Best Anime Food Inspired by Japanese Food Recipes & Drinks - AC (2024)

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Last Updated on March 16, 2024 by Jella Erhard

Best Anime Food Inspired by Japanese Food Recipes & Drinks - AC (1)

The ultimate guide to anime food recipes, anime drinks, & anime cookbooks. Learn how to make the best anime food in real life and find the best anime movies and shows about food that’ll surely make you hungry.

Improve your anime cooking skills with our guide to the delicious world of anime delicacies and explore not only main dishes but drinks, desserts, snacks, anime fast food, anime bento boxes, and the best anime cookbooks and traditional Japanese cookbook recommendations.

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Anime Food vs Real Food

The difference between anime food and real food mainly lies in the presentation. Anime food is used to refer to the food seen in anime movies and shows. It’s a collection of the most popular and beloved mainly traditional Japanese dishes, snacks, desserts, and drinks but is served and/or decorated in a way that is very specific to anime.

While Japanese meals and drinks are the most popular in anime you’ll also see the Japanese or more like anime versions of many Western dishes.

In most cases, the food you see in anime is so lifelike that it’ll make your stomach growling but it’ll always have that special twist only anime food has.

This Anime Food Guide has 7 Sections:

1. Top Anime Shows & Movies About Food
2. Best Anime Food Recipes & How to Make Them
3. Yummy Anime Food Snacks & Sweets
4. Top Anime Fast Food
5. Great Anime Drinks
6. Best Anime Bento Boxes
7. Best Anime Cookbooks & Japanese Cookbooks

Ultimate guide toanime food recipes, anime drinks, & anime cookbooks

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Anime Food Section 1: Top Anime Shows & Anime Movies About Food

What do anime people eat?

Anime people eat Japanese anime food. But all jokes aside as mentioned above, anime food is basically the yummiest traditional Japanese dishes and drinks.

If you see something appetizing in an anime and write down the anime foods’ names, it’s easy to find the traditional Japanese recipe to make your own. Or at least to order it from a restaurant.

We wanted to start off by collecting some of the most appetizing and fun anime food series and movies that’ll show you what we’re really talking about.

These amazing anime shows and movies about anime food will take you to the magical world of anime food and anime cooking and get you hooked for life.

10| Nekopara | 2020

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You probably heard the title Nekopara before the manga and the video game swept the anime nation. January 2020 finally brought this cheeky and fun story to us as an anime.

Nekopara is a real cat paradise. Kashou Minazuki, the son of a long line of Japanese confection makers moved out to open his own shop “La Soleil” as a patisserie and finds two little catgirls (neko) in a box.

First, he wants to send them back but Chocola and Vanilla convince him not to. Now they run La Soleil together.

However, the real story starts when Chocola encounters a kitten while running some errands.

Nekopara is a charming and fun comedy romance anime about food and cute characters. You can watch Nekopara in 2020 online on Funimation.

9|Gourmet Girl Graffiti

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Ryou Machiko takes cooking very seriously because-according to her late grandmother- the key to landing a good husband is making good food.

Twelve-year-old Ryou is obsessed with the arts of the kitchen. Unfortunately, despite the beautiful presentation and the inviting smell of her creations, the taste doesn’t seem to be satisfying.

Almost giving up on life happily after, her second cousin gets to stay with her and over time she realizes, her food is improving greatly. Turns out, what really makes the difference is if you share your food with someone you care about.

Gourmet Girl Graffiti is delightful anime about food and friendship that will make you feel hungry after each episode.

8|Spirited Away

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The enchanting story of Chihiro is truly memorable for so many reasons. The beautiful art, the remarkable story building, and characters, and of course, some of the most delicious-looking dishes in anime history.

We have to mention; it is the first and only hand-drawn non-English speaking animated movie that has ever won an Oscar.

On the way to their new home, Chihiro and her parents make a stop exploring an abandoned theme park that will change their lives forever. The ten-year-old girl has to go great lengths to save her family.

Spirited Away is one of the best anime movies of all time where food plays a significant role. This classic anime is packed with delicious traditional Japanese dishes and popular snacks, that will give you some serious cravings.

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7|Restaurant to Another World (Isekai Shokudou)

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Restaurant to Another World is a fun and magical show abouta seemingly normal restaurant in Tokyo, where they offer a lot of Japanese versions of Western dishes. Their opening hours are also usual with the weird exceptions that they close up shop during holidays and weekends.

When they’re closed to everyday people, they open their magical door that creates a doorway to another world that’s inhabited by all kinds of magical beings.

You will get to meet dragons, animal men, elves and all kinds of magical beings who visit the restaurant for it’s exotic and delicious food.

Restaurant to Another World is a really fun fantasy sci-fi anime show that has some really great anime food ideas with a little twist.

6|Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma

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There isn’t a more beloved anime than Food Wars! in the world of anime food lovers.

It’s fun, filled with great characters and the food… OH, the FOOD. If this show doesn’t get you hooked on anime food then nothing will.

It’s a hilarious anime series about Souma, who is the son of the owner of a small eatery in Japan.

Souma is a young boy with great cooking skills. He easily comes up with new dishes and often uses weird combinations of the ingredients no one else would think of.

When Souma’s father leaves the family business, the restaurant is on the verge of closing. Souma decides to improve his cooking skills to save the restaurant, so he enters and begins studying in Japan’s top culinary academy, the famous Engetsu Teahouse Culinary Academy.

Unfortunately, only a few are able to graduate from this prestigious school but these few will become the world’s best gourmets of culinary.

With stunning dishes and plenty of laugh out loud moments this anime is perfect for any foodie anime lover.

Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma is the most popular slice of life type comedy anime about food you can watch on Netflix too.

5|Dream-Colored Pastry Chef (Yumeiro Pâtissière)

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Yumeiro Patissiere is about a clumsy girl Ichigo Amano who isn’t really good at anything else but eating cakes.

One day she encounters a famous patissier, Henry Lucas who discovers Ichigo’s amazing tasting abilities. Henri offers her a chance to attend St. Marie Academy, a prestigious culinary school that specializes in desserts.

After she enters school, her real adventures really begin. She gets placed in the Academy’s topmost group with the Sweets Princes.

The Sweets Princes are famous for their magical treats throughout the school. The three Princes are Sennosuke who is an expert in traditional Japanese sweets, Satsuki who has a flair for candied flowers, and Makoto who is a gifted chocolatier.

Ichigo, the Sweets Princes, and their “Sweets Spirits” little fairies who make patissiers’ dreams come true, work together to achieve their goals in the competitive world of sweets.

This anime is filled with the yummiest desserts and it’s also a sweet and feel-good show that’ll bring you many many smiles.

Dream-Colored Pastry Chef (Yumeiro Pâtissière) is the cutest anime about desserts and snacks you should check out if you have a sweet tooth.

4|Freshly Baked! Ja-Pan (Yakitate!! Japan)

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This anime is about Azuma Kazuma who isn’t a terribly clever boy, but he’s got a good heart and great baking skills.

Since his childhood, he’s been on a quest to create the perfect bread to represent Japan internationally.

You follow his adventures as he tries to enter the famous bakery Pantasia, in hopes of finally reaching his goal.

You’ll definitely get a nice craving for baked goods while watching Azuma and his friends baking their way through life.

Yakitatee!! Japan is a really fun comedy anime about food that’s concentrating on baked goods.

3| Toriko

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Toriko is the best anime that has both action and food.

It’s about a master chef Takimaru who travels the world in search of ingredients to make fantastic dishes.

It’s a really entertaining anime perfect for those who want to watch something with a lot of food but not necessarily a cooking anime.

Toriko is running since 2011 and you can watch two feature movies too that came out in 2011 and 2013.

Toriko is a superb adventure comedy fantasy anime in which food plays a crucial and pretty fun part.

2|Bartender (Bâtendâ)

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Bartender is a great anime about Eden Hall bar’s genius mixologist, Ryu Sasakura who serves divine drinks and helps out his customers with their troubles.

Eden Hall bar is operated by Ryū who is not only able to mix the best co*cktails anyone has ever tasted but he also knows how to serve the “Glass of the Gods”. Which means he knows how to serve the perfect drink to any situation.

However, not anyone can taste his special co*cktails since the bar is hidden in a nook of the Ginza district in downtown Tokyo. More so it’s rumored that you can’t simply find and enter Eden Hall; rather Eden Hall finds you and invites you in.

The Bartender is the perfect anime for those who want to watch something with plenty of deliciously looking anime drinks.

1|Ben-To (Bento)

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Sato Yo is an ordinary high school boy who likes playing games on his SEGA console.

However, everything changes on the night when he decides to buy bento for dinner at the local grocery store.

He suddenly stumbles upon the battles over the half-off sales unsold bento boxes.

Despite Sato’s painful introduction to the world of Dogs and Wolves war, he chooses to join in.

His adventures get even more exciting when a powerful Wolf Sen Yarizui sees his lack of fighting skills and invites him to join her Half-Priced Food Lovers Club and shows them the difference between the Dogs and the Wolves.

Ben-To (Bento) is a fun action-comedy anime mini-series about food that will teach you what it truly means to fight for your food.

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Anime Food Section 2:Best Anime Food Recipes & How to Make Them

How to make anime food?

As mentioned above Anime food is mainly Japanese food. So, if you want to learn how to make your favorite dishes from your favorite anime then you’ll have to brush up on your Japanese cooking skills.

Here you’ll find a fine selection of the top anime food recipes and real-life recipes with photos, and guides on how to make them. Most of these recipes are traditional Japanese ones by Japanese cooks and chefs and can be easily followed by beginners too.

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Ramen Soup is not only one of the most famous of the Japanese dishes but also one that Japanese people are actually making on a daily basis.

It’s a hearty and healthy meal and you can easily make a vegan version too.

On the image, you see a bowl of Ramen from the Ghibli Classic Ponyo which is one of the most well-known anime food images on our little planet. You can actually make the same ramen if you follow the ‘Ponyo’s Ramen recipe‘ from Alison’s Wonderland Recipes. She has a great step by step recipe guide with images that’s great for beginners too.

Or if you want to try a more traditional Japanese Ramen you cantry Shihoko’s yummy and easy ‘Shoyu Ramen recipe‘ on Chopstick Chronicles!. This Ramen recipe is also perfect for beginners with great instructions and images.

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Japanese Miso Soup Recipe

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Nothing is as heartwarming and easy on the stomach as a nice bowl of hot miso soup.

It’s a truly feel-good traditional Japanese dish that’s been featured in almost all anime. It’s easy to make and you don’t even need a lot of time to do so.

If you want to learn how to make it you can follow Just One Cookbook’s authentic homemade Miso soup recipe.

You’ll find all kinds of yummy traditional Japanese dishes on Just One Cookbooks with stunning images, great recipe guides, and introductions that can be easily followed even if you barely have any cooking skills.

Japanese Onigiri Recipe

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Learning how to make Onigiri is a crucial step towards getting great anime cooking skills.

Onigiri or rice ball is made from white rice formed into all kinds of shapes most often into a triangular or cylindrical shape and is often wrapped in nori.

The delicious Onigiris is also a great and easy way to make some really cute Kawaii style anime food without much hassle.

You can follow Surf and Sunshine’s cute Kawaii style Onigiri recipe if you want to create cute Onigiris like in the animeTwin Star Exorcists.It’s an easy to follow recipe with cute images that may even inspire your next Insta shot.

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Japanese Katsudon Recipe

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Katsudon is another widely popular Japanese food. It’s basically a bowl of rice topped with a deep-fried cutlet, (chicken, pork, or shrimp) egg, vegetables, and condiments.

This dish was always well known in the world of anime foodies however, Yuri on Ice changed the game forever. Katsu is Yuri’s favorite dish and it’s displayed in the show in mouthwatering ways on numerous occasions.

Now you can learn how to make a delicious traditional Japanese Katsudon if you follow The Woks of Life’s yummy Katsudon recipe.

Authentic Japanese Nagashi Somen Recipe

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Nagashi Somen is easily one of the most interesting yet simple dishes on our list.

Somen (Sōmen) are very thin noodles made of wheat flour that are less than 1.3 mm in diameter and it originates from Japan, China, and South Korea.

Nagashi Somen is a special version of this traditional dish. You might also hear of it as Flowing Japanese Bamboo Noodles. Nagashi Somen or Flowing Japanese Bamboo Noodles is basically traditional somen that flows past diners on a water slide made of bamboo. You will need really good chopstick skills if you want to catch them and not go home hungry.

Nagashi Somen’s most fun anime example was in Gourmet Girl Graffiti (Kouf*cku Graffiti).

While getting a slide for your own home might seem difficult it is far from impossible. You can not only buytraditional somen from Japan but can get a Nagashi Somen machineor even grab an actually Nagashi Somen Water Slider from Japan on Amazon or eBaythat will surely make your next dinner party memorable.

You can also learn how to make Somen on your own to serve a truly homemade version. Just follow Oishi Washoku Recipes’ traditional Japanese Cold Somen recipe. You’ll also find on their site all kinds of delicious recipes that will bring Japanese cuisine into the everyday kitchen.

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Sushi Recipe

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There isn’t a more well known Japanese dish than sushi. It’s a vinegared rice Japanese dish made with a wide variety of ingredients like veggies, meats, seafood, cheese, and sauces. There are a number of types such as maki, nigiri, onigiri, and rolls.

It’s a popular misconception that sashimi is sushi but it’s not, because it isn’t made with rice.

While to make good sushi you need different tools you can easily get all in one sushi making kit on Amazon from $24.

But how to actually make sushi, right? You can find amazing traditional and modernized recipes online that will teach you how to make great sushi on a first try even if you’ve never done it before.

One of our favorites is Peas & Crayons Homemade sushi: Tips, tricks, and toppings! recipes and guides. It’s easy to follow with great photos. Her sushi recipes are fun and the colors are just popping.

In case you want to get into the traditional side of sushi making you should check outChopstick Chronicles’ recipes who also have easy to follow classic sushi-making guides.

Authentic Chanko Nabe Soup Recipe

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Another appetizing image from Kouf*cku Grafitti anime. Chanko Nabe is a traditional Japanese hotpot dish and is also known as the sumo stew because it’s what sumo wrestlers eat to beef up.

It’s a bit lesser known dish in the western world compared to sushi, ramen, or miso but it is one of the most important dishes in Japan.

You can use a regular pot to make this yummy and hearty soup or you can buy a Japanese Nabe Pot on Amazon if you want to make your Chanko Nabe cooking experience even more special.

You can also check out our quick and traditional Chanko Nabe recipe and read about the history of this centuries-old soup and of course sumo.

AuthenticYakisoba Noodle Recipe

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Yakisoba Noodles are one of the yummiest Japanese stir-fry dishes you’ll ever try.

It’s a classic street food dish but many people often make it in their homes too and it frequently appears in anime shows and movies as well.

It’s the perfect dish to make for beginner cooks because it’s considerably easy to make yet it’s flavourful and can be easily turned into a just as tasty vegan dish.

To try an authentic Yakosiba noodle recipe with a modern twist follow No Recipes’ instructions.

Authentic Japanese Gyoza Recipe

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Traditional Gyozas are yummy Japanese dumplings usually filled with veggies or ground meat, spices like ginger and garlic and then wrapped in a thin dough.

Gyoza is another great meal for vegans because you can easily make a wide range of fillings without the use of any meat.

It’s not only delicious but it’s fun to make and they’re also easy on the eye, probably that’s why so many animes like to give this delish dish a lot of screentime.

You can follow RecipeTin Japan’s mom’s traditional, authentic Japanese Gyoza recipe to learn how to wrap the perfect Gyoza.

Do check out the other recipes of Nagi while you’re there. You can always find a yummy creative dish on her site that you can easily make in no time.

Authentic Japanese Tamagoyaki Recipe

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Tamagoyaki is the broad term for Japanese Rolled Egg or Omelet. If you want to translate it to English,Tamago is eggs and Yaki is grill so it would be grilled eggs.

This delicious egg dish is most commonlyeaten for breakfast, sometimes included in bento boxes and rarely even served on rice as nigiri.

As mentioned, there are different flavors, shapes, and methods of making.If you would like to surprise your loved ones or guests with a neat-looking delicious omelet, makingTamagoyaki is not that difficult.

You need only a few ingredients, including soy sauce, salt and sugar so it is very likely your shoppinglist won’t have to be too long.

Actually making it, if you are looking to make it the traditional way, you will have to master the arts of using chopsticks. Otherwise, it is fairly easy and quick to cook some of these “golden pillows.”

Check out Shihoko’s authentic Tamagoyaki recipe. She is a passionate foodie from Japan, who hassome really good recipes with easy to follow instructions and fun videos.

Traditional Japanese Eby-fry Recipe

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This tasty looking dish is brought to us by the charming and magical Restaurant to another Worldanime. It is a great show with so many yummy bites. They mostly serve western meals with aJapanese twist.

Ebi Fry is deep-fried large prawns. It first appeared in the 19th century due to the western influencethat swept through the country. This dish is extremely popular, especially among younger generations.

These fried sticks are stunningly delicious and thanks to the Japanese coating called Panko, it is quitelight compared to the western breadcrumb coated dishes. Panko is made without the crust of thebread and ground much more coarsely that soaks in much less oil during the deep-frying process.

This one is a pretty easy recipe, which is fairly quick and makes only a little mess while coating theprawns.

If you would like to make Ebi Fry at home, check out Just one Cookbook for a straightforward Eby Fry recipeand helpful step by step video along with some fun facts.

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Authentic Japanese Okayu Rice

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This traditional Japanese rice porridge has various functions; it is often consumed for breakfast, can be a side dish, with some additional ingredients a main and for the ill with no appetite serves as an easily digestible solution.

Making Okayu Rice is very simple and it has a mild taste, that makes a good side for everyone in the household.

It’s a simple feel-good Japanese dish mostly made and consumed at home and is often appears in animes as well.

You can add some meats or vegetables and it will quickly become the main course.

For a quick cultural lesson on this simple, yet enjoyable recipe, check out Uncut Recipes’ traditional Okayu recipe.

Traditional Tamago Gake Gohan Recipe

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Tamago Gake Gohan (Egg Over Rice) is one of the most popular breakfast dishes in Japan. This traditional Japanese food is available almost at every restaurant and food stall in Japan.

It is a quick and easy way to kick off a day with, offering all the necessary protein and energy to sustain for a couple of hours. It’s also a popular food in animes.

As simple as it sounds, Tamago Gake Gohan is actually very tasty. All you need is steamed rice, a raw egg, various spices, and vegetables, depending on your preferences.

The raw egg may sound odd, however, it really does change the texture (when mixing the rice with the egg) and the taste of the whole.

It is definitely a meal you will not have to break a sweat for. Read further into some of the history, ways of making and personal experiences by La Fuji Mama. Check out her yummy traditionalTamago Kake Gohan (Egg Over Rice) recipe.

Authentic Japanese Okonomiyaki Recipe

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This traditional savory pancake is a tourist favorite as it is excitingly colorful, full of curious ingredients and it is available almost everywhere. Okonomiyaki is one of the most popular Japanesestreet foods.

The yummy street food often appears in animes as well.

Locals love to eat it in restaurants, at many places, it is prepared in front of you, so you can pick the ingredients yourself.

This is a pretty easy but hearty meal, which you can prepare in around half an hour. It can be suitable for vegetarians as most ingredients are vegetables, and if you get creative everything is possible.

For a beautiful and authentic dish, follow Yumiko at RecipeTin Japans’ traditional Okonomiyaki recipe and the cooking shall begin.

Authentic Japanese Curry Rice (Karē Raisu) Recipe

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If you have been to a Japanese restaurant or regularly watch anime and read manga, you most definitely have seen or tried this brown saucy mix of vegetables and meat.

As one of the most common foods prepared at home, you will often just get lost in the mesmerizing smell of curry walking down the streets of any Japanese city.

Since it’s such an everyday food it would be hard to find an anime where they don’t make this delicious dish.

It is really filling, so even if you feel like eating a whole pot, probably it is better to just start with a smaller bowl.

The rice curry can be prepared for vegans as well, in case a skilled and willing chef is indulging you.

It is quite easy to make; the western-inspired dish can be ready to eat within an hour. Check out Oyakata’s Kare Raisu – Real Japanese Curry Recipe, who says Kare Raisu tastes even better the next day.

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Traditinonal Japanese Omurice (Japanese rice omelet) Recipe

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Omurice or rice omelet is another considerably young food, that was inspired by the western influence at the beginning of the 20th century.

The yummy Omurice is one of the most popular breakfast food in anime as well just as in real life.

This children’s favorite is really simple but very delicious, which is perfect for breakfast. All you have to do is make a rice mix with either vegetables and meat or only vegetables. Fry it withtomato ketchup and once ready just cover it with a thin sheet of omelet.

It is an incredibly simple dish that can be ready in less than 30 minutes and will certainly draw a smile on the family’s face.

Japanese Cooking 101 has a great Omurice recipe for you with a useful video and all there is to know about this lovely meal.

Traditional Bawan – Giant Soup Dumpling Recipe

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Bawan is actually a traditional Taiwanese culinary treat, but thanks to Ghibli’s history-making Oscar-winner anime movie, Spirited Away, we had to include these delicious giant soup dumplings.

As you may recall,Chihiro’s parents have a feast at the beginning of the movie. Despite the shocking scenes of their transformation, we just couldn’t leave out the mouthwatering dishes they stuff their faces with.

These amazing-looking giant balls are not the easiest to make, takes about two hours and a little mess, but it is definitely worth it.

If you are ready to work for an outstanding dish, then Tiny Urban Kitchen has a superb Bawan recipe with a thorough, step by step guide.

Traditional Japanese Quick Pickles – Shiozuke Recipe

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Shiozuke is one hell of a simple side or snack that will definitely make your dinner much more memorable.

Pickled cucumbers sound like a week or two-long food, that will take you ages until you finally get to enjoy it.

Well, thanks to Japanese pickle-lovers, life can be a lot easier. You can prepare a nice Shiozuke in thirty minutes. It is very easy to make, you just need a little salt, squeezing and a good appetite.

This lovely snack or side dish maybe familiar from the quaint and entertaining anime series called Penguindrum. It is a fun anime with a unique style of drawing.

To make your mood for a good quick pickle, read further Otaku Food, they have a great Quick Pickles – Shiozuke recipe as well as some creative ideas for you to make easy and delicious meals while having fun.

Anime Food Section3: Yummy Anime Snacks & Desserts

AuthenticTakoyaki Recipe

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Takoyaki is a ball-shaped Japanese appetizer often also eaten simply as a snack and cooked in a special Takoyaki Grill pan. It’s usually filled with minced or diced octopus, green onion, pickled ginger, and tempura scraps.

This popular Japanese snack often appears in animes and while it originates from Osaka it can be found all around Japan. It’s also a snack that many people love to make at home and other than the grill pan you don’t necessarily need any special cooking tool to do so.

Takoyaki is one of Japan’s best-known street food that you can also learn how to make with the help of Just One Cookbook’s traditionalTakoyaki recipe.

You can follow along with Nami’s amazing recipe on her blog or watch her video that will help you become a Takoyaki expert in no time.

Authentic Japanese Mochi Dessert Recipe

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Mochi is definitely the most famous Japanese dessert. It’s tasty and can be made into all kinds of beautiful shapes.

It has squishy texture, it’s not heavy on the stomach, and it has a sweet (but not too sweet) taste.It is made of mochigome and is usually filled with sweet red bean paste but it can be made with any type of filling like strawberry jam or ice cream.

Since this traditional Japanese dessert can be molded into all kinds of aesthetically pleasing forms it’s portrayed a lot in animes often as gifts too. One of the most beautiful Mochi gift boxes appeared in My Love Story!! (Ore Monogatari).

Now you can learn how to make these yummy beautiful delights on your own if you follow TamnTea’s traditional mochi recipes.

TamnTea is mainly about tea stories but their detailed mochi recipes are amazing too and will surely help you learn how to make this Japanese dessert even if you’re new to the art of mochi making.

Yaki Dango Recipe

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The Rolling Girls anime had us all craving forYaki Dango aJapanese dumpling and sweet made of mochiko and is a distant relative of mochi.

It’s a delicious street food delight that you can mostly find at Markets in Japan.

Now you can learn how to make these delicious traditional Japanese sweets with sweet soy glaze if you follow Just One Cookbook’s irresistibly Mitarashi Dango recipe.We absolutely love her authentic Japanese recipes that always make Japanese cooking seem so simple that anyone could do it.

With easy to follow instructions and great images you’ll be creating dozens of these delights in no time.

Authentic Japanese Taiyaki Dessert Recipe

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Taiyaki is one of the most popular traditional Japanese street food desserts and it is well known in Western countries as well.

Because of its unusual fish form, Taiyaki is a quite memorable dessert and is a widely popular food in anime as well.

This cute fish-shaped Japanese cake is most commonly filled with red bean paste but other fillings like custard, chocolate, and cheese are also commonly used.

While it may seem intimidating to think about making them, don’t get too scared. You can easily buy a Taiyaki pan for $26 on Amazon which will do most of the work for you when it comes to the unique shape.

And to get a real traditional Taiyaki taste you should follow Chef Iso’s detailed and traditionalTaiyaki recipe. His step by step instructions come with images and short videos so you can easily learn how to make these cute delights.

Authentic Japanese Dorayaki Dessert Recipe

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Dorayaki is another classic Japanese sandwich dessert made of honey pancake and is usually filled with sweet red bean.

It’s beloved by both kids and grown-ups and is one of the most popular Japanese desserts in anime as well. One of the most appetizing Dorayakis appeared in Nisekoi.

You can make this yummy pancake sandwich considerably easily without the need of any special tool or pan.

If you want to learn how to make them follow Just One Cookbook’s traditional Dorayaki recipe.

Authentic Japanese Konpeito Candy Recipe

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Konpeito (sugar candy) is by far the most beloved and popular candy in Japan. These star-shaped bites are sweet, colorful, and crunchy.

Its most famous portrayal in anime was in Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away when the little black creatures calledSoot Sprites or Susuwataris got super excited when they got some konpeito.

While you can buy Konpeito Japanese sugar candy on Amazon you can also make some on your own which will make it even tastier.

Visit Anna The Red’s Ghibli Feast post to learn all kinds of fun Ghibli inspired recipes including how to make traditional Konpeito candy.

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Authentic Japanese Anpan Dessert Recipe

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Anpan is another traditional Japanese dessert that was made internationally well known by Spirited Away. This yummy delight appears in many anime but the Ghibli classic is probably where most people know it from.

Anpan is a traditional Japanese sweet roll usually made with red bean paste filling. However, you can prepare it with any kind of filling you like. The most popular filling alternatives for Anpan are sesame, green beans or chestnut cream instead.

You don’t need any special tool to make this traditional Japanese pastry so you just have to follow Just One Cookbook’s yummy Anpan recipe with her easy to follow step-by-step tutorial.

Authentic Japanese Melon Pan Dessert Recipe

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Melonpan or Japanese melon bread is a traditional Japanese sweet that’s also got very popular not only in animes but China, Taiwan, and even in Latin America.

If you watch a lot of anime then you probably already came across this tasty bum and now you can learn how to make it yourself.

You don’t need any special tools to make these traditional Japanese sweet bread. Melonpan is made of enriched dough covered in a thin layer of crisp cookie dough.

With the help of Chopstick Chronicles and her delicious Japanese melon bread recipe, you’ll be enjoying them in no time.

Authentic Japanese Snacks & Candy

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If you love snacks and sweets and want to get your hands on some authentic delights from Japan then you’re in luck. You can easily buy them on Amazon from trusted sellers directly from Japan.

Check out our favorite anime snacks and sweet boxes you can get on Amazon:

Bokksu – Authentic Japanese Snack & Candy

-You can get a fine selection of Japanese snacks from small to large boxes on Etsy.

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Anime Food Section 4: Top Anime Fast Food

Authentic Japanese Hamburger (Hambagu) Steak Recipe

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While traditional Japanese dishes are a part of everyday life in Japan so is fast food.

In anime, fast food appears quite often even as ads. You’ll often see burgers and Mcdonalds but the three most popular fast-food chains in anime and in real life in Japan are KFC, Starbucks, and Wendy.

Fast food is so popular in anime that they even create funny anime fast food mascots to make the experience even more realistic and entertaining of course.

While you obviously can’t really re-create a KFC or Mcdonalds’s meal at home you can make Japan’s Hamburger steak or Hambagu that was inspired by Western fast food.

This food appears in a lot of anime including the popular Clannad anime series.

With Just One Cookbook’s juicy Hamburger Steak (Hambagu) recipe you can learn how to make this homemade Japanese dish as well.

Anime Food Section5: Great Anime Drinks

Ramune

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The Ramune name comes from the wasei-eigo form of lemonade. This originally clear sparkling drink comes in many different tastes and colors but what makes it special and memorable is the bottle’s shape.

A long gone, old-school bottle closing design is used, called codd-neck, which means there is a marble ball sealing the bottle. It is a cool drink to offer your guests for sure.

Ramune is one of the most popular drinks in animeBungou Stray Dogs included.

You can grab agift set of a special mix edition 8 variety packfrom Japan on Amazon too.

Sake

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Saké is probably one of the most known alcoholic drinks not only in anime but in the whole world. This traditional Japanese drink is a great appetizer, conversation maker and Japanese souvenir.

If you see anime characters sharing a good small cup of drink, it is most definitely Saké. There are a number of types of Saké, some of them are traditionally consumed warm or hot.

If you drink it properly, it is an authentic Japanese drink that will set the mood for a nice, cozy, spiritual time. Share it with friends and family to create a lovely vibe.

You can buy a beautifultraditional pottery hot Sake set on Amazon if you want to create a truly memorable experience.

Yakult

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This delicious probiotic yogurt drink is very popular both in real life and in anime. Yakult makes a great morning drink to set your digestive system in the right mood.

Many Japanese people drink Yakult on a daily basis to make keep healthy. It is sweetened making it very popular in children’s circles.

What is fun to see, that in some cases, due to copyright or other reasons, you’ll find that Yakult in anime is misspelled to Yapult besides being exactly the same as the real-life one. Still, Yakult is one of the most popular drinks in anime.

Mugicha –Japanese Barley Tea

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Tea making and tea drinking is a very important tradition in Japan. It is actually a beautiful ritual overall, that makes you forget about stress.

In almost all of the anime and manga, you are going to find scenes of people drinking tea and you quickly understand, it is much more than just sipping on some hot beverage.

Almost all animes have characters sitting down, even if only for a moment, but you’ll feel the calm and peace that ritual is transmitting.

Mugicha is a Japanese Barley Tea You can buy on eBay as well. It has a soothing toasty taste with a touch of bitterness.

You are in for a treat that can calm your nerves and help you relax a little.

Japanese Matcha Green Tea

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Japanese Matcha Green Tea has long been regarded as a cure for the soul and body. It is actually proven to have a strong immune system supporting components that even help fight cancer.

Matcha is found in some Japanese desserts as well, which are not too sweet.

Traditional Japanese green tea making in Japan has a complete ritual that is very important in the culture. It is not just about drinking it but giving it the respect and time to ensure good quality.

When visiting Japan you can go on and visit places to learn how to prepare traditional Japanese Matcha green tea. You can actually find out how to recreate this magnificent experience at home as well.

You can get a grip on what role it plays in Japan nowadays, by watching the comedy-drama anime Shirobako.

You can order Japanese Matcha Green tea powder on Amazon. If you want to have a tea ceremony you can also buy all kinds of beautiful and traditional Japanese Matcha bowls or even get a portable and handmade traditional JapaneseTea Ceremonial Set.

If you want to learn how to prepare traditional Japanese Matcha green tea you can follow this step by step guide and grab your Matcha Tea Ceremonial Set with Bowl, Bamboo Whisk, Bamboo Scoop.

Japanese Canned Coffee

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Canned coffee in Japan is pretty big. With millions of people on the go, being busy at work and so on, there are plenty of choices for everyone with different taste.

You can get all types, the popular ones, and flavored ones as well. What makes things even better, these coffees are usually of outstanding quality as well.

Otonashi Yuzuru from the short but amusing anime series Angel Beats! enjoys an occasional good can.

There are also different drinks to suit all various dietary requirements, such as the Boss Coffee by the giant company Suntory, which is gluten-free.

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Japanese Beer

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If coffee is big in Japan, then beer is gigantic. There is a culture of having a draught lager or taking home a can of Japanese beer after work.

There are a few anime, which showcase that culture in a very realistic way.

As the young Michiru moves into a female-only flatshare, she ends up drinking a lot of alcohol and eating delicious anime food.

One of Japan’s biggest beer companies, Yebisu even advertised in the show.

Anime Food Section 6: Best Anime Bento Boxes

Type of Anime Bento Boxes & How to Make Them

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There are all kinds of anime bento boxes to buy on Amazon. You can go for your favorite Ghibli movie and its characters like the cute cat,Jiji from Kiki’s Delivery service, get a super cute Kawaii bento box or buy a traditional Japanese bento box.

While getting a good bento box is important but it’s the easier part of the job.

What’s the hard part? Good question. It’s to actually make them. How to actually make an anime bento box or a traditional Japanese style bento box?

Here are the most important anime bento lunch recipes and guides you can find online if you want to learn how to become a bento box expert:

– How to make cute anime bento
– Learn how to make a funDetective Conan Anime Bento Box Tutorialget more inspiration
– Learn how to make traditional and creative bento boxes from Just One Cookbook who has a wide selection of fun and delicious bento box recipe collection.
– Learn from Chopstick Chronicles who also hasgreat ‘the ultimate guide to bento recipes‘ resource page.

Anime Food Section 7: Best Anime Cookbooks & Japanese Cookbooks

Just One Cookbook – Essential Japanese Recipes by Namiko Chen

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We love Namiko Hirasawa Chen’s blog and cookbook. She has a very good sense of taste, bringing some of the greatest traditional Japanese meals to us.

All her recipes are easy to follow and the photos are so appetizing, you want to make all of them right away. Visiting her blog, you can also get some tips on how to master Japanese cooking in a western kitchen.

If you would like to make some of the best anime foods, this book will help you start from the basics and work through to become a skilled anime cook.

Just One Cookbook perfectly mixes traditional Japanese cooking with modern techniques and flavors.

The Secrets to Japanese Cooking: Use the Power of Fermented Ingredients to Create Authentic Flavors at Home by Shihoko Ura &Elizabeth McClelland

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The belly-blowing Japanese cook blog Chopstick Chronicles’ founder couple, mother and daughter Shihoko Ura & Elizabeth McClelland gives you a hand in becoming one of the best authentic Japanese cooks.

The Secrets to Japanese Cooking: Use the Power of Fermented Ingredients to Create Authentic Flavors at Home is certainly one great cookbook that will help you better understand traditional Japanese meals.

While learning how to make them, you get to appreciate flavors that may have been difficult to imagine in a mix. There are some really great recipes, that will make a good addition to your anime-inspired dinner one evening.

Let’s Make Ramen! A Comic Book Cookbook Book by Hugh Amano & Sarah Becan

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Hugh Amano and Sarah Becan are two passionate foodies, who wanted to share their love with all Japanese food lovers in a way that will most likely ensure fun for everyone.

The Let’s Make Ramen! A Comic Book Cookbook is not just a playfully presented cookbook of noodle dishes, but also a great way to familiarize ourselves with all the ingredients and processes that make Ramen that indulging.

It is certainly your go-to book if you are in need of a guide to make delicious and good looking anime food.

This comic book was actually named one of the best cookbooks of the year by the Chicago Tribune.

The Manga Cookbook by The Manga University Culinary Institute, Chihiro Hattori

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Would there be a better way to make authentic anime food than using a manga cookbook? We do not think so. This fascinating manga is actually doing a great job with making you fall in love with each of the recipes while getting so hungry, you can barely wait for them to be finally ready.

You get some explanations of the dishes, while a step-by-step guide is taking you through the preparation process, to make sure everything is perfectly done. It’s hard to make a mistake if you read carefully while enjoying the beautiful art.

It is a great cookbook for all ages while the dishes will make a great Japanese anime-themed evening at the dining table.

Alice in Matchaland by Mosoko Miyatsuki

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This lovely Japanese Green tea cookbook by Mosoko Miyatsuki is definitely one of our new favorites. It is a very imaginative way of telling more about the history and importance of the traditional tea that many love so much.

As we mentioned earlier, it is not just a cup of tea, it is a way of living.

From the first moments of cooking to the last sip of the tea, people tend to concentrate fully on the green drink of wonders.

Besides all the information, it is an adorable children’s book-like manga, that will take you on an adventure with Alice in Matchaland. It is cute and entertaining for all ages.

The Hello Kitty Baking Book: Recipes for Cookies, Cupcakes, and More by Michele Chen Chock

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Once your anime cooking is spot on, it is time to think about your baking. What would make a great dessert after such fascinating and taste bud tingling anime foods?

You better come up with something truly memorable, otherwise, all that superb cooking is for nothing.

Thanks to Michele Chen Chock, your dinner is saved. Let’s bake some cute and sweet Hello Kitty desserts.

The Hello Kitty Baking Book: Recipes for Cookies, Cupcakes, and More is full of lovely ideas for all kinds of sweets that surely take all your guests, little ones and grown-ups to their happy place.

Deco Cakes! by Junko

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If you are planning to blow everyone’s mind at the dinner table, there are some truly amazing anime desserts in Deco Cakes! by Junko.

There are some of the best looking and tasting cakes and other desserts you can indulge your friends and family with.

If you are planning a children’s party, nothing will make it more memorable than scrumptious cakes with the kids’ favorite anime characters on it.

Make some stunningly colorful and beautiful cakes that will make you want to spend the rest of your life eating sweets.

The book also comes with design stencils, which make everything much easier. This book shows some great tricks so later you can get as creative as you want.

The Just Bento Cookbook: Everyday Lunches To Go by Makiko Itoh

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Bento Boxes are really popular in Japan and now in the western world as well. Thanks to some of the anime, we had the chance to take a peek into how they look and in what circ*mstances do people eat them.

It is very common to see people taking them to work and school because they are practical, economical and since there is usually a good variety of ingredients, they are healthy as well.

Makiko Itoh’s The Just Bento Cookbook: Everyday Lunches To Go makes planning your next work lunch much easier.

If you want to take a piece of anime food with you to work, now you can get some healthy tips as well.

You can learn about the best combinations of recipes for a good day.

Japanese Cooking: A Simple Art by Shizuo Tsuji

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Japanese Cooking: A Simple Art is a rather classy cookbook that will teach you about Japanese cuisine and drinks in an elegant way.

You can find almost all the important dishes and ingredients in this book. While preparing your anime meal, this book will give you the confidence to create something good looking and delicious as well.

The new edition after 25 years is keeping up with the current trends, introducing some decadent infusions and new tastes that are becoming Japanese tradition.

Shizuo Tsuji is one of the best Japanese cooks, who can help you make cooking easy.

Harumi’s Japanese Cooking: More than 75 Authentic and Contemporary Recipes from Japan’s Most Popular Cooking Expert by Harumi Kurihara

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As the title suggests, Harumi Kurihara is one of the most highly regarded Japanese cooks, who has some really great recipes. She presents 75 authentic and contemporary dishes that are definitely worth trying at home.

The book is a great way to up your anime cooking as it is very likely that most of the meals have been on some of the shows.

All the meals are delicious and certainly are great for a culinary journey to Japan.

Try different flavors from various times of history with the guidance of an expert.

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Thank you for reading!

Best Anime Food Inspired by Japanese Food Recipes & Drinks - AC (2024)
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