Studio Ghibliis renowned for creating stories with a deep emotional core. Despite featuring fantastical worlds and whimsical creatures, their films excel at making the ordinary feel special. The stories in each Ghibli film resonate with viewers, encouraging audiences to relax, reflect, or simply slow down and savor the moment.
Many of the softer moments in these movies focus on small, everyday rituals, such as cleaning a room, standing in the rain, or preparing a meal that fans can’t help but want to recreate. The food in Ghibli can sometimes be extravagant, but there are also plenty of meals that can easily be replicated at home.
8Ham Sandwich
From Ponyo, Directed by Hayao Miyazaki
InPonyo, a goldfish princess with a wild spirit washes ashore and finds herself falling in love with every aspect of the human world. Her bond with a young, kind-hearted boy named Sosuke is the driving force behind the film’s adventurous spirit. Yet, beneath the magic and surreal elements, the story is firmly rooted in love, friendship, and innocence.
In the first half of the film, Sosuke’s mother quickly shares a ham sandwich in the car, which Ponyo takes an interest in. It’s a short scene, but memorable for its simplicity and realism. Better yet,the sandwich is something that can easily be recreated at home with a slice of ham, crisp lettuce, and cheese tucked between two slices of bread.
While the film appears to keep the sandwich minimal, it’s easy to add personalization or variety. Add tomato or cucumber, swap cheeses, or even layer in a fried egg for extra flavor. It’s one of the easiest Ghibli meals to make at home and is deliciously satisfying.
7Onigiri - Rice Balls
From Spirited Away, Directed by Hayao Miyazaki
Spirited Awayfollows Chihiro, a young girl who stumbles into a spirit world after her parents are transformed into pigs. To save herself and her family, she begins working in a bathhouse where she gradually conquers her fears and discovers her true courage. The film is highly praised and is the first anime film to win an award.
In the first half of the film, Haku gives Chihiro two rice balls, also known as onigiri. The onigiri are simple, white, and incredibly easy to make. All you need to do is cook sticky rice or sushi rice; with wet or salted hands, shape small triangles or ovals. Some molds are made available to help create perfect or special shapes.
Onigiri is a simple and versatile dish that can be plain or filled.Traditional fillings include pickled plum, also called umeboshi, salmon flakes, or tuna-mayo. To make it feel authentic, it can also be wrapped in nori.
6Kiki’s Pancakes
From Kiki’s Delivery Service, Directed by Hayao Miyazaki
Kiki’s Delivery Servicefollows a young witch who leaves home at thirteen to begin training in a seaside city. Along with her cat, Jiji, she starts a delivery service while she navigates her newfound independence, loneliness, and ultimately self-discovery.
One morning,Kiki prepares a breakfast that looks delicious and is fairly easy to recreate.She makes fluffy pancakes served with a side of sausage links, with a spread of bread cheese, and a handful of cherry tomatoes. It’s a simple yet hearty breakfast that’s full of charm.
To recreate the dish, start with a basic pancake batter of flour, eggs, milk, sugar, and a touch of baking powder. For extra fluffiness, separate the egg whites and whisk them to stiff peaks before folding them into the batter. Cook the pancakes on low heat until fluffy and golden.
Serve with sausage, a slice of bread, toasted if preferred, your favorite cheese, and fresh cherry or grape tomatoes on the side. The meal is balanced and relatively easy to make for a slow morning meal. For ease, a boxed pancake mix works perfectly fine in place of making batter from scratch.
5Bacon and Eggs
From Howl’s Moving Castle, Directed by Hayao Miyazaki
Howl’s Moving Castletells the story of Sophie, a quiet hatmaker who is cursed by a witch, turning her into an elderly version of herself. On her journey to find a way to break the curse, she discovers Howl’s castle. Amidst the backdrop of growing war, Sophie learns about self-acceptance, bravery, and love.
In one memorable scene, when an elderly Sophie starts to cook breakfast, Howl arrives alone and takes over, cooking eggs and bacon on the skillet, using Calcifer as the heat source.Thick-cut bacon, sunny-side-up eggs, and fresh bread come together for an easy and satisfying meal.
To make it at home, use a heavy skillet or cast-iron pan. Fry thick slices of bacon over medium heat until crisp and golden. Then crack a few eggs right into the bacon grease, allowing the edges to crisp while the yolks stay soft and runny. Serve with buttered toast on the side for a filling and delicious meal.
4Kiki’s Chocolate Cake
Life in a new city isn’t always easy for theyoung witch at the heart ofKiki’s Delivery Service. Between her deliveries and moments of self-doubt, she forms meaningful connections with the people around her. It’s a coming-of-age story that explores independence, self-discovery, and the kindness that helps along the way.
One such act of kindness comes from a caring customer who gives her a homemade chocolate cake as a thank-you gift.The cake is small, round, and covered with dark frosting and a design of Kiki flying her broom.The best part is that it’s easy to make.
To make a similar single-layer chocolate cake, start with ingredients like flour, cocoa powder, sugar, eggs, and oil or butter. Bake in a round pan until you can insert a toothpick into the center and it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Once it cools, spread on a layer of chocolate frosting. For an even easier option, using a boxed chocolate cake mix and store-bought frosting will work perfectly.
3Spaghetti
From Porco Rosso, Directed by Hayao Miyazaki
Porco Rossofollows a pilot cursed with a pig’s face along the Italian and Croatian coastlines during the late 1920s. The film is one of Ghibli’s underrated classics that explores complex themes of identity, freedom, and redemption. While the film is often overshadowed by other hit titles, it is one of the studio’s best films.
In the first half of the movie, Porco sits down and enjoys a tasty plate of spaghetti.The meal is simple and easy to make at home.To prepare it, boil spaghetti until al dente, then combine it with a sauce made from ripe tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and herbs like basil or oregano. Add a pinch of salt and grated Parmesan cheese to garnish the dish.
While the classic tomato version is timeless, the dish is endlessly adaptable. Add seafood, meatballs, a touch of chili flakes, or other ingredients to personalize it to your preferences. Its appeal lies in its simplicity and versatility, making it a tasty meal to recreate at home.
2Satsuki’s Bento Boxes
From My Neighbor Totoro, Directed by Hayao Miyazaki
My Neighbor Totorois a story that focuses on two sisters, Satsuki and Mei, who move to the countryside to be closer to their sick mother. While there, they discover a magical forest where creatures bring wonder and comfort during a time of uncertainty. The film explores childhood, nature, and family.
In one scene, Satsuki makes bento boxes for her, her sister, and her father. It’s a bed of steamed white rice topped with grilled fish and umeboshi, garnished with edamame and sakura denbu, a traditional Japanese condiment.While not all these ingredients are always available, the beauty of bento boxes is that they are highly versatile.
Bento boxes can be customized with seasonal vegetables, rolled omelets, fruits, or steamed greens. They can be complex or quick and simple to prepare at home with whatever is available in the kitchen.
1Ham and Egg Ramen
Ponyofeatures a scene where Sosuke’s mother quickly prepares the kids a bowl of instant ramen, adding slices of ham, a soft-boiled egg, and fresh chives. This simple upgrade turns an ordinary, convenient meal into a nourishing and flavorful dish that’s easy to make.
To recreate this dish, start with your favorite instant ramen package. Cook it according to the instructions, then add sliced cooked ham, a softly boiled egg with a slightly runny yolk, and a sprinkle of chopped chives or green onions. Additional toppings such as spinach, mushrooms, or seaweed can easily be added to suit personal tastes.
Many dishes seen in Studio Ghibli films are easy to recreate at home and are versatile enough to add twists that suit individual tastes.
This ham and egg ramen shows howsimple ingredients can turn comfort food into something special that’s both delicious and hearty.It’s a quick, adaptable, and satisfying meal perfect for busy days or whenever a warm bowl is needed.
The best meals often come from blending convenience with a personal touch. Many dishes seen inStudio Ghiblifilms are easy to recreate at home and are versatile enough to add twists that suit individual tastes.
