Sansuke
Eating the same dishes everyday can get monotonous and coming up with new food ideas is a bother in itself.
But if you’re an anime enthusiasts then there’s a way to work around it.
Dive into Japan’s culinary delights from mouthwatering ramen from Naruto to adorable bento boxes from Spirited Away.
So, grab your chopsticks and prepare to savor the flavors of your favorite anime!
10 Mouthwatering Anime-Inspired Dinner night food ideas
1. Classic Bowl of Ichiraku Ramen Noddles from Naruto
The first food idea on the list is the most popular anime food dish, Naruto’s staple, Ichiraku Ramen.
Prepare a steaming bowl of rich and flavorful ramen, just like the Ichiraku ramen from the Hidden Leaf Village.
Customize it with your favorite toppings such as as soft-boiled eggs, nori, green onions and succulent slices of pork.
There are various types of Ramen:
a) Shoyu Ramen:
Shoyu ramen is a classic Japanese ramen variety seasoned with soy sauce.
b) Miso Ramen:
Miso ramen is characterized by its rich and hearty broth made with fermented soybean paste(miso).
c) Tonkotsu Ramen:
Tonkotsu ramen features a creamy and pork-based broth, boiled for hours to extract rich flavours from pork bones.
d) Tsukemen:
Tsukemen, also known as dipping ramen is served with the noodles and toppings separate from the concentrated dipping broth.
e) Naruto-styled Ramen (Miso pork ramen+broth) :
Naruto’s favorite ramen from Ichiraku, prepared by ramen guy, Teuchi and his daughter Ayane is a combination of Miso and Tonkotsu flavors.
It includes chasu(braised pork), narutomaki(fish cake with a swirl pattern), green onions and sometimes a boiled egg.
Also Read:
15 Things to do in Japan if you like Anime
Pro Tip:
Cardinal rule of trying out a new ramen for the first time.
Step 1: Try the soup, get to know of the lay of the land
Step 2: Swim the noddle in the broth then taste.
2. Shinchan Hotpot
A Japanese hotpot is called ‘nabe’ which is type of one-pot meal where various ingredients are simmered together in a flavorful broth.
Prepare a simmering pot of savory broth and let everyone cook their choice of meat, vegetables and noodles right at the table.
A hotpot is great dinner night food idea when you’re hosting as its often enjoyed with family and friends gathered around the table, making it a social meal.
Nabe is a popular dish, especially during the colder months, as it provides a warm and comforting dinning experience.
3. A Garden Salad from My Neighbor Totoro
My Neighbor Totoro’s Garden salad is a refreshing and colorful appetizer or side dish.
Garden salad recipe:
Ingredients:
For the salad-
- Mixed salad greens(lettuce, spinach, arugula, etc)
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cucumber slices
- Carrot ribbons
- Edible flowers(nasturtiums, pansies or violets)
For the Dressing-
- 2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optinoal Garnish:
- Tofu pieces
- Sesame seeds or chopped nuts for added cruch
Feel free to customize this salad recipe with your favorite vegetables.
4. Spirited Away’s Bento Box
Recreate the enchanting bento box that Chihiro’s mom prepares for her in Studio Ghibli’s ‘Spirited Away’.
Arrange a selection of colorful and delicious items like onigiri(rice balls), tamagoyaki(rolled omelette) and fresh fruits cut into cute shapes.
Bento boxes emphasize portion control and balance which aligns with the Japanese approach to eating well balance meals.
The compartments encourage a thoughtful arrangements of different food group ensuring a nutritionally balanced and satisfying meal.
5. Sanji’s All Blue feast from One Piece
Well, Sanji hasn’t achieved his dream of finding the all blue yet but he will, just like Luffy will become the king of the pirates.
But you can prepare a seafood themed feast with sushi, sashimi and grilled fish.
Pirate’s Platter as the Appetizer:
Assorted sushi rolls with fresh tuna, salmon and shrimp fillings.
Main Course:
Seafood Stew:
A rich seafood stew inspired by Fishman Island, featuring a variety of seafood like clams, mussels, shrimp, squid and fish simmered in a savory tomato and herb broth.
Sanji’s seafood Pasta:
Linguine or spaghetti tossed in a garlicky white wine sauce with succulent pieces of lobster, crab and scallops. Garnish with sprinkles of grated parmesan cheese.
Side Dishes:
Nami’s seaweed Rice balls:
Rice balls (onigiri) filled with seasoned seaweed and a choice of spicy tuna or salmon. Wrap each onigiri in a sheet of nori(seaweed) for a nod to Nami’s navigating skills.
6. Soma’s Furikake Gohan from Food Wars
The Furikake Gohan(rice bowl) is a popular dish made by Soma Yukihira.
It consists of a simple yet flavorfil rice bowl topped with a variety of Furikake, which is a Japanese seasoning mix typically sprinkled on top of rice.
The Furikake used in the dish includes ingredients like dried bonito flakes, seaweed, sesame seed, chopped onions, soy sauce and the highlight a scrambled egg.
6. Choji Akimichi’s BBQ dinner party from Naruto
Prepare a BBQ inspired by Choji Akimichi, the food-loving Shinobi of the Hidden Leaf Village.
Prepare a grill and choose your meat from a wide selection of meats, including beef, pork(like belly, shoulder and cheek), chicken(thigh, wing and skin) along with vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini or kimchi.
Start grilling and savoring the various meats and vegetables until you’ve satisfied your appetite.
Japanese BBQ also known as Yakiniku is the best dinner night idea after a long, hard day of work especially when you’ve company.
8. Tamago Kake Gohan from Weathering With You
In the anime movie Weathering with You, there is a delightful food dish known as ‘Tamago Kake Gohan’ or simply ‘TKG’.
Tamago Kake Gohan is a traditional Japanese dish that consists of raw egg cracked over a bowl of hot steamed rice.
It is usually seasoned with soy sauce and sometimes accompanied by additional toppings like nori(seaweed) or green onions.
In the movie, Hina Amano is seen making this simple yet heartwarming meal for Hodaka.
9. Studio Ghibli movie marathon Night snacks
Prepare a delightful spread of snacks inspired by various Studio Ghibli films featuring fluffy Totoro cream puffs, Calcifier’s fiery hot wings and a whimsical array of colorful candies.
Enjoy a movie marathon of various Studio Ghibli movies with a table full of enchanting treats.
10. Dreamy Dessert Night with Your Lie in April
Indulging in a delicious desert after dinner is a delightful way to satisfy your sweet tooth and end the meal on a high note.
Some mouthwatering dessert ideas to consider are cookies, colorful parfait, pastries, decorated cakes and macaroons.
A desert night with Your Lie in April is incomplete or isn’t dreamy until you’ve soft, classical music in the background.
These anime-inspired dinner night food ideas are sure to satisfy your otaku cravings. Whether you’re a fan of action-packed series like Naruto or the magical world of Studio Ghibli, there’s a delightful dish to suit every anime lover’s palate.
So, invite your fellow anime enthusiasts and enjoy a memorable evening filled with delicious food and the joy of anime-inspired cooking!
Also Read:
14 Anime Inspired Date Night Ideas
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