The 21 Most Iconic Anime Foods

Highlights

• Anime showcases a variety of delicious and visually appealing Japanese dishes like sushi, tempura, and ramen.
• Characters in popular anime series often indulge in iconic Japanese snacks like Pocky, Taiyaki, and Melon Pan.
• Traditional Japanese foods like Omurice, Katsudon, and Onigiri are frequently featured in anime as comforting meals.

Anime has seen a rise in popularity in recent years among teens and the general public. The creativity and diversity behind most of the mainstream storylines bring something unique to the table that fans can’t find anywhere else.

Anime has beautiful visuals and stunning animation. The vivid or bright colors enhance the fantastic world that fans love. Even anime food looks more appealing and delicious. Fans long to try the various animated dishes or at least try to recreate the most iconic ones at home when they can’t find them in supermarkets.

Updated June 14, 2024 by Ritwik Mitra: The hold on pop culture that anime has can’t be stated enough, with several popular shows capturing a ton of attention from fans. The narratives, characters, and animation quality of these shows are just a few of the many things that help the vast majority of quality anime stand out as some of the best shows fans can check out. Sometimes, certain anime can become such major pop culture phenomenons that the food ingested in these shows becomes worthy of a discussion too.

1 Apples

Notable Appearances: Death Note

• A universally beloved fruit that becomes the favorite snack of a beloved shinigami.

Death Note is one of the most popular series of all time, with the battle of wits between L and Light being the stuff of legends. While both these characters are pretty riveting in their own right, credit should also be given to Ryuk for being the most interesting shinigami in the series by a country mile. It’s his mischievous act of dropping the Death Note in the human world that kickstarts a chain reaction that changes the entire course of humanity.

Despite the ramifications of his actions, all Ryuk wanted was to be entertained after being bored of being a shinigami for thousands of years with nothing interesting happening. After landing in the Human World, his love for apples and their richness makes him one of the best characters in the show. Even now, after all the years have passed since this masterpiece was animated, fans still look back on Ryuk’s fondness of apples and how he gulped them down time and time again.

2 Pizza

Notable Appearances: Code Geass

• The Pizza Hut sponsorship in Code Geass coupled with C.C.’s obsession with this food makes it a frequent food item that appears multiple times in the series.

Code Geass is one of the best shows that fans can check out if they want to experience a wonderful amalgamation of the sci-fi, mecha, mystery, and thriller genres. The plot revolves around the disgraced prince Lelouch and how he fights to regain the throne he lost after gaining the power of Geass to make people follow his commands at all costs. During his journey, he’s joined by C.C., a mysterious girl with unknown origins who becomes addicted to pizza.

This obsession made Code Geass the perfect show for a tie-up with Pizza Hut, with this sponsorship being plastered across several episodes in the series as C.C. and other characters in the series regularly munch down on pizza from time to time. Given the high stakes of the narrative, fans always welcome moments in the story when things wind down and everyone indulges in this delicious dish from time to time.

3 Oden

Notable Appearances: One Piece

• A one-pot dish consisting of ingredients like boiled eggs and processed fishcakes stewed in a light, soy-flavored dashi broth.

Oden is a tasty broth of eggs, fishcakes, and various vegetables in a dashi broth that is extremely tasty. The muted flavors of this one-pot meal come together to give the dish a unique flavor that most people would relish.

It’s impossible to talk about Oden without mentioning a One Piece character who is so fascinated by this character that his name is taken from this dish itself. Kozuki Oden is a daimyo with a fascinating personality who plays a major role in one of One Piece‘s more riveting arcs, and his love for Oden manifests in unique and hilarious ways.

4 Dorayaki

Notable Appearances: Doraemon

• Two pancake-like patties stuffed with sweet azuki bean paste.

Doraemon is one of Japan’s most famous feel-good cartoons with a tinge of sci-fi added to the mix. The misadventures of Nobita and Doraemon as they use the robot’s many nifty gadgets to solve their problems make for a great time indeed.

The reason why Doraemon is named so is because of his love for Dorayaki, a soft round dessert with a sweet bean paste filling. He’s seen munching on these delicacies all the time across the show’s many episodes, making it a standout part of his endearing personality.

5 Sushi

Notable Appearances: Almost Every Anime In Existence

• A combination of rice and other ingredients (typically various kinds of fish) in a bite-sized package that’s paired with soy sauce and wasabi.

Among the many iconic Japanese dishes, sushi stands out as one of the most recognizable and delectable items of the lot. This bite-sized delicacy features seasoned rice topped with various types of seafood, vegetables, and other ingredients. Whether served as nigiri, maki rolls, or sashimi, sushi has become a global sensation that captures the essence of Japanese cuisine.

The beautiful presentation and unique flavor combinations of sushi have made it a staple in Japanese cuisine. In anime, sushi is often portrayed in a mouth-watering way, with close-up shots showcasing the intricate details of each piece. There are so many shows that feature sushi that trying to list all of them is downright impossible, establishing it as one of the most popular and renowned Japanese food items of all time.

6 Sashimi

Notable Appearances: Pokemon

• Thinly sliced pieces of meat that are supposed to melt in your mouth, usually paired with soy sauce.

Sashimi is another classic Japanese dish that has been popularized by anime. It’s similar to sushi in that it features fresh, raw seafood, but unlike sushi, it’s served without rice. Many people dismiss this dish as nothing more than raw slices of meat…but there’s an art to cutting up and serving sashimi that food connoisseurs appreciate.

With a light helping of soy sauce, really good sashimi absolutely melts in the mouths of people lucky enough to have this delicacy. While there are several common instances of sashimi in anime, one rather disturbing instance is when Brock and Ash dream about Magikarp sashimi in Pokemon, which has several dark implications that many fans of the series would rather ignore.

7 Tempura

Notable Appearances: Sora No Woto, Hanasaku Iroha, K-On!!, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Usagi Drop, And Nichijou

• Various ingredients are covered in batter and deep-fried, usually paired with soy sauce.

Tempura is a deep-fried dish that is made by coating seafood or vegetables in a light batter and frying them until they become perfectly crispy. In anime, tempura is often portrayed as a comfort food that’s enjoyed by everyone.

Many shows have displayed tempura in some form or other, including Sora no Woto, Hanasaku Iroha, K-On!!, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Usagi Drop, and Nichijou. It may be a simple dish, but tempura is still a Japanese delicacy in every way that anyone would love to taste.

8 Melon Pan

Notable Appearances: Shakugan No Shana, Free!, Gintama, Amagami SS, Natsume’s Book of Friends, Saekano: How To Raise A Boring Girlfriend

• A Japanese sweet bun covered in crisp cookie dough that resembles the shape of a melon.

Melon Pan is one of the most iconic Japanese snacks out there. It’s a sweet, soft, and fluffy Japanese bread with a patterned grid on its sugar cookie crust (which looks like the skin of a melon). Although it is named Melon Pan, it is rarely melon-flavored. The treat is available in flavors such as chocolate, matcha, and strawberry instead. Fans who are curious to try this type of bread can find it in most convenience stores and bakeries in Japan.

Melon Pan is often seen in anime when the main character is running late to school and grabs something to eat on the go. This tasty snack is Shana’s favorite in the anime Shakugan No Shana. It is also in anime like Free!, Gintama, Amagami SS, Natsume’s Book of Friends, and Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend.

9 Japanese Parfait

Notable Appearances: Sailor Moon, Tokyo Ghoul: Root A, Vampire Knight, Zombieland Saga, Someday’s Dreamers, Vampire Princess Miyu, After the Rain, Fuuka

• A parfait with Japanese elements that usually contains crunchy elements.

The Japanese parfait is extremely popular in Japan, especially its choco-banana flavored variant. Although the dessert isn’t traditionally a Japanese treat, it is still a fan favorite. Fans can find this delicious ice cream treat in many Japanese cafés or can even replicate it at home. The most traditional way of making a Japanese parfait is with ice cream, mochi, red beans, cornflakes, fruits, and other toppings like pocky, though other options are available.

The Japanese parfait is one of the most popular sweets in anime and is often seen in Sailor Moon, Tokyo Ghoul: Root A, Vampire Knight, Zombieland Saga, Someday’s Dreamers, Vampire Princess Miyu, After the Rain, and Fuuka. A strawberry parfait also appears in Akame ga Kill and Gintama.

10 Ebi Fry

Notable Appearances: Natsume’s Book of Friends, Sailor Moon, The IDOLM@STER, Squid Girl, Tari Tari, Urahara, Restaurant To Another World, Ninjaboy Rantaro, Log Horizon

• Shrimp that’s covered in panko bread crumbs and deep-fried.

Ebi fry is a simple dish of fried shrimp. Commonly served in Asian countries like Japan, Korea, and the Philippines, this dish is perfect for Bento boxes, snacks, and home meals. Fans who would love to try it at home need five ingredients – shrimp, egg, flour, and breadcrumbs and then their choice of dipping sauce.

The shrimp dish is in many animes like Natsume’s Book of Friends, Sailor Moon, The IDOLM@STER, Squid Girl, Tari Tari, Urahara, Restaurant to Another World, Ninjaboy Rantaro, and Log Horizon. Japanese cuisine includes a ton of seafood, and ebi fry is one of the many dishes that are made using this ingredient.

11 Gyoza

Notable Appearances: The IDOLM@STER, Food Wars, Dorohedoro, Sakura CardCaptor, And Ms. Koizumi Loves Ramen Noodles

• Chinese dumplings that are very popular in Japan.

Originating from China, this dumpling-inspired dish is a thin dough filled with meat like pork or veggies (cabbage, green onions, garlic, and ginger) and served with soy sauce. Nowadays, however, its fillings can be varied or even vegan. Gyoza often gets served alongside a bowl of ramen or beforehand as an appetizer in ramen restaurants.

This dish is famously known as the iDOLM@ster’s favorite food, and it gets eaten in other animes like Food Wars,Dorohedoro, Sakura CardCaptor, and Ms. Koizumi Loves Ramen Noodles. The juicy nature of this dumpling makes it one of the tastiest things in Japanese cuisine.

12 Nikuman (AKA Chuka Man Or Baozi In Chinese)

Notable Appearances: Haikyuu!!, Sailor Moon, Spirited Away

• A bun stuffed with minced pork that’s steamed.

Nikuman is a Japanese steamed fluffy bun filled with minced pork. They are steamed in a bamboo steamer and are served hot. Nikuman is the perfect on-the-go savory snack and comfort food for those colder nights. They can be found in certain supermarkets, at festivals, or as street food.

Nowadays, there are many variations of nikuman – fans can choose between flavors such as red bean paste (anman), curry (kareeman), or one filled with vegetables. This snack is enjoyed by Shoyo Hinata of the anime Haikyuu!! , Usagi from Sailor Moon, and even Chihiro from Spirited Away.

13 Pocky

Notable Appearances: Ga-Rei: Zero

• A popular snack that’s essentially a thin, long biscuit coated in various flavors.

Pocky is a chocolate-coated stick biscuit, and it is one of the most famous Japanese snacks easily found in supermarkets. It comes in various flavors such as strawberry, matcha green tea, chocolate banana, cookies & cream, and many more.

The famous snack is in many anime, such as Ga-Rei: Zero, where Yomi and Kagura play the iconic “Pocky Game.” The game consists of two people biting each end of the stick and eating their way to the middle. Whoever is the first to get there becomes the winner. The game often results in a kiss and can be seen as the Japanese version of Spin the Bottle. However, the snack is more than that – fans enjoy Pocky for its delicious taste and simplicity.

14 Omurice

Notable Appearances: Attack On Titan, Blue Exorcist

• A combination of rice and omelet with other ingredients to add to the flavor.

Omurice is an omelet filled with fried rice, vegetables, and chicken. The omelet is topped off with ketchup and served with a side of greens. The tasty meal is for any time of day.

Omurice is another iconic food often seen in anime. In Attack On Titan, it was one of Jean’s fondest memories as a child, and it even helped him win the cooking dual against Sasha. It also appears in Blue Exorcist: The Movie, where Rin makes a plate of Omurice for Usamaro.

15 Bento Box

Notable Appearances: Sailor Moon, Sakura The Cardcaptor, Pokemon, Inuyasha

• A home-packed meal consisting of several elements.

The classic bento box is a staple when it comes to anime. It’s a home-packed meal, filled with rice, chicken or fish, and various vegetables. It’s great for people who want to eat a well-balanced and healthy meal. The home-packed option offers people the freedom to bring whatever they want to eat.

The bento box is mostly in animes where students have lunches at school, such as in Sailor Moon and Sakura the Cardcaptor, or when workers take a break to eat. It is also common in anime where characters travel like Pokemon or Inuyasha. The convenient nature of this meal box makes it pretty popular in Japan, and people who want the major parts of Japanese culture in one meal should try out a classic bento box whenever they get the opportunity.

16 Takoyaki

Notable Appearances: My Hero Academia

• A deep-fried ball of wheat batter that is usually filled with octopus bits.

Takoyaki is a ball-shaped wheat batter filled with chopped octopus, green onions, bits of tempura, and ginger cooked in a pan. People eat it with Japanese mayonnaise or takoyaki sauce with various garnishes. Takoyaki is either skewed on a stick or in a box with a toothpick or chopsticks.

The salty and chewy snack is enjoyed by many anime characters, but mainly by Fat Gum in My Hero Academia.Tamaki, also from the same anime, has a quirk where he gets to manifest whatever he just ate and is still digesting. For instance, in a fight against villains, he was able to transform his fingers into octopus tentacles because of the takoyaki he had eaten earlier.

17 Mitarashi Dango

Notable Appearances: Naruto, Sailor Moon, Clannad, Fruits Baskets, Demon Slayer

• Rice flour dumplings that are grilled and covered in a sweet soy glaze.

There are different varieties of dango available, but one of the most popular ones is the mitarashi dango. Dango is a dish that basically consists of 4 to 5 balls of rice flour dumplings covered with soy sauce glaze after being grilled. Dango balls are skewed on a bamboo stick and it is mostly eaten during springtime. The delicious, sweet, and chewy snack is often paired with tea or eaten as a dessert.

Anime characters from Naruto, Sailor Moon, Clannad, Fruits Baskets, Demon Slayer, and many more, enjoy this dessert. It may not be a dessert that would gel with anyone’s palate, but people who try out this dessert and enjoy its taste will be amazed by the rich texture of this snack.

18 Ramen

Notable Appearances: Naruto, Dragon Ball, Dr. Stone

• A popular one-pot dish consisting of ramen noodles, a meat-based broth, and various toppings such as spring onions, boiled soy-eggs, and chashu.

The most common and iconic food seen in anime is the bowl of ramen. It’s a favorite dish for many popular characters like Naruto, who loves eating miso chashu ramen at Ichiraku Ramen. Ramen is also eaten by Goku and Beerus from Dragon Ball. Senku from Dr. Stone loves it so much, that he even managed to ‘invent’ it in the stone age.

Ramen is a Japanese bowl of soup. It’s made with wheat noodles, vegetable or meat broth, scallions, sliced chicken, or pork and it’s topped with a sliced boiled egg. The fun thing about making ramen at home is the freedom to add any vegetables or variations you want to it – people sometimes add naruto, green onions, beansprouts, etc. to their bowls. Ramen can even be made to taste spicy, it all depends on what their fans are in the mood for. For anyone who needs it, ramen is a great comfort food.

19 Katsudon

Notable Appearances: My Hero Academia, Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma, Higehiro, Yuri!! On Ice

• A pork cutlet rice bowl that’s simple yet extremely tasty.

Katsudon is a Japanese pork cutlet rice bowl. The pork is breaded and fried before being layered on top of an egg omelet, rice, and sauteed onions. The dish is featured quite a lot in the anime Yuri!! On Ice, where Yuri Katsuki eats a bowl every time he wins a figure skater competition.

Katsudon is also known to be Izuku Midoriya’s (Deku from My Hero Academia) favorite food. The famous dish is also featured in other animes such as Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma, Higehiro, and others.

20 Taiyaki

Notable Appearances: My Hero Academia, Boruto, Kannon

• A sweet fish-shaped pastry that’s stuffed with red bean taste.

Taiyaki is a fish-shaped pastry filled with Red Bean paste. There are other flavors available for those who want to try something else, such as chocolate, custard cream, and sakura (during the spring season). For a more savory snack, there is a cheese taiyaki available as well.

The sweet and soft cake appears in Boruto, Kannon, and a lot more anime. However, one of the most memorable moments is in episode 14 of the 2nd season of My Hero Academia.Deku is being trained by Gran Torino, one of All Might’s teachers and friends. Fans learn that not only is Gran Torino very fond of the delightful snack, but he uses it to explain a valuable lesson to Deku.