Print PDF
Favorite
Email
Bentos, or boxed lunches, have a long deep history rooted in ancient Japan. They originally began as simple meals that required little or no effort to assemble. Today they are a vibrant art form popular worldwide.
This instructable will attempt to provide the basic design principles, resources for obtaining the necessary tools, and some of the traditional rules of making a beautiful and delicious bento.
This instructable will attempt to provide the basic design principles, resources for obtaining the necessary tools, and some of the traditional rules of making a beautiful and delicious bento.
Remove these ads by
Signing UpStep 1Know the rules (then break them!)
Like many other Japanese arts bento making has its own set of guidelines. Traditional bentos follow a couple of basic rules.
The 4-3-2-1 rule: 4 parts rice, 3 parts protein, 2 parts vegetable, and 1 part "treat" (Usually either pickled vegetables or something sweet.)
Sushi should be prepared with more wasabi than usual.
Pack foods with flavors that might run or stick together with a divider. Separate wet foods from dry using a nested or altogether separate container such as a cupcake form. Sauces and dressings go in their own bottles (usually with a lid or cap).
Oily foods (like gyoza) should be packaged on top of an absorbent material.
Bentos should not require refrigeration or heating.
Above all else your bento should be equally as nice to look at as nice to eat! (Note that this is the only rule that is not optional! :)
The 4-3-2-1 rule: 4 parts rice, 3 parts protein, 2 parts vegetable, and 1 part "treat" (Usually either pickled vegetables or something sweet.)
Sushi should be prepared with more wasabi than usual.
Pack foods with flavors that might run or stick together with a divider. Separate wet foods from dry using a nested or altogether separate container such as a cupcake form. Sauces and dressings go in their own bottles (usually with a lid or cap).
Oily foods (like gyoza) should be packaged on top of an absorbent material.
Bentos should not require refrigeration or heating.
Above all else your bento should be equally as nice to look at as nice to eat! (Note that this is the only rule that is not optional! :)
| « Previous Step | View All Steps | Next Step » |
http://www.instructables.com/id/Bento-Lunch-Box/
That ginger looks A LOT like cheese.
CON, it only makes squares, rectangles, triangles, hearts, and a huge circle. But no bento sized circle... :(
http://www.foodproductdesign.com/news/2006/05/purple-potato-boasts-high-anthocyanin-levels.aspx