As the name suggests, Ghibli food refers to the food that appears in films produced by Studio Ghibli. One of the secrets to Ghibli's popularity is not only the way to eat it, but also the fact that it looks so delicious it'll make your mouth water! Today, I'd like to introduce some recommended Ghibli meals. These meals will instantly transport you to the world of the films.
Ghibli Food You'll Want to Try #1: Laputa Bread
Let's start with something super simple. This is the bread topped with a fried egg that Pazu and Sheeta shared in "Castle in the Sky." The scene where he slurps down the fried egg looked incredibly delicious, didn't it? Apparently, this bread is called "Laputa Bread." And next to it is the stew that Pazu bought in town at his master's request. It even has two meatballs inside. While there's no scene where he eats it, it also looks delicious.
Ghibli Food You'll Want to Try at Least #2: Doraham
This is Doraham from "Castle in the Sky," and I want to stab it with a knife so hard it shakes the table before eating it. This is one of the dishes Dora and her family ate at Pazu's house, and it's the meat Dora devoured by tearing it into pieces while drooling. I want to tear it into pieces as neatly as Dora, eat it in one bite with my head held high. It might be easier if it's cooked rare, like in the picture. But be careful with your knife! (lol)
Must-Try Ghibli Food #3: Herring and Pumpkin Pie
Next up is herring and pumpkin pie from "Kiki's Delivery Service." In the movie, it's called a baked herring and pumpkin wrap. I made this as my grandma's signature dish for her granddaughter's party. My granddaughter said she didn't like it, but the person who actually made it said it was absolutely delicious. It looks adorable, and it's one of those Ghibli dishes I'd love to try.
Ghibli Foods You'll Want to Try at Least #4: Kiki's Pancakes
These are also Kiki's pancakes from "Kiki's Delivery Service." Because she had no money, she ate pancakes almost every day. The side dishes were sausage and cherry tomatoes. Jiji's pancake had cheese on it instead of tomatoes. And, the shop-bought bread with milk. This is Kiki's clumsy yet hard-working breakfast. It's adorable, isn't it?
Ghibli Foods You Should Try at Least 5: Meatballs
This is the transparent, jiggly food that Chihiro's parents ate in the town they got lost in in "Spirited Away." Since it hasn't been officially announced by Ghibli, it's only speculation, but it's thought to be ba wan (rou yuan). A Taiwanese dish, it's made with a sweet potato starch dough filled with bamboo shoots and pork. It's apparently popular in Taiwan, so be sure to try it out if you visit.
Ghibli Food You Must Try at Least 6: Zeniba Cake
This is the Zeniba Cake from "Spirited Away," which No-Face eats in two bites. It's said that most creators of this cake use a black tea sponge topped with buttercream. However, the cake sold at the Ghibli Museum is actually a lemon cake. In the movie, it has small dots inside, making it look like a black tea cake, but what do you think? Which do you see?
Ghibli Food You'll Want to Try at Least 7: Jiko's Porridge
Next up is the porridge made by Jiko from "Princess Mononoke." In a small pot, he puts porridge, something like chives, and miso paste. He eats while panting, completely oblivious to the conversation between Ashitaka and the others! The difference in how Ashitaka and Jiko eat shows their upbringing (lol), but Jiko's groaning is more satisfying to watch. This is a relatively easy Ghibli meal to make.
Ghibli Food You Must Try at Least 8: Fried Eggs and Bacon
Next up is fried eggs and bacon from "Howl's Moving Castle." They all ate it on the first morning after arriving at Howl's castle. The meal itself is very simple, but Markl's sloppy eating style doesn't make it seem that way. Judging from Sophie's words, eggs and bacon seem to have been considered luxury items. This is the perfect Ghibli breakfast!
Ghibli Food You'll Want to Try at Least 9: Tomato Sauce Pasta
But there's more! This is tomato sauce pasta from "Porco Rosso." When the protagonist Porco Rosso's plane breaks down, this Ghibli dish is served as a staff meal when repairs are required at Piccolo. Since the setting is Italy, I'm guessing it's "spaghetti al pomodore." It's a classic Mamma Mia dish. Pair it with some red wine for a complete Ghibli meal.
Ghibli Food You Must Try #10: Fish Cookies
These are fish cookies from "The Cat Returns." These are fish-shaped cookies that the main character, Haru, used to eat as a child. It was these cookies that inspired the cat Yuki to help him out. They're simple, but I remember being envious of the way he ate them with such gusto, and the cute packaging that contained so many cookies. You should definitely try these!
Ghibli Food You'll Want to Try at Least Once ⑪: Breakfast at the Kusakabe Family
This is breakfast at the Kusakabe family home from "My Neighbor Totoro." While the bento lunch is great, Satsuki's hastily eaten breakfast is even more memorable. It's made by Satsuki for her father, who overslept. Originally, she was supposed to be 10 years old, but since she's so mature, they changed her age to 12, a sixth-grader! She's so caring and mature. Please make it and gulp down the miso soup!
Ghibli Food You'll Want to Try at Least Once ⑫: Breakfast at House of Poppy
This is the breakfast made by Umi, the main character, from "From Up on Poppy Hill." Of course, the breakfast itself is nutritious and delicious, but Umi's skill, or rather, the process of making it, is so beautiful that it's captivating. It's not easy to move like that in the morning. I was impressed by how well-trained she is. This is Ghibli food that everyone wants to enjoy together in the morning.
Must-Try Ghibli Food ⑬: Pom Poko Hamburger
From "Pom Poko," these hamburgers are served during a meeting. The hamburgers are packed with toppings in a white wrapper, and the tanuki devour them, making messes around their mouths. The tanuki devour them with their big mouths, seemingly forgetting their anger toward humans. They hate humans, but they still crave fries and hamburgers! After all, appetites can't be resisted. Give it a try! It's fun.
Ghibli Food You'll Want to Try at Least Once ⑭: Ham Ramen
This is a simple instant ramen made by Sosuke's mother, Lisa, from "Ponyo on the Cliff." Yes, it's instant! (lol) Thick slices of ham topped with a boiled egg and sprinkled with green onions complete the dish. Apparently, director Hayao Miyazaki sometimes makes this for the staff at Studio Ghibli as a midnight snack during production. I remember making a big pot of it and sprinkling it with green onions! Perhaps it's precisely because the staff ate it every day that it's so realistic.
Ghibli Food You Must Try ⑮: Arrietty's Cheese Bread
Next up is the cheese bread from "The Secret World of Arrietty," which the family ate on their way to a new home. It was baked in the small oven Dad brought with him, with Mom eating all the cheese first, and Dad eating it with the bread. Seeing how Mom ate it, I was a little worried that there would be only bread left afterwards (lol). When the piping hot cheese bread came out of the oven, it looked so delicious I cried out loud. Try making it with a round loaf of bread.
Simple is best!
What did you think? We've introduced you to Ghibli meals you'll want to try at least once! We've introduced 15 dishes in total, but did you remember the scenes? From classic to slightly unusual, Ghibli meals are fun. What's more, one of the reasons Ghibli meals are so popular is that the characters look so appetizing while eating them. Studio Ghibli has also researched how to make food look as delicious as possible. That's why everyone is drawn to them. Each dish is easy to make, so please give it a try!
