When it comes to packing a lunch that’s both healthy and delicious, few options are as versatile or visually appealing as a bento box. These Japanese-inspired meals typically consist of a variety of small dishes arranged artfully in a box, making them perfect for school lunches, picnics, or even just a quick snack at the office.
In this article, we’ll explore 18 creative bento box recipes that are sure to please even the pickiest eaters. From classic combinations like teriyaki chicken and sushi rolls, to more adventurous options like vegetable tempura and grilled mackerel, there’s something for everyone in this collection of tasty and easy-to-make bentos.
Teriyaki Chicken Bento Box
This classic Japanese-inspired dish combines tender chicken with a sweet and savory teriyaki sauce, served with steamed vegetables and short-grain rice. A perfect meal for any occasion!
Ingredients:
– 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs
– 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce (homemade or store-bought)
– 1 cup cooked white or brown rice
– 1 cup mixed vegetables (such as broccoli, carrots, and bell peppers) steamed until tender
– 1 tablespoon sesame oil
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Optional: sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a small bowl, whisk together teriyaki sauce and sesame oil.
3. Place chicken on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and brush with the teriyaki mixture.
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until cooked through.
5. Serve with steamed vegetables and cooked rice.
Cooking Time: 25-30 minutes
Sushi Roll Bento Box
Create a delicious and visually appealing sushi roll bento box with this easy recipe.
Ingredients:
– 1 cup cooked Japanese rice (short-grain)
– 1/2 avocado, sliced
– 1/2 cucumber, sliced
– 1/4 cup imitation crab meat (surimi), flaked
– 1 sheet of nori seaweed
– 1 tablespoon soy sauce
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Prepare the sushi rice according to package instructions.
2. Cut the avocado and cucumber into thin slices.
3. Mix the imitation crab meat with a pinch of salt and pepper.
4. Lay a sheet of nori seaweed flat on a cutting board. Spread a thin layer of sushi rice onto the seaweed, leaving a 1-inch border at the top.
5. Place the sliced avocado, cucumber, and crab meat in the middle of the rice.
6. Roll the sushi using a bamboo sushi mat or your hands, applying gentle pressure to form a compact roll.
7. Slice into individual pieces using a sharp knife.
8. Serve with soy sauce on the side.
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Tamagoyaki and Rice Bento
In this recipe, we’ll make a classic Tamagoyaki (Japanese-style rolled omelette) to pair with a simple Japanese-inspired rice bento. This dish is perfect for a quick and delicious lunch or snack.
Ingredients:
For the Tamagoyaki:
– 2 eggs
– 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce
– 1/4 teaspoon sake (or dry white wine)
– 1/4 teaspoon sugar
– Salt to taste
For the Rice Bento:
– Cooked Japanese short-grain rice
– Sliced green onions for garnish
– Pickled ginger slices (optional)
Instructions:
1. Whisk eggs with soy sauce, sake, and sugar until smooth.
2. Heat a small non-stick pan over medium heat. Pour in the egg mixture and cook until almost set.
3. Roll the Tamagoyaki using a bamboo sushi mat or a clean tea towel.
4. Cook for an additional 30 seconds to set the shape.
5. Prepare Japanese short-grain rice according to package instructions.
6. Assemble the bento by placing the Tamagoyaki on top of the cooked rice and garnishing with green onions and pickled ginger (if using).
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Vegetable Tempura Bento
A delicious and healthy Japanese-inspired meal that combines crispy tempura vegetables with a flavorful rice bowl and pickled ginger. Perfect for a quick lunch or dinner!
Ingredients:
– 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, zucchini, bell peppers, onions)
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 1/2 cup cornstarch
– 1/2 cup ice-cold soda water
– Vegetable oil for frying
– Cooked Japanese rice
– Pickled ginger slices
Instructions:
1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour and cornstarch.
2. Gradually add soda water to the mixture until smooth batter forms.
3. Dip each vegetable piece into the batter, allowing excess to drip off.
4. Fry battered vegetables in hot oil (350°F) for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown.
5. Drain tempura on paper towels.
6. Cook Japanese rice according to package instructions.
7. Assemble bento by placing cooked rice and tempura vegetables onto a plate, and garnish with pickled ginger slices.
Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes
Karaage Fried Chicken Bento
Discover the Japanese twist on fried chicken with karaage-style bento box perfection! This recipe combines crispy, juicy chicken with flavorful seasonings and aromatic vegetables for a delightful meal.
Ingredients:
– 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
– 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
– 1/4 cup cornstarch
– 1/4 cup potato starch
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
– 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
– 2 tablespoons soy sauce
– 2 tablespoons sake (or dry white wine)
– 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
– 1 cup mixed vegetables (such as carrots, zucchini, and green beans)
– 4 cups cooked Japanese rice
Instructions:
1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, potato starch, salt, white pepper, and garlic powder.
2. Add chicken to the marinade mixture and mix well. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
3. Preheat vegetable oil in a deep frying pan to 350°F (180°C).
4. Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess liquid drip off. Fry chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per piece.
5. Assemble bento boxes by placing fried chicken on top of Japanese rice, surrounded by mixed vegetables.
Cooking Time: 20-25 minutes
Onigiri Stuffed Bento Box
This recipe combines the traditional Japanese triangular rice balls (onigiri) with a variety of filling options, making it a fun and nutritious meal for lunch or dinner. The bento box concept adds an extra layer of excitement by presenting the food in a visually appealing way.
Ingredients:
– 2 cups cooked Japanese short-grain rice
– Fillings of your choice (e.g., salmon, tuna, pickled plum, boiled egg, cucumber)
– Nori sheets (dried seaweed)
– Salt and water for seasoning
Instructions:
1. Prepare the fillings according to your preference.
2. Shape the cooked rice into triangles or ovals.
3. Place a small amount of filling in the center of each onigiri.
4. Fold the nori sheet into a triangle and place it on top of the filling, folding the onigiri over to enclose.
5. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
6. Arrange the onigiri in a bento box with your favorite sides (e.g., miso soup, edamame, fruit).
Cooking Time: 10-15 minutes
Beef Yakiniku Bento
Savor the flavors of Japan with this hearty beef bento recipe, featuring tender yakiniku-style beef and a medley of colorful sides.
Ingredients:
– 1 lb beef strip loin or ribeye, sliced into thin strips
– 2 tbsp soy sauce
– 2 tbsp sake (or dry white wine)
– 2 tbsp mirin (sweet Japanese cooking wine)
– 1 tsp sugar
– 1 tsp grated ginger
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– Sesame oil for cooking
– Bento ingredients:
+ Steamed Japanese rice
+ Stir-fried bok choy and carrots
+ Pickled ginger slices
Instructions:
1. In a large bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sake, mirin, sugar, ginger, and garlic.
2. Add the sliced beef to the marinade and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
3. Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Remove the beef from the marinade and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until cooked to your liking.
4. Serve with steamed Japanese rice, stir-fried bok choy and carrots, and pickled ginger slices.
Cooking Time: 30 minutes (including marinating time)
Salmon Sashimi Bento
A refreshing and flavorful Japanese-inspired bento box featuring fresh salmon sashimi, crispy tempura bits, and a tangy pickled ginger sauce. Perfect for a light and satisfying meal.
Ingredients:
– 1 lb fresh salmon fillet
– 1/2 cup soy sauce
– 1/4 cup sake (or dry white wine)
– 1 tablespoon sugar
– 1/4 cup rice vinegar
– 1/2 cup pickled ginger slices
– 1/2 cup tempura bits (store-bought or homemade)
– Sesame seeds and thinly sliced daikon radish for garnish
Instructions:
1. Cut the salmon into thin sashimi-style pieces.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sake, sugar, and rice vinegar to make the marinade.
3. Place the salmon pieces in the marinade and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.
4. Just before serving, arrange the marinated salmon on a plate with tempura bits and pickled ginger slices.
5. Garnish with sesame seeds and thinly sliced daikon radish.
Cooking Time: None! This dish is served raw.
Shrimp Tempura Bento
Savor the crispy, flavorful goodness of Japanese-style shrimp tempura, served with a side of savory rice and pickled ginger for a delightful bento experience.
Ingredients:
– 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 1/2 cup cornstarch
– 1/2 cup ice-cold soda water
– Vegetable oil for frying
– Cooked Japanese short-grain rice
– Pickled ginger slices
– Sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions:
1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour and cornstarch.
2. Gradually add soda water to form a smooth batter.
3. Dip shrimp into the batter, coating evenly.
4. Heat about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a deep frying pan over medium-high heat.
5. Fry battered shrimp for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
6. Remove from oil with a slotted spoon and drain excess oil on paper towels.
7. Serve tempura shrimp atop cooked rice, garnished with pickled ginger slices and sesame seeds (if using).
Cooking Time: About 15-20 minutes
Japanese Curry Rice Bento
A simple and flavorful Japanese-inspired meal that’s perfect for a quick lunch or dinner.
Ingredients:
– 1 cup Japanese curry roux mix (available at Asian markets)
– 2 cups cooked white rice
– 1/2 cup mixed vegetables (e.g., carrots, peas, corn)
– 1/4 cup diced chicken breast or pork
– 1 tablespoon soy sauce
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Bento box and accessories (optional)
Instructions:
1. Cook Japanese curry roux mix according to package instructions.
2. In a separate pan, heat the cooked rice with soy sauce until combined and heated through.
3. Add mixed vegetables and diced chicken/pork to the rice mixture and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes.
4. Serve the curry rice mixture in a bento box or individual containers.
5. Garnish with sesame seeds or chopped scallions, if desired.
Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes
Enjoy your delicious Japanese Curry Rice Bento!
Grilled Mackerel Bento
This Grilled Mackerel Bento is a flavorful and healthy Japanese-inspired dish that combines the richness of grilled mackerel with the simplicity of a bento box. The result is a delightful combination of textures and flavors that will leave you wanting more.
Ingredients:
– 4 mackerel fillets (about 1 pound)
– 2 tablespoons soy sauce
– 2 tablespoons sake (or dry white wine)
– 2 tablespoons brown sugar
– 2 teaspoons grated ginger
– 1 teaspoon sesame oil
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Bento box ingredients: steamed Japanese rice, stir-fried vegetables (e.g., bell peppers, carrots, green beans), and pickled ginger
Instructions:
1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sake, brown sugar, and grated ginger.
3. Place mackerel fillets in a shallow dish and brush with the marinade.
4. Grill mackerel for 4-5 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
5. Serve grilled mackerel on top of Japanese rice, accompanied by stir-fried vegetables and pickled ginger.
Cooking Time: 12-15 minutes
Chicken Katsu Bento
A classic Japanese-inspired dish that combines crispy chicken katsu with steamed rice and mixed vegetables, perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.
Ingredients:
– 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
– 1 egg
– 1 cup vegetable oil
– 1 cup cooked Japanese-style rice
– 1 cup mixed vegetables (e.g., carrots, green beans, corn)
– Soy sauce and wasabi for serving (optional)
Instructions:
1. Cut chicken breasts into thin cutlets.
2. In a shallow dish, mix flour and panko breadcrumbs.
3. Dip each chicken cutlet in egg, then coat with breadcrumb mixture.
4. Heat 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
5. Fry chicken katsu for 3-4 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
6. Serve with steamed rice and mixed vegetables.
7. Optional: serve with soy sauce and wasabi for added flavor.
Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes
Vegetable Stir-Fry Bento
This recipe yields a delicious and healthy vegetable stir-fry perfect for a bento box lunch. With a variety of colorful vegetables and savory flavors, you’ll be hooked on this easy-to-make dish.
Ingredients:
– 1 cup broccoli florets
– 1 cup sliced carrots
– 1 cup sliced bell peppers (any color)
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
– 2 teaspoons soy sauce
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Cooked brown rice or other grains for serving
Instructions:
1. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add broccoli, carrots, and bell peppers; cook until tender-crisp, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Push vegetables to one side; add remaining 1 tablespoon oil and minced garlic.
4. Stir-fry for 30 seconds to combine flavors.
5. Combine vegetables and garlic mixture; stir in soy sauce.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Serve over cooked brown rice or other grains.
Cooking Time: 10-12 minutes
Ebi Mayo Bento
This Ebi Mayo Bento recipe is a classic Japanese-inspired dish that combines succulent shrimp, creamy mayonnaise, and crunchy vegetables in a convenient and delicious bento box. Perfect for a quick lunch or snack.
Ingredients:
– 1/2 cup cooked and chilled shrimp
– 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
– 1 tablespoon soy sauce
– 1 teaspoon grated ginger
– 1/4 cup diced cucumber
– 1/4 cup diced carrot
– 1 sheet of nori seaweed, toasted and cut into strips
Instructions:
1. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, soy sauce, and ginger.
2. Add the cooked shrimp to the bowl and mix until coated with the sauce.
3. Cut the cucumber and carrot into bite-sized pieces.
4. Assemble the bento box by placing a portion of the shrimp mixture in the center, surrounded by the vegetables and nori strips.
5. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours.
Cooking Time: None! This recipe is ready in just a few minutes.
Spicy Tuna Roll Bento
A flavorful and refreshing bento that combines the sweetness of tuna with a kick of heat. Perfect for a quick lunch or dinner.
Ingredients:
– 1 can of tuna (drained and flaked)
– 1/2 cup of cooked Japanese rice
– 1/4 cup of pickled ginger, thinly sliced
– 1/4 cup of cucumber slices
– 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
– 1 teaspoon of sesame oil
– 1/4 teaspoon of sriracha sauce (or to taste)
– 1 sheet of nori seaweed
Instructions:
1. Cook Japanese rice according to package instructions.
2. In a small bowl, mix together tuna, soy sauce, and sesame oil.
3. Lay a sheet of nori seaweed flat and spread the tuna mixture evenly onto it, leaving a 1-inch border at the top.
4. Top with pickled ginger and cucumber slices.
5. Roll up the sushi tightly but gently, applying even pressure.
6. Slice into individual pieces.
7. Serve with your favorite bento sides.
Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes
Pork Tonkatsu Bento
A classic Japanese-inspired bento box featuring crispy pork cutlet, steamed rice, and stir-fried vegetables.
Ingredients:
– 4 pork cutlets (about 1/2 inch thick)
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
– 1 egg
– 1/2 cup vegetable oil
– 1 cup cooked Japanese rice
– 1 cup mixed stir-fry vegetables (e.g., bell peppers, carrots, broccoli)
– 1 tablespoon soy sauce
– 1 teaspoon sesame oil
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Season pork cutlets with salt and pepper.
2. In a shallow dish, mix flour and breadcrumbs. Dip each pork cutlet in the egg and then coat in the flour mixture.
3. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry coated pork cutlets for 3-4 minutes per side or until cooked through.
4. Serve with steamed Japanese rice, stir-fried vegetables (cook according to package instructions), and drizzle with soy sauce and sesame oil.
Cooking Time: 20-25 minutes
Mini Sushi Bento Box
Get ready to pack a punch with this adorable mini sushi bento box recipe! Perfect as an appetizer or snack, these bite-sized morsels are easy to make and fun to eat.
Ingredients:
– 1 cup cooked Japanese rice
– 1/2 avocado, sliced
– 1/4 cucumber, sliced
– 1/4 carrot, peeled and grated
– 1/4 cup salmon sashimi or other raw fish of your choice
– 1 tablespoon soy sauce
– 1 tablespoon sesame oil
– Salt to taste
– Mini bento boxes (6-8 pieces)
Instructions:
1. Cook Japanese rice according to package instructions.
2. Cut ingredients into bite-sized pieces.
3. Assemble mini sushi by placing a small amount of cooked rice onto the bottom of each bento box, followed by a slice of avocado, cucumber, carrot, and salmon sashimi.
4. Drizzle soy sauce and sesame oil over the top of each piece.
5. Season with salt to taste.
6. Repeat process until all ingredients are used up.
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Japanese Omelette Bento
A classic Japanese dish that combines fluffy omelette with savory fillings, perfect for a quick and easy bento (lunchbox) meal.
Ingredients:
– 2 eggs
– 1/4 cup diced vegetables (e.g., bell peppers, carrots, mushrooms)
– 1/4 cup cooked Japanese rice
– 1 tablespoon soy sauce
– 1 tablespoon sesame oil
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Optional fillings: cooked chicken, seafood, or pickled ginger
Instructions:
1. In a bowl, whisk eggs with a fork until well-beaten.
2. Heat a small non-stick pan over medium heat. Add sesame oil and swirl to coat the pan.
3. Pour in egg mixture and cook until edges start to set (about 30 seconds).
4. Sprinkle diced vegetables and cooked rice over half of the omelette.
5. Fold the other half of the omelette over the filling.
6. Cook for another 30-60 seconds, until eggs are almost set.
7. Serve with soy sauce and optional fillings.
Cooking Time: 2-3 minutes
Summary
Looking for creative and delicious bento box recipes? Look no further! This article features 18 unique and mouth-watering recipes perfect for any occasion. From classic Japanese dishes like teriyaki chicken and sushi rolls to more adventurous options like vegetable tempura and grilled mackerel, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re a foodie looking to spice up your lunch routine or a parent seeking inspiration for school lunches, these creative bento box recipes are sure to please.
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