Underplayed Gems

The Way of the Tray: Japanese Restaurant Simulator (2025)

The Way of the Tray: Japanese Restaurant Simulator cover
Publisher
Targem Games
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch
Genres
Simulator, Adventure, Indie, Arcade
Where to get it
Nintendo eShop
The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

A whimsical, pressure-filled fantasy where you balance trays and serve quirky spirit patrons in a Ghibli-inspired otherworld.

whimsicalatmosphericchallengingspiritedpuzzle-likeimmersivefantastical

About

The Way of the Tray is a waiter simulator with action puzzle elements in a Japanese spirit world setting inspired by Ghibli studio films. Your task is to master the skill of serving dishes and earn the trust of yokai patrons. Will you be able to prove yourself and find your way home?

Screenshots

The Way of the Tray: Japanese Restaurant Simulator screenshot 1The Way of the Tray: Japanese Restaurant Simulator screenshot 2The Way of the Tray: Japanese Restaurant Simulator screenshot 3The Way of the Tray: Japanese Restaurant Simulator screenshot 4The Way of the Tray: Japanese Restaurant Simulator screenshot 5The Way of the Tray: Japanese Restaurant Simulator screenshot 6

More games like this

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.