Cooking Mania Express is a career simulation, restaurant game. The player takes on the role of a first-person restaurant cook in a small bowling alley eatery or diner. They must review customer orders, prepare meals, beverages and sides correctly, and provide excellent customer service.
The game features both Quick Play and Missions modes. In Quick Play mode, the player must rapidly fill up to three customer orders in a sit-down diner setting at a time. In Missions mode, they must fill orders across eight missions in a bowling alley eatery, but they have specific targets they must meet to win.
The player typically completes hamburger orders with a canned or fountain soda or glass of tea. The made-to-order burgers might need cheese, tomatoes, onions, ketchup, mustard, pickles or other toppings. They might also make an egg or ham sandwich. They can add fries or a salad to orders as sides.
Cooking Mania Express rewards the player with coins that they can use to improve their express restaurant with a chair, a jukebox and flowers. They can also buy salads to restore the patience of rushing customers. There are no penalties if a customer becomes frustrated and walks away.
This game displays tiny icons on customer orders. The player might need to increase the size of their screen. Additionally, beverage-only orders don't need trays. The player transfers a can or drink directly to the customer. Otherwise, the game won't register the drink, and it disappears from the tray area.
