Bento Box

 

What is Bento and What are Bento Boxes?

The Japanese equivalent of meal boxes, Bento or Obento, is a popular food trend in Japan. Although Bento originated in Japan, the concept has become exceedingly popular in the neighboring countries of China, Taiwan, and Korea as well. So what exactly is a Bento box? Usually, Bento boxes are a single portion, takeaway, home-packed meal. These boxes are readily available in convenience stores, Bento shops, railway stations, department stores, and even vending machines. Aimed at attracting a busy, on-the-move crowd, Bento boxes are known for providing a wholesome meal while also being affordable.

Bento boxes typically serve rice as the main food, although noodles are commonly used as a substitute. The box also consists of fish, meat, pickled and cooked vegetables, and an appetizer. The concept of Bento boxes has been prevalent, and today containers range from mass-produced disposables to hand-crafted lacquerware. Bento has also grown into other markets, and today multiple portion Bento boxes called koraku Bento are prevalent in Japan. These are often used in picnics, and sharing a Bento box with friends and family under a cherry blossom tree is a vital part of Japan’s social culture.

A Brief History of Bento Boxes

Bento boxes can be traced back to 1185 during the Kamakura period where workers carried cooked rice was carried in a small bag. Around 1568, wooden lacquered boxes were produced and Bento found its place in the tea parties and other gatherings. By 1603, the Bento culture spread rapidly and grew more refined. They also had their first signature dish, Onigiri (rice balls), and were now carried in woven bamboo boxes. 

During the Meiji period (1868-1912), ekiben (train station Bento) grew in prominence, and by the end of the Meiji period, Bento boxes were carried by workers, students, and other professionals. In the Taisho period (1912-1926), aluminum Bento boxes were used. During this time, a social issue aimed at abolishing the practice of Bento began, and by the time WWII ended, Bento boxes were almost absent in schools and other institutions.

But during the 1980s, Bento boxes once again regained popularity - this time, thanks to the invention of the microwave oven. Expensive materials were also substituted for cheap plastics, and today Bento boxes are a common sight in Japan. Today, Bento is also served during the Japanese New Year. Called osechi, these boxes consist of two or three levels containing expensive dishes.

Difference Between Bento and Lunch Boxes

Although there may not be a vast functional difference between Bento and lunch boxes, comparing the two is simply not correct. Bento is a quintessential part of Japanese culture, and the term carries a whole lot of tradition. Bento boxes also differ in their constituents as they are put together with extreme thought and culinary care. This produces a melange of exciting textures, flavors, pairings, and colors - all inside a small container.

Bento makers also have their practices and beliefs. All foods are packed tightly to ensure the box is kept small, and items don’t move around. Besides size and convenience, Bento makers also try to create boxes that look appetizing when opened. Other factors of consideration include what types of food to pack, how far in advance the prep should be done, the best packaging materials, and a lot more.

Think of it this way, all Bentos are lunch boxes, but not lunch boxes are Bentos.

Types of Bento Boxes

There are several types of Bento boxes commonly available in Japan. These boxes are suited for carrying any variety of cooked beans or grains. Silicone dividers are used to divide food contents, and these boxes are usually kept upright. Bento boxes contain various types of dishes such as Onigiri, Tamagoyaki, fried chicken/shrimp, salad/greens, and fruit. This provides a wholesome meal experience to those eating a Bento.

Popular Bento boxes include Chuka Bento, Chinese food often used as an appetizer or midnight snack, Hinomaru Bentu, a box that resembles the Japanese flag, Sake Bento, Shidashi Bento, Tori Bento, Kyaraben, and Shikaeshiben. Each one has its own story to tell. For instance, Shikaeshiben is best translated as ‘revenge Bento’ and is typically made by angry wives to get back at their husbands by making the food inedible. Other types of Bento boxes include Ekiben, Hayaben, Hokaben, Noriben, and Soriben.

The Bento Journey

All-in-all, Bentos are home-like meals designed for convenience. Although the trends, components, and recipes have grown over time, Bento boxes have remained a regular part of the culture, and given their ease-of-use, will continue to be so.