A Feast For The Eyes: The Delicious World of Studio Ghibli!

Films can make us feel all sorts of ways. The opening montage of Up had us crying like a baby, while Remember the Titans had us acting like we were watching the Super Bowl, cheering as if our favorite team just caught the winning touchdown. And, of course, Home Alone sparked a burning desire for a cheese pizza or some microwavable mac n’ cheese (iykyk).

Over time, we’ve discovered a fascinating truth: movies can make you hungry, and perhaps no studio does it better than Japan’s own Studio Ghibli.

Founded in 1985, Studio Ghibli has given us some of the most imaginative stories ever told. Sure, there are flying castles, enchanted bathhouses, and forest gods, but there’s also a long list of foods we wish we could reach through the screen and try for ourselves. While that may not be possible, we can at least talk about some of the best dishes featured throughout Ghibli’s filmography.

Before we dive in, it’s worth noting that Hayao Miyazaki personally prepared every piece of food featured in these films, which might explain why it all looks so irresistibly appealing!

Farmhouse Breakfast (Howl’s Moving Castle)

If there’s one thing Studio Ghibli does exceptionally well, it’s making the ordinary feel enchanted. One of the best examples of this can be found in Howl’s Moving Castle (2004).

The film features a fire demon named Calcifer who, in one particularly cozy scene, helps cook a farmhouse breakfast by heating the pan above him,sizzling up some savory slices of bacon (probably the biggest we’ve ever seen) and perfectly fried, runny eggs. This scene radiates comfort and connection. Who needs ASMR when you can just listen to Calcifer crunching on discarded eggshells all day?

Onigiri (Spirited Away)

Okay, spoiler alert: this won’t be the only time Spirited Away appears on this list. But you probably could’ve guessed that, because it’s easily the studio’s most popular film.

Here, we’re focusing on the onigiri, one of Japan’s most beloved delights. Traditionally wrapped in nori (edible seaweed), the onigiri in this scene is left bare, which, honestly, might make it even more appealing. The soft rice exterior looks so plush, and while we're not sure what filling Haku tucked inside, we're certain one bite would turn our world upside down. While this scene may not showcase food as prominently as others in the film, it still leaves you craving a taste.

Pancakes (Kiki’s Delivery Service)

Pancakes – buttery, soft, fluffy – what more could you ask for? Easily one of the most beloved breakfast foods, these golden saucers of fried batter are cherished by cultures all around the world.

In Hayao Miyazaki’s 1989 anime Kiki’s Delivery Service, we’re visually fed all sorts of baked delights. But in yet another iconic breakfast scene, Kiki prepares herself a simple meal, and the single pancake she flips looks absolutely divine. We almost want to shrink down and take a nap right on top of it.

Ramen (Ponyo)

We’ve all dabbled with Maruchan’s affordable ramen at one point or another (chicken flavor for the win). And if you haven’t, we don’t know what to tell you – you’re missing out on a cultural cornerstone. While you can snag a packet at Target for just fifty cents, a proper bowl of the esteemed Japanese dish can easily hit the $20 mark.

But when it comes to the ramen featured in 2008’s Ponyo… that’s a bowl you simply can’t put a price on. Especially when it’s lovingly prepared by Sosuke’s mom, Lisa. Topped with slices of ham, diced green onions, and swimming in a rich, savory broth, this bowl wouldn’t last two seconds in front of us. Our mouth would turn into a vacuum and just inhale.

Cursed Feast (Spirited Away)

For any Studio Ghibli fan, it’s no surprise that our final pick goes to the unforgettable feast at the beginning of Spirited Away. As Chihiro wanders through the empty market with her parents, they stumble upon a breathtaking spread of savory dishes – sticky dumplings, Cornish hens, crab legs, and more.

There’s truly nothing like this scene. I distinctly remember watching it for the first time and having to pause just to make myself a meal before finishing the movie. Honestly? I don’t blame the parents one bit. I would’ve turned into a pig too if I’d come across that radiant buffet.

Which of these dishes has you tucking a napkin into your collar? We know we’d need to hibernate if we ever came face-to-face with any of these mouthwatering meals. Perhaps that’s why we're just mere humans and not the main character in an epic anime adventure...

If there’s one thing to take away from Studio Ghibli’s legacy, it’s that the studio doesn’t just continue to revitalize the world of animation; it keeps our minds open to both the fantastical worlds it creates and the food simmering within them. Hayao Miyazaki, the man that you are.