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As an Indian otaku, you must have come across numerous mouth-watering dishes featured in your favourite anime series. The vibrant colours, intricate details, and the characters' reactions to these delicacies have surely left you craving for a taste. Well, it's time to bring those flavours to life.
Let’s take you through some of the most iconic dishes from famous animes and guide you on how to prepare them in the comfort of your own kitchen. So, roll up your sleeves and get ready to start cooking!
Ichiraku Ramen from Naruto
Naruto's love for Ichiraku Ramen is well-known, and this dish has become synonymous with the series. Inspired by a real-life ramen establishment in Fukuoka, Japan, this delicious bowl of noodles is a must-try for any anime fan.
Ingredients:
- 2 packs of instant ramen noodles
- 4 cups of water
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon miso paste
- 1 teaspoon chilli paste (optional)
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 boiled eggs, halved
- 1 cup thinly sliced cooked chicken or tofu
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 2 spring onions, chopped
- 1 sheet of nori, cut into strips
Instructions:
Cook the ramen noodles according to the package instructions, then drain and set aside.
In a large saucepan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, and sauté until softened.
Stir in the soy sauce, miso paste, and chilli paste (if using). Add the chicken or vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
Divide the cooked noodles between two bowls. Pour the hot broth over the noodles.
Top each bowl with boiled egg halves, cooked chicken or tofu, bean sprouts, spring onions, and nori strips.
Serve immediately!
Onigiri from Pokémon
Onigiri, or rice balls, are a staple in Japanese cuisine and have been featured in numerous animes like Pokémon, Sailor Moon, and Demon Slayer. These simple yet satisfying snacks are perfect for a quick bite or a packed lunch.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups sushi rice, cooked and cooled
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Fillings of your choice (e.g., pickled plum, tuna, or)
- Nori sheets, cut into strips
Instructions:
In a small bowl, mix the rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. Stir until the sugar and salt dissolve.
Gently fold the vinegar mixture into the cooked sushi rice.
Wet your hands with water to prevent the rice from sticking. Take a small amount of rice and flatten it in your palm.
Place your chosen filling in the centre of the rice. Fold the rice around the filling and shape it into a triangle or a ball.
Wrap a strip of nori around the base of the onigiri for easy handling.
Repeat the process to make more onigiri.
Chocolate Curry Bun from Black Butler
The Chocolate Curry Bun from Black Butler is a unique twist on traditional Japanese curry bread. The combination of chocolate and curry might sound unusual, but it's a delightful treat that's worth trying.
Ingredients:
- 1 pack of store-bought bread dough
- 1 cup Japanese curry, prepared and cooled
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1 egg, beaten
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Oil for deep frying
Instructions:
Divide the bread dough into equal portions and roll each portion into a flat circle.
Place a spoonful of curry and a few chocolate chips in the centre of each dough circle.
Fold the dough over the filling and pinch the edges to seal.
Roll the filled dough in cocoa powder, then dip it in the beaten egg, and finally coat it with panko breadcrumbs.
Heat the oil in a deep frying pan and fry the buns until golden brown.
Drain the buns on paper towels and let them cool slightly before enjoying them.
Rengoku's Bento from Demon Slayer
Rengoku's bento, featured in Demon Slayer from the Mugen Train Arc, is a delicious and well-balanced meal that showcases the character's love for food. This bento box typically consists of rice, grilled fish, tamagoyaki (Japanese rolled omelette), and assorted vegetables.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked Japanese rice
- 2 grilled fish fillets (e.g., mackerel or salmon)
- 4 eggs
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon mirin
- Oil for frying
- Assorted vegetables (e.g., blanched spinach, steamed broccoli, and pickled radish)
Instructions:
Prepare the grilled fish fillets by seasoning them with salt and pepper, then grilling or pan-frying them until cooked through. Set aside.
To make the tamagoyaki, whisk the eggs in a bowl. Add sugar, soy sauce, and mirin, and mix well.
Heat a small amount of oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Pour a thin layer of the egg mixture into the pan and cook until set. Roll the cooked egg layer towards one side of the pan.
Pour another thin layer of the egg mixture into the pan, lifting the rolled egg to let the mixture flow underneath. Cook until set, then roll the cooked egg layer over the previous roll.
Repeat the process until all the egg mixture is used up. Remove the tamagoyaki from the pan and let it cool slightly before slicing it into bite-sized pieces.
To assemble the bento, place a portion of cooked rice in a bento box. Arrange the grilled fish, tamagoyaki, and assorted vegetables in separate sections of the box.
Serve the bento at room temperature.
Omurice from Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma
Omurice, a popular Japanese dish, is a delicious combination of fried rice wrapped in a thin omelette and topped with ketchup. This dish is featured in Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma, where the characters engage in intense culinary battles.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked Japanese rice
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup diced chicken or tofu
- 1/2 cup mixed vegetables (e.g., peas, carrots, and corn)
- 2 tablespoons ketchup, plus more for garnish
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 4 eggs, beaten
Instructions:
Heat the vegetable oil in a frying pan and sauté the onion until softened.
Add the diced chicken or tofu and cook until browned.
Stir in the mixed vegetables and cooked rice. Add the ketchup and season with salt and pepper. Cook until heated through, then set aside.
In a separate non-stick frying pan, pour in a quarter of the beaten eggs and swirl to create a thin omelette.
Place a portion of the fried rice mixture in the centre of the omelette. Fold the omelette over the rice to enclose it.
Transfer the Omurice to a plate and garnish with a drizzle of ketchup. Repeat the process to make more servings.
Now that you have these recipes at your fingertips, it's time to recreate the magic of anime in your kitchen. These dishes not only offer a taste of Japanese cuisine but also bring you closer to the world of your favourite characters.
