In today’s world, most people find themselves constantly on the go with packed schedules.. When you’re busy, it can be easy to miss meals or fall on your favorite take-out places for a last-minute lunch. Like lunch boxes, bento boxes can be an easy way to ensure you have meals with you – making it effortless to grab food if you can’t make it out of the office. You may be asking yourself, “What is a bento box?” Read on to learn more about different types of bento boxes and why you should use them.

What Is a Bento Box?
Why Use a Bento Box?
Bento Box Materials
Bento Box Features

What Is a Bento Box?

A bento box is a single-serving, reusable box that makes it easy to transport a packed meal. It is often made of stainless steel, wood, glass, or plastic and is deeper than most other food containers – making it feel like a rectangular bowl. The term “Bento” is derived from the Southern Song Dynasty term biàndāng, and means convenient. Depending on the design, a bento box may have one basin or two or three to hold a main dish or a main dish and multiple sides.

A variation of a bento box was first seen in Japan during the Kamakura period, between 1185 and 1333. It was a small bag that was used to carry cooked rice. The traditional bento box style was seen in the Azuchi Momoyama period, between 1568 and 1600. It was a lacquered box that was used to transport food, like a picnic basket. Bento boxes started to become mainstream for carrying meals on the go during the Edo period until about 1868. Since then, the design of bento boxes has evolved to fit different design preferences and food needs.

Why Use a Bento Box?

Environment

Bento boxes are environmentally friendly as they are easy to clean and reusable so they reduce single-use food containers. Reducing waste by taking lunch in a stylish, functional box? It’s a win-win.

Money

Bento boxes ultimately help you save money. Bring your dinner leftovers or prep your favorite lunch meal for work. Being prepared with a packed lunch a few times a week will ensure you don’t have to splurge on takeout – saving you hundreds of dollars over the course of a year.

Healthy Habits

When it comes to knowing how to make a bento box, most boxes have space for a main meal and sides. From there, you can get creative with what you bring. Having the box helps encourage healthy eating habits. The size of your box guides you to proper, balanced portions by including dividers helping to prevent over eating any food group. Add in healthy sides to balance out your main lunch or pack a small sweet treat after your meal.

Bento Box Materials

Plastic: Plastic bento boxes are budget-friendly and lightweight, making them easy to transport. They offer a variety of colors, designs, and sizes. While plastic bento boxes offer convenience, keep in mind they may stain from dark foods and some are not microwave- or dishwasher-safe.

Wood: Wooden bento boxes offer craftsmanship like no other and are stylish enough to be left out on a desk or countertop. They absorb extra water and are known for making rice taste better than other bento boxes. They often are not dishwasher- or microwave-safe.

Stainless Steel: Stainless steel bento boxes help keep hot foods warm (or cold) for long periods of time. Stainless steel bento boxes are dishwasher-safe, making cleaning a breeze.

Bento Box Features

Lid-Included: If you find yourself constantly on the go, having a bento box with a lid included will ensure that the lid fits properly – keeping unwanted spills from happening. It makes transporting easy and will allow you to take your favorite meals with you.

Dishwasher-Safe: It can be challenging to find time to handwash your food containers when you have a busy schedule. Save time by opting for a dishwasher-safe bento box.

Freezer-Safe: If you love to food prep, consider getting freezer-safe bento boxes. They allow you to prep meals in advance and freeze them to ensure they stay fresh until you are ready to enjoy them.

Microwave-Safe: Being able to heat up your food in the same container it is packed in makes lunchtime much easier. Opt for a microwave-safe bento box to let you heat your food up whenever you need to.

Airtight Seal: Keep your bag free from spills by getting a bento box with an airtight seal. You’ll stress less about the food in your bag while knowing that it’s well-protected.

Stain-Resistant: Darker foods, like tomato sauce, can stain light-colored or clear containers. Keep your containers looking fresh and clean by opting for stain-resistant bento boxes.

Odor-Resistant: Taking different types of food to work each day helps you to indulge in your favorite meals but can ultimately stink up your bento box. Opt for an odor-resistant bento box if you plan on using it often with different meals.

Nestable: Storing food containers can be a pain, but it doesn’t have to be. Nestable bento boxes allow you to stack the bento boxes on top of each other, making transporting and storing them easier.

Oven-Safe: Make dinner quickly by preparing a meal before you head out to work. When you get home, you can easily pop dinner in the oven after a long day by opting for an oven-safe bento box. Be sure to use potholders to protect your hands when taking the bento box out of the oven.

Air-Holes-Included: Some bento boxes have air holes in the design to allow for venting. As food starts to cool, the air holds on to the moisture, and without space for it to escape , it creates unwanted moisture on your food. Air holes are the perfect choice for foods that you want to keep from getting soggy.