Cooking beautifully like Studio Ghibli? No problem

Not only My Neighbor Totoro, Studio Ghibli is famous for the most beautiful cooking scenes on screen - Photo: Studio Ghibli

From now on, Ghibli fans can recreate the rustic, delicious dishes from the animated film My Neighbor Totoro right in their own kitchen, thanks to a new cookbook released by Studio Ghibli.

The 64-page book is vividly presented with attractive illustrations and specific step-by-step instructions. Whether you are an adult or a child, whether you are familiar with cooking or just starting out, it is easy to access and follow the instructions in My Neighbor Totoro Cookbook .

Ghibli culinary essence on the pages of books

This is the latest installment in the Ghibli's Dining Table series , a series that made a splash with cookbooks from the films Kiki's Delivery Service (1989) and Castle in the Sky (1986), both works by director Hayao Miyazaki - co-founder of Studio Ghibli.

Cover of My Neighbor Totoro: The Official Cookbook - Photo: Ghibli

My Neighbor Totoro is one of the classics that made Ghibli's name. Set in the peaceful Sayama countryside of Japan, the film tells a simple but touching story about two sisters, Satsuki and Mei, their devoted father and kind grandmother.

When moving to the countryside to be near the hospital to take care of their mother, the two sisters accidentally meet the magical creature Totoro - the guardian spirit of the forest - and begin a series of days full of miracles and love.

That rustic and familiar spirit is clearly shown in every dish that appears in the film - and now, it is included in a book with full recipes so you can prepare it yourself.

One of the standout recipes is “Grandma's Ohagi” – a traditional rice cake filled with red bean paste, topped with roasted bean powder and black sesame.

Book on how to decorate lunch boxes like Satsuki's Bento in the movie - Photo: Studio Ghibli

In addition, the book also has a separate chapter on how to choose and prepare fresh vegetables such as cucumbers, corn, eggplants and green beans - inspired by grandmother's vegetable garden.

The familiar lunch "Satsuki's Bento" is also recreated in the book with white rice, grilled fish, dried fish flakes and pickled plums - simple but sophisticated, expressing the spirit of traditional Japanese cuisine.

For those who love sweets, the book also offers cute desserts such as "Moving Day" caramel candies - Satsuki and Mei's snack when they first moved back to their hometown, or "Acorn-shaped Potato Cakes" and Charcoal Spirit Donuts - inspired by the cute creatures in the movie.

Compilation of food scenes in Ghibli animations

More than just a cookbook, My Neighbor Totoro: The Official Cookbook is an emotional journey that takes readers back to the gentle, magical world of Ghibli.

Love for family, nature and childhood is present in every recipe and every photo, creating a warm and intimate experience. Each page is like a slice of childhood, an invitation to slow down and enjoy every simple moment in everyday life.

As the anime market continues to expand, spin-offs like Ghibli cookbooks show how classic animated works can transcend the screen, spreading inspiration into both culinary and lifestyle fields.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nau-an-dep-mat-nhu-studio-ghibli-chuyen-nho-20250424144141925.htm