The Difference Between a Bento & a Lunch Box
It has to do with the contents and packing style, but it has to do with the feelings of the packer as well.
A Brief History of Bento
Bento can be found everywhere in Japan, from convenience stores and railway stations to upscale department stores. But where did they come from?
These 5 Horror Bento Will Eat Your Appetite!
Could you imagine opening your bento and seeing these creations staring back at you?
The Kyaraben Behind the Cover
Kyarabenist.jp works to foster a love of "kyaraben," or character bento.
Ekiben Spotlight Local Cuisine
A Matsumoto bento maker teams up with students and the local agricultural co-op to create a castle town feast.
Epic Music Makes for Awesome Bento
Little Miss Bento reaches for Oscar gold with epic editing and musical selection!
A Japanese Bento Box In New York
A variety of New York-based businesses—from small-scale entrepreneurs to multinational brand names—are gradually succeeding in introducing Japanese bento culture to the world.
Evangelion Shinkansen Gets its Own Ekiben
With the Evangelion Shinkansen bullet train scheduled to start running from November 3, passengers are going to need something to eat.
Ekiben Pull into France
Paris-Gare de Lyon will be selling station bento starting in winter 2016!
10 Rules for Good Bento
JustBento's Makiko Itoh shares the philosophy that guides her daily bento life.
Bento 101: So What's a Bento, Anyway?
The Japan Guy covers everything from convenience store (konbini) bento to home-made works of art,
The Force is With these 6 Star Wars Bento
How many wookiees can you fit in a lunch box?
Our Top 5 Bento Sites
Check out any of these inspiring sites to learn more about the brilliance of bento!
The BBC Investigates Bento
With some Japanese mothers admitting to spending hours each morning on their children’s lunches, how far is too far in the name of kawaii?
Catch His Eye with a Couples' Bento
Before dating, teenage girls may attract their love interest’s attention with a homemade lunch.
Spring Rolls, Japanese Style
This recipe for spring rolls, or "harumaki," may not be authentic—or at least, not authentically Chinese. It's authentically Japanese-Chinese, or "chuuka"—Chinese dishes that were introduced to Japan mostly in the late 19th to 20th centuries.
'Shufu' Culture and the Bento
While the "lady of the house” may be an outdated concept in the West, in Japan, the woman working at home is a well-respected and meaningful topic when it comes to examining the hidden depths of Japanese culture.
All About Ekiben
Much more than dull meals to fill up hungry travelers, the best ekiben provide a small window into the regional cuisine and culture of the place where they're produced.
Butter Sushi a Hit in Osaka
The four-restaurant chain Jinen has added unagi butter sushi to its menu, and some are hailing its melt-in-your-mouth flavor.
The Secret to a Hot Bento
Imagine opening the lid of your bento box and getting your chopsticks out to eat what should be steaming hot rice—but it’s cold and somehow tasteless. Want to avoid this disappointment?
