When it looks that good on and off-screen there’s no way anyone can resist
When watching anime there comes a time in almost all shows that they will make a Japanese dish. They will either just show the dish in its completion or they will show them making the food step by step. In turn, you’re sitting back with your mouth watering wishing you could have it as well. Now it’s your turn to make all your favorite Japanese food from anime. I found all of my recipes from “Just One Cookbook” as they have easy to follow and detailed Japanese recipes! So go turn on that lo-fi anime beats playlist and get ready to dive into anime cooking!
- Omurice オムライス
Omurice or Omelette Rice, the dish that is in almost all animes. Omurice is usually served to children or childlike characters as people will make designs on the top using ketchup. But you can never go wrong with rice and eggs. There are actually two ways to make this dish. Either the dish has the omelet on top of the rice (Tanpopo Omurice) or it has the rice inside the omelet (Ganso Omurice).
Now for the omelet on top of rice, it might sound simple and easy to make especially after saying that it’s usually served to children, but there is some technique to getting this omelet to open like this and pool out over the rice. Heres a video from Tasty of them cooking alongside Chef Motokichi Yukimura titled: “I Went To Japan To Make The Most Difficult Omelet”. Try and follow along and practice your pan flipping!
- Bento 弁当
Honestly, when you think of Japan you will think of their staple bento boxes. They are cute, convenient, and filled with variety. There is even an anime dealing with people fighting over discounted bento’s at a supermarket titled, “Ben-to”. A bento is a lunch box that people will pack a single meal into with the main dish, usually meat, and a few sides. There is a big anime trope dealing with bento’s, that girls will try and make homemade bento’s to give their crushes! Now here’s a Gyoza Bento Recipe that will be amazing for you and your friends or even that special someone.
- Hot Pot 鍋物
Another staple dish in Japanese cuisine… The Hot Pot or Nebemono. This will have you wanting to cozy up under a Japanese Kotatsu in the winter with friends and family. This is an interactive dish as everyone takes portions of the hot pot (assorted meats and veggies) and dip them in different sauces. Here is a recipe to make a Shabu Shabu hot pot which is one of Japan’s most popular!
- Ramen ラーメン
You can’t have an anime list or Japanese food list without mentioning Naruto and Ramen. Ramen is a hot soup dish with noodles, meat, and vegetables. Ramen shops are very popular in and out of Japan so if you don’t have time to cook try seeing if there is one near you! A popular Ramen is the Miso Soup. This big bowl of noodles will fill you up so be ready for this meal. Make sure you remember to slurp it up!
- Sushi 寿司
When people usually think of sushi they are most likely thinking of a sushi roll, but those are more common in the US than in Japan, sashimi is what they eat instead. Sashimi is actually super easy to make, you just cook the sushi rice and place it on your plate to create a “pillow” for your meat. Then place the raw sliced meat on top. Or if you are unsure of raw meat you can either sear it or go for a sushi roll which is more native to US sushi eaters. Here is a recipe on Otoro Sushi it gives two ways you can make it, raw and seared.
- Takoyaki たこ焼き
Takoyaki or Octopus Balls are one of the most popular Japanese street foods. It pares really well with beer and other alcohol so many bars will have them as side dishes. This dish originated in Osaka which has been known to be called “The Country’s Kitchen” or “City Extravagant in Food”. Many Japanese dishes have originated from here. To make Takoyaki you actually need a Takoyaki Pan special griddle to cook them to get their ball shape. Their little ball shape is a must-have during those anime festival episodes!
- Let’s Find More!
Now that you have your recipes its time to start making some of your favorite anime dishes! If none of these sound interesting (doubtful) then here are some anime recommendations that are all about food and drinks. I hope you can find something else to make or at least another anime food to crave!
Shokumotsu Weeb 