She Strengthens

The Art of Bento: Elevating Lunchtime to a New Level

A Brief History of Bento

From humble beginnings as a peasant farmer’s lunch to its current status as a trendy, upscale picnic staple, bento has come a long way. Today, these compartmentalized boxes filled with an assortment of tasty treats have captured the hearts of both kids and adults alike.

The Magic of Bento

So, what makes bento so special? It’s all about the presentation. A beautifully crafted bento box is more than just a meal – it’s a work of art that says “I care.” With a little creativity and the right tools, anyone can create a stunning bento box that’s sure to delight.

Bento Box Inspirations

Need some inspiration to get started? Here are 22 bento box ideas to spark your creativity:

Kids’ Favorites

1. Rainbow Bento: A colorful arrangement of veggies, grains, and treats that’s sure to delight.
2. Hello Kitty Mini Pizzas: Adorable mini pizzas transformed into charming kitty faces.
3. Sushi Sandwiches: Canned tuna rolled in pressed bread with julienned carrots and cucumbers.
4. Hearts and Bunny Sandwiches: Cookie cutters transform simple sandwiches into shapes that kids love.
5. French Lunch Bento: A picnic-in-a-bento-box featuring baby gherkins, grapes, soft Brie, and mini croissants.

Japanese-Inspired Bentos

6. Bento Box 101: A classic Japanese-style bento featuring small portions and variety.
7. Leaf Peeper Bento Box: A fall-inspired bento featuring simmered prawns, shitake mushrooms, and a rolled omelet.

Cute and Creative Bentos

8. Cute Animal Bento Box: A tutorial on how to make animal faces to decorate little sandwiches.
9. Adorable Eggs: Hard-boiled eggs decorated with cutters and food-based dyes.
10. Squirrel Mosaic Sandwich Bento: A checkerboard of sandwiches featuring colorful fillings and a hot dog acorn.

Bentos for Adults

11. Grilled Chicken and Barley Salad: A healthy bento featuring pearled barley, grilled chicken, and a side of veggies.
12. Asian-Style Salad: A sweet-sour salad featuring tahini dressing, veggies, and pan-fried dumplings.
13. Portobello Pizza Bento: A gluten-free alternative to pizza, paired with a side of veggies and fruit.

Vegetarian Bentos

14. Salad Bar Bento: A customizable bento featuring a variety of veggies, grains, and greens.
15. Mushrooms, Barley, and Brie: A sophisticated bento featuring sautéed mushrooms, pine nuts, and dried cranberries.
16. Pinto Bean Wrap: A fiber-filled bento featuring pinto beans, brown rice, and quinoa.

Bento Boxes: The Perfect Vessel

Ready to take your bento game to the next level? Here are some eco-friendly bento box options to consider:

PlanetBox: A sleek, stainless steel box with partitioned compartments and a glass dish.
Yumbox: A plastic box with separated sections and illustrations of the key food groups.
LunchBots: Stainless steel lunchboxes with four arrangements, ranging from one to four compartments.
Fit & Fresh: An insulated bag set-up with a removable, built-in ice pack.
Box Appetit: A classy, inner dish-separated box with a tiny triangular sauce pot.

DIY Bento Box

Don’t have a starter kit? No problem! Create your own bento box using a BPA-free plastic box, disposable cupcake liners, and silicone cupcake liners. Add some fun accessories like cute food picks, cookie cutters, and itty-bitty sauce cups to get into the bento spirit!