There seems to be a common misconception that one needs to go out and purchase a purpose-made lunch box or a bento box from Japan, in order to start making bento box lunches at all. While I do like cute bento goods and boxes, they are certainly not required, or even needed. I think for most people, they would like bento making should be a daily habit, not a time consuming hobby.
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Actually any container that meet the following requirements will work work fine. You may already have a suitable container in your kitchen. You could be bringing lunch to work tomorrow!
The container should be as leakproof as possible.
This is quite important since you don't want the inside of your carrier bag, whatever it is, to get stained by leaking liquids. Many bento boxes from Japan have leak-resistant rubber seals. For any container you use, do a leak-test by filling it with water and shaking it around a bit. If any moisture leaks out easily, you probably want to try another box. (There are ways of adding leak protection to your box, such as putting it in a waterproof bag or securing it with a wide * rubber band, as well as making the food itself not so leaky.)
The container should be easy to wash and take care of.
This may sound like a no-brainer, but you should consider this especially if you want to use a bento box ordered from Japan. Most Japanese bento boxes are not dishwasher safe, so if you think you won't remember to (or don't want to) handwash your bento box, you will want to make sure you get a dishwasher safe container.
The container should be microwave safe if you intend to nuke it.
If you work in office and have access to a microwave oven, you may want to heat up your lunch in it. Most Japanese bento boxes are not microwave safe, since the typical Japanese bento is meant to be eaten at room temperature. So be sure your container is nuke-ready if you want to heat it up.
The container should be the right size for your dietary needs. This is especially important if you are watching your calories to any extent. Generally speaking, for a tightly packed Japanese-style bento, the number of milliliters (ml) that a box can hold corresponds roughly to the number of calories it holds. This is why so many Japanese bento boxes, in particular the cute ones with anime characters and things on them, are tiny - they're meant to be used by kids and young girls on perpetual diets.
To determine the capacity of your intended box: Fill it to the top with water, then pour off the water into a measuring cup that can measure in milliliters.
See also: How to see if a bento box is the right size for you before buying.
Some people don't like the individual items in their bento boxes to be rubbing against each other. If that sounds like you, then you will need a compartmentalized lunch box, such as the ones offered by Laptop Lunches. Personally I would rather have the compactness of a non-compartmentalized box, supplemented when needed with a separate container for something like fruit.
Insulated bento containers such as the Mr. Bento keep your food hot (or cold). Again, this is a personal preference but I am not a big fan of these. For one thing they are bulky and a bit of a bother to take care of. For another, the fact that the food is kept hot for several hours means that it's being held in steam table like conditions, rather like at a buffet. This means that while some foods like stews will taste great, others may not. They are nice to have for a chance of pace though. The capacity of the Mr. Bento is quite big, which can be a concern if you're trying to watch calories.
(Note: my collection of bento boxes has grown considerably since I wrote this originally back in , and I have new favorites now. One of these days I'll get around to photographing them perhaps. In any case, the general principles written here still apply.)
I have several bento boxes in my stash, from one shaped like Hello Kitty's head to a beautiful lacquered box which I keep for special dinners at home. But I mainly use these practical containers for everyday lunch.
The box I use most of the time is not a bento box at all - it's a plastic lunch box I got from the supermarket. (For Swiss residents, it's available at Migros.) It has an attached flip-top lid that is fairly leak resistant, and came with a detachable bottom section that holds a cold pack. I rarely use this bottom section but it's nice to have. It's dishwasher and microwave safe, though I hand wash it most of the time. The plain white plastic body is very easy to keep clean and stain-free, which is a big plus. Finally, the capacity is about 600 ml, so it's great for my goal of keeping my lunch calories at or under 600. It's also rather comforting to know that if it gets damaged or something, I can easily replace it.
Sometimes I use this two-section bento box from Japan, a type that is widely available from bento box sellers such as Jlist. The main advantage of this box is that you can keep ingredients totally separate, so it's good if you have a very strong flavored item that you want to keep apart from other things. The inner rubberized lid is quite tight fitting, reducing the risk of leakage. It's also taller rather than wider, so it fits well in a bag. The empty containers can be stored nested within each other compactly.
The main disadvantage of this type of box is that it's not not microwave or dishwasher safe. I also find the multiple parts a bit of a bother to wash up compared to my main white plastic box. (Yes I'm a bit lazy.)
This is the main 'man-size' bento box that I use to make Max's bentos. It's a plastic storage container from the Ikea 365+ line. It has a microwave vent in the lid which makes it great for bentos that taste better warm, though the vent does have a tendency to leak a bit if the box is carried upside down or something. The capacity is about 900 ml.
The other one I use is a sleek black bento box from Japan that's officially designated as being 'man-size'. It comes with an integrated chopstick container in the lid, and a divider to separate rice from other ingredients inside. The capacity is around 850 ml. As you can see it's quite understated, though it has a head-scratching Engrish phrase on it ("impressive. My heart cannot stop throbbing. My dream that has begun to move.").
I hope this gives you some ideas as to what kind of bento box to use!
Whether it's to reduce plastic waste, save money or eat healthier, more and more people are starting to embrace the bento lifestyle.
But that first step of choosing the right bento box can be a daunting one.
You don't want to spend your hard-earned cash on a bento only to find that your stomach is growling by 2pm because your box only fits half a sandwich, or that your kid's new lunchbox is too big for their school bag. '
With that in mind we've compiled our best tips so you can pick the perfect bento box for you and your kids!
FIrst let's consider the size of the bento box. Choosing a Japanese style bento box can be confusing especially as they tend to be smaller than Western-style lunch boxes. It's easy to underestimate how much food will actually fit into the box! The key with Japanese-stye bento boxes is that food is meant to be packed in fairly densely (to prevent foods from moving around) and to make it look visually appealing. This way you can actually fit quite a lot of food into a surprisingly petite-looking container
Here at Bento&co we've divided our boxes into Small, Medium, and Large categories.
Small bento boxes are perfect for younger kids or adults with very small appetites. These boxes can also be used as a convenient container for side dishes, snacks or dessert!
The adorable Jiji Round Two Tier Lunch Bowl (500mL) has two tiers, and a built in fork. Perfect for little ones.
Medium boxes are great for older kids, and adults with small to medium appetites. If you are unsure what bento box to choose, medium sized boxes are a great place to start.
The 640mL capacity Fuku Usagi Bento Box can fit all this much food inside.
Large boxes are for adults and growing teenagers who need a hearty lunch! This is also a good choice if you want to pack a fluffy salad or bulky sandwiches that you don't want to smush inside a small box.
The Original Karakusa Bento holds a lot while still staying compact.
Looking for something larger?
The choice for when you want a VERY generous lunch, or want to share. Includes our picnic boxes.
If you are still unsure what size is best for you, refer to the general guide below which shows suggested bento capacity (400mL to 900mL) based on age bracket and appetite. For those with more sedentary lifestyles, you can subtract 100mL from these suggested bento sizes and similarly for those who have active lifestyles, you can add on 100mL.
Age
Large Appetite
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Disposable Bento Box.
Small Appetite
3-5 years
400ml
400ml
6-8 years
500ml
500ml
9-11 years
600ml
600ml
12-20 years
900ml
700ml
20-40 years
900ml
600ml
50-60 years
800ml
600ml
70 years600ml
500ml
Bento boxes come in all kinds of shapes and each one comes with its own unique benefits and disadvantages. Here we've broken it down shape by shape so you can figure out which one will serve you best.
Oval and round boxes: Easy to wash! Can be difficult to fill up without creating gaps. Perfect for 'nokke' or 'donburi' style bentos where you put your main dishes on top of rice.
Square boxes: Easy to place foods inside without gaps. Corners may be tricky to wash.
Slim/Narrow style boxes: Easy to put food in without gaps. Fits nicely into backpacks and work bags without taking up much space. Corners may be tricky to wash. May need to cut up larger pieces of food to be able to fit.
Related to the shape of bento is the question of tiers. Most boxes come in one or two tiers (with some picnic boxes coming in 3 or more tiers).
1 Tier boxes: Less components to the box so cleanup is easy. Flavors of food may seep into the rice or mix with other foods. Usually more room for foods to move around during transport.
2 Tier boxes: Easily separate rice from your side dishes. Packs a lot of food. More parts to wash. Not meant for 'nokke' or 'donburi' style bento.
For kids and bento beginners, we recommend a one-tier oval shaped bento as it's easy to pack, looks great and is easy to clean! These MAGE-wappa boxes are a great option that have a traditional wood-like look but are durable, microwave and dishwasher safe!
Next is the question of material, specifically whether to choose plastic, metal, or wood. Each has its benefits and advantages!
Bento boxes made from BPA-free plastic are perfect for everyday use. Most are dishwasher and microwave-safe. Comes in all kinds of fun designs and colors and at a reasonable price point.
Nothing beats the warm look and feel of a wooden bento box. These boxes are handmade, with many of them carefully crafted by Japanese artisans, like our Magewappa ('bent wood' bento boxes made with sustainably sourced cedar from Akita preferecture) and Miyama boxes, made by a single artisan, Mr. Hasehira. There is a price to pay for the beauty of wooden boxes however in that they are not microwave or dishwasher safe, require more care and tend to be more expensive.
A Miyama masterpiece
An increasingly popular choice, Stainless Steel boxes are lightweight, don't transfer smells and flavors, and have a classic aesthetic. They are easy to clean and durable. Of course they can't be microwaved, so they are better suited for foods meant to be eaten at room temperature although the Seagull Tiffin can be placed over an open flame!
Lastly, decide on any specific features you would like. Want a bento box with inner dividers built in to organize your food? The perfect box for you exists. Are you concerned about forgetting an icepack for your bento in the hotter months? Check out our Gel Cool collection.
For more 4-Compartment Lunch Boxinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.
Still not sure what bento box is right for you? Reach out to us via the chat bottom on the lower right of the screen or us at . Our team would love to help you out with any questions or concerns you may have as you start your bento journey!