Top products from r/Bento

Hoo boy. Here we go.

I purchased my first bento box in 2010 for about $20. It's dishwasher and microwave safe, held approx. 550-600ml, and is about 6 in x 3 in x 3 in. It has two compartments with a tight-fitting plastic lid that seals the top compartment. It came with a divider for the top compartment. I loved it, used it regularly, hand washed it, and discovered a crack in the bottom about a month ago. It still holds liquids without leaking, so i still use it. The only drawback is that the top compartment rests on top of the food on the bottom compartment, and so i have to place it in the lid when eating to keep the table clean.

Another $10 amazon-acquired bento of mine is this red one. It has two compartments, is microwavable, holds 580 ml, is also 6 x 3 x 3, and has two plastic liners that prevent the top layer from touching the bottom layer. Neither of these liners are good at sealing the food in, so this is a dry-goods only (or very thick liquids) bento box.


I also have a (probably $20, it was a gift) little character shaped bento. It's cute, holds 640 ml, has one sealing plastic lid, three compartments (technically, read on) and are microwave and dishwasher safe. It's about 3 inches in diameter, and 5 inches high. This bento has two normal compartments and then a bowl for the hat. The sealing liner isn't flat across, so you could pack onigiri in the top compartment, or fill it up pretty substantially. Not very much fits between the plastic sealing liner and the bowl hat, however. It could probably fit packets of soy sauce and the like.

I've got an absolutely beautiful $25 bento that came with a bag and chopsitcks holder. It holds 510 ml and is 7 x 3 x 3. It's microwavable, but only the bottom portion. It has two compartments and a very good sealing plastic liner for the upper compartment. I love it, and it's probably my favorite box right now.

I spontaneously purchased this $18 bento and it's probably my most useless. It's 550 ml, 6 x 3 x 3, and has two compartments, the top one of which is only for onigiri. It's also not microwavable, but does have a sealing inner lid.

I have these fish, $23, at 670 ml, 5 x 3 x 1.5 and 4 x 3 x 1.3, and which are also not microwavable. They don't have a sealing lid, and the little fish has a small inner divider that can be removed. I like them a lot.

Finally, I have a lock& lock bento that I got as a gift for probably $25. I couldn't find the actual product, but it's similar to this lock & lock. The one I have came with a water bottle and chopsticks (i think) and a cloth bag similar to a tiny paper grocery bag. It's probably 7 x 3 x 3 inches. There are two compartments and the top one has a permanent divider. The whole thing seals very well, but the container is so narrow that it's tough to fit a lot of foods in, unless you're doing a one-pot meal leftover bento. It's microwave and dishwasher safe, but since it's so tricky to fit things into, I wouldn't buy it again.

That's what I've got.

I love bentos like this one for packing simple things that you are planing on keeping cold. If you're going to want something for both hot and cold then Mr. Bento is a fan favourite. Pack your hot lunch in the morning and you're good to go. You can also microwave the bowls which is great it you want to keep it cold for the day but eat hot food at lunch.

I like bentos that are divided into half and I can split them into smaller sizes if I need to. I personally prefer using paper muffin cups. They're easy, cheap, I don't have to wash them and I don't get mad when they get thrown out by mistake.

It takes some time to figure out what style bento you like to pack, so I always recommend trying a few different style bentos until you find the one you like. Hope this helps a bit. Good luck with your bento!

For anyone curious here is all the info

-Bento Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LYT1Z9Q/ref=twister_B01M0RE6QR?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
-Silicone Cups: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N4ONBGY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
-Veggie Cutters: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0162AGTWE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
-Soy Sauce Containers: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AJ8HOG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
-Adorable Food Picks: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KDAIQIK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


-Sweet Potato Onigiri Recipe: https://youtu.be/dkbqupOUqLs?t=3m15s


-Cabbage: Saute onion and cabbage with soy sauce, salt and pepper to taste, until soft or desired level of cooked.


-Chicken: Wash and pat dry chicken thighs with paper towels. Cut into bite size pieces. Coat with corn start and cook in a nonstick pan with a little bit of oil (not fried) until golden brown. Add enough teriyaki sauce to coat and cook a little longer to get some nice darkening.


-Broccoli: Heat a pan with a little bit of oil until very hot, add broccoli and toss to coat. Add a few table spoons of water and cover with lid to steam the broccoli. Once all the florets are bright green remove the lid and cook off any remaining water and continue to cook to get some brown crispy sides on the broccoli. Season with salt and a little bit of sesame oil. (This is my absolute favorite way to enjoy broccoli. It doesn't even need the sesame oil in my opinion)


-Fruit Salad: Cut apple into slices, use veggie cutters to make cute shapes. Mix with cut strawberries. Squeeze over the juice of half a lemon to keep them fresh and prevent browning. Also adds a wonderful freshness to them.



I think that covers everything. Anymore questions lemme know.

Search "bento accessories" on amazon.
Even if not purchasing there you'll find so many ideas.
They have sets of various sizes and shapes of silicone muffin-type cups. Refillable bottles and sauce tubs for thick and thin sauces, even take a blob of miso paste to make broth from hot water at lunchtime.

This set of [molds, cups and cutters, for example,] ( https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075KPZ1KH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_taa_3.fEAb2QA80WJ) is super cute and useful, there are so many choices.

If you search there for "portable chopsticks" you'll find lots of adorable sets (I love a spoon with my chopsticks) like these beauties. Many of the cases can attach to the tote you carry the bento box in. I have never been a fan of the utensils going inside the food box. 😀

I have a this : https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000246GSE/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479099554&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=bento+thermos&dpPl=1&dpID=41p5bbuAleL&ref=plSrch

I absolutely love it. The bottom two are great for warm food while the top two are good for colder food like fruits or other type snacks like that. You can even have soup!

Definitely something that might suit what you want.

You can find all kinds of fun bento toys on Amazon. Here are my faves:

Kotobuki Plastic Egg Mold, Rabbit and Bear
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002TZ04J6/

SCI Cuisine International 2.75 Inch Square Egg Press
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002C8ZDQE/

CUTEZCUTE 10-Piece Bento Decoration Box, Animals Food Picks and Forks https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0038LNVR2/

Happy Sales Stainless Steel Vegetable Cutters
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00095VK7S/

CuteZCute Animal Friends Food Deco Cutter and Stamp Kit
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CDPNA70/

Kotobuki Crayon Bento Box, Black Ninja https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C61CP3G/

If you enjoy this sort of thing, it's easy to get lost in Amazon's lists of related products.

Spend $30 on those tools and these lunches should take 10 mins to assemble in the morning. One of my biggest challenges is keeping a variety of foods on hand.

The trick with rice is not to put it in the fridge! Ice packs in a lunchbox work great if you have any meats that need to be kept cool). But the fridge is dry and will suck all the moisture out of your rice making it hard and gross.

​

I make about 20 cups of rice in a single go (this method) and wrap it all up in plastic wrap and keep them in the freezer. I've been doing food prep on weekends to make bento 'staples' that I keep in my freezer (or fridge, depending on the food) and then I just make sure to pull them out soon enough to be ready to make the bento in the AM.

​

It takes about 10-15 min to put everything together. 2 min to re-heat the rice. I'll sometimes make mushrooms or other veggies in a pan (about 5-8 min, simultaneously with the rice cooking), and then let everything cool while I get dressed (don't pack bento while food is hot). By time I get back down it's a few minutes to just shove everything into a box, toss in a lunchbox with an icepack, and head out!

​

• JustBento.com is where I got started
  
• Effortless Bento (the book) is amazing! Tells you how to make a lot of dishes and freeze them or fridge them as well as how long they'll last like that.
  
• JustOneCookbook.com also has some awesome recipes!

I like my Monbento a lot. I bought the pocket cutlery from them and they fit well under the lid.

They come in an Original shape (maybe for you?) and Square (maybe for bf?). Microwaveable and dishwasher safe, just be careful with the interior lids. I always handwash the interior lids to be safe. Leakproof if you seal them up correctly.

I've had as much luck putting cut up lunch meat sandwiches in them as I have had with storing an onigiri lunch in them. Bento & co has some really cute sauce cups, separators, etc. if you need them, but Monbento sells things like that too that will match their boxes.

However, right now, directly from Monbento, you can get the square one with sauce cups and cutlery for only $27USD + shipping which is a good deal.

Yes it’s this one Zojirushi
Day 1 and I love it. Kept the food nice and warm! I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. $4-5 for lunch vs. $12-15.

Wow thanks! I love sharing my bento on here.

Yes, I used these to cut the carrots.

I cook a few proteins over the weekend and prepare the sides the morning of. Freezing proteins like chicken or beef will make them last a very long time after cooking. Small sides, like snap pees or sliced fruit are very fast and easy in the morning. I have a zogiroshi and begin cooking the rice either the morning of or the night before then cool it and pack it the morning of. Never pack any of your ingredients warmer than room temperature. If you can spare a few bucks, this is my go to bento cook book. It includes hundreds of recipes for both proteins and sides as well as techniques for storage, cleaning, and maintaining freshness.

I like to pan fry tofu. I'll season cornstarch with some salt and pepper and dip firm tofu strips into it. Then I'll fry it in a little bit of vegetable oil. I'll then slice up some avocado and turn it into a musubi or just place it on top of rice. If you want it in a cute bento style, you could always cube the tofu and add some nori over it. Slice the avocado and fan it out. To add some color, you can also add in some cherry tomatoes and baby carrots. You can also keep a tiny thing of soy sauce on the side in the bento....something like this
http://www.amazon.com/Soy-Sauce-Container-15-Bag/dp/B001AJ8HOG

They're really cheap. I don't go too out of my way to get the really really cute ones because they suck when it comes to cleaning.

A Zojirushi sounds like it might be a good fit. I have this system and I am very happy with it and it's quality. The Ms. Bento is the smaller version of the zojirushi.

You want one of these. I bought one for my daughter and at least half a dozen of her classmates now have the same lunch box as my daughter. The top two containers are for room temperature foods. The bottom two containers are for hot foods; the outer container is insulated and the lid of the second-from-the-bottom container is insulated (you can see the thick lid leaning over in the second picture) so it creates a nice little hot zone in the bottom. I make a hot lunch for my daughter at ~8am and when she eats lunch at ~12:20pm it's still plenty hot. Soups, pasta dishes, rice dishes, meats, stews, etc are all at a good temperature when she's ready to eat.

(Tip: Fill the outer container with hot water while you prepare your lunch, then empty/dry out the container before loading it up. This will add some heat to the process to keep things warmer for a longer period of time.)

I get compliments on [this box](Ecloud Shop Environmental Wooden Lunch Box Japanese Style Wooden Sushi Bento Box https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01K4LMLW4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_zxoQDbBCG8N5Z) all the time. It is totally worth it to get the one that tickles your fancy so that you use it more. Also, if you get a smaller one then you won’t eat as much.

I am a fan of Mind Over Munch , more than just bento though.

[Effortless Bento](Effortless Bento: 300 Japanese Box Lunch Recipes https://www.amazon.com/dp/1939130379/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_iCoQDbZBHHKNC) Is a fun book as well.

My SO has that monbento and I have a bentgo (this one http://www.amazon.com/Bentgo-All-Stackable-Lunch-Bento/dp/B00B78T8U2).
He likes his better because of the style, I prefer mine because the top sectioned part is made that way and not a loose divider like his. I can put something wet or juicy, like fruit, on one side and dry, like crackers, on the other. In the monbento I have to put silicone cupcake molds to prevent "wet" foods from leaking.

I got these at Target. Also see them at the supermarket. Work great!

Wasabi (and anything else you want to dip like mayo or ranch) https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00BG4DH90/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1478797552&sr=8-2&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=salad+dressing+container+to+go&dpPl=1&dpID=413sIludLvL&ref=plSrch

Soy Sauce (and anything else you want to squirt like dressing) https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00BG4DHLS/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1478797648&sr=8-5&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=sistema+dressing&dpPl=1&dpID=51DSBR2Nx7L&ref=plSrch

Haha, Mr. Bento is the one I thought of immediately. I have this one: www.amazon.com/Zojirushi-SL-JAE14SA-Bento-Stainless-Silver/dp/B000246GSE

Got it on sale for $35 about 3 years back, still holdin' up. :) Just a vote of confidence for it.

The Just Bento Cookbook is also really great. I've found it a bit easier to work from (and less overwhelming) as I get started. It's available on Amazon. Cookbook!

Edit: Fixed the link.

I have a Mr. Bento which I don't see much of in this subreddit but it works for me. :) I'm totally lazy when it comes to making my lunch look pretty so I kinda just throw stuff in the bento.

This is my flickr album of some of my bento lunches. I added description of the food below the individual pictures. I haven't added any pictures lately because I've been a little busy.

One thing that helped me out for healthy snacks to put in the Bento was paying for Graze. It's a small box of snacks I would get in the mail at 5 bucks a pop once a week. I'm not sure if they increased the price though because I stopped the service when I planned to travel for a few months earlier in the year. This is a picture of one of my Graze boxes I received in the mail.

Yes. The two layers stack on top of each other. There is like a plastic lid for the top layer than a bigger cover that has a panda face on it.

Here is the Amazon link: Kotobuki 280-129 2-Tiered Bento Box, Panda Face https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00200L840/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_FRKKBbW4SHGDQ

What are you looking for / what are you picky about with regards to robustness? Size? Aesthetics? Since this is your first box, you should probably come into this knowing that Bento boxes are generally pretty small compared to most lunch boxes made/sold in the U.S., so that will be an adjustment if that's what you're used to.

​

With that in mind, I started with this one; it's ~870 ml, so it's a touch larger than most, the lid locks into place so you don't have to worry about spills in transit so much, and mine stood up quite well to microwaving/diswashers. The removable compartments/divider were a much less finicky way to get a hang of dish arrangement, too. Should be a solid way to go for a first box.

A friend has this Mr. Bento and regularly takes soups in it. You can use flexible dividers like paper or silicone cupcake liners.

It is. I used an egg mold. Pretty easy. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002TZ04J6/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1409053743&sr=8-2&pi=SX200_QL40

I actually ordered it off Amazon, it really does work great. Skater Brand apparently. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001OC78JO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_apCHxb4XDJKFP

http://www.amazon.com/Monbento-Square-The-Bento-Green/dp/B00GRZMJCO

It's a great bento box! Comes in other colors too.

Not OP, but I have the same one! I got it on Amazon, and it's probably my favorite out of all my Kotobuki bento boxes. It's probably available elsewhere, but that's where I bought mine.

I've recently started using furoshiki. I fold it so it has a handle and a place to put utensils. It's been great so far. I don't mind having to hand-carry it. Before my recent trip to Japan, I was using a Ms. Bento or Thai lunch box.

I really like this box, it's lasted us three years so far and nothing has broken on it. This is an ECOlunchbox, I got it from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0040MH642/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_nvZtybC1YQGXS

It's an insulated lunch jar with containers that fit inside for different kinds of foods (soup, rice/main, side dish): Amazon link. They also make a Mr Bento, which is bigger. Mine isn't actually a Ms Bento, but it's similar: link.

I've also got a lunch box set which has an insulated container for the main dish and two side cars that nestle against it for other dishes. Like this but mine is plain black.

While I haven't actually used them before, I think the soy sauce fish are just about the cutest ever.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001AJ8HOG/

What about something like this? http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B014EBZEQ0/ref=mp_s_a_1_10?qid=1453354661&sr=8-10&pi=AA140_QL70&keywords=stainless+steel+bento+box

Or maybe this? http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0040MH642/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?qid=1453355008&sr=8-7&pi=AC_SX220_SY330_QL65&keywords=stainless+steel+bento+box+leak+proof&dpPl=1&dpID=51TKhnyWGeL&ref=plSrch

here you go!

And that's just hummus :)

I have this Skater box which is great. You can take out the inserts and have it be just a big open container, or use only one half of the inserts. I wouldn't consider it super leakproof if you're going to be jostling it around, storing it sideways, etc. but it does have a gasket and I've never had it leak.

Sure thing! Zojirushi SL-JAE14SA Mr. Bento Stainless Steel Lunch Jar

Nice, I didn't catch that edit of yours, sorry.

Actually, the link that is still in your comment is the knock-off version, it doesn't look to me that Amazon sells the real Sushezi or you aren't guaranteed to get one depending on the reseller. Here are the reviews for that one stating the obvious knock-off/quality control issues, 8% 1/5 star reviews. I was about to order it too, but I won't take the chance.


Edit: Where'd you snag yours? :D

Oh, i forgot to come back and mention that i found them on amazon!

It's "instant pickles!" You basically throw salt and lemon juice onto cucumber and cabbage, rub it in, and wait 10 minutes.

Since it's the very first bento, you can actually see it with the sample Amazon gives you: https://www.amazon.com/Just-Bento-Cookbook-Everyday-Lunches/dp/1568363931

It came with my monbento box (set ordered from amazon here) but I'm tempted to get these so that I have extra.

this is the bento box i bought

https://www.amazon.de/Monbento-Original-Bento-Dose-schwarz/dp/B00DC29MRU/

it is more pricy and sadly not as big as I preferred it to be. however the build quality is freaking astounding! apart from being microwave and dishwasher save when I unboxed it and touched it. you immediately feel you bought a premium product.

I'll concur with the consensus here. I do own this vacuum jar that I use in the winter when I want soup or broth with lunch.

I really like this one, but the bottle is NOT dishwasher safe; the boxes and lids are. Amazon

The little one came with the box, but I bought the other one in a set meant for this specific box.

It's these two things:

Box

Inserts

Just bought some today! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001AJ8HOG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_DZvIybS78D4S1

Not OP, but I also have them. They're sistema's squeeze bottles. I haven't had any issue with mine leaking and I stick all kinds of sauces in them.

I purchased this today.

https://www.amazon.com/Monbento-Original-Black-Bento-Box/dp/B00DC29MRU

Just the box.

• $15 Box
  
  
• $8 Insulated bag
  
  
• $8 12oz cup
  
  
• $6 2 pack sauce cups
  
  And that's currently all on sale.

I got it for christmas, see the following:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Japanese-Modern-Traditional-Compartmental-Chopsticks/dp/B001OC78JO/ref=s9_simh_gw_g201_i2_r?_encoding=UTF8&fpl=fresh&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=&pf_rd_r=02S76983N7PSTXK24KGR&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=16f14aeb-bd11-4e9e-8c26-9ca0139074ee&pf_rd_i=desktop

Amazon.ca for the cutters.
The box is just a modular Rubbermaid blox that I've become addicted to.

how is this box? I was going to get it but then decided to get https://www.amazon.com/Skater-Japanese-Traditional-Compartmental-Chopsticks/dp/B001OC78JY/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1498328792&sr=8-5&keywords=modern+bento+box instead

It is this Bento box: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001OC78JO/

Amazon!

I got the dividers with the box I’ll send you the link!

[japanese skater two tier lunchbox ] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001OC78JY/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_3?smid=A16SZBMKQEFINK&psc=1)

I use this little kit!

Monbento
https://www.amazon.com/monbento-MB-Original-Bento-Green-White/dp/B009QTBG5E

For the casual sushi maker, try this. Then you can focus more on getting the flavors your want and don't really have to worry about the technique for rolling it.