Ever been in the middle of a D&D campaign and thought, “Man, I wonder what roasted basilisk tastes like?” Well, you’re not alone. The winter 2024 anime season brought us “Dungeon Meshi” (or “Delicious in Dungeon” for us English speakers), and holy smokes, it’s been a wild ride that’s got me hooked like a hungry mimic on a treasure chest.
Based on Ryoko Kui’s manga that’s been running since 2014, this show answered questions I never knew I had about fantasy world cuisine. Like, seriously—what DOES dragon meat taste like? And how exactly do you prepare a walking mushroom so it doesn’t, you know, poison your entire party?
After binging all the available episodes (and subsequently raiding my fridge at 2 AM more times than I’d like to admit), I’m ready to dive deep into what makes this unconventional fantasy series so damn good. Grab a snack—you’re definitely gonna need it—as we explore the delicious depths of “Dungeon Meshi.”
The Premise: Not Your Average Dungeon Crawl
So here’s the deal: our main dude Laios and his adventuring party are trying to tackle a notoriously dangerous dungeon. Things go south real quick when a red dragon shows up and chomps down on Laios’s sister, Falin. The party barely escapes with their lives, but they’ve got a problem—they’re broke, out of supplies, and Falin’s been swallowed whole.
But wait! There’s hope! Since the dragon didn’t chew her up (gross but important detail), Laios figures his sister might still be alive inside the beast’s stomach. The catch? They need to head back into the dungeon ASAP to rescue her before she’s, uh, digested.
With no money for supplies and time running out, Laios comes up with a solution that’s either brilliant or bonkers: they’ll eat the monsters they defeat in the dungeon to survive. Enter Senshi, a dwarf with god-tier cooking skills and encyclopedic knowledge of monster cuisine, and suddenly this rescue mission turns into a bizarre culinary adventure.
It’s like “Food Wars” had a baby with “Dungeons & Dragons,” and I am HERE for it.
Characters: A Perfectly Balanced Party (Menu)
What makes “Dungeon Meshi” special isn’t just its unique concept—it’s the characters who bring this world to life. Let’s break down this menu of personalities:
Laios: Our Monster-Curious Hero
Laios is the kind of guy who’d stop mid-battle to sketch a monster’s anatomy. He’s a walking encyclopedia of monster knowledge, but not for typical adventurer reasons—this dude just wants to know which parts taste best. His enthusiasm for monster-eating borders on concerning, but his genuine love for his sister drives the plot forward.
What I love about Laios is how the show balances his weird obsession with his competence as a party leader. He’s not just comic relief—he’s legitimately good at what he does, even if his priorities sometimes make his companions facepalm.
Marcille: The Voice of Reason (Usually)
Every good party needs someone saying “maybe don’t eat that,” and Marcille, the elven mage, fills this role perfectly. She starts as the most resistant to the whole monster-munching idea, which makes her gradual acceptance all the more satisfying to watch.
Marcille’s character development is subtle but meaningful. Her growth from someone who turns her nose up at monster food to someone who actively contributes cooking ideas shows how the dungeon changes everyone who ventures inside. Plus, her facial expressions are absolute gold—anime studios should take notes on how to animate someone looking simultaneously disgusted and intrigued.
Senshi: The Dungeon Gordon Ramsay
This dwarf is easily one of the most entertaining characters in recent anime. Senshi approaches monster cooking with the seriousness of a three-star Michelin chef. His backstory—living in the dungeon for years and perfecting monster cuisine—gives depth to what could have been a one-note character.
The way Senshi explains cooking techniques while casually chopping up basilisks or simmering slimes is both educational and hilarious. You’ll find yourself nodding along to his cooking logic before remembering, “Wait, he’s talking about making soup out of a living armor.”
Chilchuck: The Halfling with Half-Empty Plates
As the party’s locksmith and thief, Chilchuck brings both practical skills and a healthy dose of skepticism. He’s the most business-minded of the group, always concerned about efficiency and survival rather than culinary experiments.
What makes Chilchuck interesting is his pragmatism. He’s not opposed to eating monsters—he just wants to do so safely and quickly. His interactions with the more food-obsessed Laios and Senshi create some of the show’s best comedic moments.
The Animation: Mouth-Wateringly Good
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room—or should I say, the perfectly roasted basilisk on the table? The food animation in “Dungeon Meshi” is RIDICULOUS. Studio Trigger has somehow made fictional monster meat look so appetizing that I’ve caught myself wondering if the local butcher might have some manticore flank in stock.
Each episode features at least one extended cooking sequence that would make Food Network producers jealous. The sizzle of oil, the steam rising from a pot, the careful knife work—it’s all animated with loving detail. The contrast between the sometimes grotesque monsters and the beautiful dishes they become is part of the show’s unique visual charm.
But it’s not just about the food. The dungeon environments are atmospheric and diverse, from crystal caverns to fungal forests. The monster designs strike a perfect balance between traditional fantasy and original creativity. Combat scenes are fluid and dynamic, with each character’s fighting style clearly defined through animation.
What impresses me most is how the animation serves the story. When characters taste a new monster dish, their reactions are animated with such expressiveness that you can almost taste it yourself. The show uses these moments not just for comedy but to deepen our understanding of the characters and their changing relationship with the dungeon.
The Worldbuilding: Deep as the Dungeon Itself
On the surface, “Dungeon Meshi” seems like a simple concept—adventurers eat monsters, hilarity ensues. But dig a little deeper (like our heroes in the dungeon), and you’ll find some seriously impressive worldbuilding.
The dungeon itself feels like a living ecosystem rather than a random collection of monsters and traps. There are food chains, symbiotic relationships between creatures, and environmental factors that affect monster behavior. Episodes often begin with Laios narrating monster encyclopedia entries, giving us tantalizing glimpses into this meticulously crafted world.
Then there’s the culinary worldbuilding. The show doesn’t just say, “They eat monsters.” It explores preparation techniques, flavor profiles, and cultural attitudes toward monster consumption. We learn that elves traditionally avoid eating monsters for spiritual reasons, while dwarves have a rich tradition of dungeon cuisine. These details make the world feel lived-in and authentic, despite its fantastical elements.
The show also touches on dungeon economics—how adventuring parties typically function, the value of different monster parts, and the relationship between surface settlements and dungeons. These elements create a framework that makes the characters’ desperate situation more impactful.
The Food Philosophy: More Than Just Monster Munchies
Beyond the obvious appeal of watching characters turn terrifying monsters into gourmet meals, “Dungeon Meshi” explores some surprisingly thoughtful themes about food, survival, and our relationship with what we eat.
There’s a consistent theme of respecting ingredients—even when those ingredients tried to kill you moments earlier. Senshi repeatedly emphasizes using all parts of the monsters they hunt, wasting nothing. This philosophy extends beyond mere survival to become almost spiritual, suggesting that properly consuming the creatures of the dungeon is a way of becoming part of its ecosystem rather than merely exploiting it.
The show also explores how food connects to memory and identity. Several episodes feature characters recalling meals from their past, using food as a window into their backgrounds. One particularly touching moment shows how a shared meal can bridge cultural differences between party members, creating bonds that transcend their different approaches to dungeon crawling.
For a show about eating monsters in a fantasy dungeon, “Dungeon Meshi” delivers some genuinely thoughtful commentary on how what we eat shapes who we are—both literally and figuratively.
The Humor: Well-Seasoned Comedy
The comedy in “Dungeon Meshi” hits a sweet spot—it’s consistently funny without overwhelming the plot or character development. Much of the humor comes from the contrast between the life-or-death stakes of dungeon exploration and the mundane concerns of meal preparation.
Watching Laios enthusiastically dissect a monster while his companions look on in horror never gets old. Marcille’s gradual transformation from disgusted bystander to reluctant participant to enthusiastic cook provides a running gag that evolves throughout the series. Senshi’s deadpan delivery of absurd cooking advice (“The poison sac adds a nice tang”) gets me every time.
The show also excels at visual gags, like the recurring bit where Laios’s monster sketches become increasingly detailed and appetizing as the series progresses. There’s something inherently funny about characters having serious culinary debates while surrounded by dungeon dangers.
What makes the humor work is that it’s character-driven rather than relying on generic fantasy tropes or cheap shots. Even when the jokes are about something as silly as the proper way to tenderize walking mushroom meat, they’re rooted in the established personalities and dynamics of our main cast.
The Plot: Slow-Cooked to Perfection
While the monster-of-the-week (or meal-of-the-week) format could have made “Dungeon Meshi” feel episodic, the show maintains a strong narrative throughline with the quest to rescue Falin. Each level of the dungeon brings new challenges, revelations about the world, and development for our characters.
The pacing might feel slow to viewers accustomed to more action-heavy fantasy anime, but “Dungeon Meshi” is deliberately slow-cooked, like a good stew. Episodes take time to explore side paths and curiosities of the dungeon, giving us a richer understanding of this world rather than rushing from plot point to plot point.
As the series progresses, deeper mysteries emerge. Why does this dungeon exist? What’s the significance of certain recurring symbols? Are there larger forces at work beyond our adventurers’ understanding? These breadcrumbs keep viewers invested beyond the immediate goal of rescuing Laios’s sister.
The show also excels at creating tension. Despite the often lighthearted tone, there are genuine moments of danger where you worry for the characters’ survival. The stakes feel real, which makes the relief of each successful meal all the more satisfying.
The Adaptation: From Page to Plate
For manga readers, anime adaptations always come with a mix of excitement and anxiety. Will they do justice to the source material? In the case of “Dungeon Meshi,” the answer is a resounding YES.
Studio Trigger has been remarkably faithful to Ryoko Kui’s original work while enhancing it with color, movement, and sound. The distinctive art style of the manga—detailed monster anatomy, expressive character faces, and mouthwatering food illustrations—translates beautifully to animation.
What the anime adds is the sensory experience that can only come with animation. Hearing the sizzle of cooking monster meat, watching steam rise from a bubbling pot, and seeing the characters’ reactions in motion brings a new dimension to the story. The voice acting deserves special mention—each character’s personality shines through their performance, adding layers to already well-written dialogue.
The pacing of the adaptation strikes a good balance, covering manga content thoroughly without feeling rushed or padded. Each episode typically focuses on one major monster encounter and meal, giving sufficient time to explore both the adventure and culinary aspects that make the series unique.
The Cultural Impact: Creating a Hunger for More
Since its premiere, “Dungeon Meshi” has created quite a stir in the anime community. Fan art of monster recipes has proliferated across social media, and some ambitious souls have even attempted to create real-world approximations of the fantasy dishes (thankfully using conventional ingredients rather than, you know, actual basilisk).
What’s particularly interesting is how the show has appealed beyond traditional anime audiences. Its unique blend of fantasy adventure, cooking show elements, and character-driven comedy has attracted viewers who might not typically watch anime. The detailed culinary content has found fans among cooking enthusiasts, while the dungeon exploration aspects appeal to RPG and D&D players.
The show has also sparked conversations about sustainability and food ethics, albeit in a fantasy context. The philosophy of using all parts of what you hunt and understanding the ecosystem you’re taking from resonates with contemporary discussions about sustainable food practices.
Comparing Dungeon Meshi to Other Fantasy Anime
In a market saturated with isekai and traditional fantasy adventures, “Dungeon Meshi” carves out its own distinct niche. Unlike shows that focus on overpowered protagonists or harem-building, it centers on survival, practical problems, and the day-to-day realities of dungeon exploration.
Compared to something like “Goblin Slayer,” which takes a grim, realistic approach to fantasy adventuring, “Dungeon Meshi” finds a middle ground—acknowledging the dangers while maintaining an optimistic outlook. It’s not afraid to show the harsh realities of its world, but it balances these with moments of beauty, humor, and camaraderie.
Where many fantasy anime use food as a minor element or comedic relief, “Dungeon Meshi” elevates it to a central theme that drives both plot and character development. In this respect, it has more in common with food-centered anime like “Food Wars” or “Yakitate!! Japan” than with traditional fantasy series.
What sets “Dungeon Meshi” apart most clearly is its attention to the mundane aspects of fantasy adventuring that other shows gloss over. While “The Rising of the Shield Hero” might briefly mention the need for supplies, “Dungeon Meshi” dedicates entire episodes to the practical concerns of surviving in a hostile environment.
The Technical Aspects: A Well-Balanced Production
Beyond the stellar animation, “Dungeon Meshi” excels in other technical areas that enhance the viewing experience. The sound design deserves particular praise—from the distinct sizzle of different cooking methods to the varied roars, squelches, and skitters of dungeon monsters, the audio landscape is rich and immersive.
The musical score complements the action without overpowering it, shifting seamlessly from tense dungeon exploration themes to more playful melodies during cooking sequences. The opening and ending themes capture the show’s unique blend of adventure and culinary focus.
Character designs are faithful to the manga while being distinctive and memorable. Each party member has a silhouette and movement style that you could recognize instantly. Monster designs deserve special mention—they’re creative twists on fantasy staples, detailed enough to seem biologically plausible (which matters when you’re going to be cooking and eating them).
The direction shows a strong understanding of both action sequences and more intimate character moments. Combat is clear and easy to follow, while cooking scenes use close-ups and detail shots to highlight the care going into each preparation.
The Flaws: A Few Undercooked Elements
No show is perfect, and “Dungeon Meshi” does have a few weak points worth mentioning. The pacing, while generally good, occasionally lingers too long on cooking explanations at the expense of plot momentum. Some viewers might find themselves impatient during the more detailed culinary segments, especially if they’re more invested in the rescue mission aspect of the story.
Character development outside the core four party members is somewhat limited. Supporting characters tend to appear briefly and then fade into the background, which is a missed opportunity given the rich world-building.
The show sometimes falls into a predictable pattern: encounter monster, defeat monster, cook monster, learn something new, repeat. While the specifics of each cycle vary enough to keep things interesting, the formula becomes apparent after several episodes.
Some of the early exposition feels a bit clunky, with characters explaining aspects of the world that they would realistically already know. This is a common issue in fantasy anime, but it stands out in a show that otherwise handles worldbuilding so naturally.
These criticisms are minor in the grand scheme, like complaining about slightly overdone edges on an otherwise perfect steak. They don’t significantly detract from what makes the show special.
The Verdict: A Feast for Fantasy Fans
After consuming everything “Dungeon Meshi” has served up so far, I can confidently say this is one of the most refreshing and unique fantasy anime in recent years. It takes familiar ingredients—dungeon crawling, party dynamics, monster fighting—and combines them with the unexpected element of cooking to create something genuinely novel.
What could have been a one-note gimmick becomes a rich exploration of survival, adaptation, and finding beauty in unexpected places. The show’s message seems to be that even in the darkest, most dangerous situations, there’s value in taking time to appreciate what sustains us—both the food that gives physical nourishment and the relationships that provide emotional support.
For fantasy fans tired of overpowered protagonists and harem antics, “Dungeon Meshi” offers a grounded alternative that still captures the wonder and danger of exploring the unknown. For foodies, it’s a creative thought experiment about the culinary possibilities beyond conventional ingredients. And for anyone who appreciates good storytelling, it’s simply a well-crafted tale with heart, humor, and surprising depth.
Is it worth your time? Absolutely. Just don’t watch it hungry—you’ve been warned.
Where to Watch Dungeon Meshi
If your appetite has been whetted by this review, you can catch “Dungeon Meshi” on several streaming platforms. Netflix has secured international streaming rights for the series, making it widely accessible. Depending on your region, you might also find it on Crunchyroll or other anime-specific streaming services.
The series is still ongoing at the time of writing, with new episodes dropping weekly. For those who prefer to binge, waiting for the complete season might be tempting—but joining the weekly discussions about new monster recipes is half the fun!
If you fall in love with the world and characters (and I suspect you will), the original manga is well worth checking out. Yen Press publishes the English translation under the title “Delicious in Dungeon,” with several volumes currently available.
Final Thoughts: The Perfect Blend of Fantasy and Food
“Dungeon Meshi” reminds us why we fell in love with fantasy stories in the first place—not just for epic battles and magical powers, but for the sense of discovery and wonder in exploring unknown worlds. By focusing on something as universal as food, it creates an accessible entry point into its fantasy setting, inviting viewers to consider the practical aspects of adventuring that many stories overlook.
In a media landscape where fantasy often veers toward either grim darkness or overpowered escapism, “Dungeon Meshi” charts a middle path that feels both fresh and familiar. It acknowledges the dangers and difficulties of its world while maintaining an essentially optimistic outlook. Yes, the dungeon is dangerous—but with knowledge, preparation, and good companions, you can not only survive but thrive.
So gather your party, sharpen your knives (both for fighting and chopping), and dive into the delicious depths of “Dungeon Meshi.” Just remember Senshi’s golden rule: respect your ingredients, use every part, and never waste what the dungeon provides. Happy hunting—and even happier eating!