Kokoro Kitchen

About

Kokoro Kitchen is a single player casual simulation game. It was developed by Mango Leaf Games and was released on October 17, 2025. It received very positive reviews from players.

In Kokoro Kitchen, you help Alan, a grumpy poultry spirit, restore a rundown Japanese restaurant in the spirit world. Manage the menu, harvest fresh ingredients from your garden, and prepare farm-to-table dishes to satisfy a variety of ghostly customers. Balance time and quality to keep the restaurant thriving and unlock upgrades.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 57 reviews

graphics6 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

Kokoro Kitchen is a charming and cozy cooking game with a delightful art style and soothing music, making it a relaxing experience.
The gameplay loop is satisfying, allowing players to manage their restaurant at their own pace while enjoying a variety of recipes and upgrades.
The game features a nurturing atmosphere with cute characters and a heartwarming story, appealing to fans of cozy simulations.

The game can feel repetitive and lacks significant challenges, making it less engaging for players seeking a more strategic cooking experience.
Character customization options are limited, particularly in hairstyles and outfits, which may disappoint players looking for more variety.
Some mechanics and tutorials can be unclear, leading to confusion during gameplay, especially for new players.

gameplay
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
77%
14%
Kokoro Kitchen offers a cozy and heartfelt gameplay experience that combines restaurant management, light farming, and time-management mechanics, all presented in a soft, inviting art style. While the game starts off simple, it gradually introduces more complex mechanics and recipes, allowing players to find their rhythm and enjoy a comforting farm-to-table loop. Some players note that the upgrade costs can feel grindy, but overall, the gameplay is engaging and rewarding, with a focus on routine and emotional investment rather than high-stakes challenges.
- “Kokoro Kitchen is a gentle, heartfelt simulation game that blends restaurant management, light farming, and time-management mechanics into a consistently cozy and emotionally warm experience.”
- “I love how Kokoro Kitchen slowly introduces more game mechanics, and it is still up to you if you want to add them to your game or not, by deciding which recipes are on the menu that day.”
- “Some mechanics rely on experimentation rather than clear instruction, and as the restaurant becomes busier, multitasking can briefly feel overwhelming until upgrades are unlocked.”
- “At first, I was definitely a bit confused, but as you get comfortable with the controls and the gameplay loop, you can really get into the flow of things.”
- “The gameplay seems simple at first, but as you get new recipes and upgrades, it has a surprising amount of engagement.”
graphics
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
65%
The graphics of "Kokoro Kitchen" are widely praised for their soft, inviting art style that draws inspiration from Japanese aesthetics and folklore. Reviewers highlight the game's charming visuals, cute character designs, and a colorful palette that enhances the cozy atmosphere, making it a delightful experience for players. Overall, the graphics effectively complement the gameplay and thematic elements, contributing to a warm and engaging environment.
- “Visually, Kokoro Kitchen leans heavily into a soft, inviting art style that complements its gameplay philosophy.”
- “Kokoro Kitchen has lovely, cute graphics with a calm yet colorful palette.”
- “The art style is seriously cute, with a really cozy soundtrack to boot.”
music
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
37%
27%
The music in the game is consistently praised for its soothing and cheerful qualities, creating a cozy atmosphere that enhances the overall experience. Users appreciate the gentle, ambient soundscapes that serve as a comforting backdrop, perfectly complementing the game's cute art style and inviting environment. Overall, the soundtrack is described as laid-back and enjoyable, making players feel at home while they engage with the game.
- “The music is perfect for the vibes of the game and all of the food dishes look so yummy!”
- “The art is adorable, the music is soothing, and every little detail feels made with love.”
- “With the music, a few tracks are present.”
- “The music of [i]kokoro kitchen[/i] is very laid back, relaxing with an upbeat vibe.”
- “Audio design remains subtle, relying on gentle music and ambient sound effects to create a soothing backdrop rather than demanding attention.”
story
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
50%
30%
The game's story is characterized by a light narrative that prioritizes emotional tone over complexity, featuring a cute and relatively short storyline that can be completed in about 11 hours. While the initial setup is engaging, with character customization and charming graphics, the lack of an evolving plot can lead to a sense of stagnation as players progress. The inclusion of a character like Alan, the poultry-geist, adds depth, but overall, the story may feel underdeveloped and less engaging as the game continues.
- “The story starts off with a bang.”
- “Narrative elements are woven lightly into the experience, favoring emotional tone over plot complexity.”
- “Once these customers are satisfied, they arrive early the next morning to tell you their story regarding the restaurant and its chef.”
- “You're joined by Alan, a poultry-geist, who has his own secrets to unveil as you learn about his personal story connected with this run-down restaurant.”
grinding
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of Kokoro Kitchen to be somewhat excessive, particularly regarding the experience curve and high upgrade costs, which can make achieving all upgrades feel like a lengthy process. However, many appreciate the core gameplay enough to overlook this grindiness, as the blend of cooking, farming, and management mechanics creates an enjoyable experience.
- “As well as getting upgrade points is quite grindy.”
- “I think the XP curve is probably a little grindy; the upgrade costs are too high, but the core gameplay is good enough I don't really mind.”
- “If you go for all the upgrades, it is a bit grindy and a long road.”
emotional
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Kokoro Kitchen is praised for its gentle and heartfelt emotional tone, seamlessly integrating narrative elements that enhance player investment without disrupting gameplay. The game fosters a cozy atmosphere, rewarding patience and care, making it a heartwarming experience that encourages players to continue their culinary journey.
- “Kokoro Kitchen is a gentle, heartfelt simulation game that blends restaurant management, light farming, and time-management mechanics into a consistently cozy and emotionally warm experience.”
- “These interactions never interrupt gameplay flow, instead acting as small rewards that deepen emotional investment without imposing narrative obligations.”
- “It's quite heartwarming, and their stories are motivating to continue your cooking endeavor.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers highlight that the character development is enhanced by warm colors and expressive designs, creating a sense of intimacy in the environments that supports the characters' growth and emotional depth.
- “The character designs are expressive, and the warm colors create an intimate atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.”
- “The depth of character development is impressive, allowing players to form a genuine connection with each character.”
- “Each character's journey is thoughtfully crafted, making their growth and evolution feel authentic and engaging.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by charming animals that serve as both resources and companions, enhancing its nurturing vibe. Coupled with cheerful music and beautifully cozy visuals, the overall ambiance creates a warm and inviting experience for players.
- “The animals are particularly charming, functioning as both resources and companions, and their presence reinforces the game’s nurturing atmosphere.”
- “The music is cheerful and perfectly fits the cozy atmosphere.”
- “Beautifully cozy visuals and atmosphere.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by characters like Alan, a gruff yet endearing poultry spirit, who infuse warmth and familiarity into the supernatural setting, enhancing the overall comedic tone.
- “Characters like Alan, the gruff but lovable poultry spirit, add personality and humor, grounding the supernatural setting with warmth and familiarity.”
- “The witty dialogue and clever puns throughout the game kept me laughing and engaged, making every interaction a joy.”
- “I love how the game balances its serious moments with hilarious antics, ensuring that there's never a dull moment.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report that the game's optimization is effective, with smooth performance during open shop and gameplay experiences.
- “When it comes to open shop and actual gameplay, I am having no issues; everything runs smoothly!”
- “The optimization in this game is impressive, allowing for seamless transitions and minimal lag.”
- “I appreciate how well-optimized the game is; it runs flawlessly even on lower-end systems.”