Bento Box Recommendations

[stonegirl78]

Hi guys!

 

So I've been thinking of getting bento boxes to take packed lunch in - I'm going to be eating lunch out a lot, and would rather save calories (and money) by packing my own. And bento just appeals, somehow...

 

But I'm not sure where to start on the bento box front, so I thought I'd ask. Does anyone know a brand they like? A brand they don't like? Any and all thoughts greatly appreciated!!!

 

Thanks,

 

Petra

[Marauder]

Here's a good resource for getting a better look at what's out there.  Most include descriptions with product name.  I personally like the Bento jars, but not everyone does.  Zojirushi makes a wonderful one, but it is expensive.  

 

https://www.flickr.com/groups/bentogear/pool/

 

Some of it can get juvenile, but lots of good ideas to be had.  I particularly like using silicone muffin cups to separate out some items that might get soggy otherwise.

 

Zojirushi Mr. Bento

[Leafa]

I got a Monbento early this summer and I really like it. It's large enough to stuff a very large meal inside. Overall, it can hold a litre of food, which is an overfilled dinner plate. I've never filled it completely and I feel my lunches are pretty large. I went back and forth on whether to buy it because it is an expensive lunch box, it costs me nearly $40 CAD after shipping. 

 

I thought having a nice lunch box would help me get in the habit of bringing lunches with me to school/work, but after a couple tries, it laid in my cupboards for 2 months before I started using it regularly as just a normal lunch box. Getting into bento as a hobby and making the nice looking lunches was more difficult than I thought. One day I might do it, but for now it's too much effort for me. 

 

My suggestion would be to either get a cheaper bento box first or get into the hobby with tupperware containers before you invest in a nice lunchbox. Just Bento has some great info on the kinds of boxes you can get and loads of inspiration for ideas.

[stonegirl78]

Thank you both so much!!! It helps a lot - and I don't mind fiddly food (I bake puff pastry myself. For fun. And only occasionally. Seriously, the butter content in there is awe-inspiring)

 

I will start trying bento and report back.

 

Petra out!

[Raincloak]

 

I thought having a nice lunch box would help me get in the habit of bringing lunches with me to school/work, but after a couple tries, it laid in my cupboards for 2 months before I started using it regularly as just a normal lunch box. Getting into bento as a hobby and making the nice looking lunches was more difficult than I thought. One day I might do it, but for now it's too much effort for me. 

 

My suggestion would be to either get a cheaper bento box first or get into the hobby with tupperware containers before you invest in a nice lunchbox..

This. This. This.

(Also I never could get the hang of packing them without making a mess, and I couldn't get enough food into them to keep from starving...)

Btw, if you can find a Daiso Japan store, they have bento boxes for about $4.

[Doe]

Well I can't repeat anything that hasn't been repeated. Except maybe... keeping in mind that Japanese  bento boxes and light "Western" style lunches are different. Those boxes are so small because they're packed with rice, etc..There's a rule of thumb that 100ml in capacity should be about 100 calories.You can of course adjust this but it takes some fiddling.  This can be a helpful link: http://lunchinabox.net/2007/03/guide-to-choosing-the-right-size-bento-box/ 
 

I fall in and out of love with bento myself but I  have packed a bento for the bf. The first time I sent him off with a "man sized bento" he looked at me like I had lost my mind.  He later confessed he could barely finish it. I usually just stick to simple things so I can pack most of it in a thermos food jar (http://www.amazon.com/Thermos-Stainless-Steel-Ounce-Midnight/dp/B0017IFSIS/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_sims?ie=UTF8). If he keeps it up we'll probably upgrade to a Mr. Bento but this way, the thermos food jar proves handy in more ways than packing lunch. 

 

I'm so excited for you, hope you share some of your bento ideas you come up with us. 

[Pat]

http://justbento.com/is the site to visit in my opinion. We got the book recently to and it's full of good ideas. My gf is nuts about bento stuff so I'm always the guy with the coolest looking lunch at the office