Has this ever happened to you? You’re comfortably reading, completely lost in a story, and then a character starts to eat. Suddenly, you have an intense, undeniable craving for a food you’ve never even tried, all thanks to the power of a good description.
Some of the most memorable moments in literature are tied to food—it can represent comfort, luxury, temptation, or home. This list is a celebration of those delicious scenes and the books that made our stomachs rumble.
Your Next Literary Feast
Ready to get hungry? We can deliver any of these page-turners (and future sources of cravings) right to your door, anywhere in Vietnam.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
The Craving: Turkish Delight
This is perhaps the most famous food in all of children’s literature. When Edmund Pevensie first enters Narnia, the White Witch tempts him with an enchanted Turkish Delight. It’s described as being so magically delicious that he is willing to betray his own siblings just to get more. For generations of readers, this scene created a lifelong curiosity for a sweet they had likely never heard of before.
- Author: C.S. Lewis
- Genre: Classic Fantasy
- The Taste of: Temptation and dangerous magic.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
The Craving: Lamb Stew with Dried Plums
For Katniss Everdeen, who grew up in the poverty of District 12, the food on the train to the Capitol is a revelation. The rich, savory lamb stew served with fluffy bread rolls represents a world of luxury and comfort she has never known. The description is so powerful that it makes the reader feel Katniss’s sense of wonder and provides a moment of warmth before the horrors of the Games begin.
- Author: Suzanne Collins
- Genre: Dystopian / Action-Adventure
- The Taste of: Comfort, luxury, and a world out of reach.
Redwall by Brian Jacques
The Craving: The Legendary Feasts
No series in history has described food with more loving detail than Redwall. The mice and woodland creatures of Redwall Abbey are constantly preparing for massive, joyous feasts. Deeper’n’Ever Pie, candied chestnuts, strawberry cordial, and dozens of other dishes are described so vividly that they become characters in their own right. Reading this series on an empty stomach is a dangerous game.
- Author: Brian Jacques
- Genre: Animal Fantasy / Adventure
- The Taste of: Community, celebration, and pure, wholesome joy.
A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
The Craving: Pasta Puttanesca
In The Bad Beginning, the Baudelaire orphans are left with the villainous Count Olaf, who expects them to cook a huge meal for his theatre troupe. Using the few ingredients they can find, the resourceful children whip up a simple Pasta Puttanesca. In a story filled with misery, this meal represents the children’s cleverness, resilience, and ability to find comfort even in the darkest of situations.
- Author: Lemony Snicket (Daniel Handler)
- Genre: Children’s Gothic / Mystery
- The Taste of: Resourcefulness and finding comfort in dark times.
What Books Make You Hungry?
This is just our list, but the world of literary food is vast. What book has given you an unforgettable food craving? Let us know in the comments!