Back to School Special: Bento Box (or Lunch Box) Recipes!

Have you ever heard of a bento box? A bento (or obento) box is a Japanese lunchbox, more or less. They are usually served in partitioned containters, which can vary from styrafoam to hand-made laquered boxes. Traditionally bentos are made with 4 parts of rice, 3 parts of the main dish, (either meat or fish), 2 parts of vegetables, and 1 part of a serving of pickled vegetables or a dessert. But really anything can be put in a bento.

Click here for a great PBS feature on obento with some really amazing photos of obento (soccer balls! watermelon! pandas!).
If you'd like to learn more about the history of the bento box click here!
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Check out the great Asian recipes and pictures below to make a bento box of your very own!

Onigiri are balls of cooked rice, usually pressed into a triangular shape and often filled with such things as grilled salmon, cod roe, kombu (kelp) or an umeboshi (Japanese pickled plum). It originated as food for soldiers in Japan during the 9th century. Because onigiri are relatively easy to make, taste good and are small and lightweight, they are a perfect food for soldiers (or students) to take with them.
Basic Onigiri recipe #60398
Onigiri (Japanese Rice Balls) recipe #8624
Onigiri (rice Balls) recipe #119231


Tea Eggs are hardboiled eggs, which have had their shells cracked and then are simmered in tea and Chinese spices. They’re traditionally eaten around the time of the Chinese New Year, but they make a great anytime snack or addition for a packed lunch. As you can see, they’re gorgeous (and a good protein-boost too)!
Chinese Tea Eggs recipe #127310
Tea Marbled Eggs recipe #111738
Tea Leaf Eggs recipe #34436


There are two kinds of spring rolls – fresh (uncooked) and fried. They are made with rice paper wrappers and the fresh kind make great finger food and are full of fresh, healthy veggies.
Smoked Salmon & Rice Paper Rolls recipe #66726
Vegetarian Fresh Spring Rolls recipe #44177
Veggie Spring Rolls recipe #80469


Is “rice” the first thing that you think of when you think of Asian food? Noodles of every shape and kind are actually very common all over Asia. Be sure to check out the okonomi yaki too! They’re delicious little savory pancakes (made with veggies and whole wheat flour!)- great served warm or at room temperature.
Pearl's Sesame Noodles recipe #20080
Okonomi Yaki (Veggie Pancakes) recipe #38400
Pancit Canton recipe #25121


As a side dish in a lunch or a great after-school snack, these Asian goodies will be sure to appease anyone, anytime.
Orient Express Snack Mix recipe #124871
Naan (Indian Flat Bread) recipe #60449
Sesame Thins (crackers) recipe #89839


Pickles are very common in Japan (and India too!) though they’re not like the dill pickled-cucumbers that you see most often in America. Fresh, full of crunch and great flavors or try your hand at edamame (fresh soybeans). These veggies are so good for you, and easy too!
Edamame recipe #40290
Marinated Daikon and Carrot Salad (namasu) recipe #95802
Pickled Radishes recipe #118828



If your student isn’t too eager to eat the greenery, try an Asian-style dressing like on the salads at his favorite restaurant. Be sure to pack the dressing in a separate small container, otherwise the lettuce will be soggy by lunchtime.
Applebee's Oriental Dressing recipe #30470
Islands China Coast Salad Dressing recipe #47441
Makoto-Style Japanese Salad Dressing recipe #60315


Fresh fruit is delicious all by itself, but try mixing up the same old stuff with a little ginger, cilantro or rosewater and give your tastebuds a special treat.
Mango Salad recipe recipe #24779
Cantaloupe With Honey Ginger Dressing recipe #129925
Oranges in Sweet Rose Water recipe #113200


Lassi (pronounced lah-see) is a traditional Indian drink made with yogurt. Great for a meal-on-the-go, lassis are refreshing and healthy. They're often made with a variety of different fruits- check out the recipes below!
Fruit Lassi recipe #63356
Appalicious Apple Lassi recipe #95821
Emeril's Mango Lassi recipe #105845



From the traditional Japanese dorayaki to the more “modern” twinkie sushi, don’t forget to include some Asian desserts.
Chinese Almond Cookies recipe #12284
Dorayaki (sweet Filled Pancakes) recipe #120221
Twinkie Sushi recipe #120476

Fantastic recipes...

Roosie, I came over to this forum for a different reason and saw this spread. What a fantastic job! This is one of the most inviting things I have seen on this site since I joined...AND there have been some very nice things! This deserves a special "High Five...Five Stars!"

My brother lived in Japan for 4 years, and his wife is Japanese. He told me about these Bento Box's and how parents try hard to outdo each other when they make them up for their kids. Wonderful post. Well done!

Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

Yeah, while doing research for this, I saw some really amazingly elaborate bento boxes! I knew that the Japanese are known for emphasizing the importance of the appearance of food, but these things really are pretty awesome. Here's a few of my favorites from the PBS special I mentioned in my first post-

“Soccer” Rice, seaweed, green onions and broccoli.


“Watermelon” Rice, sesame seeds, tuna, seaweed and cucumber.


“Panda” Rice, seaweed, radishes, carrot, corn and sesame seeds.

Heh. If you'd known about those when you were in school, I wonder if you could have convinced Dad to make you panda-shaped rice for lunch instead of sandwich, apple, and chips in a brown bag. Maybe - he does get excited about making bunny-shaped biscuits for Easter.

Nah. I think the panda is too cute to eat.

Those are wonderful! You did an awesome job with this post. DH and I love Japanese cuisine. I've saved this thread to my favorites so that I can come back frequently for some of these ideas.

Those photos are all awesome! The lassi is something new to me, looks good...

I am indonesian, live in qatar and the japanesse cuisine is one of my favorites. Thank you, you did great job!!

OOhhh i miss those soo much!! i lived most of my life in japan and okinawa. It's true about the parents too. When i worked at a daycare offbase in Okinawa it was always fun to open their lunchboxes and see what it looked like for that day! then i go to the americans kids lunch and it's a microwaveable cup of chef boyardee, they always looked at the bento box kids with envy!! i had to break up many fights with other kids grabbing for their food!!

i miss the convenience stores!!!

I too lived in Japan for a while and became accustomed to packing a bento every morning.

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This is so great!!!!!! thanx alot

Hi everybody! I'm from Japan and new to this website. I've just found a great topic about Japanese Bento. It reminds me that I was so proud to open my mom's bento at school. Good job, thanks!