If I’m ever in a bad mood, there’s one thing that can almost instantly fix it: food. And this year, digital food was almost as good as some meals in real life – seriously, I want to eat everything on this list right now. Here’s the best food in video games in 2023.
The Best Food in 2023 Video Games, Listed
Six foods made my list this year, all of which I would literally overpay multiple times to be able to eat. There’s only one winner, though, so read on to find out which meal won Prima Games’ heart (and belly).
6. Tropical Fish Sushi Set – Dave the Diver
If you know me, you’ll know I hate seafood. Sea food and eat it? More like sea food and barf. But I do have to admit that Dave the Diver somehow makes seafood look incredible to me, which is no easy feat. The Tropical Fish Sushi Set, in particular, makes me wish I liked fish.
Maybe it’s the vibrant colors that caught my attention, but this really does look like a plate that would be a delight to eat. There’s at least three different types of sushi, lemons you can squeeze for some zesty flavor, and even edible flowers. Bancho really outdid himself on this one.
5. Tomato Club – Sea of Stars
Not only is Sea of Stars my personal game of the year, its food is also to die for. I mean, hell, they’ve even managed to make a sandwich look good. ” Unbeatable when the tomatoes are just right,” the in-game description reads, which just makes me want it even more.
If someone ever tells you that a sandwich is “just a sandwich,” they’re wrong. A good sandwich can be better than a 5-star meal; it hits different, you know? And you can just tell that in Sea of Stars, the Tomato Club’s baguette is crispy, the tomatoes are juicy, and the basil has that coveted crunch.
4. Wildberry Crepe – The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
I’m not gonna lie, I didn’t expect The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom to have the amount of tasty-looking food that it does. It’s hard to imagine throwing meat, some herbs, and rice into a pot and it coming out looking like a five-star meal Gordon Ramsay would be proud to serve.
Picking one meal from Tears of the Kingdom was TOUGH, but something about the Wildberry Crepes speaks to me. I mean, come on, just look how succulent those strawberries are. And the strawberry drizzle – gorgeous! You know those celebrities who choose what their last meal would be for a YouTube video? Well, this might honestly be my pick.
3. Kitakami Fried Noodles – Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: The Teal Mask
A good noodle dish is the way to my heart, and the Kitakami Fried Noodles in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s The Teal Mask DLC do not miss. You know how the best food is often served from food trucks or legendary hole-in-the-wall joints? These noodles are sold by a local at the Kitakami Mask Festival and are made fresh in front of your eyes.
Served in a bamboo leaf boat, the noodles are browned to perfection and have crunchy vegetables in every bite. There’s even a side of pickled red ginger for that extra punch. Ugh, I want this one so bad right now.
2. Layered Biriyani – Venba
Venba is incredibly impactful in many ways, and one of the areas it doesn’t fail to disappoint is its food. It was so, so hard to choose my favorite because it all looks amazing.
In the end, the layered biryani dish won my heart (and my stomach) because biryani has long been one of my favorite Indian dishes. Indian food is really popular in the UK, so I was lucky enough to grow up tasting so many incredible foods from various cultures. Venba’s take on it looks freaking beautiful and I bet it tastes absolutely phenomenal.
And seriously, play Venba; it’s one of those games that leaves a permanent mark on your soul.
1. CAN-uck! Shepherd’s Pie – Starfield
I already know the reaction to this. I know, okay? It doesn’t look great. But as a British gal who now lives in the USA, I can’t give up my UK staples, including shepherd’s pie. I’ve made the dish myself a few times since moving here, and my American husband requests it whenever possible. Birthday? Shepherd’s pie. Anniversary? Shepherd’s pie. Having a bad day? Shepherd’s pie. It’s one of those meals that doesn’t look appetizing, but it really is the ultimate comfort food, especially for a Brit. Ask any one of us.
Starfield’s take on shepherd’s pie – CAN-uck! Shepherd’s Pie – looks lush, as far as shepherd’s pies go. You have the succulent, juicy meat and vegetables and a golden crust of crispy mashed potatoes. They’ve even piped the mash to get those beautiful duchess swirls on the top and garnished it with chives. All that’s missing is the gravy. If I were in space and this came in a can, I’d eat it daily. Maybe even multiple times a day if I could get away with it. Yum.
