What is a Japanese Bento Box, Why Buy & How to Prepare?
A Japanese bento box is a compartmentalized lunch box that is used to hold foods such as rice, meat, fish, and vegetables. They are often used by children and are a great way to get kids to eat a healthy lunch. The Japanese bento box was introduced in 1969 and was originally designed to encourage eating a variety of different foods, including vegetables, with each meal. Bending is not used separately inside the box, which makes it easier to store and port ionize meals instead of having to keep an entire drawer filled with food. The bento box is not just for lunch; it can be part of a meal and can be eaten as a meal or as a snack. They do have certain rules, however:
These lunches can be small, such as a piece of chicken cut up to make a sandwich, or can be large, such as a whole surf and turf dinner.
A typical bento box can hold meat, fish, and rice, or it can contain just rice, filled with vegetables, and sometimes vegetables and meat.
The Japanese bento box is not the same as The Chew, but it is much lighter and easier to use. You do also do not need any separate utensils. Although in Japan, the food is paid for separately, there are some food coupons that you can use to reduce the price of your bento box.
One thing to remember when using a bento box is that it needs to be stored flat on a counter. This increases its lifespan and helps it to stay fresh longer.
The bento box is an affordable item and is a perfect way to use less food in your refrigerator and freezer.
Why buy a Japanese Bento Box or make one yourself?
- Bento boxes are a great way to help you incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet.
How to Make a DIY Japanese Bento Box
Bento boxes are a great way to ensure you are eating healthy and staying full throughout the day. The Japanese have been making bento boxes for hundreds of years and are a staple of Japanese cuisine. These boxes consist of traditionally prepared and packed sushi foods and frozen meals. Whether you are going out to lunch or picking up take-out, a bento box is a great way to ensure you are getting all the nutrients you need. The downside is that you must be a ronin (陖けらし) or master of all trades to serve these meals. Simply put, buying bento boxes is a great way to make friends with every Japanese person you meet and gain entry to some of the most exclusive culinary clubs in Japan. Luckily, buying bento boxes for a Japanese person might be a little easier than ordering food in Japanese.
Bento boxes can be expensive, so it is best to make sure you can save up a few hundred yen a month to afford the box. Techniques of Japanese bento boxes vary based on the restaurant, so here is a brief guide on what traditional Japanese food boxes consist of.
The sources for most boxes are relatively self-explanatory, but take-out boxes might require a little explanation. Mainly, it comes down to the filling. In some cases, you get to choose whole wheat/white rice and vegetables for a less expensive bento box. When in doubt, stick to what you know.
Sashimi is a component of bento boxes in Japan. A premium Japanese sushi rice called mushi (香麗) is used in most bento boxes. This rice has a unique look and a distinctive flavor that is good for you, based on the type of fish used. Many specialty restaurants, like yakitori (麻西) and kaiten (麻婆) specialize in sushi rice and serve it in unique bento boxes.
This might be a part of your main lunch box, but it is not necessary. Happy bento…
