How to Make a Bento Box: Step by Step Instructions for Beginners

Japanese Bento Boxes are very popular – and for good reason! These perfectly packed boxed lunches are a feast for the eyes and make lunchtime so much more enjoyable. If you don’t know how to make a bento box, it can seem a bit intimidating. However, once you have a bit of practice, you’ll feel like a pro. These simple tips will help you get started.

What is a bento box?

First things first – before you can learn how to make bento boxes, you need to understand what they are. In simplest terms, a bento box is a pre-made, single-serving meal that’s already assembled and ready to be enjoyed. It’s sort of like a lunchbox in the U.S. – but it’s also so much more!

Traditional Japanese bento boxes typically start with noodles or rice as the main part of the meal and include one or two servings of protein – like eggs, meat, or fish. The meal is then accented by cooked and/or pickled vegetables and some fruit. This creates a well-balanced meal that can be enjoyed away from home.

Modern bento boxes made in the United States often take their inspiration from the Western world, including items like sandwiches, French fries, green salads, yogurt, and desserts.

How to make a bento box: the basic steps

Like many Japanese traditions, there’s a specific method to follow when creating a bento box. While you have plenty of flexibility with what you put into it, if you want to do it right, there are some guidelines you’ll want to follow. Remember that the goal when making a bento box is to create a well-balanced meal that is just as pleasing to the eyes as it is to your tastebuds. For a truly authentic experience, aim to include various flavors, textures, and colors in your box.

1. Find a bento box container

A traditional bento box comes with separate compartments so you can keep your food divided and neatly organized. They’re available in a variety of sizes and with different configurations.

A box with four compartments is a good option for most people. Make sure it’s at least a couple of inches deep and has a good, resealable lid. If you’re planning to heat up your box, also confirm that the container is microwave-safe.

2. Gather some bento accessories

You’ll either want a reusable fork and spoon or a good pair of chopsticks (or both). You may also want to pick up some mini-skewers or toothpicks for picking up small bites of food, and some paper, aluminum, or silicone baking cups for holding various types of food. You may also want shape cutters, food or rice molds, or small lunch-safe decorations. While none of these are essential, they will make assembling your box and eating your meal easier and more fun.

3. Portion the food

One of the most important parts of learning how to make Japanese bento boxes is mastering the food proportions. Traditionally, you’ll want to use rice or another type of carbohydrate to make up 50% of your meal. If you don’t know how to make bento rice or prefer other options, you may consider healthy starches like pita chips, whole grains, wraps, or sandwich bread.

Next, you’ll want to add your protein. If you’re making a traditional bento box, you may want to add sushi-grade raw fish like tuna, salmon, or whitefish. Otherwise, you could add lean meat, like chicken or turkey, cottage cheese, or hard-boiled eggs. Other options to consider include beans, hummus, tofu, falafel, edamame, or tuna salad.

Protein typically makes up 25% of a bento box. It’s traditional to use two different types of protein in each bento box, but you don’t have to unless you want to.

The final 25% of your box should be made up of fruits and vegetables. Some popular options include carrot sticks, snap peas, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber slices. For fruit, think about easy-to-eat options like mixed berries, orange slices, or apple slices. You can also drizzle some honey over your fruit to make it a bit sweeter.

4. Assemble your boxes

Now the fun part starts! It’s time to get creative and have some fun putting your box together. Start by pre-cooking and pre-slicing everything. Buying pre-cut foods will also make assembly easier.

When choosing your food, don’t forget that aesthetics are just as important as taste. Try to select foods with various colors and textures and keep things separated using the compartments and/or dividers. This will keep your bento box looking beautiful and prevent flavors from clashing.

Separate wet foods from dry foods, keeping sauces in separate plastic containers, or using single-serving portions. You’ll also want to pack each compartment tightly to keep things from moving around while your box is being transported.

Beyond the basics: how to make cute bento boxes

Now that you know the basics, you might wonder how to make cute bento boxes as you see on Instagram or Pinterest. All it takes is some creativity and plenty of patience. Additional bento box ips include:

• You can use cookie cutters to cut your food into fun shapes and use foods like pieces of olive, seaweed, or carrot sticks to make faces.
• Try arranging fruits and vegetables in the shape of flowers or animals, or use multi-colored foods to make a rainbow.
• Utilize color or shape patterns to fill space to make the box seem more organized.
• Consider decorating around a specific theme such as sea animals, rainbows, or a favorite movie or TV show.
• Add a note or small card for an extra special touch.
• Practice shaping and placing food to make sure nothing breaks as you try to arrange it in the box.
• Don’t be afraid to experiment and have some fun with it. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be amazed at how many adorable things you can create with food.

Get started with your bento boxes today!

Once you learn how to make a bento box, it’s easy to become obsessed! The good news is, you can get all the ingredients you need without ever leaving the house! Make your shopping list on Instacart, and let a professional shopper do all the hard work for you.

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