If there is nothing better in anime aside from plot and characters, it's all the food.

From bento boxes to vibrant dinners, most anime foods are Japanese or Japanese takes on western dishes.

Here's a list of top 10 anime food that could make your mouth water right now!

10. Okayu

One anime food dish that you may want to consider is okayu. Okayu is the Japanese version of rice porridge, otherwise known as congee.

In Japan, okayu is served to ill patients because it is very easy to digest, but it can also be served to infants who are transitioning to more solid foods, or the elderly.

Typically, okayu is made by boiling uncooked rice and water for about 30 minutes.

Other things may be added to add flavor like rice, negi, meats, fish or other side dishes.

Japanese okayu is much thicker than other variations and quicker to make, but the Japanese do not eat it as often as say, the Chinese who may eat jook for breakfast everyday.

It can also be quite exciting to have your beloved feed you this dish much like in any ecchi anime!

9. Onigiri

If there's nothing that you've seen more than ecchi in anime, it's probably onigiri!

Onigiri is a rice ball that is made from Japanese rice and may or may not be wrapped in seaweed.

Contrary to popular belief, onigiri do not have to be in a triangle shape, however many do prefer to form this anime food into a triangle!

Although not required, fillings are generally placed inside onigiri ranging from umeboshi (pickled plums) to fish or meats.

Still, onigiri is a great anime food to make for a quick snack, a picnic, or even to put into a bento.

They sell an assortment of onigiri in konbini as well. If you are in the states, you can find onigiri in Japanese supermarkets.

8. Onabe

When it's cold outside, what anime food do you run to first? Onabe!

In Japan, onabe is usually eaten in the winter because it makes the body feel warm.

Onabe is actually just the Japanese variation of hot pot, but in reality, there are many different type of onabe from sukiyaki to oden.

Hot pot itself is a popular dish among other Asian countries, especially in the winter time.

Onabe is a one pot meal in which all ingredients are cooked in one pot together either in a light flavored broth with a sauce for dipping or a more hardy broth that will seep into the ingredients.

The ingredients can vary from vegetables to different proteins like meat or tofu.

All of these ingredients are placed in a pot that is usually on top of a portable stove at the table so diners can cook and eat at their leisure at the dining table.

7. Okonomiyaki

Often called "Japanese pizza," the next anime food item is okonomiyaki!

The term "okonomiyaki" comes from the words "okonomi" which means "as you like" and "yaki" or "grilled.

Kansai style okonomiyaki is the most predominant. It involves mixing all of the ingredients together first then pan frying everything and topping it with okonomiyaki sauce, and aonori flakes.

Hiroshima style okonomiyaki involves first preparing a crepe-like base then topped with the cooked toppings and placed atop yakisoba noodles.

It's a pretty heavy dish! You may find it a great opportunity to share this anime food with friends so that you can enjoy this savory pizza-like dish without having to overstuff yourself.

6. Takoyaki

Often seen consumed at festivals, takoyaki is one anime food that you won't want to pass up.

"Tako" means octopus and "yaki" means fried, which fits this anime food nicely considering it is a ball-shaped snack with octopus inside and fried in a special takoyaki pan.

The takoyaki is usually topped with takoyaki sauce, a drizzle of mayonnaise, aonori, and bonito creating an amazing blend of savory flavors.

Although many people may be put off trying something with octopus in it, takoyaki is actually quite delicious.

It's crisp on the outside but also quite moist and soft on the inside; the perfect textures for eating.

5. Taiyaki

When you think of Golden Darkness from To-Love-Ru or Tsukimiya Ayu from Kanon, what anime food suits them best?

Taiyaki, of course! It is hard to see them without their customary bag of taiyaki.

Taiyaki is a fish-shaped cake that is usually filled with red bean paste, although taiyaki has been known to have other fillings like sweet potato or chocolate.

The fish shape is that of a sea bream and is created using a special taiyaki pan so that results are fairly consistent.

While some may think that making it fish-shaped seems tedious and may opt for the easier to make dorayaki, the fish shape is still very popular.

Truly fresh taiyaki is a delicious treat! With the warm dough and the soft yet sweet anko, the blend of both flavors is perfect in every way.

If you choose chocolate, imagine taking a bite and having the melted chocolate filling your taste buds!

4. Parfait

If you aren't jealous of Kyouko from Working!! (Wagnaria), you should be.

She is spoiled every episode with delicious parfaits made by Yachiyo that you can only dream of!

While Japanese desserts all seem so appealing, there is no doubt that the parfait is the anime food to get your sweet tooth begging.

Japanese parfaits are decadent desserts made up of ice cream, corn flakes, red bean, mochi, and various other toppings like pocky, waffles, fruits, or wafers all piled into a parfait glass.

Aside from the sweetness of a Japanese parfait, parfaits can also be quite creative in design.

Some parfaits can come with cookies or wafers in special shapes like stars, hearts, or even your favorite anime characters!

3. Curry

What anime food do you see so much of that isn't actually Japanese?

That would be curry! The average Japanese family will consume curry at least once a week.

It's consumed so often that it could be called a national dish.

Just like you've seen it in anime, Japanese curry can be consumed in so many different ways.

It can be eaten with rice, udon, omurice, katsu, ramen, tempura, and even inside bread!

There's also quite a few different types of curries based on peolpe's preferences; een when you purchase packaged curry, the brand can make all the difference in taste.

2. Omurice

In a country where taste and appearance are in harmony, it is no doubt that even the simplest of dishes are perfect in every aspect.

One common anime food is omurice that is no different!

While you can choose to alter the fried rice as you like from ketchup to chicken fried rice, the omelet part of omurice is key for its appearance!

When making this delicious rice dish, you can choose to do a half cooked omelet that is placed on top of the rice and carefully cut open to unfold over the rice, or you can actually wrap the rice in a more well done omelet, which is great for packing in a omurice bento!

While this dish is delicious like fried rice, it does make up for fried rice's lack of visual appeal and allows the chef or the consumer to decorate the omelet with ketchup or a sauce of their choosing.

1. Ramen

If there is one food with a cult following outside of Japan, it's ramen.

Made notable outside the United States by the anime, Naruto, ramen is one anime food that will have you begging for more.

Ramen was first brought to Japan from China. There is a belief that the word "ramen" comes from the Chinese dish "lo mein," though it is not certain.

In Japan, ramen is actually quite a popular dish with many variations including hakata, tsukemen, tonkotsu, shoyu, shio, and miso ramen; there are so many out there!

Japanese ramen is a delicious culinary experience made up of rich broth, chewy noodles, and the perfect toppings all working together to make a wonderful meal that is sure to get your taste buds dancing.

Has these anime food made you hungry now?

(source:honeyfeed)