Cooking is a mechanic that appears very often in JRPGs, and the Trails games are no different. By gathering materials here and there, it is possible to make unique items that not only restore HP but also provide useful effects in battle.
Trails from Zero has a lot of recipes, each with a Supreme or Peculiar version that provides either stronger or completely different effects. Of course, recipes can actually be quite hard to find and are easily missable. Here are some of the best recipes in the game, as well as where to find them.
10 Long Lao Tanmen
Long Lao Tanmen is one of the last recipes the player can obtain in the game, only being available on the first day of Chapter 4. It is obtained simply by speaking to Ozelle, the noodle stand owner at the Harbor District.
Long Lao Tanmen's main effect aside from restoring HP is boosting STR and DEF, with the Supreme version of the recipe, Dynasty Noodles, boosting STR and DEF by 25%. The Peculiar version of the recipe doesn't have either effect and instead provides a slight CP gain and HP Regen.
9 Juicy Steak
The Juicy Steak recipe can be obtained fairly early on, during the first day of Chapter 1. To obtain it, the player must speak to Lloyd's aunt Leyte, who lives in the last apartment in the Bellheim Apartments building on West Street.
Juicy Steak's main effect is to boost STR, with the Supreme version of the recipe boosting STR by a massive 50% in addition to healing 50% HP. This dish is great for quickly boosting damage for players' melee characters like Lloyd and Randy to unleash a powerful S-Craft.
8 Fresh Fruit Juice
Fresh Fruit Juice is another early recipe that can be obtained during the first day of Chapter 1. It is obtained by speaking to the street vendor near City Hall, standing by the fountain in the center of the Administrative District.
Fresh Fruit Juice's main effect is to boost ATS, with the Supreme version giving a 50% boost, similarly to Juicy Steak. The Peculiar version of the recipe, Yellow Liquid, doesn't boost ATS but does recover EP by 20%. Since Arts are a big part of combat in Trails, players will most likely be using this recipe often.
7 Rich Cream Soup
Rich Cream Soup is a recipe that can only be found on the third day of Chapter 4. It is found on one of the bookshelves in the leftmost room on the second floor of Revache & Co.
Rich Cream Soup heals HP and CP, as well as cures Stat Down, making it a fairly decent healing item. However, its best effect is located on its Peculiar version, Reflect Liquid, which gives Arts Reflect on use. This is best used in a pinch to reflect arts back at the caster.
6 Snow Gelato
Snow Gelato is a recipe that can only be obtained on the fifth day of Chapter 3. It can be obtained by talking to Mithra at her stand in the Harbor District.
Snow Gelato's main effect is to boost ATS and ADF, with the Supreme version giving a 25% boost to both stats. It also cures Burn. Its Peculiar version has a completely different effect, granting Craft Guard on use. Once again, this is best used in a pinch to avoid a powerful attack or S-Craft.
5 Medicinal Mapo Tofu
Medicinal Mapo Tofu is one of the last recipes obtainable in the game, only being available in the Finale. It can be obtained by talking to Ruth outside the Old Dragon Inn on East Street.
Medicinal Mapo Tofu is a powerful food item, and the Supreme version, Huanglong Mapo Tofu, can fully heal a character and cure all ailments. The Peculiar version of the recipe doesn't have either of those effects, but it does grant 10% CP Regen for 5 turns, which is great for characters who use crafts often.
4 Sincere Lunchbox
The Sincere Lunchbox recipe can be obtained on the first day of Chapter 4. It can be obtained by going to Mainz Mining Village and speaking to Miranda, who lives in the house to the right of the mine.
Sincere Lunchbox has a similar effect to Medicinal Mapo Tofu, healing HP and curing all ailments. However, the effect of Prank Box, its Peculiar version is also quite potent, turning it into a powerful attack item that has a 100% chance of inflicting a random ailment.
3 Hearty Hotpot
Hearty Hotpot is a recipe that can be obtained once Chapter 2 starts. It can be obtained by speaking to Stella twice in the dining hall at Bellguard Gate, at the end of the West Crossbell Highway.
Hearty Hotpot heals a large amount of HP and CP, with the Supreme version, Gorgeous Hotpot, healing 80 CP. Alternatively, the peculiar version Courageous Hotpot provides a chance of either gaining 100 CP at once or ending up in a near-death state. It's a risky option, but the chance of gaining an instant S-Craft if successful.
2 Shiny Blue
Shiny Blue can be obtained any time after Chapter 4, by talking to Sandra in the Garante Jazz Bar located in the Back Alley. It has very few ingredients compared to other recipes, making it fairly easy to make.
Shiny Blue's main effect is to revive allies, with the Supreme version, Moonlight Butterflies, reviving an ally at full health. The Peculiar version, Blue Liquid, has a different but also very useful effect in restoring EP by 50%. The Shiny Blue recipe is extremely useful, and players will find themselves using it very often.
1 Colorful Tomato Burger
The Colorful Tomato Burger recipe can be obtained on the first day of Chapter 1. It is obtained by speaking to Shion on the roof of St. Ursula Medical College.
Colorful Tomato Burger is great for recovering CP, with the Supreme version, King Burger, restoring 95 CP at once. While the item doesn't provide a full S-craft, most of the time, characters will be able to use an S-Craft or Combo Craft immediately after use, making it great for setting up emergency S-Breaks. Its effect is simple yet very effective.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails From Zero is currently available on PC, PS4, and Switch.