Japanese hamburger (hambagu) steak bento with broccoli, tomato, celery, and corn. Traditionally, bento is meant to be eaten at room temperature without re-heating. 5. While SPAM musubi is more popular in the West than it is in Japan, it is often a bento favorite among kids and adults alike. You can make other cute shapes like a panda, kitten, or bunny. So simply fill half of your bento box with Plain cooked rice, or in Onigiri rice ball form, or seasoned rice dishes such as Fried rice, Omurice, or Takikomi gohan. Extra Thick and Fluffy Japanese Style Pancakes, Strawberry Shortcake cake – Japanese version. Tsukemono pickles are often included in Japanese bento as they often compliment the rice portion of the bento. Make your favorite takeout recipes at home with our cookbook! Sweet yet savory, Tamagoyaki makes a delightful Japanese breakfast or side dish for your bento lunches. The bento (Japanese 'lunch box') that I throw together pale in comparison to the efforts from some superstar homemakers that trend on social media. This is my husband's favorite. Shio koji salmon is easy to prepare and leftovers are perfect for adding to a bento. Try easy soy vinegar cucumbers or sweet and tangy daikon radish pickles. Rice balls can be made quickly and they're easy to eat with your hands. While soy sauce eggs are a popular food that is often served with ramen noodles, it's also a great addition to bento and acts as a great filler. All rights reserved, Bento Menu – The Ultimate guide to Bento recipes. Read this primer regarding How to Make a Bento, to help you get started. Get it free when you sign up for our newsletter. Food writer, recipe developer, and blogger who has published hundreds of Japanese home-cooking recipes. Try an easy spicy version of edamame with the recipe here. Bento Side Dish ①: Tamagoyaki My mom always put this in my bento for me, and it is simply delicious to eat, and it feels a bit extravagant. Want a meatier option for lunch? Bento filler: Spring greens namul (namuru) Bento filler: Stir-fried cabbage with garlic, dried cranberries and balsamic vinegar Bento filler: Vegan Japanese potato salad Bento filler: Zucchini flower blossom-end fritters Bento fillers This spicy yam cake recipe is one such example. The Japanese prefer to incorporate it in traditional Japanese-style breakfast, where nattō is usually placed on top of rice, accompanied by fish produce, miso soup, and tofu. Gyoza is a popular food item for Japanese bento and also an easy finger food. Also there are many different variations of Onigiri Rice balls in terms of filling. For more different types of rice dish options, look here. These are also easy to eat as finger food or with small food skewers. Occasionally, it is used as a condiment, as a tofu topping, spread on a slice of bread, and even incorporated in sushi. Grilled, baked, and fried fish are all very popular Japanese bento items. Onigiri is the Japanese names for these tasty bento box-friendly rice balls. Freshly cooked hot tonkatsu no doubt tastes Japanese cuisine often has many side dishes, and including small side dishes in a bento is common. RecipeTin Japan explains very well about different fil… Teriyaki chicken meatballs, or tsukune, are great for an evening meal but are even better as a bento item. They are usually round or triangle shaped and either wrapped or accented with nori, which is dried seaweed. Baked chicken karaage, is a healthier version of Japanese fried chicken which is loaded with umami flavor and is a wonderful addition to bento. 06 of 16 Soy Sauce Eggs (Shoyu Tamago) Traditional korokke are made with potatoes, vegetables, and meat. How to Throw a Temaki (Hand-Rolled) Sushi Party, The 20 Best Food and Kitchen Gifts from Black-Owned Businesses in 2020, Easy Japanese Appetizers and Otsumami for Beer and Sake, Tamagoyaki: Japanese Rolled Omelet Recipe, Best Dishes for Hosting a Japanese Girls' Day (Hinamatsuri) Party, 30 Easy Finger Food Recipes for Your Next Party, Seven Easy Japanese Dishes to Try at Home, How to Make Bento: Five Easy Tips for Packing a Great Lunch, Buta No Kakuni (Japanese Braised Pork Belly). ChopstickChronicles.com. Don't know where to start? Because it’s a favorite among the kids and adults alike, Japanese home cooks make tamagoyaki regularly. Packing a Japanese style bento lunch box is easier than you might think. Croquettes are a very popular food item for Japanese style bento. Your email address will not be published. Tamagoyaki or egg roulade is a classic bento item that is commonly found in Japanese bento and is a great filler or side dish. Use bits of the seaweed to create the eyes, nose, etc. This article includes a list of bento items that can easily be made a day ahead and enjoyed for both dinner or lunch the next day. It’s a great finger food to include in the bento. It can be made with many different fillings and is considered a staple item for Japanese bento. Simply plan ahead and make an extra portion of your dinner to include in your bento box the next day. Tamagoyaki or egg roulade is a classic bento item that is commonly found in Japanese bento and is a great filler or side dish. Utilise make-ahead side dishes – in my bento box, potato salad and goma-ae are make-ahead. Wontons are an easy finger food and always a favorite to include in a bento. Asparagus Beef Rolls Bento Asparagus beef roll bento with edamame, tomatoes, and Onigiri (Japanese rice While these rolls are often a popular appetizer or item for dinner, they are a particularly special dish when packed in a bento. Inari sushi can easily be prepared in 15 minutes with this quick recipe. The more you make it, the more you’ll get better at it. Japanese side bits for my 'bento' I've subject the 'bento' of the title to inverted commas as I don't want people to be mislead. Try Japanese pumpkin (kabocha) korokke for a fancy treat. When Japanese people pack Bento/Obento, they often consider rice dishes as the main dish. Edamame is quick to make, packed with protein and adds beautiful color to any bento.