8 Japanese Anime Recipes to Try at Home!

Anime movies are a treasure trove of inspiration when it comes to food. From the mouthwatering dishes in food-centric anime to the quick snacks that anime characters love to eat, there are plenty of dishes to try at home. Here are eight dishes inspired by popular anime movies that are sure to satisfy your cravings.

Onigiri - Your Name
 

In Your Name, one of the main characters, Taki, eats onigiri for lunch every day. Onigiri is a rice ball that is often stuffed with various fillings such as salmon, tuna, or pickled plums. It's an easy and filling lunch option that you can make at home. Find some cute Kawaii Onigiri Rice molds HERE.

Here's a simple recipe to make onigiri:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of Japanese short-grain rice
• 2 1/4 cups of water
• 2-3 tablespoons of rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon of sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• Filling of your choice (pickled plums, salmon, tuna, seaweed, etc.)
• Optional: Nori (seaweed) sheets, sesame seeds

Instructions:

1. Rinse the rice in cold water until the water runs clear. Drain the rice in a colander for 30 minutes to an hour.

2. In a large pot, combine the rice and water and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 12-15 minutes, or until the water has been absorbed and the rice is tender.

3. In a small bowl, mix together the rice vinegar, sugar, and salt until the sugar and salt are dissolved.

4. Once the rice is cooked, transfer it to a large bowl and add the vinegar mixture. Mix gently until the rice is coated evenly with the mixture.

5. Wet your hands with water and sprinkle some salt on them. Take a small amount of rice and form it into a ball, about the size of a small apple.

6. Make a small indentation in the middle of the ball with your thumb and add a small amount of filling (pickled plums, salmon, tuna, seaweed, etc.).

7. Cover the filling with more rice and shape the ball into a triangle or oval shape.

8. Optional: wrap the onigiri with a sheet of nori and sprinkle sesame seeds on top.

9. Repeat the process until all the rice and filling is used up.

10. Serve the onigiri immediately, or store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a day. Enjoy!

Taiyaki - My Hero Academia

In My Hero Academia, Taiyaki is a popular street food snack that is often seen in the background of scenes. Taiyaki is a fish-shaped pastry that is filled with sweet red bean paste. It's a delicious and cute snack that is perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth. Get your own Taiyaki Waffle Maker HERE

Here's a recipe to make Taiyaki:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Red bean paste or other filling of your choice
• Optional: chocolate chips, matcha powder

Instructions:

1. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Mix well.

2. In another mixing bowl, whisk the egg, milk, and vanilla extract until well combined.

3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until smooth.

4. Preheat a Taiyaki maker or a fish-shaped waffle maker on medium heat. If you don't have a Taiyaki maker, a regular waffle maker can be used.

5. Brush the inside of each fish-shaped mold with vegetable oil or cooking spray.

6. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of batter into each mold, making sure to fill up to about 3/4 full.

7. Add a spoonful of red bean paste or other filling of your choice onto the batter.

8. Top with another tablespoon of batter to cover the filling.

9. Close the lid and cook for 2-3 minutes or until the Taiyaki is golden brown.

10. Carefully remove the Taiyaki from the mold and place it on a wire rack to cool.

11. Repeat the process until all the batter and filling is used up.

12. Optional: sprinkle some chocolate chips or matcha powder on top of the Taiyaki before serving.

13. Serve the Taiyaki warm and enjoy!

Curry Rice - Detective Conan

In Detective Conan, one of the main characters, Ran, is a skilled cook and often makes curry rice for her friends. Curry rice is a popular dish in Japan that features a thick and flavorful curry sauce served over rice. Make your Rice Kawaii Style. Search HERE for Kawaii Rice Moulds

Here's a recipe to make Curry Rice:

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 carrot, peeled and diced
• 1 potato, peeled and diced
• 1-2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 pound of boneless chicken thighs or beef chuck, cut into bite-size pieces
• 2 tablespoons curry powder
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 2 cups of chicken or beef broth
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Steamed rice

Instructions:

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium heat.

2. Add the onion, carrot, and potato and cook until the onion is soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.

3. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes.

4. Add the chicken or beef to the pot and cook until the meat is browned on all sides.

5. Add the curry powder and flour to the pot and cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.

6. Gradually add the chicken or beef broth to the pot, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.

7. Add the soy sauce, sugar, salt, and pepper to the pot and bring to a simmer.

8. Reduce the heat to low and let the curry sauce simmer for 20-30 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the sauce has thickened.

9. Serve the curry sauce over a bed of steamed rice.

10. Enjoy your delicious Curry Rice!

Mochi - Spirited Away

In Spirited Away, the character No-Face is seen eating mochi, a Japanese rice cake. Mochi can be filled with various sweet or savory fillings, such as red bean paste or cheese. It's a popular snack that is often enjoyed during holidays or special occasions. These Cute Bear Plates are perfect to eat mochi in cute chill time.

Here's a recipe to make Mochi:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of glutinous rice flour
• 1 1/2 cups of water
• 1/2 cup of sugar
• Potato starch or cornstarch for dusting
• Filling of your choice (red bean paste, ice cream, etc.)

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the glutinous rice flour, water, and sugar until smooth.

2. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and microwave on high for 3 minutes.

3. Remove the bowl from the microwave and stir the mixture with a spatula until smooth.

4. Cover the bowl again and microwave on high for another 2-3 minutes.

5. Remove the bowl from the microwave and stir the mixture again until smooth.

6. Transfer the mochi mixture onto a surface dusted with potato starch or cornstarch.

7. Dust your hands with potato starch or cornstarch and knead the mochi until it becomes smooth and elastic.

8. Divide the mochi into small pieces, about 1-2 tablespoons each.

9. Flatten each piece of mochi with your hands, then place a small amount of filling (red bean paste, ice cream, etc.) in the center.

10. Fold the edges of the mochi over the filling and pinch to seal.

11. Roll the mochi into a ball shape, dusting with potato starch or cornstarch as needed to prevent sticking.

12. Repeat the process until all the mochi and filling is used up.

13. Serve the mochi immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a day.

14. Enjoy your delicious homemade Mochi!

Katsu Don - One Piece

In One Piece, the character Sanji is a talented cook who often makes Katsu Don for his crewmates. Katsu Don is a Japanese dish that features a breaded and fried pork cutlet served over rice with egg and onion. 

Here's a recipe to make Katsu Don:

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless pork chops
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• Vegetable oil for frying
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup of dashi stock or chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons of mirin
• 2 tablespoons of sugar
• 4 eggs, beaten
• Steamed rice

Instructions:

1. Season the pork chops with salt and pepper.

2. Dredge the pork chops in flour, then dip in the beaten eggs, and coat with panko breadcrumbs.

3. Heat about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

4. Fry the pork chops until golden brown and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per side.

5. Remove the pork chops from the skillet and let them rest on a wire rack.

6. In the same skillet, sauté the sliced onion until soft and translucent.

7. Add the dashi stock or chicken broth, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar to the skillet and bring to a boil.

8. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 5-10 minutes, or until slightly thickened.

9. Pour the beaten eggs into the skillet and stir gently to scramble them with the sauce.

10. Cut the fried pork chops into bite-size pieces and add them to the skillet, stirring gently to coat them with the sauce.

11. Let the Katsu Don simmer for a few minutes until the eggs are cooked through.

12. Serve the Katsu Don over a bed of steamed rice.

13. Enjoy your delicious Katsu Don!

Ramen - Naruto

In Naruto, the main character Naruto is often seen eating ramen, a popular Japanese noodle dish. Ramen features a rich broth made with pork or chicken and is served with noodles, sliced pork, and various toppings such as green onions or soft-boiled eggs. Eat your Ramen in style in one of our Kawaii Ramen Bowls. See more HERE

Here's a recipe to make Naruto-style ramen:

Ingredients:

• 4 servings of ramen noodles
• 4 cups of chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon of miso paste
• 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon of grated ginger
• 1 cup of sliced shiitake mushrooms
• 2 cups of sliced bok choy
• 4 boiled eggs, halved
• 4 slices of braised pork belly or chashu
• 4 sheets of nori seaweed, cut into small rectangles
• 4 stalks of scallions, sliced
• Toasted sesame oil, for drizzling
• Shichimi togarashi or chili flakes, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Cook the ramen noodles according to the package instructions, then drain and set aside.

2. In a large pot, heat the chicken or vegetable broth over medium-high heat.

3. Add the soy sauce, miso paste, oyster sauce, garlic, and ginger to the pot and stir to combine.

4. Add the sliced shiitake mushrooms and bok choy to the pot and let them simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.

5. Divide the cooked ramen noodles into 4 serving bowls.

6. Ladle the hot broth and vegetables over the noodles in each bowl.

7. Top each bowl with a boiled egg, a slice of braised pork belly or chashu, a sheet of nori seaweed, and a handful of sliced scallions.

8. Drizzle a little bit of toasted sesame oil over each bowl.

9. Garnish with shichimi togarashi or chili flakes, if desired.

10. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious Naruto-style ramen!

Tuna and Egg Salad Sandwich - Grave of the Fireflies

In Grave of the Fireflies, the main character, Seita, often makes tuna and egg salad sandwiches for his sister Setsuko. It's a simple and comforting sandwich that is perfect for a quick lunch or snack.

Here's a recipe to make a Tuna and Egg Salad Sandwich, Grave of the Fireflies style:

Ingredients:

• 1 can of tuna, drained
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
• 1/4 cup of mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 slices of bread
• Butter or margarine, softened
• Lettuce leaves, washed and dried
• Thinly sliced cucumbers
• Thinly sliced tomatoes

Instructions:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the drained tuna, chopped hard-boiled eggs, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice.

2. Mix well and season with salt and pepper to taste.

3. Toast the slices of bread.

4. Spread butter or margarine on one side of each slice of bread.

5. Place a lettuce leaf on top of one slice of bread, followed by a generous amount of the tuna and egg salad mixture.

6. Top the salad mixture with thinly sliced cucumbers and tomatoes.

7. Cover with another slice of bread, buttered side facing up.

8. Repeat with the remaining bread slices and filling.

9. Cut the sandwiches diagonally and serve.

10. Enjoy your delicious Tuna and Egg Salad Sandwich, Grave of the Fireflies style!

Oyakodon - Wolf Children

In Wolf Children, the main character, Hana, makes Oyakodon, a Japanese dish that features chicken and egg served over rice. It's a popular dish in Japan and is often served for breakfast or lunch.

Here's a recipe to make Oyakodon, Wolf Children style:

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup of dashi stock or chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons of mirin
• 1 tablespoon of sugar
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 2 cups of cooked Japanese short-grain rice
• Shichimi togarashi or chili flakes, for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, beat the eggs lightly and set aside.

2. In a medium-sized pot, combine the dashi stock or chicken broth, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar.

3. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.

4. Add the chicken pieces to the pot and let them simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until cooked through.

5. Pour the beaten eggs over the chicken and sauce in the pot.

6. Cover the pot with a lid and let it cook for 1-2 minutes, or until the eggs are set.

7. Divide the cooked rice into 2 bowls.

8. Carefully spoon the chicken and egg mixture over the rice in each bowl.

9. Top each bowl with sliced green onions and shichimi togarashi or chili flakes, if desired.

10. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious Oyakodon, Wolf Children style!

These eight dishes are just a few examples of the delicious and inspiring dishes found in anime movies. So the next time you're in the mood for something new in the kitchen, turn to your favorite anime for inspiration!