# Hungry Hearts Diner — A Tale of Star-Crossed Souls

> Casual Japanese diner simulation game with a heartwarming story. (iPhone/iPad app by GAGEX Co.,Ltd..)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hungry-hearts-diner/id1255042213 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [GAGEX Co.,Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/905173598)
- Category: Games, Entertainment, Adventure, Simulation
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.90/5 from 4,746 App Store ratings · 1,067 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 12+
- Requires: iOS 11.0 · 251 MB
- Languages: American English, Japanese, Korean, Chinese (Simplified, China), Chinese (Traditional, Taiwan)
- Released: 2017-11-17
- Data updated: 2026-09-09
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hungry-hearts-diner/id1255042213/reviews.md

## What is Hungry Hearts Diner?

Hungry Hearts Diner is a game about a small shop at the edge of a
big city. Take on the role of the hard-working old lady struggling to
manage her family's little restaurant—and all by her lonesome, too!

Cook tasty meals for a variety of colorful characters, and learn more
about their triumphs and struggles as they chow down on your tasty,
home-cooked food. Rice balls, dumplings, tempura...you can make it all!
In fact, the more you cook, the more dishes you'll unlock.
And hey, you'll even get a chance to learn about good ol' fashioned
Japanese cuisine while you're at it! Did you know you can make
jelly out of seaweed? Because I didn't!

Of course, the people who visit your diner all have a story to tell.
And what makes people more talkative than a full belly?
Feed your customers until they feel like sitting back and spinning
you a yarn or two!

But not every story is a happy one, and not every ending
joyous. Stay tuned for some twists and turns!

Story
 ------------------------------------------
On a tiny side street in a nameless little neighborhood sits an
old Japanese diner. Things are quiet here; old-fashioned
you might say. But of course they are. It's Showa era Japan,
and the television is just starting to come into vogue.

Slide open the screen door and you'll see a kindly old lady
hard at work behind the counter. Her husband's been sick
for a while, and she's had to run the place on her own.
It's hard work, but she's a tough one, and she gets by.

Sit down at one of the worn wooden tables, and close your
eyes. Thunk thunk goes the steady beat of a knife chopping
veggies. Hisss; the sound of meat sizzling in a pan.
Swish swish; a whisk beating eggs.
The soothing sounds of a simple kitchen.

Sit here long enough, and all that tension will just flow
right out of you. So come on in, order a hot meal, and take
a load off. The peace'll do you good.

So, let me guess. The question you're asking yourself right now
is "is this game for me"? Well, maybe it is.
 -Do you like casual/idle games?
 -Do you like games where you run a shop?
 -Are you looking for a nice, relaxing story?
 -Ever played any of our other games, like Oden Cart or Showa Candy Shop? (If so, thanks a bunch!)
 -Are you hungry?*
*Warning: This game is not edible. Please don't try to eat your phone.

If you answered "Yes!!!!" to any of the above, well,
maybe this game's for you. Give it a download and a shot.
It's free, so it won't cost you a dime!
We very much hope it brings you a smile! Or perhaps even some tears?

## Key features

- Diner management
- Cooking various Japanese dishes
- Unlocking new recipes
- Interacting with customers
- Unfolding character stories
- Relaxing gameplay

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Daruma | $0.99 | one-time |
| Lucky Deities | $0.99 | one-time |
| Lucky Cat | $0.99 | one-time |
| Ad-Blocking Jizo | $3.99 | one-time |


## What do users think of Hungry Hearts Diner?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 🌟 Heartwarming story
- 🎨 Beautiful art and design
- 🕰️ Relaxing, low-stress gameplay
- 📚 Interesting character backstories
- 🍱 Delicious-looking food depictions
- 🎶 Calming background music

**Cons**

- ⏱️ Short gameplay length
- 🔚 Abrupt ending after completing story
- 🧱 Limited customization and upgrades
- 💤 Slow customer flow after reaching max level

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Occasional crashes or progress loss
- Inconsistent customer ordering and satisfaction

**Most requested features**

- Expand the story with new characters and locations
- Add more customization options for the diner
- Introduce new gameplay modes or challenges
- Allow players to continue playing after completing the story

## Recent user reviews (10 of 1,067)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hungry-hearts-diner/id1255042213/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Great game

*2026-08-30, version 1.3.3*

sweet and fun story

### 5/5 — calming

*2026-08-01, version 1.3.3*

I used to play this after school and remember falling asleep to the music because it was so calming. I thought about this game after so long when listening to acoustic music. The storyline is good and I like how you can interact with characters. It’s definitely a comforting game that I had a positive experience with and discovered new foods from.

### 5/5 — Lovely

*2026-07-19, version 1.3.3*

Bittersweet and cozy like va-1 hall-a in the Showa era. My favorite game so many years ago, and I finally managed to find it again

### 5/5 — Touch grass!

*2026-07-01*

The storylines, the simplicity of operation & the love. So much love was poured into the characters & the creation of this game that makes parched player like me immensely special to have played this wonderful game. The team must take a well deserved bow!!!!

### 5/5 — I sobbed!

*2026-06-21, version 1.3.3*

Unexpectedly it was so good, and I finished it in 2 days.

### 5/5 — Phenomenal Idle Game

*2026-06-18, version 1.3.3*

This is the only idle game I like. I loved the story, calming music and fell in love with the charming characters. It was perfect for study breaks because it straddles the fine line of being not too addicting yet still engaging. 10/10 game! Can’t wait to play its sequel!

### 5/5 — Super cute

*2026-06-14, version 1.3.3*

This game is so cute! I love the feel of the game and how the customers have storylines too. It’s a relaxing and enjoyable experience. Thank you! ❤️

### 2/5 — Мило, но добавьте русский язык.

*2026-05-14*

Сразу же удалила, хотя очень хотела поиграть…

### 5/5 — Hungry hearts

*2026-05-11*

Нет сложных замороченных механик, диалоги персонажей действительно интересные. Каждая история — хоть и грустная, но жизненная. Разговоры с бабулей дают героям надежду на исправление и, знаете, мне кажется, каждый найдет что-то свое. Атмосфера уютная, теплая. Жаль только, что персонажей относительно мало: но это дело субъективное.

### 5/5 — Прекрасный маленький кусочек добра♥️

*2026-05-11*

Просто прекрасная уютная игрушка. За маской обычного симулятора готовки сидит совершенно самобытный геймплей и очень трогающие за душу жизненные истории посетителей. Я расплакалась, правда. Английский здесь совершенно понятный, легко можно без переводчика понять суть очередного рассказа. Безумно понравилось, таких маленьких уютных и душевных игр должно быть больше!♥️

## Frequently asked questions about Hungry Hearts Diner

### What is Hungry Hearts Diner about?

Hungry Hearts Diner is a casual game where you play as an old lady running a small Japanese diner. You'll cook various dishes, serve customers, and learn about their personal stories and struggles. The game features a heartwarming narrative set in Showa era Japan.

### What kind of food can I cook in the game?

You can cook a variety of tasty Japanese meals, including rice balls, dumplings, and tempura. As you progress and cook more, you'll unlock new dishes. The game also offers a chance to learn about traditional Japanese cuisine.

### Is Hungry Hearts Diner free to play?

Yes, the game is free to download and play. However, it does offer in-app purchases and may display advertisements, which is how the game is monetized.

### What kind of experience does Hungry Hearts Diner offer?

This game is designed to be a relaxing and heartwarming experience. It's ideal for players who enjoy casual or idle games, shop management simulations, and engaging stories with emotional depth. The game aims to provide a peaceful escape.

### Who is the target audience for Hungry Hearts Diner?

The game is suited for players who enjoy casual gameplay, running a shop, and following a nice, relaxing story. It's particularly appealing to those interested in Japanese culture, cuisine, and narrative-driven experiences.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.3.3 — 2023-04-06

Fixed some bugs.

### 1.3.1 — 2023-03-11

Fixed some bugs.

### 1.2.1 — 2022-03-30

Fixed some bugs.

### 1.2 — 2022-03-14

Fixed some bugs.

### 1.1.2 — 2021-04-27

Fixed some bugs.

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## More apps by GAGEX Co.,Ltd.

- [おでん屋 人情物語　～今宵 キセキの起きる店～](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/id993475196)
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- [关东煮店人情故事 ～今晚 奇迹将在小店发生～](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/id1032238434)
- [오뎅집인정이야기 ～금소 기적이 일어나는 가게～](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/id1032238618)
- [Oden Cart A Heartwarming Tale](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/oden-cart-a-heartwarming-tale/id1065746015)
- [【推理ゲーム】 取調室](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/id1091983367)

All apps by GAGEX Co.,Ltd.: https://appshunter.io/developer/905173598

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-09.*