4 most common bento boxes in Japan
Bento, or 弁当 in Japanese, is a single-serving take-out meal usually eaten as lunch in Japan. However, it is more than just a simple lunch box: there are different types of bento boxes, each with a different purpose and eaten in a specific setting.
In this article, GoEMON will introduce to you 5 of the most common bento boxes that can be found in Japan! Are you ready? Let’s go!
1. Ekiben (駅弁)
Made up from the word “Eki” meaning train station and bento, Ekiben are bento boxes sold at train stations, specifically for those taking long train rides like the Shinkansen. Eating on trains is generally regarded as rude and often frowned upon, but it is fine to do so on the Shinkansen!
The ingredients of an Ekiben often include the staple foods so as to showcase and reflect the cuisine of the region where it is sold. For example, Hokkaido is famous for its seafood ekiben, whereas Tohoku is well-known for its ekiben featuring beef.
Nothing beats the satisfying feeling of enjoying a delicious bento while relaxing on the shinkansen!
2. Kyaraben (キャラ弁)
Kyaraben, a shortened form of “Character Bento,” is another extremely common type of bento in Japan. As can be seen from the name itself, Kyaraben are lunchboxes where the ingredients are shaped and designed to look like famous characters from anime, manga, video games, or just any other type of mascot.
It takes a lot of time and skill to make a Kyaraben as there are many intricate elements to replicate. The original purpose of this type of bento was to interest children in their food and to encourage a wider range of eating habits. Now, its popularity has led to Kyaraben expanding into becoming a form of art, with national contests where people compete to see who is the best at making them.
3. Aisai Bento (愛妻弁当)
In Japan, one of the most common ways to express love is through food, which led to the inception of Aisai Bento. Directly translated to “bento made by loving wives,” Aisai bento is exactly like its name: bentos prepared by loving wives for their husbands as a way of expressing love and affection. Its meanings go beyond that to not only be limited to wives and husbands but also for women in a relationship to make this bento to their significant other.
4. Koraku Bento (小樂弁当)
Bento are usually single-serving meals meant for only one person to eat. Koraku Bento, however, is a little different, as these bentos are made to be shared with other people. And as they are made for the purpose of sharing, Koraku Bento is also much bigger in size than the normal ones.
Translated into “picnic lunch box” in Japanese, they are especially common during the hanami (cherry blossom viewing) season. Some of the common components of this bento include onigiri (rice balls), karaage (Japanese fried chicken), and makizushi rolls.
Indeed, nothing’s better than sharing delicious food with the ones you love while admiring the beautiful cherry blossoms!
What’s your favorite type of bento box? Let us know in the comments below!
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