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This is a guest post written by Chloe from YumYum Plates.
I recently bought this absolutely beautiful cookbook that includes Studio Ghibli recipes and they’re so cozy!
I have made some modifications since I don’t get some of the ingredients. And I think you’re going to love, love, love this post if you’re a fan of Studio Ghibli or just want to eat very cozy food.
There’s something so heartwarming about seeing characters in Studio Ghibli films gather around a lovingly prepared meal.
Whether it’s the sizzling bacon in Howl’s Moving Castle, Ponyo’s first taste of ham ramen, or the tender care in a bento from My Neighbor Totoro, these scenes bring so much warmth and comfort.
So why recreate them?
Each recipe is simple, soulful, sometimes playful, and always steeped in the whimsical spirit of Miyazaki’s world.
Whether you’re cooking solo for a cozy night in, planning a themed dinner with friends, or looking for a creative twist to brighten your day, these dishes evoke everything from childhood wonder to full-on comfort.
Ready to make (and eat) your heart flutter?
1. Calcifer’s Skillet Bacon & Eggs (Howl’s Moving Castle)
- Prep time: 5 min
- Cook time: 10 min
- Servings: 2
Ingredients
- 4 large eggs
- 6 strips thick-cut bacon
- 1 tbsp butter or oil
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm a skillet on medium heat. Add butter or oil.
- Lay bacon strips in the pan; cook 3–4 min per side until crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- In the same pan, crack in eggs; season with salt and pepper. Cook sunny-side-up until whites set but yolks soft.
- Plate eggs with bacon, and serve hot with toast. Enjoy the sizzle—and maybe imagine Calcifer’s flame underneath.
2. Ponyo’s Ham Ramen (Ponyo)
- Prep time: 5 min
- Cook time: 10 min
- Servings: 2
Ingredients
- 2 blocks instant ramen noodles (discard seasoning)
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 eggs, soft-boiled
- 4 slices thick-cut ham
- 2 stalks green onion, sliced
- Soy sauce to taste
Instructions
- Boil eggs 6 min, then cool in ice water.
- In a pot, bring broth to simmer. Add ramen and cook per packet instructions.
- Gently heat ham slices in broth.
- Divide noodles and broth into bowls. Top with halved eggs, ham, and scallions. Season with a splash of soy sauce.
- Slurp up—but try not to splatter soup everywhere, like Ponyo! seriouseats.com
3. Satsuki’s Bento (My Neighbor Totoro)
- Prep time: 10 min
- Cook time: 10 min
- Servings: 1 lunch box
Ingredients
- 1 cup Japanese short-grain rice, cooked
- 1 umeboshi (pickled plum)
- 1–2 shishamo (or similar small fish)
- ½ cup edamame (shelled)
- 1 tbsp sakura denbu (pink fish flakes)
Instructions
- Pack rice into bento, filling ¾ full.
- Top with umeboshi on one side.
- Heat oil in pan; cook shishamo until golden. Drain, cool slightly, & place across rice.
- Boil edamame, drain, and arrange next to fish.
- Sprinkle sakura denbu over remaining rice.
- Close lid and enjoy at home or bring along for an ultra-Ghibli lunch.
4. Spirited Away Jumbo Red Bean Buns
- Prep time: 15 min + rising
- Cook time: 15 min
- Servings: 6 buns
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp active dry yeast
- ½ cup warm milk
- 3 tbsp sugar
- Pinch salt
- 1 cup sweet red bean paste (anko)
Instructions
- Mix yeast, warm milk, and sugar. Let sit 5 min.
- Mix flour and salt. Add yeast mix, knead into smooth dough. Rise 1 h.
- Divide into 6 pieces. Flatten, spoon in 2 tbsp bean paste, fold and seal.
- Let rest 20 min.
- Steam buns 12–15 min until fluffy.
- Serve warm, fluffy, and perfect for a cozy tea break.
5. Kiki’s Herring & Pumpkin Pie (Kiki’s Delivery Service)
- Prep time: 20 min
- Cook time: 40 min
- Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 1 pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 cups flaked white fish (herring or cod)
- 2 cups pumpkin purée
- 1 shallot, diced
- 2 cl garlic, minced
- ¾ cup cream
- Salt, pepper, nutmeg
- Olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 °F (190 °C).
- Sauté shallot and garlic in oil until translucent.
- Add fish and pumpkin purée, mix well. Stir in cream, season with salt, pepper, nutmeg.
- Pour into pie crust, top with fish-shaped pastry art if feeling fancy.
- Bake 30–40 min until golden. Serve warm—it’s worth the effort.
6. Up on Poppy Hill Aji Furai (Horse Mackerel Fry)
- Prep time: 10 min
- Cook time: 15 min
- Servings: 2–3
Ingredients
- 4 small horse mackerel fillets
- Salt & pepper
- ½ cup flour
- 1 egg, beaten
- ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
- Oil for frying
- Lemon wedges & tartar sauce for serving
Instructions
- Season fish. Dredge in flour, dip in egg, coat with panko.
- Heat oil in pan, fry fillets 3‑4 min each side until crisp.
- Drain, serve hot with lemon and tartar sauce.
7. Chihiro’s Tea Party Pancakes (Spirited Away)
- Prep time: 10 min
- Cook time: 15 min
- Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- Pinch salt
- 1 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- Butter, syrup, berries to serve
Instructions
Stack, top with butter, syrup, and berries. Sip tea and get whisked into the spirit world.
Mix flour, sugar, powder, and salt.
Whisk milk, egg, butter. Combine until smooth.
Heat griddle, pour batter to make small 3‑in pancakes.
Flip when bubbles form; cook until golden.
If you loved this post, check out my other Studio Ghibli posts:
How to Have a Cozy Studio Ghibli Night Routine
Discover rituals like soft lighting, warm drinks, and gentle rituals that make evenings feel like stepping into Kiki’s Delivery Service or My Neighbor Totoro
17 Studio Ghibli Habits to Romanticize Your Everyday Life
Learn easy, magical habits—like cooking heartful meals, mindful walks, and nature journaling—to bring Ghibli’s slow-living charm into your day-to-day
How to Have a Cozy Studio Ghibli Morning Routine
Begin your day with intentional moments: warm beverages, breakfast rituals, morning light, and creativity inspired by your favorite Ghibli films
How to Create a Studio Ghibli (Cozy Cottagecore) Home
Turn your kitchen, living room, and entire home into a cozy, rustic, and welcoming Ghibli-inspired haven full of soft light, vintage textures, and thoughtful details
