Merge Cooking® by Happibits presents a hybrid gaming experience that merges match mechanics with culinary management simulation. The iOS application positions itself within the popular merge genre while incorporating restaurant operation elements, distinguishing itself through global cuisine themes and progressive difficulty scaling. Players begin as novice chefs and gradually unlock international restaurants through successful completion of ingredient merging challenges. The core gameplay revolves around merging identical food items to create higher-level ingredients and dishes, with each successful combination advancing restaurant progress. The application features multiple restaurant venues representing different world cuisines, each requiring specific dish combinations and presenting unique visual themes. Energy systems govern play sessions, while optional gem currency allows for acceleration of progress or energy replenishment. Mini-games appear intermittently to provide variety and additional rewards, maintaining engagement through diversified task structures. User interface design employs vibrant color palettes and intuitive drag-and-drop mechanics, with clear visual indicators for merge possibilities and progress tracking. Real-world usage patterns suggest sessions typically last 10-15 minutes during energy-limited periods, with some users reporting extended play during initial discovery phases. The onboarding process introduces mechanics gradually through assistant character Lea, reducing initial complexity while maintaining challenge progression. Interface responsiveness remains consistent across supported iOS devices, with minimal loading interruptions between restaurant transitions. User feedback trends indicate strong satisfaction with gameplay pacing and cognitive engagement, though some note monetization pressures in later stages. Reviewer beccapitz (2025-08-29) describes the game as 'paced really well, relaxing, and challenges your brain at the same time,' while trinajones (2025-09-02) observes that 'after a while the prices can be so expensive.' Multiple reviewers including harpbat (2025-07-25) acknowledge the satisfaction derived from progression systems while noting the necessity of patience for energy regeneration in non-paying scenarios. The application demonstrates strengths in mechanical polish and thematic execution but faces limitations regarding late-game progression pacing. Ideal use cases involve short daily sessions rather than extended play, particularly for users preferring ad-free experiences. The energy system effectively manages play duration but may frustrate players seeking uninterrupted engagement, while the variety of cuisines and restaurants provides substantial content depth for long-term retention.