About Us
Discover the healing touch of cosy Japanese and Korean books, where comfort is found in the people we meet, the words we exchange, and the kindness we show ourselves.
By Felicia Chua
In a world that moves too quickly, some stories invite us to slow down and appreciate life’s small moments, be it through a hearty meal, a cup of aromatic coffee, or the tender kindness of strangers. Cosy Japanese and Korean books have found their way into readers’ hearts precisely for this reason. Often set in seemingly mundane, everyday spaces, these stories offer warmth in their simplicity and an emotional refuge from the stresses of daily life.
Whether it’s a quaint diner specialising in forgotten recipes, an enchanted pastry shop serving the departed, or wellness advice on prioritising your peace, here are seven titles to curl up with for some cosy, cathartic reading.
Power of Words
At the heart of cosy Japanese and Korean books lies a belief in the quiet strength of words. Just as words can cut someone down, they can soothe growing pains and remind us that we are never alone in our struggles.
Notes from the Ginza Shihodo Stationery Shop
By Kenji Ueda
At Ginza Shihodo Stationery Shop, enigmatic shop owner Ken Takarada helps visitors fulfil their stationery needs, and more importantly, express what lies within their hearts. From a young girl being bullied by her classmates to a salary man facing the lonely prospect of retirement, readers will see how the simple act of putting pen to paper can unlock healing, connection, and understanding.
Soyangri Book Kitchen
By Kim Jee Hye
Over at Soyangri Book Kitchen, its plucky proprietor, Yoojin, aims to create a sanctuary for weary souls like herself. Seven people at a crossroads in their lives — from a singer grappling with an identity crisis to a promising lawyer with a daunting medical diagnosis — find their way to Yoojin’s book kitchen, and find their lives subtly transformed by the magic of its books and the kindness of its people.
It’s Okay Not to Get Along with Everyone
By Dancing Snail
For anybody feeling drained and overwhelmed by our era of relentless obligations and need for communication, bestselling author and illustrator Dancing Snail is here to assure you that it’s okay not to get along with everyone. Written in short-form chapters and with delightful illustrations, she hopes to spread messages of compassion and patience to all who feel burdened, whether it’s learning to say no, embracing solitude without guilt, or focusing on personal well-being over pleasing others.
Sips of Comfort
Cosy Japanese and Korean fiction often revolve around cafés, bookshops, and life truths, and for good reason. If you’ve ever sat at a homely coffee shop or tea house and nursed an artisanal drink while letting your mind run freely, you’d know how therapeutic that is.
By Satoshi Yagisawa
At Torunka Café, regulars are served the perfect cup of coffee to warm their lonely hearts. From the mysterious woman who always leaves behind a napkin folded into the shape of a ballerina to the teen coming to terms with her sister's death, customers will find unexpected connections and experience everyday miracles in the quiet Tokyo café.
By Dongwon Seo
For a stronger kick, find your way to the magical bar inside Moon Glow Bookshop. There, the quiet bartender, Mun, serves hand-crafted cocktails that shimmer with stardust and emotion; each one a reflection of each customer’s life, hidden dreams, and forgotten joys. With an enchanted recipe that turns memories into magic, every glass he serves allows customers to relive their life story for a chance to remember, understand, and heal from past regrets.
Taste of Nostalgia
When it comes to cosy fiction, food is also a major inspiration, especially as a conduit between the past and present. Good food is the way to one’s heart, and for many, nothing beats comfort food to tide us over on particularly difficult days.
The Menu of Happiness
By Hisashi Kashiwai
At Kamogawa Diner, the ‘food detectives’ don’t just serve food — they delve into the past to produce nostalgia-infused dishes for their hungry clientele. Each dish is a portal to the past, serving not just sustenance but solace and reconnection through delicious food.
A Midnight Pastry Shop Called Hwawoldang
By Lee Onhwa
For a taste of Korean traditional desserts, Hwawoldang opens its doors to serve the departed on their last stop before the afterlife. When Yeon-hwa inherits her grandmother’s pastry shop, she hopes to learn the secrets behind the desserts and the enigmatic woman who made them. Evocative, nourishing, and cosy, this book is an ode to lost souls finding home, in this life and beyond.
As we settle into the year’s final stretch, these low-stakes, feel-good reads are gentle reminders to hit pause, sit with our thoughts, and take in the goodness of all that life has to offer. For more healing reads to indulge, stay tuned for an extensive curation of cosy fiction at POPULAR’s year-end extravaganza — BookFest@Singapore 2025!
