There are countless items in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, and with a limited (starting) storage of 15, you'll want to be organized and know which items are worth keeping and pitching. Battle items such as Thunder Rage are obviously useful when battling a handful of enemies, but what about HP and FP-replenishing items? You can rely on Mushrooms and Maple Syrup or have Zess T. In Rogueport cook you a meal. Certain recipes create stronger HP/FP items you may want in your inventory. One of these is the Mushroom Cake, but first, you'll need to unlock the ability to cook two ingredients.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door - 100% Recipe Book
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door - How to 100% the Recipe Book

Trying to make every one of Zess T.'s dishes in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. Here's how to set up your recipe book for success.

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How to Cook with 2 Items

Where to Find the Cookbook Key Item

paper mario the thousand-year door - cookbook location

Once you get a Contact Lens for Zess T., you can enter the shop next to the Toad Bros. Bazaar in Rogueport Plaza. Speaking to Zess T. In her store unlocks the cooking mechanic. With this, Zess T. Can take one item and cook it into a meal if you give her the proper ingredients. One example of a cooking ingredient is a Mushroom.

You'll notice that Zess T. Can only cook with one ingredient, but the Mushroom Cake requires two ingredients. To cook with two ingredients, you'll need the Cookbook key item for the "Seeking legendary book!" Request at the Trouble Center (posted by Zess T. Herself).

You can get the Cookbook before formally taking on the Trouble, which unlocks after Chapter 4.

The Cookbook is found in the Creepy Steeple. As soon as you enter the castle, look at the northern wall. There's a wide hole that Mario can roll under in Tube Mode. Hold down ZR and rotate the L-stick to transform Mario into a tube. There are two treasure chests in this secret room with one of them containing the Cookbook.

You can return to the secret room at any time during your adventure. You'll find the Quiz Boo after you've released the 200 Boos from the basement. Acing the quizzes will net you different rewards.

Where to Find All Ingredients for Mushroom Cake

Mushroom Cake Recipe

paper mario the thousand year door mushroom cake recipe

After you've given Zess T. The Cookbook, you'll need to get a Mushroom and a Cake Mix to make the Mushroom Cake. The Mushroom Cake will restore 10 HP and 10 FP. Since they're relatively easy to make, they're a useful healing item to have on hand. Here's how to get both ingredients:

  • You can buy a regular Mushroom for 5 Coins at the Toad Bros. Bazaar in Rogueport Plaza, or, if you've purchased a Lottery Ticket within the past day, get one from Lucky as a Consolation Prize.
  • For the Cake Mix, you'll need to exchange 6 pianta tokens at the Pianta Parlor in western Rogueport. You'll need a Special Card or a Silver Card (or higher) to be able to buy pianta tokens. You can get one by completing the "Try to find me!" And "Help my Daddy!" Requests at the Trouble Center. The "Try to find me!" Quest becomes available after completing chapter 1; "Help my Daddy!" Request unlocks after chapter 2. Once you have the card, you can exchange Coins for tokens at the Pianta Machine in the Pianta Parlor.
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Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (2024) Tag Page Cover Art
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
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Released
May 23, 2024
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WHERE TO PLAY

PHYSICAL
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ESRB
E For Everyone Due To Mild Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes
Developer(s)
Nintendo
Franchise
Paper Mario
Platform(s)
Nintendo Switch
Genre(s)
RPG