Cooking

Overview

Cooking is one of the core daily activities in inZOI. Zois prepare meals at home using a recipe-based system tied to the Cooking skill. Every recipe has a Meow cost, a skill level requirement, specific furniture needs, and sometimes particular ingredients. The system covers everything from quick snacks to multi-serving group dishes, with real consequences for neglecting food safety.

The Cooking skill governs a Zoi's ability to prepare meals at a stove or kitchen counter. It is one of the most fundamental skills in inZOI, directly tied to satisfying the Hunger Need efficiently for the entire household. As the skill rises, more complex and nutritious recipes unlock, food quality improves, and the risk of accidentally starting a fire while cooking decreases. The Cooking skill is available from the Teenager life stage onward, though Child Zois and Adolescents can also attempt basic cooking.

How to Cook

Interact with a refrigerator or oven and select "Make Food" to open the recipe panel. Each recipe card shows the Meow cost, the required Cooking skill level, which kitchen furniture the recipe needs (countertops, ovens, induction cooktops, or BBQ grills), and any specific ingredients. Select a recipe and the Zoi walks to the appropriate station and begins preparing the dish.

The cooking process happens in real time. The Zoi gathers ingredients from the refrigerator, prepares them at the countertop, and cooks on the stove, induction cooktop, or BBQ grill. Once finished, the meal appears as a plated dish that household members can eat at a dining table.

How to Level Up Cooking

Higher quality kitchen equipment does not directly speed up skill gains, but it reduces the chance of failures (burnt food, fires) that waste time and ingredients.

Required Kitchen Equipment

Better quality appliances have higher durability and lower fire risk. Ensure adequate kitchen space so the Zoi can navigate between appliances without pathing issues.

All Recipes by Skill Level

Level 0 (Starter Recipes)

Available immediately without any Cooking skill.

Level 1

Level 3

Level 5

Seasonal Recipes

Some recipes are only available during specific seasonal events. Holiday-themed dishes appear in the recipe panel during their respective festivals and disappear when the event ends. These recipes typically use standard kitchen equipment but may require event-exclusive ingredients.

Ingredients

Most basic recipes require only Meow to prepare, with the cost representing the Zoi buying generic ingredients. Certain higher-level or specialty recipes need specific ingredients sourced through other gameplay systems:

Food Quality and Hunger Satisfaction

Food prepared by a high-skill Zoi fills the Hunger need more effectively, meaning the household spends less time and Meow on food overall. A level 5 chef's steak provides significantly more hunger satisfaction than a level 0 Zoi's pancakes. For the complete and verified recipe list, see the Cooking Recipes article.

Group Meals

Many recipes produce a single serving by default. Selecting "Cook for Household" before starting a recipe produces enough servings for every household member. Group meals cost proportionally more Meow but are much more efficient than cooking individual portions. Leftovers are placed in the refrigerator and can be reheated later.

Quick Food Options

For Zois in a rush, there are faster alternatives to full cooking:

• Microwave meals can be heated with no skill requirement at a microwave (if one is available)

• Grabbing leftovers from the fridge reheats previously cooked meals instantly

• Ordering delivery through the Pocket Market app on the smartphone brings food to the door without cooking

• Eating at restaurants satisfies hunger while away from home. See Restaurants and Dining

Food Spoilage and Food Poisoning

Cooked food left on counters or tables will eventually spoil. Spoiled food emits a negative moodlet in the room and lowers the Cleanliness of the area. Zois who eat spoiled food risk food poisoning, which reduces mood and energy for several hours. Always store leftovers in the refrigerator.

Kitchen Fires

Low-skill Zois have a chance to start a fire while cooking, especially when using advanced recipes beyond their skill level. The fire risk decreases as the Cooking skill improves:

Having a fire alarm and fire extinguisher in or near the kitchen is always recommended. If a fire starts, Zois will autonomously panic and may attempt to extinguish it, or you can call the fire department.

Cooking and Business

The Cooking skill connects directly to the business system. Zois can open restaurants and cafes where they prepare food for paying customers. Higher Cooking skill produces better quality dishes, which increases customer satisfaction and business ratings. Combined with Baking and Coffee Craft, Cooking enables Zois to run fully stocked food establishments.

Connection to Baking

Cooking and Baking are separate skills that level independently. Cooking uses the refrigerator and stovetop to produce meals like pancakes, curry rice, and steak. Baking focuses on oven-based desserts like cakes, cookies, and pastries. A Zoi aiming to run a full food business should level both.

Tips

• Cook group meals whenever possible to save Meow per serving

• Store leftovers in the refrigerator to prevent spoilage

• Upgrade to better kitchen equipment to reduce fire risk

• Grow your own ingredients through crop farming and fishing to cut recipe costs

• Watch TV cooking shows for passive skill XP while your Zoi does other things

• Use the Pocket Market app to order ingredients you cannot grow

• Keep a fire extinguisher near the kitchen until your Cooking skill is at least level 3