The bento box is, in its simplest form, the Japanese lunch box. In Japan, students and workers alike will pack their lunches into these boxes to take to their schools or places of employment. They generally come in the form of boxes of lacquered wood, often decorated with fancy patterns or cartoon characters. The insides of these boxes are subdivided into separate compartments for their various foods.
For many Japanese housewives, the bento box is a source of great anxiety. After all, the contents and presentation of the box serve as a status symbol. A properly stocked box is an indicator of the love they have for their children, or for their husbands. Some women will get up extra early to labor over the preparation of their families’ lunches.
In many American Japanese-style restaurants, the bento box is the tray that their combo meals will come in. These meals will typically be served in a bento-style tray, divided into several compartments for your entree, rice, and sides. You can enjoy one of many different bento-style lunches at Flo’s Japanese restaurant in Bellevue!