
No country does cute food better than Japan, and the latest trend in adorable edibles is fall hot pots stuffed with cute characters that look way too good to eat!
These designer dishes are referred to as deco-nabe in Japanese, a portmanteau of ‘decoration’ and ‘nabemono‘. Nabe is a Japanese hotpot popular in cold weather and great for sharing with friends. And if your friends are coming round then you probably want to impress them a little bit, so why not turn your meal into a work of art? Basing it on the season is always a great place to start if you’re looking for inspiration.
▼ Halloween deco-nabe
▼ Christmas deco-nabe
Japanese users have been posting their incredible creations to Twitter, and many of them feature some familiar faces. Since there’s been a backlash against chara-bento, maybe now’s the time for deco-nabe and chara-nabe to shine. Everything in these dishes is completely edible, and most of the main characters are made from grated daikon radish which sticks together and can be molded into any desired shape. If I could turn out something half as good as these, I think I’d resent my friends for digging in and ruining it all!
▼ Totoro
おはようございます!
— ZIP! 【公式】 (@ZIP_TV) October 20, 2014
この後のハテナビは、寒くなってくると恋しい鍋料理!今年の鍋のトレンドは何と「デコ鍋」!子供がよろこぶ「デコ鍋」の作り方とは? pic.twitter.com/aaexIY5P3Z
▼ LINE characters
大根おろしアートまたつくってみた!ブラウン&コニー(*´∇`*) pic.twitter.com/YqRdZenCh4
— Cocomame_76 (@h63a8c) January 30, 2014
▼ Funasshi
https://twitter.com/mrmatsunosuke/status/426590303441539073
▼ Disney Sea mascot Duffy
噂の大根おろしアート。ダッフィー鍋作ってみた。 pic.twitter.com/Ly8bBTsyem
— おはへー (@OHAHEY) January 26, 2014
▼ Doraemon
きみまろっくさんのマネ。大根おろしでドラえもん鍋できたーヽ(=´▽`=)ノ♪ pic.twitter.com/NQLZy6NiRs
— ヨネえもん (@yoneemon) January 23, 2014
▼ Incredibly realistic froggy
https://twitter.com/yoshigarden/status/424894806754488320
▼ BIGBANG logo plus bears
今夜は巷で流行りの大根おろしアートでミルフィーユ鍋だねーー♡ pic.twitter.com/UifyN1CxC5
— choime (@puritycoco) January 19, 2014
Which of the above deco-nabe is your favourite? Let us know in the comments below!



Purple Witch Hot Pot is the newest Japanese Twitter craze and it looks deliciously poisonous
When first-try character bentos go wrong 【Photos】
Kyaraben roundup! We take a look back at 2014’s best packed lunches 【Pics】
Japanese artist shows amazing way to color illustrations: Let the fall leaves do it for you【Pics】
Heavy snowfall comes early to Japan, creates beautiful images of snow-covered autumn leaves【Pics】
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Japan has a new bar just for people thinking about quitting their jobs, and the drinks are free
Family Mart releases huge range of cute sweets for Cat Day in Japan
Three beautiful places to see Japan’s plum blossoms after starting your day in downtown Tokyo
Tomonoura: Where Ponyo and Wolverine crossed paths
Studio Ghibli diorama boxes are much more beautiful than your elementary school art project【Pics】
Japan’s Self-Defense Forces take “radio calisthenics” to an interesting new level
Downloads of 39-year-old Guns N’ Roses song increase 12,166 percent thanks to Gundam
A spotlight on Japanese singles figure skating: Jumping into the 2026 Olympics【Pt. II】
Mario World: The awesome Nintendo-themed apartment you can rent for your next short stay in Tokyo
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Yokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
Cherry blossom forecasts map shows Japan’s OTHER sakura season is starting right now
New Studio Ghibli stamps leave an impression on your stationery…and your heart
Japanese women sound off on their minimum height requirements for a husband【Survey】
Huge Evangelion Unit-01 head appearing in lights in Japan to celebrate anime’s 30th anniversary
Kyoto planning surprise late-night inspections of Airbnb-style rentals to fight overtourism
Japanese movie theater chain’s popcorn earns highest Grand Prix quality certification
Japan’s most famous Mt. Fuji view park cancels cherry blossom festival because of overtourism
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
The 10 most beautiful places to see the autumn leaves in Japan, as chosen by travelers
Crafty and creative Twitter user shares how-to videos for dazzling autumn leaf origami
Eraser stamp of Tokyo Disneyland is almost as amazing as the theme park
Capybara characters ride on each other’s heads and walk home through Japanese shopping mall
Google’s Go-playing AI has been turned into a beautiful, moe-ified anime character
Awesome lunch boxes full of Disney’s Tsum Tsum characters are almost too cute to eat!【Photos】
Kyoto temple bans photography at famous autumn foliage viewing spots
Magical train ride through Japan’s autumn leaves is like travelling to a different world【Video】
Epic food fail sees adorable Rilakkuma character bread turn into a terrifying monstrosity
Adorable Japanese kids’ homemade Splatoon costumes are ink-redible【Pics】
Australian mother reflects on “lunchbox shame” she felt from her son’s Tokyo preschool teacher
Fail News: Popular Japanese mascot falls during ice-skating routine, can’t get up【Video】
Understated costumes celebrated at “Jimi Halloween” event in Tokyo 【Photos】
Starbucks Japan rolls out chestnut lattes and frappuccinos to get us in the mood for autumn
Leave a Reply