If you could swap out turkey and stuffing for a dish straight from your favorite anime, what would you bring to the Thanksgiving table? Imagine a feast where golden tempura, steaming bowls of ramen, or sweet melon pan take center stage-anime’s most iconic foods are just waiting to shake up your holiday spread and spark conversation among fans and foodies alike.
Thanksgiving is a holiday about many things, one of which happens to be eating whole platefuls of delicious food. With that in mind, we’ve come together to list off the anime meals we would most want to eat over the holiday weekend. Feel free to chime in comments on which of your favorite anime dishes you’d love to bring to dinner.
The ham cutlet ramen from Ponyo
The ham cutlet ramen from Ponyo is a delightful fusion of comfort and whimsy, perfectly capturing the heartwarming spirit of the film. This dish combines crispy, golden ham cutlets with rich, savory ramen broth, creating a satisfying meal that feels both nostalgic and indulgent. Bringing this unique anime-inspired dish to Thanksgiving would add a playful twist to the traditional feast, inviting everyone to enjoy a taste of animated magic alongside their holiday favorites.
I have a confession to make: I’m not the biggest fan of a turkey dinner on Thanksgiving. That’s not to say I would ever outright refuse to eat one. Like Moby Dick’s Ishmael, there is no one who will speak more respectfully of a broiled fowl once judiciously buttered and judgmatically salted and peppered.
For me, my personal holiday meal of choice is a well-glazed ham, which is why whenever I watch the scene in Ponyo of the red-headed mermaid girl and her human friend Sōsuke preparing to chow down on a yummy bowl of ham cutlet ramen, my mouth immediately begins to water. Ponyo loves ham almost as much as I do, which is one of the many reasons why I think we would get along famously. Studio Ghibli is well known for the many, many delicious looking meals that have appeared throughout its films, but Ponyo’s ham cutlet bowl is the one I would most want to eat on Thanksgiving. -Toussaint Egan
Howl’s Breakfast from Howl’s Moving Castle
Howl’s breakfast in Howl’s Moving Castle is a whimsical and heartwarming scene that perfectly captures the magic of anime food. The colorful spread, featuring fluffy eggs, crispy bacon, fresh bread, and vibrant vegetables, not only looks delicious but also reflects Howl’s quirky personality and the cozy atmosphere of the castle. Bringing this enchanting breakfast to Thanksgiving would add a touch of fantasy and charm to the holiday feast, making it a memorable and delightful experience for everyone at the table.
Realistically, Howl’s kitchen is probably disgusting. The man leaves his house in a state of ruin which no one bothers to clean up til Sophie hobbles in. However, when that bacon starts to sizzle and the eggs crack, revealing perfect orange-yellow yolks. I can find it in my heart to overlook the gross living space. I covet those thick slabs of bacon more than any other piece of meat in the world. And those sunny-side up eggs! This is such a simple meal: bread, eggs, bacon (and egg shells, if you’re Calcifer). Yet I know that my attempted recreations will never come close to just how gorgeous it’s rendered on screen. -Petrana Radulovic
Nikaido’s Gyoza from Dorohedoro
Nikaido’s gyoza from Dorohedoro would be an unforgettable addition to any Thanksgiving table. In the gritty world of Hole, Nikaido runs The Hungry Bug, a modest eatery famous for its handmade gyoza-savory dumplings filled with pork, ginger, and aromatic herbs. These dumplings are more than just a meal; they’re a symbol of comfort and camaraderie, offering brief respite from the chaos outside. The scenes of Nikaido and Caiman sharing gyoza highlight how food can bring warmth and connection, even in the harshest environments. Bringing Nikaido’s gyoza to Thanksgiving would not only introduce a delicious new dish but also capture the spirit of sharing and togetherness that defines both the holiday and the heart of Dorohedoro.
You ever see a fictional depiction of food in a show that characters hype up so much that, with every on-screen mention, you want it try out yourself more and more? That’s how I feel about Nikaido’s Gyoza potstickers in Dorohedoro. Caiman, the lizard-headed protagonist of the series, can’t get enough of them, and neither it seems can the other oddball characters of Dorohedoro’s world who regularly pore into Nikaido’s restaurant. The Hole, the favela-like megacity in which the series is set, doesn’t exactly strike me as a gourmand’s paradise, but I would happily hop through a magical portal and brave its many horrors and oddities if it meant I could finally have the opportunity to discover what all the fuss is about. -TE
The Mapo Tofu Variants from Food Wars
Mapo Tofu in Food Wars! (Shokugeki no Soma) is showcased in several exciting variants that highlight the dish’s bold flavors and creative twists. The classic version features soft tofu, ground pork, and a spicy, numbing sauce made with Sichuan peppercorns, chili bean paste, and fermented black bean sauce, delivering a perfect balance of heat and savory depth. Variants include quick-prep hacks using sambal for spice without the numbing effect, as well as more elaborate takes like the Time Fuse Mapo Curry Noodles, which combine mapo tofu with curry-flavored ramen and meatballs for a hearty, fusion-style dish. These adaptations emphasize both traditional Sichuan elements and innovative anime-style culinary flair, making Mapo Tofu a standout choice for an anime-inspired Thanksgiving feast.
All of the food in Food Wars looks incredibly delicious on screen, from the fried chicken to even the bear(?) meat. But the dish that prompted me to roll up my sleeves and go to my own kitchen was the mapo tofu. Within the show, mapo tofu takes on many variations. There’s the classic form of the dish that Chinese cooking expert Kuga has perfected for his Moon Banquet Festival stall. And then there’s the eclectic variations that our fearless protagonist Soma innovates upon. They all look mouthwatering, and the animated food someone conveys that beautifully stinging Sichuan spiciness. When I took on the dish, I didn’t mess around with Soma’s curry noodles or meatball surprise. Instead, I went classic and it was so good.
(Here’s the recipe I used in case this is getting your mouth watering too). -PR
Calcifer’s Eggshells from Howl’s Moving Castle
Calcifer’s eggshells from Howl’s Moving Castle are a quirky and memorable part of the film’s food scenes, highlighting the fire demon’s unique appetite. While Howl and Sophie enjoy a perfectly cooked breakfast of thick bacon and sunny-side-up eggs, Calcifer amusingly munches on the eggshells, adding a whimsical touch to the meal. This detail not only showcases Calcifer’s fiery personality but also adds to the charm and humor of the film’s depiction of food, making it a delightful choice to bring a bit of anime magic to your Thanksgiving table.
Ghibli movies have the knack of making food look absolutely delicious; and this also applies to things that aren’t really food: by most human standards, anyway. I think often of the scene in Howl’s Moving Castle where Sophie plops a cast iron onto Calcifer – the castle-powering demon who also is a charismatic fire – and then starts cooking breakfast. Howl arrives in time to slap a few pieces of bacon on the pan, and crack a few eggs, feeding Calcifer the shells. Calcifer greedily crunches these shells, like they’re really tasty chips. Obviously he eats them because he’s a fire, and they’re kindling – like, yes, on a logical level I understand this to be true. But I also love crispy snacks, and every time I see this scene, it makes me wonder if those eggshells taste really good. It makes me, honestly, want to eat the eggshells.
Which anime food would make the perfect Thanksgiving dish to impress my family
For a Thanksgiving dish that will impress your family with a unique anime twist, consider bringing a comforting and crowd-pleasing izakaya-style dish from Isekai Izakaya: Japanese Food From Another World. These Japanese pub foods are perfect for chilly holiday evenings and come with practical recipes you can recreate at home, such as savory grilled skewers or hearty simmered dishes.
Alternatively, the apple risotto from Shokugeki no Soma offers a creative and elegant option that combines familiar fall flavors with an anime-inspired flair, sure to spark conversation and delight taste buds. For a sweet finish, red bean steamed buns inspired by One Piece provide a delicious and visually appealing dessert that’s easy to share.
These anime foods blend novelty with comfort, making them ideal for standing out at your Thanksgiving table while still appealing to a wide range of palates.
Which anime-inspired dishes would impress my family at Thanksgiving
To impress your family at Thanksgiving with anime-inspired dishes, consider these standout options:
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Katsudon: A crispy pork cutlet served over steaming rice with a savory onion and egg topping, featured in My Hero Academia and Food Wars!. It’s familiar yet exotic enough to wow guests.
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Onigiri: Triangular rice balls wrapped in nori and filled with tuna mayo or other fillings, seen in Pokémon and Demon Slayer. They make great appetizers or side dishes that are easy to share.
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Miso Chashu Ramen: A comforting bowl of noodles in rich chicken broth with slices of pork, boiled egg, and vegetables, famously eaten by Naruto. It’s a hearty, warming dish perfect for a festive gathering.
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Gyoza: Japanese dumplings filled with pork and cabbage, popular in many anime like Food Wars! and Dorohedoro. These bite-sized treats are sure to be a hit as finger food.
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Kare Stew: Inspired by anime like Shokugeki no Soma, this Japanese curry stew with chicken, apples, and honey offers a sweet and savory flavor profile that fits well with fall flavors.
These dishes combine visual appeal, rich flavors, and cultural charm to create a memorable anime-themed Thanksgiving feast that will both impress and delight your family.
