The part I enjoy most about being a foodie is the variety of dishes showcased in different anime. My favourite dish from an anime that makes me drool is none other than the famous Ichiraku Ramen from Naruto. Sometimes I can’t help but envy Naruto for getting to enjoy such delicious Ramen. I have tried Ramen but I don’t think any Ramen can match up to the special Ichiraku Ramen. Coming to K-dramas, I think the White Kimchi Ravioli from Business Proposal really triggered my taste buds into trying it. (Add to the list of food from Anime shows and K-Dramas that have us drooling ... June 19)

Subhangee Roy

The most important part about Korean dramas is the food, not the part where the protagonist suddenly loses her memory and the romantic leads turn out to be half-siblings. A Korean drama would not be complete without a scene having a bowl of ‘Ramyeon’. I remember the scene where the My Love From the Star’s Cheon Song-yi, played by Jun Ji-hyun, found herself finishing a whole bowl of Ramyeon when her aim was to have just three bites. There is also a scene in the Gang from Reply 1988 where they always share a pot of Ramyeon in their main hangout. They also showed us in the drama that plain noodles can be upgraded by adding or mixing them with eggs, hotdogs, and radish kimchi. Also, who can forget the iconic pick-up line ‘Ramyeon meokkogalle?’.

And oh boy, when K-Drama characters start boiling water in that instantly recognisable gold pot, my stomach begins to rumble. K-Drama food can never be complete without the mention of chicken. The Asian financial crisis of more than 20 years ago led to the popularity of Korean fried chicken. Even while it cannot be regarded as completely traditional given its popularity today, it is one of the cuisines that visitors taste.

Not only has Korean food provided K-drama plots with a framework, but it has also become a symbol of cultural resonance for many. If it makes the Korean audience nostalgic, it also leaves the non-Korean audience in awe.

Roshni Ojha

While any food from any anime looks very appealing, Ramen from Naruto remains my favourite. If a person has ever tried Ramen they can understand Naruto’s obsession with it. (his favourite is Ichiraku Ramen). The noodles with spicy gravy, one of the halves of a boiled egg, chopped green onions, kimchi, chasu, menma and narutomaki, look extremely delicious. I really want to visit Japan and get to taste their iconic Ramen and Sushi.

Another food item which I cannot help but add is Yor’s stew (from Spy X Family). Despite being not being the best cook, she was able to recreate her mother’s dish for her own cute little family. That’s why, even though it might not be the best-looking anime food ever, I still find it really beautiful.

Aratrika Das

I would like to add Jjangmyeon. Jjangmyeon is a Chinese-Korean dish, also widely known as black bean sauce noodles. Jjangmyeon is a very popular Korean dish which is shown in many K-Ddramas like Hi Bye Mama!, May I Help You, Coffee Prince and Let’s Eat. Jjangmyeon is basically noodles mixed in a thick paste of soybean sauce which gives the noodles their black colour. It is then mixed with diced meat and vegetables. In K-Dramas, you’ll see the characters having Jjangmyeon after a long day at work or after moving into a new place. In many crime or action K-Dramas, I have seen the police officers or detectives having Jjangmyeon. Also, recently Jjangmyeon has been associated with Black Day which is celebrated in Korea on April 14 for single people or people who do not have a romantic relationship in their lives. I recently had a chance to have Jjangmyeon from the famous Korean food truck (Yum Yum Korean Bucket) in Calcutta and I’m in love with this Korean dish.

Anushka Ghosh

I want to add Kimchi to the t2-list of foods from anime shows and K-Dramas that have us drooling. This spicy food item is hugely popular nowadays across the globe. But it could be said for sure, that the tasty dish got its immense popularity after several Korean dramas, Boys Over Flowers being one of them, showed and introduced it to audiences.

Sourish Misra