5 Asian Fiction Reads That Are Quietly (and Not So Quietly) Blowing My Mind

Our list of 5 amazing Asian Fiction reads you most definitely need to pick up.

If you think Asian fiction is all delicate prose and gentle tea-sipping (sometimes it is and I love it), think again.

From surreal social commentary to cosy cafés with emotional depth, these novels are smart, strange, tender, unsettling, and completely addictive. Whether you’re a longtime fan of translated fiction or just dipping your toes in, these books deserve a spot on your TBR pile -preferably right at the top!

Let’s get into it.

Under the Eye of the Big Bird by Hiromi Kawakami

If I want something thought-provoking with a side of “wait, what did I just read (in the best way)?”, I reach for Hiromi Kawakami.

This book explores humanity, evolution, and connection through a quietly surreal lens. The writing is elegant but unsettling, tender but strange — the kind of novel that sneaks up on me emotionally and then lives rent-free in my brain for weeks

It’s reflective, imaginative, and deeply human (even when it’s not quite about humans).

Vibe: Literary sci-fi meets philosophical meditation.

Vanishing World by Sayaka Murata

Sayaka Murata never comes to play when it comes to challenging social norms — and Vanishing World is no exception.

This novel takes everything I thought I knew about relationships, family, and intimacy and flips it completely on its head. It’s bold, weird, funny in a dark way, and wildly thought-provoking.

Murata’s signature style shines: simple prose, big ideas, and a creeping sense that nothing I assumed was “normal” actually is.

Vibe: Dystopian-lite, satirical, and deliciously uncomfortable.

Days at the Torunka Cafe by Satoshi Yagisawa

When I’m in the mood for something cosy but still meaningful, this is exactly the kind of book I pick up.

Set in a small Tokyo cafe, it gently weaves together the lives of customers and staff, offering quiet moments of connection, reflection, and healing. It’s warm without being overly sweet, heartfelt without being heavy.

Perfect for a rainy afternoon - preferably with a coffee in hand.

Vibe: Comfort read with soul.

The Woman Dies by Aoko Matsuda

Short stories that absolutely pack a punch.

Aoko Matsuda brings a sharp feminist lens to everyday experiences, looking at womanhood, expectations, and quiet injustices with wit and emotional clarity. These stories are intimate, sometimes heartbreaking, often darkly funny, and always honest.

I flew through them — and immediately wanted to talk about every single one.

Vibe: Smart, modern, and quietly radical.

Honey in the Wound by Jiyoung Han

This should definitely be on your “drop everything when it’s out” list (put the 28th of April in diaries, people!).

I was completely swept away by this one. Honey in the Wound is a haunting, multi-generational epic about a Korean family confronting the brutality of Japanese imperialism — but at its heart, it’s about the women. Their courage, strength, and gifts shape the course of history in ways that are unforgettable.

There’s subtle magical realism woven throughout - dream-divining, a mother whose voice compels truth -  and it all illuminates resilience and power in ways that stick with you long after the last page. If you loved Pachinko, this is absolutely a book you won’t be able to stop thinking about.

Vibe: Poetic, tender, and emotionally immersive.

Asian fiction continues to deliver some of the most exciting, original storytelling I’m reading right now - from surreal worlds to cosy community spaces to sharp social commentary.

If you’re looking to shake up your reading routine (or just fall in love with books all over again), I can’t recommend these enough.

My TBR is thriving. My sleep schedule? Not so much.