5 Jersey Shore restaurants to try before seeing new 'The Boy and the Heron' film

After almost a decade of anticipation, Studio Ghibli fans at the Jersey Shore and around the country are celebrating the wide release of "The Boy and The Heron," which may be director Hayao Miyazaki's last film in a 60-year career.

Featuring the voices of actors including Christian Bale and Robert Pattinson, the star-laden flick from the Japanese animation studio has a nearly perfect rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

If you're a fan of Studio Ghibli movies, you know half the magic of these cinematic wonders is the food. A big part of why this reporter became a foodie was growing up with these movies. Whether it was roasted pork and dumplings in the Oscar-winning "Spirited Away," ham-filled ramen from "Ponyo," or the massive breakfast cooked up by Calcifer in "Howl's Moving Castle," I found myself drooling.

So to set the scene and get you in the mood before seeing "The Boy and The Heron," visit stores like the Asian Market in Marlboro to pick up sponge cake (seen in "Spirited Away"); ingredients for homemade ramen; or Japanese candies (not Konpeitō star candies though, like the soot sprites eat in "Spirited Away" — we checked).

Even better, grab a bite before the movie at these Japanese and Asian-fusion restaurants at the Jersey Shore.

Kyuramen, Surf City

Being seated at a cozy wooden booth, behind a Japanese-style curtain, with a table full of ramen toppings like scallions and spices will make you question if you're on LBI or a Japanese island.

We could definitely see spirits dining on a feast of steamed pork boa buns and Tokyo Tonkotsu Shouyu ramen with pork Chashu (braised pork belly, bamboo shoot, wakame, half marinated egg, nori, corn, scallion and pork broth containing black garlic and white garlic).

Also try the authentic Japanese omurice omelets, which are cloud-like and made with fried rice. It's said to be one of the hardest omelets to cook.

Go: 1419 Long Beach Blvd.; 609-361-0506, kyuramen.com/menu.

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Shogun Legacy, Toms River

There's an expansive sushi menu here, including small bites like the sashimi nachos (toro chips loaded with diced tuna, salmon, white tuna, yellowtail, avocado, and mango, topped with a miso and spicy lemon drizzle).

Not much of a sushi person? Try cooked dishes like the Young Chow fried rice, with pork, chicken and shrimp; or Japanese sauteed udon (with shrimp, beef, roast Pork, chicken or vegetables) — similar to the Nabeyaki Udon seen in "Whisper of the Heart."

Pair it all with sake; try the Joto Junmai Nigori, which is light, herbal, with an undercut of coconut creaminess.

Go: 1536 North Bay Ave., Toms River; 732-286-9888, shogunlegacy.com.

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Taka, Asbury Park

Taka Hirai, owner of Taka, immigrated to America in 1992. Growing up in the Japanese countryside, it's no wonder the wide menu of dishes tastes so authentic, right down to the rich miso soup.

There are seemingly endless sushi rolls here, like the Kimono (sweet potato roll topped with tuna or salmon and wasabi mayo), but there are also plenty of cooked dishes, like udon or soba.

And if you're looking to get takeout, try one of the bento boxes like Yuzu Salmon (yuzu salmon, small miso soup, California roll, potato croquette, house salad, seaweed salad and potato salad). Bento boxes can be seen in Studio Ghibli's "My Neighbor Totoro."

Taka has a massive drink menu as well, including chilled and hot sake, Japanese whiskeys, and sake-based cocktails like Yuzu Mimosas (with Mio Sparkling sake and Hanna Yuzu Sake).

Go: 660 Cookman Ave., 732-775-1020, takaasbury.com.

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Xina Restaurant, Toms River

This waterfront restaurant is known for mouth-watering cuts of sushi, sashimi and countless special rolls, like the Angry Dragon (shrimp tempura, spicy tuna and mango, topped with Alaskan crab meat, nori and miso sauce).

Also try the shrimp tempura and battered vegetables with dashi dipping sauce — the shape-shifting racoons (aka Tanuki) in "Pom Poko" would approve.

Anyone who has watched Studio Ghibli movies knows massive cuts of cooked fish and meat are where it's at: roasted duck and pork, meaty dumplings, aji fry (Japanese fried mackerel) and more. Xina Restaurant has some similar bites.

Many of these dishes have Chinese influence, rather than Japanese, but try the wok-fried seasonal whole fish with Szechuan sauce, or the Peking duck (sliced, honey-glazed and fire roasted, served with fried rice and bok choy).

Go: 3430 Route 37, 732-279-6327, xinarestaurant.com.

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Yuzu Kitchen, Manalapan Township

This spot has the perfect casual vibe, with flashy graffiti-style art on the walls, and tons of Japanese fusion dishes to choose from.

There are plenty of fun drinks, like cold teas and Japanese sodas. Try meals like sushi tacos (salmon, tuna or shrimp), steamed buns (pork, chicken and more), multiple ramens like Tonkotsu or Shoyu, countless sushi burritos and more.

Go: 356 Route 9, Manalapan Township; 732-414-2303, yuzukitchennj.com.

Gabriela L. Laracca joined the USA Today Network New Jersey in 2021 and eagerly brings her passion for cuisine and culture to our readers. Send restaurant tips to [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jersey Shore Japanese and Asian Fusion restaurants to try