Buying a Bento Box

March 5th, 2009
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Well, at least I thought it would be a box. But now I’m seeing all kinds of different shapes, colors, and options. What is a good, solid starter set up? I’m thinking about maybe buying the setup pictured above from Amazon.co.jp and having it delivered, C.O.D., but I thought I’d ask around a bit first. (And try to think of anything else to add to an Amazon order before making it.)

Cooking for one person is really aggravating, you see. Everything I make comes out in portions meant for 2 people or more. I tend to eat it all in one go anyway… This bad habit has led to weight gain. I want to reverse the pudge, and portion control is one way to do that. If I was capable of cooking and putting my leftovers into the little containers of a bento box for lunch the next day, I think it’d help. I read up on how to choose a bento size on this page, and I’m left thinking that the neat looking manly-man lunch jar above is…huge. So. I’m asking for advice. I’m not aiming at making super cutesy food yet – just providing myself with a stable, healthy lunch and controlled portions. I think even Pikko started out using bentos for health. Hope I get some words of wisdom! Help me!

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Deas Culinary, Customary Drivel

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  • When I cook for just myself, I tend to get 5-6 meals out of it. When I cook for more people, I tend to make even more, so then even after everyone eats there are usually still leftovers. I have given up on trying to cook less, and settled into cooking less often and reheating ad interim. I guess it's a good thing we have a microwave oven!

    > I dunno if the Japanese invented the insulated vacuum lunch jar, or if they
    > just brought the art to its peak

    I'm pretty sure the vacuum-insulated flask (usually called a "thermos" around here, although technically that's a brand name) has been around since before the Japanese became major inventors of new technology. My gut instinct says nineteenth century. Insulated containers in general have of course been around much longer, using other types of insulating materials.

    But yeah, the pictured set looks nice, and certainly you don't have to invent something to perfect it. After all, Pizza is originally Italian, but that was perfected in America.

  • Tom

    I think Italians might have something to say about that.

  • If any Italians stop by my place, maybe I'll make them a pizza and then see what they say.

  • They might, but they'd be WRONG. Ha ha. (I actually loved Italian paninis,
    but the pizza I had there was pretty awful - particularly in Venice and
    Pompei. The biggest taste difference comes down to the water used in the
    dough, for me. The sauces were different, too, but you just can't hide off
    water.) Having said that, I've had some atrocious pizza in America, too.
    Rarely.

  • gogman

    Great website and greetings from Newport Beach in sunny SoCal!

    I have to recommend the Zojirushi Classic Bento Vacuum Lunch Jar (sorry, Amazon US - I am sure you can find it on Amazon.jp) http://www.amazon.com/Zojirush... and the Zojirushi Mr. Bento Stainless-Steel lined Lunch Jar http://www.amazon.com/Zojirush...

    Much like you I have discovered portion control is the key. I ordered one of each because one has 4 containers, the other 3. Depending on what I made for dinner and what is left over determines the one I use. I highly recommend Zojirushi products. I have several of their products and they are all fantastic, especially the "fuzzy logic" rice cookers. They are a little on the pricey side, but you get what you pay for.

    Stay warm, take care, and keep on blogging!

  • Thanks for stopping by and for leaving some recommendations, gogman!

  • Oh my goodness, Deas! I've been wanting one of these things without knowing precisely what it was called. Leave it to the Japanese (? I assume?) to come up with exactly what's needed.

  • I want one too! But I need to find one that's "right" for me. Hmmm... I
    dunno if the Japanese invented the insulated vacuum lunch jar, or if they
    just brought the art to its peak, but either way, well done, Japan! Ha ha.

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