Bento days in Japan

In bento-related news...

Here is an interesting article, published in the Asahi Shimbun a few days ago, on 'bento days' - a tradition that has been growing in Japanese schools, from elementary to university:

'Bento day' catching on with schools, kids

On bento days, students prepare their own bento lunches, with varying degrees of help from their families. Advocates of such programs believe that participation encourages family togetherness, incurs self-reliance in the students, and contributes to healthier eating habits.

*Menu edit for tomorrow*

I wanted to give everyone who ordered a lunch for tomorrow (and happens to read this blog between now and then) a heads-up that I have altered the menu somewhat. The main will be the same, but instead of Spanish rice (which I think made the whole meal a little too heavy) we will be having a roasted root vegetable and squash medley.

Here is the new menu for tomorrow, Thursday March 5th (changes in bold):

* Mini veggie frittatas (2)
* Roasted root vegetable and squash medley
* Salad greens
* Orange slices

This first week of the Aidan Bento Society has been going well! Thank you for your feedback. I'm glad to hear that you've all been enjoying your lunches so far.

Bento #8: Tuna Tofu Miso Mini Burgers (03.04.09)

Obento for March 4, 2009 (picture is of N.D.'s bento, in her Laptop Lunchbox):


Bento contents:
* Tuna tofu miso mini burgers (Just Bento recipe - recipe here)
* Steamed white rice
* Carrot kinpira, again, made fresh this morning (for recipe, see Bento #7)
* Steamed broccoli

Bento menu for Tuesday, March 10, and Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Here is the currently scheduled menu for March 10 and 11 (no bento delivery on Thursday due to conferences). Main items marked in boldface type. You can sign up in the upstairs kitchen from this Wednesday until Friday (I will be taking all bento boxes home with me at 3:00 pm on Friday).

Tuesday, March 10th Menu:
Pork katsu - breaded pork cutlet
White rice
Greens, TBD
Other vegetable TBD

Wednesday, March 11th Menu:
Yaki onigiri - crispy rice balls with filling - either seasoned salmon or Japanese pickled plum (umeboshi)
Vegetable sides TBD

I will post the menu and sign-up sheet in the upstairs kitchen tomorrow (Wednesday).

Bento #7: Teriyaki chicken with vegetables (03.03.09)

First bento for the Aidan Bento Society, delivered earlier today (S.C.'s bento is pictured):



Bento contents:
* Bite-size chicken teriyaki (from Just Bento, recipe here)
* Braised baby bokchoy
* Carrot kinpira, just a little spicy (from Just Bento, recipe here)
* Steamed brown rice

Bento boxes to browse

For the budding bento enthusiasts out there curious about what's out there in terms of bento boxes (i.e. other than the Container Store offerings), here is a page that might be fun to peruse (on this lovely snow day, or any day):

I Love Obento

Here's a sample single tier box from their site:


And a two-tier box (you pack the rice in one layer and the sides in the other):


One of my favorite stores in Tokyo is Tokyu Hands. I probably spent the good part of an hour in their bento box aisle(s) last time I was there, in June 2008.

If you're curious, here are some photos of Tokyu Hands and other bento products, from Flickr (some of the pictures have notes):

Bento-making tools
Kits for cutting shapes out of nori (the toasted seaweed used to make rolled sushi)

And here's another cool site (I know, so many sites...):

Bento Business

It's easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer variety of supplies and boxes out there.

Snow Day: Message about tomorrow's bento lunches

For Bento Society Members:

Since school was canceled for today, I'm unable to collect the boxes from members who weren't able to bring me their boxes on Friday (one reason why paying me when you receive your box is a good idea, as well as giving me your boxes before the weekend!). Therefore, I'm unfortunately going to have to cancel your order if you haven't given me your box already, apologies for that. What timing, eh?

If, however, you were able to get your box to me by Friday, then your bento will be delivered tomorrow as planned, assuming that school is in session.

Thank you for your understanding. In the future if something like this happens again I will have your phone numbers with me and will give you a call to let you know if an order has been canceled.