( a “course” in this book), although there is a rough chronological order. Each chapter or two can stand on its own as a completed story.

The Oishinbo series centers on the character, Yamaoka Shiro,  newspaper reporter.  His company has given him the job of creating the “Ultimate Menu”.  Normally a bit on the lazy side, Yamaoka is thoroughly energized by all the subtleties of food.   Through this, he is able to help other people and figure out his own problems.  There are  indeed major developments in his relationship with Kurita Yuko.

Overall

There is so much going on in this book.  It has a little to offer to a lot of people:  If you are interested  in Japanese culture (old or new) – it is in here.  If you like Top Chef, Iron Chef, or Good Eats with Alton Brown on TV,  any cooking show, really – you’ll like this.  Fine artwork, realistic characters – got it. If you like comics or Anime -for sure, it’s in here.  Comedy, whether it’s slapstick, subtle, intelligent or just plain silly – got that too.  If you like food – uh huh, of course that’s in here too. Like a mystery? Yep, they have little ones. I could go on and on.

What it doesn’t have is teenagers, their angst or school uniforms. No “I wonder if he likes me, hee hee.” (There are relationships developing, but the characters are older, working adults with realistic characters and challenges). No epic battles with swords or mystical powers (The battles take place in the  kitchens and are won at the table).  There’s not ten characters who all look alike (each character is well defined).  It doesn’t have extreme characters, situations, actions, or emotions (this makes it a great starter book for people, and for parents to see what manga is all about).

There’s a wonderful emphasis on whatever you do, do it well. Let me give you an example.  The group heads down to a beer hall because Yamaoka wants  to show everyone the best tasting beer is poured by a master pourer.  Big deal, they think.  A beer is a beer no matter who pours it.  Well, when they find out the master pourer lost his job, they find the beer is ordinary at best.  With a bit of investigation, Yamaoka solves the problem, brings back the master and they get rewarded with the best beer. How is it the best beer? Well, (spoiler alert) when the foam has the perfect size bubbles and temperature, it doesn’t collapse and completely covers the beer.  “The foam stops the fragrance of the beer from being lost as well as keeping the carbon dioxide inside” and thus drawing out the best flavor of the beer.

This is my favorite Manga series. It really illustrates the cultural differences in approaches to food between Japan and Western cultures. Cheese and potatoes are two ingredients that aren’t standard, but nearly the whole eel is. Guess what goes with their beer, yes it’s a legume, but it’s not peanuts.  It is edamame( soy beans).  I found it all interesting, even fascinating. It’s fun, intelligent and well-executed.

 ComicsOnline gives Oishinbo Izakaya: Pub Food 5 out of 5 perfectly chilled beers.