The Bear's S3 Is OUT! And We've Got 12 More Kitchen Based Shows Just Like It

This Japanese series has my heart, and it's the perfect show to watch at any point in time. The midnight diner, operating from 12 at night to 7 in the morning, becomes a home for many strangers to indulge in great food, share their stories, and find some comfort in the solace nights. This show feels like a giant hug, an absolute must-watch, and if there is only one show that you can add to your watchlist, let it be this one.

IMDb Rating: 8.6/10

Seasons: 3

Based on Anthony Bourdain's book Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly, Kitchen Confidential was regarded as the 'IT-Kitchen' show before The Bear. The show captures the good and the ugly side of the service industry and the stressful, high-pressure environment; it gives viewers a glimpse of the culinary underbelly. Characters go through a super engaging redemption arc, just like The Bear.

IMDb Rating: 8/10

Seasons: 1

I've loved Roy Choi since his YouTube days, and now seeing him on OTT platforms is even better. He and the writer, director, and food enthusiast Jon Favreau explore food in and out of the kitchen with accomplished chefs and celebrity friends. Let me tell you, the banter is just hilarious. It's one of those comfort shows that you can watch endlessly.

IMDb Rating: 8.2/10

Seasons: 2

Based in the high-pressure kitchen of a country hotel, Whites follows head chef Roland White and his sous chef Bib's trials and tribulations as they navigate to retain their lost spark and success from 15 years ago. It is hilarious, and if you have seen the 'egg-less omelette' quip on the internet, you will see more routines of Kiki, the waitress (Isy Suttie). Without a doubt, it's a riot of laughs.

IMDb Rating: 7.4/10

Seasons: 1

Sweetbitter is a show that follows Tess, who is starting a new life in the big city. She navigates working for a top restaurant, with a growing interest in the restaurant’s workers, nightlife, and fast-paced lifestyle. It has everything: drama, romance, a glimpse into the insanely competitive service business, and heartbreak. It's a well-rounded show with lots of masalas, and with each episode being just 25 minutes long, it's super-duper binge-able.

IMDb Rating: 7/10

Seasons: 2

Anthony Bourdain is one who really understands and cares about food and sees it as more than just fuel. This series follows him as he uncovers the best cuisine across the world. It's lovely how he learns about the dish, the cuisine, its origins, its significance and its impact while decimating any stereotypes and prejudices. This show is a great travelogue series with a greater focus on food and culture, and it is super fun to watch. His other series, Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, is also interesting. You'll enjoy this if you love watching people discuss food with passion.

IMDb Rating: 8.5/10

Seasons: 9

Ugly Delicious follows Chef David Chang, who takes other elite chefs, entertainers, and celebrities like Jimmy Kimmel, Nick Kroll, and Ali Wong to find the most amazing dishes, grubs, and cuisines cross-culturally. The conversations are engaging, the food shots are immaculate, and the learning graph consistently peaks as you watch it, this one is a great entertainer.

IMDb Rating: 7.8/10

Seasons: 2

A fairly new show, but something I enjoyed and am looking forward to watching more of, The Makanai is a Japanese series about two inseparable friends who move to Tokyo to become Maiko (which is an apprentice geisha in Kyoto). But as fate would have it, they start cooking for the House of Maiko, and the series unfolds into a series of hilarious, heartfelt quips and motions, with strong bonds of sisterhood and chosen family.

IMDb Rating: 7.9/10

Seasons: 1

A story about an old Japanese man named Takeshi Kusumi and his culinary adventures. He recently retired from his job as a company broker and switched modes from autopilot to be a little more present with a spiritual guide who is a samurai. Delivering the over-encompassing message of 'live the life that matters the most to you', this show captures food and emotions. It is everything you need after a long day at work, and its nuance and messaging get more and more surreal with the number of times you watch it.

IMDb Rating: 8.1/10

Seasons: 1

I know, listing a straight-up one-person cooking show is a bit of a cop-out, but 'Nadiya's Time To Eat' truly deserves all the hype. The winner of 'The Great British Bake Off', Nadiya shares simple and delicious shortcuts, vital ingredients, and fast favourites that are perfect for today's time-strapped families. With her infectious energy, she creates the most beautiful-looking recipes, and it's just a total delight to see all these desserts come to life. 

IMDb Rating: 7.3/10

Seasons: 1

An absolute favourite show for my dad and me, 'Raja, Rasoi aur Anya Kahanaiya' feels like a warm hug! Showcasing Indian cuisine in all its mastery and niche, this show travels to different parts of India and uncovers stories of stellar recipes that carry the culture and origins of that particular region while interviewing individuals who have been making these recipes for a long time. This show is wholesome, and if you want to know more about Indian cuisine, then it's going to be the ultimate treat.

IMDb Rating: 8.9/10

Seasons: 4

Well, call me stuck in my 2021 YouTube era, but guessing if something is cake or a real-life object is the thing that you cannot get enough of (especially at three in the morning when your content consumption goes drastically unhinged.) Is It Cake has three seasons, where skilled cake artists create mouthwatering replicas of handbags, sewing machines, and more in a mind-bending baking contest. This is one of the most satisfying shows out there (IYKYK), and it is perfect for days when you want something that doesn't require more than one brain cell and is super fun.

IMDb Rating: 6/10

Seasons: 3