(Part 2) Best products from r/Bento

> How should I star making my own healthy and delicious bento meals? Utensils? Bento Boxes? Any help is appreciated!

I'm relatively new to packing a bento every day too, but I'm not new in the kitchen, or to packing a lunch in general...here's what I've learned about building boxes for lunch:

• Don't be afraid to cook a little extra of your meal from the night before. Leftovers work wonderfully.
  
• Don't be afraid to cook small portions of things specifically for your lunch. You can cook a lunch's worth of food in bento sized portions in less than 15 minutes. ( I learned this making my first batch of carrot kinpira...literally all I had to do was heat a pan and some oil, toss in a handful of shredded carrots, shake on a few seasonings, stir a bit, drain, and stick it in the box. )
  
• If you don't know how, learn to cook rice. If you can boil water, you can cook rice. Cover and store it while it's still warm, and you won't have dried out rice in your refrigerator the next day.
  
• Keep things varied. It's all about packing a variety of flavors and textures that you enjoy, without overpowering yourself with a single food.
  
• Keep it nutritionally balanced.
  
• Look for items that don't need refrigeration, or that you like to eat cold.
  
  
  As far as utensils...the only cooking utensils / cookware I'd recommend would be a rice paddle and a wooden rice prep bowl, if you're going to be fixing "sticky" rice for onigiri and such. Otherwise, just stick with what you already know and use in the kitchen. Also, don't be afraid of doing things "the easy way." A $1-3 onigiri mold is a godsend if you don't know what you're doing making rice balls to begin with, and it'll save your hands some wear and tear from the salt and hot rice.
  
  For eating utensils, there are tons of great options depending on what you like to use. Light My Fire brand sporks are fantastic. A simple set of chopsticks is easy to clean and carry. Monbento makes a pretty great travel cutlery set.
  
  My secret weapon? Visit a camping / sporting goods store like REI, Academy, etc., and pick up some camping utensils made from lexan. They're nearly unbreakable, wash easily, and only cost 75¢-$1 so you won't feel terrible if you lose them.
  
  By all means, try new cuisines, foods and flavors, but remember...if you don't like it, you aren't going to want to eat any more of it, and you'll just be out time and money. Keep a balance between things you enjoy already and new things you want to try.

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 use the vinegar-based salad dressings because they taste good at room temp.

Mexican food actually holds over great out of the fridge, because it tends to have capsicum in it which can retard some bacterial growth. Please, check it out for yourself, but onions are another ingredient featured prominently in Mexican cuisine that supposedly helps bacterial growth. I like to make a cup of brown rice or quinoa, add a rinsed can of black beans and a cup of frozen corn. If you want, add a sauteed onion, and then two small cans of enchilada sauce. heat it up in the oven at night, and the next day just throw some in the bento. That works as burrito filling, dip, by itself, with Fritos... I don't know if you have Fritos, but they are awesome.

Drowned eggs are awesome, cheap, and you can really make them into whatever cuisine you want, I am discovering. You take a tomato sauce (You can use Italian style, Mexican style, Israeli style, whatever kind of tomato sauce you want) and add spices that pair with it. For Mexican "Huevos Ahogados" Starts with a can of Mexican-style tomato sauce, add some chiles, cumin, cilantro(if you like it) whatever else you have on hand, and bring it up to a simmer in a deep frying pan. Crack eggs down into it. Let them simmer for a few minutes antil you're happy with the doneness. Then fish out the egg and some sauce and eat with chips or tortillas!

Mexican food it a really great place to pull vegetarian recipes, because they have so many distinct spice flavors!

OH! You can try Cajun food, too, if subbing things in for meats doesn't bother you!
Red Beans and Rice is awesome!

I am new to the bento game and do not own any traditional bento boxes because I don't like being tied to keeping all my food the same temperature/I am sometimes weird about food touching. I have several lunch-packing sets though, including:

-yumbox panino http://www.yumboxlunch.com/product-category/yumbox-panino/

-a laptop lunches set http://secure.laptoplunches.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=L600%2Djubilee&eq=&Tp=

-rubbermaid lunch blox http://www.rubbermaid.com/Category/Pages/ProductDetail.aspx?CatName=FoodStorage&SubcatId=LunchBlox&Prod_ID=RP092026

-a ton of small Tupperware containers (the 1oz smidgets are my favorite for sauces!) http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001E3DMXY?pc_redir=1411221899&robot_redir=1

Honestly, my laptop lunches boxes get the most use because they're microwave safe, seem very sturdy, they have their own outside container that they fit in quite neatly, the containers stack well when not in use, and I find the colors very appealing. They also seal REALLY well, and I have had no problems with them leaking, staining, or retaining smells.

My yumbox gets a lot of play for salads, but isn't practical for foods I may want to microwave. It's only good for foods that are all the same temp. It is as leakproof as advertised! I find it visually appealing but is a bit bulky to wash in the sink at work because it is only 2 parts (tray and outer shell). The footprint is actually smaller than my laptop lunches container but since I usually use the lidded inner containers for that, I don't need to wash the outer container as frequently. With the yumbox that's not an option!

I wish I hadn't bought the lunch blox. They're fine, honestly, but just fine. They're like a cheaper, less sturdy version of my laptop lunches containers. I was attracted by the ice pack they come with and the fact that they're supposed to all lock together, but in reality they don't lock as well as I'd like. The smallest containers don't seem to stay stuck in to the ice pack well at all. I'm also not sure how leak proof they are, as I've only used them a few times.

Finally, I would definitely recommend checking out those tiny tupperwares for sauce. They are thick, not flimsy, and they have a press on lid that seals really well. I use mine frequently for all sorts of things!

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.

Furikake is easy to make at home. My aunt would make it all the time after making dashi. I would suggest to use mushroom powder instead of katsuobushi (The fish) for that umami.

Admittedly I have never done this with furikake, but I do use mushroom as substitute for stocks in hot pots, soups, etc for vegan/vegetarian friends when they come over.

Here is a link to shiitake mushroom powder. This company also makes others. I will say it is also easy to make your own at home with dried mushrooms and a spice grinder. Best of luck. mushroom powder amazon

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 this one that's from the same company but after 7 months of consistent use it's only wrinkled where I tie it off. It's a really, really thick cotton fabric. It's not perfect anymore but it seems to be doing pretty good.

My SO has this one, also the same company but also doing pretty well. He doesn't use his nearly as frequently as I do.

Maybe the one you bought just has a thinner fabric or something? Or maybe I got lucky.

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.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0086XR146/ref=mp_s_a_1_10_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1505707869&sr=8-10&keywords=miso+soup+packets

I got this same one at my local Asian grocery store, 3.99 for 8 packets., Much cheaper than amazon. If you live in America, you can also try whole food, healthy living and fresh market. They don't sell the same brand I use, but I saw they have individual miso soup packet for sale :)

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

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

I use this little kit!