Trails of Cold Steel 3 Guide: All Recipes and Where to Find Them

Recipes have always been an integral part of not getting your posterior handed to you in the Trails games, and that’s no different in Trails of Cold Steel 3. Where medical items are expensive and typically just restore health or Energy Points (EP), food items go much further, restoring both health and EP, raising stat parameters for a few turns, restoring Craft Points (CP) so you can pull off another S-Break attack.

The cooking mechanic first introduced in the unlocalized Trails to Zero, where a recipe turns out differently depending on who makes it, is back again as well.

Unless you know where to look and take the time to try and find them, chances are, your recipe book’s gonna be pretty slim by the end of the game.

This guide is here to ensure that doesn’t happen to you. It lists each recipe, where to find it, and what the three variants are in the order they’ll appear in your Recipe Book

Unique Dishes and Special Chefs

On top of the regular dish, some characters will produce a superb dish with added bonuses. Some will produce a unique dish that could have a completely different bonus. Failed (peculiar) ones could even be used as attack items.

Your best bet for a superb dish is using a character with high affinity for that dish, and if you want a peculiar or unique dish, try one who isn’t very good at it.

It’s worth experimenting for unique dishes. You’ll actually need at least eight separate unique dishes to finish the Great Crossbell Cookoff quest in Chapter 2.

There is one big difference in Cold Steel 3‘s cooking party mechanics, though: after you’ve joined up with other party members, you can still choose them as the chef for a recipe, even if they aren’t currently in your party. 

Cold Steel 3 also sort of brings back the old system from Trails in the Sky, where you learn a recipe when you eat a new food item. This time, though, you have to eat it when it’s offered as a special at a specific restaurant or cafe.

Your First Recipe

You’ll get your Recipe Book as part of a required quest in the prologue. Speak to Gina in the Branch Campus cafeteria to get the book, the first recipe (Chunky Potato Salad), and enough ingredients to make it a few times.

Chunky Potato Salad

• Best chef: Juna
• Worst chefs: Altina, Laura, Fie

Variations and Effects:

• Superb — Pillowy Mashed Potatoes
  • Recovers 600 HP and increases Defense for two turns (medium area of effect)
• Standard — Chunky Potato Salad
  • Recovers 500 HP and increases Defense for two turns (small area of effect)
• Peculiar — Shield Chips
  • Recovers 400 HP and increases defense for one turn (large area of effect)
• Unique — Crispy Potato Croquettes
  • Recovers 600 HP and increases defense for four turns (small area of effect)

Chapter 1 Recipes

Piled Onion Rings (April 16)

• Location: Talk to Barney at Barney’s Cafe in Leeves; buy the special
• Best chef: Elliot
• Worst chefs: Kurt, Jusis, Fie

Effects and Variations:

• Superb — Glistening Onion Rings
  • Cures K.O. and recovers 800 HP
• Standard — Piled Onion Rings
  • Cures K.O. and recovers 600 HP
• Attack Dish — Onion Tear Gas
  • B-class power rank; reduces speed by 50%
• Unique — Onion Trio
  • Cures K.O., recovers 300 HP 60 EP, and 30 CP

Fluffy Chiffon Cake (April 22)

• Location: Speak to Nash at the April Cafe in Saint-Arkh, and buy the special
• Best chef: Fie
• Worst chefs: Rean, Ashe, Sara

Effects and Variations:

• Superb — Summertime Fruitcake
  • Recovers 700 HP and increases speed for two turns (medium area of effect)
• Standard —Fluffy Chiffon Cake
  • Recovers 600 HP and increases speed for two turns (small area of effect)
• Peculiar — Hollow Cake
  • Recovers 500 HP and increase speed for one turn (large area of effect)
• Unique — Airy Meringue Cookie
  • Recovers 700 HP and increases speed for four turns (small area of effect)

Southern Punch (April 22)

• Location: Dyna, the stall proprietor in Saint-Arkh’s Cathedral Square
• Best chef: Rean
• Worst chefs: Juna, Elliot, Gaius

Effects and Variations:

• Superb —Sunshine Punch
  • Recovers 300 HP, restores 20 CP, and cures poison, blind, and burn
• Standard — Southern Punch
  • Recovers 200 HP, restores 20 CP, and cures poison, blind, and burn
• Peculiar — Orange Liquid
  • Restores 100 EP and 20 CP and cures poison, blind, and burn
• Unique — Yuzu Honey Soda
  • Recovers 100 HP, restores 40 CP, and cures poison, blind, and burn

Hearty White Stew (April 22)

• Location: Speak to Bertrand at the Footpath Inn in Parm; buy the special
• Best chef: Laura
• Worst chefs: Altina, Machias, Fie

Effects and Variations:

• Superb — Silky White Stew
  • Recovers 800 HP and increases Strength for two turns (medium area of effect)
• Standard — Hearty White Stew
  • Recovers 700 HP and increases Strength for two turns (small area of effect)
• Peculiar — Cold Stew
  • Recovers 600 HP and increases Strength for one turn (large area of effect)
• Unique — Regal Beef Stew
  • Recovers 800 HP and increases Strength for four turns (small area of effect)

Chapter 2 Recipies

Juicy Ham Sandwich (May 14)

• Location: Purchase the special from Recette Bakery and Cafe in Leeves
• Best chef: Kurt
• Worst chefs: Altina, Machias, Jusis

Effects and Variations:

• Superb — Nostalgic Sandwich
  • Recovers 1,500 HP and cures freeze, petrify, and faint
• Standard — Juicy Ham Sandwich
  • Recovers 1,300 HP and cures freeze, petrify, and faint
• Attack Dish — Electro Sandwich
  • B-class power rank, 50% chance of inflicting seal status
• Unique — Croque Vader
  • Recovers 1,000 HP, restores 100 EP, and cures freeze, petrify, and faint

Fresh Tomato Noodles (May 20)

• Location: Purchase the special from Orzel at the noodle stall in Crossbell’s Harbor Sector (in front of the Crossbell News Service building)
• Best chef: Alisa
• Worst chefs: Musse, Elliot, Laura

Effects and Variations:

• Superb — Champion Noodles
  • Recovers 800 HP, restores 30 CP, and cures seal, mute, and stat down
• Standard — Fresh Tomato Noodles
  • Recovers 700 HP, restores 30 CP, and cures seal, mute, and stat down
• Peculiar — Scorched Noodles “Misery”
  • Restores 70 HP and 70 CP, but 50% chance of near death (reducing HP to 1)
• Unique — Vegetable Double Noodles
  • Recovers 500 HP, restores 50 CP, and cures seal, mute, and stat down

Dragon Fried Rice (May 20)

• Location: Purchase the special from Feng at the Old Dragon Inn on Crossbell’s East Street
• Best chef: Machias
• Worst chefs: Altina, Alisa, Emma

Effects and Variations:

• Super — Heavenly Rice
  • Recovers 1,500 HP and increases Defense and ADF for two turns (medium area of effect)
• Standard — Dragon Fried Rice
  • Recovers 1,300 HP and increases Defense and ADF for two turns (small area of effect)
• Attack Dish — Fiery Riceball
  • B-rank power class, 50% chance of inflicting burn
• Unique — Special Garlic Rice
  • Recovers 1,400 HP, and increases Defense and ADF for four turns (small area of effect)

Cafe Macchiato (May 20)

• Location: Purchase the special from Vingt-Sept Cafe in Crossbell Central Square
• Best chef: Altina
• Worst chef: Musse, Jusis, Millium

Effects and Variations:

• Superb — Special Macchiato
  • Recovers 700 HP, restores 150 EP, and cures nightmare, sleep, and confuse
• Standard — Cafe Macchiato
  • Recovers 550 HP, restores 150 EP, and cures nightmare, sleep, and confuse
• Peculiar — Brown Liquid
  • Restores 200 EP and cures nightmare, sleep, and confuse
• Unique — Rich Chocolate Parfait
  • Recovers 300 HP, restores 150 EP and 30 CP, and cures nightmare, sleep, and confuse

Honey Bagel (May 20)

• Location: Purchase the special from Morges Bakery on Crossbell’s West Street.
• Best chef: Emma
• Worst chef: Ashe, Fie, Gaius

Effects and Variations:

• Superb — Golden Bagel
  • Recovers 1,200 HP, restores 60 EP, and increases ATS for three turns (medium area of effect)
• Standard — Honey Bagel
  • Recovers 1,000 HP, restores 50 EP, and increases ATS for three turns (small area of effect)
• Peculiar — Mirror Bagel
  • Reflects magic once
• Unique — House of Sweets
  • Recovers 1,200 HP, restores 60 EP, and increases ATS for five turns (small area of effect)

Chapter 3 Recipes

Juicy Hamburger (June 10)

• Location: Purchase from Gina in the Branch Campus cafeteria
• Best chef: Ashe
• Worst chefs: Rean, Altina, Laura

Effects and Variations:

• Superb — Artisan Hamburger
  • Recovers 1,800 HP and increases Strength for three turns (medium area of effect)
• Standard — Juicy Hamburger
  • Recovers 1,600 HP and increases Strength for three turns (small area of effect)
• Peculiar — Indestructible Burger
  • Immunity to one physical attack
• Unique — Spicy Loco Moco Rice Bowl
  • Recovers 1,800 HP and increases Strength for five turns (small area of effect)

Colorful Bouillabaisse (June 17)

• Location: Purchase the special from Edmond at the Sea Breeze Inn in Ordis
• Best chef: Millium
• Worst chef: Juna, Elliot, Jusis

Effects and Variations:

• Superb — Passionate Hot Pot
  • Recovers 1,200 HP and 50 CP and cures freeze, petrify, and faint
• Standard — Colorful Bouillabaisse
  • Recovers 1,000 HP and 40 CP and cures freeze, petrify, and faint
• Peculiar — Envious Hot Pot
  • CP regeneration (30 points) for three turns
• Unique — Yogurt Hotpot
  • Recovers 1,000 HP and initiates CP regen by 20 points for five turns

Fisherman’s Paella (June 17)

• Location: Purchase the special from Miranda at Miranda’s Tavern in Ordis
• Best chef: Sara
• Worst chef: Kurt, Alisa, Fie

Effects and Variation:

• Superb — Big Catch Feast
  • Recovers 2,000 HP and cures seal, mute, and stat down
• Standard — Fisherman’s Paella
  • Recovers 1,800 HP and cures seal, mute, and stat down
• Peculiar — Scorched Rice
  • Restores 600 EP, with a 50% chance of near death
• Unique — Spicy Jambalaya
  • Recovers 1,600 HP and 60 CP and cures seal, mute, and stat down

Purple Heart (June 17)

• Location: Purchase the special from Julia at the Hermit Bar and Inn in Raquel
• Best chef: Jusis
• Worst chefs: Musse, Machias, Emma

Effects and Variations:

• Superb — Purple Cloud
  • Cures K.O. and recovers 2,400 HP
• Standard — Purple Heart
  • Cures K.O. and recovers 2,200 HP
• Peculiar — Purple Liquid
  • Cures K.O. recovers 100 HP, and restores 250 EP
• Unique — Esmelas: Rain
  • Cures K.O., recovers 2,000 HP, and restores  200 EP

Stuffed Meat Pie (June 17)

• Location: Purchase the special from Morley at the Decken Pub and Diner in Raquel
• Best chef: Juna
• Worst chefs: Rean, Machias, Fie

Effects and Variations:

• Superb — Master’s Meat Pie
  • Recovers 2,200 HP and increases Strength and Defense for three turns (medium area of effect)
• Standard — Stuffed Meat Pie
  • Recovers 2,000 HP and increases Strength and Defense for three turns (small area of effect)
• Attack Dish — Badly Smelling Pie
  • A-class power rank, 100% chance of poisoning the target
• Unique — Lovely Apple Pie
  • Recovers 2,200 HP and increases Strength and Defense for five turns (small area of effect)

Aquamarine Ice (June 18)

• Location: Speak to Jacqueline at the Crepe Stall in Ordis’ Business Sector
• Best chef: Musse
• Worst chefs: Kurt, Ashe, Gaius

Effects and Variations:

• Superb — Grand Blue Gelato
  • Recovers 1,600 HP, restores 80 EP, and cures poison, blind, and burn.
• Standard — Aquamarine Ice
  • Recovers 1,400 HP, restores 70 EP, and cures poison, blind, and burn
• Attack Dish — Explosive Snowball
  • A-rank power class, 30% chance of confusion and freeze
• Unique — Elegant Snowflake Pastry
  • Recovers 1,600 HP, restores 80 EP, and cures poison, blind, and burn

Chapter 4 Recipes

Piled Spaghetti (July 8)

• Location: Purchase the special from Barney’s in Leeves
• Best chef: Rean
• Worst chefs: Musse, Millium, Sara

Effects and Variations:

• Superb — Shining Spaghetti
  • Recovers 2,500 HP and increases Speed and Movement for three turns (medium area of effect)
• Standard — Piled Spaghetti
  • Recovers 2,300 HP and increases Speed and Movement for three turns (small area of effect)
• Peculiar — Salted Vongole
  • Recovers 2,100 HP and increases Speed and Movement for one turn (large area of effect)
• Unique — Hunter’s Carbonara
  • Recovers 2,500 HP and increases Speed and Movement for five turns (small area of effect)

Tomato Curry (July 15)

• Location: Purchase the special from Arendt at the Foresta Inn on Heimdallr’s Westa Street
• Best chef: Musse
• Worst chefs: Kurt, Laura, Jusis

Effects and Variations:

• Superb — Special Tomato Curry
  • Recovers 3,000 HP, restores 50 CP, and cures sleep, nightmare, and confuse
• Standard — Tomato Curry
  • Recovers 2,700 HP, restores 50 CP, and cures sleep, nightmare, and confuse
• Peculiar — Super-powered Curry
  • Recovers 2,100 HP, restores 60 CP, and cures sleep, nightmare, and confuse
• Unique — Aged Shrimp Curry
  • Recovers 1,800 HP, restores 180 EP and 50 CP, and cures sleep, nightmare, and confuse

Pure White Shortcake (July 15)

• Location: Purchase the special from Nancy at the Lucien Cafe in Heimdallr’s Reica sector
• Best chef: Altina
• Worst chef: Ashe, Gaius, Sara

Effects and Variations:

• Superb — Supreme Shortcake
  • Recovers 2,700 HP and increases Defense and ADF for three turns (medium area of effect)
• Standard — Pure White Shortcake
  • Recovers 2,400 HP and increases Defense and ADF for three turns (small area of effect)
• Peculiar — Hard Cake
  • Recovers 2,100 HP and increases Defense and ADF for one turn (large area of effect)
• Unique — Noir Mont Blanc
  • Immunity to one physical attack

Croquette Burger (July 15)

• Location: Purchase the special from Oscar at the Lafite Bakery in Heimdallr’s Westa Street
• Best chef: Ashe
• Worst chefs: Kurt, Altina, Alisa

Effects and Variations:

• Superb —Angel Burger
  • Recovers 1,000 HP and regenerates 20% HP for five turns
• Standard — Croquette Burger
  • Recovers 1,000 HP and regenerates 20% HP for three turns
• Attack Dish — Devil Burger
  • S-rank power class, 30% chance of death or nightmare
• Unique — Steak Burger
  • Recovers 1,000 HP and regenerates 20 CP for five turns

Hearty Skewer (July 17)

• Location: Purchase the special from Brecker at the Imperial Meat Stall in Heimdallr’s Dreichels Square.
• Best chef: Gaius
• Worst chefs: Juna, Musse, Elliot

Effects and Variations:

• Superb — Dynasty Grill
  • Recovers 4,000 HP, restores 50 CP, and increases Strength and Defense for five turns (medium area of effect)
• Standard — Hearty Skewer
  • Recovers 3,500 HP, restores 50 CP, and increases Strength and Defense for five turns (small area of effect)
• Peculiar — Attack Grill
  • Recovers 3,000 HP, restores 50 CP, and increases Strength and ATS for one turn (large area of effect)
• Unique — Nordic Kebab
  • Recovers 4,000 HP, restores 50 CP, and increases Strength, ATS, and Speed for seven turns (small area of effect)

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That’s every recipe in Trails of Cold Steel 3 to help see you through the many trials awaiting Class VII. Be sure to check out our other Trails of Cold Steel 3 guides for more tips on your journey through Erebonia.