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The Just Bento Cookbook: Everyday Lunches To Go
Bento fever has recently swept across the West, fuelled not just by an interest in cute, decorative food, but by the desire for an economical, healthy approach to eating in these times of recession. A leading light in the popularization of bento has been Makiko Itoh, whose blog, Just Bento, boasts hundreds of thousands of subscribers, all of whom love her delicious recipes and practical bento-making tips.
Now, for the first time, Itoh's expertise has been packaged in book form. The Just Bento Cookbook contains twenty-five attractive bento menus and more than 150 recipes, all of which have been specially created for this book and are divided into two main sections, Japanese and Not-so-Japanese. The Japanese section includes classic bento menus such as Salted Salmon Bento and Chicken Karaage Bento, while the Not-so-Japanese section shows how Western food can be adapted to the bento concept, with delicious menus such as Summer Vegetable Gratin Bento and Everyone Loves a Pie Bento.
In addition to the recipes, Itoh includes sections on bento-making equipment, bento staples to make and stock, basic cooking techniques, and a glossary. A planning-chart section is included, showing readers how they might organize their weekly bento making.
In a market full of bento books that emphasize the cute and the decorative, this book stands out for its emphasis on the health and economic benefits of the bento, and for the very practical guidelines on how to ensure that a daily bento lunch is something that can easily be incorporated into anyone's lifestyle. This is the perfect book for the bento beginner, but will also provide a wealth of new bento recipe ideas and tips for Just Bento aficionados.
Now, for the first time, Itoh's expertise has been packaged in book form. The Just Bento Cookbook contains twenty-five attractive bento menus and more than 150 recipes, all of which have been specially created for this book and are divided into two main sections, Japanese and Not-so-Japanese. The Japanese section includes classic bento menus such as Salted Salmon Bento and Chicken Karaage Bento, while the Not-so-Japanese section shows how Western food can be adapted to the bento concept, with delicious menus such as Summer Vegetable Gratin Bento and Everyone Loves a Pie Bento.
In addition to the recipes, Itoh includes sections on bento-making equipment, bento staples to make and stock, basic cooking techniques, and a glossary. A planning-chart section is included, showing readers how they might organize their weekly bento making.
In a market full of bento books that emphasize the cute and the decorative, this book stands out for its emphasis on the health and economic benefits of the bento, and for the very practical guidelines on how to ensure that a daily bento lunch is something that can easily be incorporated into anyone's lifestyle. This is the perfect book for the bento beginner, but will also provide a wealth of new bento recipe ideas and tips for Just Bento aficionados.
125 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 3, 2011
144 people are currently reading
1379 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
October 28, 2025
Bento-boxes are all the rage - they have this pleasing aesthetic - with the bright colors, lovely little partitions, the adorable shapes and variety.
Makiko Itoh has a wonderful little bento blog - where she showcases her adorable creations.
This recipe has 25 bento menus with 150+ recipes.
So, on the one hand, I quite like the cuteness of the thing. It's adorable and sweet and looks so freaking perfect.
On the other hand...I really don't see myself making very many (if any) of these as bentos.
Maybe it's because I'm in grad school...but wow. They look like a lot of work.
Even the simpler ones seem to require a lot of ingredients and time.
I think, if I were to do these, I'd probably make the meals for dinner and pack the leftovers for the bento.
I really like the concept of this book and would want to do this for special occasions/when I have a few extra hours on my hand, but it's definitely not going to be an everyday sort of thing for me.
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November 25, 2013
I can't believe I forgot to review this book! Perhaps that's because I've been so busy using it.
This book is a gold mine of information and recipes. While I don't carry my lunch, I bought a bento box to help me with portion control (and let's be honest, because the box was so beautiful). I ordered this book at the same time as Ten Minute Bento, and I'm here to tell you "Just Bento" wins, hands down! There are many, many recipes for main dishes, sides, even "desserts"--most written for one portion, so it's easy to multiply if you want enough for a group meal, but don't have to deal with freezing leftovers etc. if it's just one. The Japanese recipes are re-written for Western cooks, with tutorials giving clear explanations and pictures to help the uninitiated make things like nigiri and sushi rolls. There are also recipes for Western-style food such as burgers, salads etc, and you won't go crazy looking for exotic ingredients as Ms Itoh always suggests alternatives for anything hard to find. Her experience living in areas where specialist grocers are non-existent has helped her relate to non-Japanese cooks.
I fill my bento for my evening meal, so I cook as I go, and while the recipes may not take ten minutes to prepare, they are fast enough to make it easy and pleasant. I'm cooking my way through this book; the portions are satisfying even to a foodie like me, with no leftovers to tempt me to overindulge.
My only wish is that I had bought this book first, I'd have saved some money.
This book is a gold mine of information and recipes. While I don't carry my lunch, I bought a bento box to help me with portion control (and let's be honest, because the box was so beautiful). I ordered this book at the same time as Ten Minute Bento, and I'm here to tell you "Just Bento" wins, hands down! There are many, many recipes for main dishes, sides, even "desserts"--most written for one portion, so it's easy to multiply if you want enough for a group meal, but don't have to deal with freezing leftovers etc. if it's just one. The Japanese recipes are re-written for Western cooks, with tutorials giving clear explanations and pictures to help the uninitiated make things like nigiri and sushi rolls. There are also recipes for Western-style food such as burgers, salads etc, and you won't go crazy looking for exotic ingredients as Ms Itoh always suggests alternatives for anything hard to find. Her experience living in areas where specialist grocers are non-existent has helped her relate to non-Japanese cooks.
I fill my bento for my evening meal, so I cook as I go, and while the recipes may not take ten minutes to prepare, they are fast enough to make it easy and pleasant. I'm cooking my way through this book; the portions are satisfying even to a foodie like me, with no leftovers to tempt me to overindulge.
My only wish is that I had bought this book first, I'd have saved some money.
September 9, 2012
Bento!
Now that I actually have a job where I get this break in the middle of the day called a lunch, I found I wasn’t quite sure what to do at lunch. Stop working. Okay, I can try that. Eat. Yes. But what are all these interesting lunches eaten by everyone around me?
We’re not just talking brown bagging it here. We’re talking Mom-stamped, balanced and varied, healthy lunches including salads, yogurt, fruit, soups, lunch entrees of all types. Mom lunches, made by moms used to making healthy lunches for their kids. My sandwich just didn’t seem to cut it, didn’t seem very interesting, and, well, after a lifetime of sandwiches, I was ready for something new and imaginative.
Where to start? I wasn’t quite sure, but I did understand that my Ziploc lunch bag was definitely passé as far as lunch style went. The staff fridge at the hospital was stuffed with all types of specialty lunch bags that could double as purses in the outside world, except for the special linings designed to keep your lunch cold or hot as you needed. While shopping, I decided on a neoprene lunch bag as it is the most convenient for me, small, light, durable, and I can chuck it in my backpack easily for a bike or a drive to work.
I’m not really sure how my lunch research actually led me to the books The Just Bento Cookbook by Makiko Itoh and the Ten-Minute Bento by Megumi Fuji, but it did and the books have opened my eyes to a whole realm of lunchbox possibilities. Gone are the hard rectangular plastic lunchboxes of my youth, today’s lunch transporting beauties, the bento box of many styles and sizes, originates in Japan. Bento boxes can be elaborate and large, or they can be small compact boxes, of square, round, rectangular, or oval shape, perfect for lunch for most people. The most convenient types are the plastic ones, which allow you to pop the bento in the microwave if you want to warm your lunch.
There are some spectacular stainless steel bento and bento-type boxes, as well as gorgeous traditional wood bentos, but the microwave isn’t a choice with them.
Actually, any type of container can house your bento lunch, as bento is more a state of combining foods in an aesthetically pleasing manner in a container, rather than specific to the container itself.
Bentos also scream healthy, as they tend to be packed with rice, veg, pickled veg, a tasty protein of some type, tiny condiment containers as needed, fruit, and …. I’m sure you could cram some triple deep fried chicken into a Bento box, however you’d have portion control happening, so your unhealthy offerings would be limited.
On the whole, Bento healthy menus are expansive and exciting. If you’ve been having a hard time eating well, the Bento makes it tremendously easy to change that around.
There’s also a bento style for kids and youthful people called Kawaii, which means lovable, adorable, or cute. They style really is a lot of fun for kids, but can help also completely liven up lunch for a food-bored adult. For instance, you can include cut out rabbit-shaped sandwiches, cute bento food picks, or various shaped cutouts of vegetables. At the very least you can add a silicone cupcake liner or two to separate the foods in your bento box and to add some colour punch. Find and add a heart-shaped liner and that is a great visual image and message. There’s some food lovin’ going on here.
The books are a great way to get some great Bento lunch ideas. There are also numerous great websites packed with info. So if you’re completely bored with your lunch, there’s no reason not to glean some great bento ideas, and pack a new lunch altogether.
Resources for Bento Supplies
Fenigo (Canada) at www.fenigo.com`
Bento&co (Japan) at http://en.bentoandco.com/collections/...
Resources for Bento Websites
http://justbento.com
www.cookingcute.com/recipes.htm
www.bentoblognetwork.com
(I have previously published this article, copyrighted 2012.)
Now that I actually have a job where I get this break in the middle of the day called a lunch, I found I wasn’t quite sure what to do at lunch. Stop working. Okay, I can try that. Eat. Yes. But what are all these interesting lunches eaten by everyone around me?
We’re not just talking brown bagging it here. We’re talking Mom-stamped, balanced and varied, healthy lunches including salads, yogurt, fruit, soups, lunch entrees of all types. Mom lunches, made by moms used to making healthy lunches for their kids. My sandwich just didn’t seem to cut it, didn’t seem very interesting, and, well, after a lifetime of sandwiches, I was ready for something new and imaginative.
Where to start? I wasn’t quite sure, but I did understand that my Ziploc lunch bag was definitely passé as far as lunch style went. The staff fridge at the hospital was stuffed with all types of specialty lunch bags that could double as purses in the outside world, except for the special linings designed to keep your lunch cold or hot as you needed. While shopping, I decided on a neoprene lunch bag as it is the most convenient for me, small, light, durable, and I can chuck it in my backpack easily for a bike or a drive to work.
I’m not really sure how my lunch research actually led me to the books The Just Bento Cookbook by Makiko Itoh and the Ten-Minute Bento by Megumi Fuji, but it did and the books have opened my eyes to a whole realm of lunchbox possibilities. Gone are the hard rectangular plastic lunchboxes of my youth, today’s lunch transporting beauties, the bento box of many styles and sizes, originates in Japan. Bento boxes can be elaborate and large, or they can be small compact boxes, of square, round, rectangular, or oval shape, perfect for lunch for most people. The most convenient types are the plastic ones, which allow you to pop the bento in the microwave if you want to warm your lunch.
There are some spectacular stainless steel bento and bento-type boxes, as well as gorgeous traditional wood bentos, but the microwave isn’t a choice with them.
Actually, any type of container can house your bento lunch, as bento is more a state of combining foods in an aesthetically pleasing manner in a container, rather than specific to the container itself.
Bentos also scream healthy, as they tend to be packed with rice, veg, pickled veg, a tasty protein of some type, tiny condiment containers as needed, fruit, and …. I’m sure you could cram some triple deep fried chicken into a Bento box, however you’d have portion control happening, so your unhealthy offerings would be limited.
On the whole, Bento healthy menus are expansive and exciting. If you’ve been having a hard time eating well, the Bento makes it tremendously easy to change that around.
There’s also a bento style for kids and youthful people called Kawaii, which means lovable, adorable, or cute. They style really is a lot of fun for kids, but can help also completely liven up lunch for a food-bored adult. For instance, you can include cut out rabbit-shaped sandwiches, cute bento food picks, or various shaped cutouts of vegetables. At the very least you can add a silicone cupcake liner or two to separate the foods in your bento box and to add some colour punch. Find and add a heart-shaped liner and that is a great visual image and message. There’s some food lovin’ going on here.
The books are a great way to get some great Bento lunch ideas. There are also numerous great websites packed with info. So if you’re completely bored with your lunch, there’s no reason not to glean some great bento ideas, and pack a new lunch altogether.
Resources for Bento Supplies
Fenigo (Canada) at www.fenigo.com`
Bento&co (Japan) at http://en.bentoandco.com/collections/...
Resources for Bento Websites
http://justbento.com
www.cookingcute.com/recipes.htm
www.bentoblognetwork.com
(I have previously published this article, copyrighted 2012.)
February 21, 2017
I am interested in Japanese culture, and I bring my own lunch to work, so I found this book really informative and helpful. Since I don't live in Japan, I like that the Japanese recipes were adapted for Western kitchens, and the section on international dishes adapted for bento was also a great idea.
On the one hand, the recipes are clearly written, detailed and easy to follow. On the other hand, many recipes are followed by alternative ways of making them: what ingredients can be replaced by others, how a recipe can be upgraded, or how to make a meatless option.
I like that the book is filled with specific recipes, and at the same time it can be used as a source for inspiration and ideas for your own bento-friendly foods.
There are also many cooking and bento-packing tips that I found useful.
I'm not a very skillful cook, but what I've cooked by this book so far has turned out great!
On the one hand, the recipes are clearly written, detailed and easy to follow. On the other hand, many recipes are followed by alternative ways of making them: what ingredients can be replaced by others, how a recipe can be upgraded, or how to make a meatless option.
I like that the book is filled with specific recipes, and at the same time it can be used as a source for inspiration and ideas for your own bento-friendly foods.
There are also many cooking and bento-packing tips that I found useful.
I'm not a very skillful cook, but what I've cooked by this book so far has turned out great!
May 7, 2013
I haven't felt this excited about a cookbook in a long, long time. The recipes from this book that I have tried (about a third of the book so far) have turned out the first time - no tweaking or perfecting required. It does require a little more planning and organization to put a meal like this together, but it's been totally worth it for us to have economical, healthy, and really yummy lunches for my husband to take to work. It does help that the author puts an organizational timeline with every menu. I also love the fact that recipes are sized for one or two people (except when something is freezable for future meals). That makes it so much easier to not waste food or money. And my husband (who is picky in the sense that he likes a *lot* of variety) hasn't gotten bored with any of the recipes, either. Winner!
September 27, 2025
so many good recipes in here!! would def recommend to a friend trying to pack more lunches for work (or school) :-)
April 28, 2012
Concise review of supplies, ingredients, and methods of cooking and creating a variety of (relatively) healthy bento lunches; each style of bento often lists several alternative versions with multiple takes on donburi, sukiyaki, teriyaki, etc. Making onigiri, dumplings, tamagoyaki, fast "pickled" veggies, kinpira, and other common Japanese style foods are covered in an off-hand natural manner as well. You come away with a good grasp on how to shop for, plan, schedule, and improvise these meals.
A few of the recipes were unappealing to me (e.g. ham wrapped cream cheese with a few slices of green beans/carrots; lots of meat or tofu "nuggets"), and the author seems more inclined to use a microwave, frozen vegetables, or other shortcuts than I would prefer...
But overall the book is worth perusing especially if you are unfamiliar with Japanese food or simply want to step up your brown bagging.
A few of the recipes were unappealing to me (e.g. ham wrapped cream cheese with a few slices of green beans/carrots; lots of meat or tofu "nuggets"), and the author seems more inclined to use a microwave, frozen vegetables, or other shortcuts than I would prefer...
But overall the book is worth perusing especially if you are unfamiliar with Japanese food or simply want to step up your brown bagging.
February 24, 2014
2.5
I was hoping for some really great and yummy recipes for bentos, reminiscent of the now nostalgic bentos I once ate in Japan and the bentos my host mom would make for me. But all The Just Bento Cookbook has to offer are boring bentos and lackluster recipes. I know this is a cookbook from Makiko Itoh's rather popular blog, which is why I was so disappointed in the content. The Just Bento Cookbook is divided into two sections: Japanese and Not-so Japanese. Both of which leave much to be desired. I don't think I would make any of these bentos.
There are adequate pictures and step-by-step instructions, and even a meal planner at the very end. But, it just didn't live up to my expectations. I know there are better Bento cookbooks out there.
I was hoping for some really great and yummy recipes for bentos, reminiscent of the now nostalgic bentos I once ate in Japan and the bentos my host mom would make for me. But all The Just Bento Cookbook has to offer are boring bentos and lackluster recipes. I know this is a cookbook from Makiko Itoh's rather popular blog, which is why I was so disappointed in the content. The Just Bento Cookbook is divided into two sections: Japanese and Not-so Japanese. Both of which leave much to be desired. I don't think I would make any of these bentos.
There are adequate pictures and step-by-step instructions, and even a meal planner at the very end. But, it just didn't live up to my expectations. I know there are better Bento cookbooks out there.
August 1, 2012
I really enjoyed this cookbook. The recipes are simple and explained well. There was also a good foundation given for making bentos that lent itself, very well mind you, to the alternative options available. The possibilities for many different combinations are many. The one caveat is, it would have been nice for her to explain more about proportions that are used in what makes up a bento. This information is missing from the book but is provided on her website. Overall a nice addition to a cooks library.
July 8, 2014
This is a beautiful book with beautiful recipes, but it wasn't what I was expecting. I was expecting easy, simple, healthy lunch recipes... however, there is a good bit of cooking and prepping involved with these recipes. If I have a lot of time, I'll give them a try, but the fact of the matter is, most of the time I'm making lunches in the morning before we leave for work. This isn't the cookbook for that.
June 3, 2015
A beautiful piece, just like Maki's website. This is full of good advice and tons of recipes. Even more wonderful, though, the book outlines not only recipes good for bento (tasty, healthy, quick, and good eaten cold!) but also showcases different combinations, showing many possible bentos. Really a great read, both for inspiration and for recipes!
September 18, 2013
My hubby is a vegetarian, while i’m a pescetarian (diet that includes seafood but not the flesh of other animals). So, I’m not actually interested in the recipes inside it but the tips and tricks regarding how to make a bento. I really like the author’s bento rules and i try to apply them to my bentos! I also posted my review on my blog: http://korpannita.wordpress.com/2013/...
September 20, 2015
One of the better Bento Box Cookbooks out there, primarily for beginners. Full-color, detailed pictures, portraying important, confusing cooking prices steps as well as high quality beautiful completed dish ones (which of course, at least mine, will definitely not be like). Really appreciate the information of the best, authentic locales in which to buy the high quality applied.
February 3, 2016
Some potentially interesting stuff in here. I haven't had the chance to fix any of these yet, but I'm planning to. I love how there are vegetarian options on many of the meals and slight variations that make one base idea into multiple meals.
May 20, 2013
Very simple recipes, easy to follow and recipe tastes great! Author provides alot of ideas on advanced ingredients preparation to cut short cooking time, which I find fascinating.
July 9, 2022
Not sure which came first this book or the box. :-) I have both now, although the book is library.
I like this comment--A bento is a meal, first and foremost, not a craft project.
I have identified my problem with bentos......and NOT just bentos....I never ever have considered a cold meal to be a "real" meal. Lunch maybe. Sandwiches for lunch, yes. Salads, not so much.
I actually learned this when I had an English significant other whom I visited a few times and who often suggested cheese and bread for a meal. Granted he was 14 years older than I and that may have had something to do with it...I know now in my early 70s. Volume of food. Now however, I love charcuterie and other bits and pieces (e.g., tapas, dim sum, etc.) and snacking meals.
So setting aside the "it's cold food" issue, this deserves 4 stars because I can't objectively assess it. And I enjoyed reading it.
I like this comment--A bento is a meal, first and foremost, not a craft project.
I have identified my problem with bentos......and NOT just bentos....I never ever have considered a cold meal to be a "real" meal. Lunch maybe. Sandwiches for lunch, yes. Salads, not so much.
I actually learned this when I had an English significant other whom I visited a few times and who often suggested cheese and bread for a meal. Granted he was 14 years older than I and that may have had something to do with it...I know now in my early 70s. Volume of food. Now however, I love charcuterie and other bits and pieces (e.g., tapas, dim sum, etc.) and snacking meals.
So setting aside the "it's cold food" issue, this deserves 4 stars because I can't objectively assess it. And I enjoyed reading it.
September 9, 2023
I actually did read this book. There's lots of cultural information in it and a lot of basic food prep information in it, besides just the recipes.
I tried almost every recipe in this book, except for the curry based ones. I can't eat curry, it gives me migraines, so I read through the recipes and if an obvious substitute didn't occur to me, I didn't try it.
I also stopped trying any of the eggplant ones, after I tried 8 and hated all of them, I concluded that I just don't like eggplant and there was no need to continue to force myself.
Anyway, yes, this book taught me how to cook. I recommend it to anyone and everyone interested in bentos. Not all of the recipes are winners for every person, but every person will find a couple of recipes that are winners, I'm sure.
I'm working on 3 other bento cookbooks now, thanks to this stepstone.
I tried almost every recipe in this book, except for the curry based ones. I can't eat curry, it gives me migraines, so I read through the recipes and if an obvious substitute didn't occur to me, I didn't try it.
I also stopped trying any of the eggplant ones, after I tried 8 and hated all of them, I concluded that I just don't like eggplant and there was no need to continue to force myself.
Anyway, yes, this book taught me how to cook. I recommend it to anyone and everyone interested in bentos. Not all of the recipes are winners for every person, but every person will find a couple of recipes that are winners, I'm sure.
I'm working on 3 other bento cookbooks now, thanks to this stepstone.
March 1, 2019
A bento book with many tasty ideas and variations on those ideas.
What's especially nice is that many of the recipes are more reasonable in number of servings. Some I've seen in the past are 1 serving and require half a can of this or one of that (that comes in a twelve pack and has a 1 week shelf-life). For example, the Turkey Soboro makes 6-8 servings and uses 1 pound of ground turkey. There are still some that are a bit weird in that they make one serving, like the chicken kara-age (4 oz of chicken is a strange amount to get, at least around here), but it's the kind of recipe that scales up easily enough for how much chicken you're making.
It also has a helpful timeline for assembly the morning of and notes on what's really easy to prep ahead of time and what's not.
What's especially nice is that many of the recipes are more reasonable in number of servings. Some I've seen in the past are 1 serving and require half a can of this or one of that (that comes in a twelve pack and has a 1 week shelf-life). For example, the Turkey Soboro makes 6-8 servings and uses 1 pound of ground turkey. There are still some that are a bit weird in that they make one serving, like the chicken kara-age (4 oz of chicken is a strange amount to get, at least around here), but it's the kind of recipe that scales up easily enough for how much chicken you're making.
It also has a helpful timeline for assembly the morning of and notes on what's really easy to prep ahead of time and what's not.
November 11, 2020
Die ursprüngliche Idee war, die Frühstücksboxen der Kinder etwas aufzupeppen. Auf der Suche nach Ideen bin ich dann über Bento's gestolpert, im speziellen über dieses Buch. Es entspricht genau meinen Vorstellungen. Kurze, knappe Anleitungen, aber immer alles erklärt, was man braucht, um die Bentos zubereiten zu können. Man muss nicht mit den aufwändigsten Rezepten starten, sondern sich langsam dahin durcharbeiten. Vieles ist neu und in Europa unbekannt, aber das sollte kein Hindernis sein, es einmal auszuprobieren. Es gehört einiges an Organisation dazu, mal so nebenbei läuft das nicht. In 15 Minuten schaffe ich auch nicht jedes Bento, aber, man arbeitet sich langsam vor und dann wird es zur Routine.
November 16, 2017
Bento is an art form; it indeed is something remarkable. My opinion, The majority of the recipes (60-70%) in this book are not fast & easy. If you're an athlete, this book would not be a good choice (they are recipes for "puny human"). I think this book's contents are excellent for people who are planning on making lunches for someone else, not for yourself, unless you like being praised for your bento presentation.
June 16, 2018
this is so much less intimidating than most bento cookbooks and really appeals to someone like me with simple tastes. I love love love the cooking timelines included - so helpful when you get overwhelmed when doing multiple things in the kitchen! I will definitely be trying a lot of these. a lot of bento books I read are drool worthy but seem impossible and expensive to attempt, this is all very accessible.
December 27, 2018
Un libro de cocina japonesa que conseguí la navidad pasada y que este año quise llevar a cabo para cuándo me quedara sola en casa. Desafortunadamente no pude cocinar ninguna de estas maravillosas recetas, pero sí que tengo marcadas las que quiero intentar en algún momento de mi vida.
Sí mi aventura viviendo sola continua espero que estas recetas formen parte de ella.
Por ahí vi que había un segundo volumen y espero pronto esté en mis manos.
Sí mi aventura viviendo sola continua espero que estas recetas formen parte de ella.
Por ahí vi que había un segundo volumen y espero pronto esté en mis manos.
April 14, 2023
I really like this Bento book. It has the perfect balance of explaning how to make a bento, what the "rules" for a bento are, etc and tasty recepies.
To every meal idea there are many possible variations, which are also described.
It is also a very adult bento book. There is (almost) no cutting cute shapes, colouring rice or arranging lettuce to look like animals. Just the combination of tasty ingredients to make healthy and diverse meals for your bento box.
To every meal idea there are many possible variations, which are also described.
It is also a very adult bento book. There is (almost) no cutting cute shapes, colouring rice or arranging lettuce to look like animals. Just the combination of tasty ingredients to make healthy and diverse meals for your bento box.
January 25, 2025
I’m sure this book has been popular in Japan since it was originally published there. As an American, I was disappointed in it. Do I pack my bento box lunch and then have to eat it cold or dump it into another container to be reheated? This just isn’t practical for a busy parent or any individual who takes their own lunch. Some ingredients are not readily available. Most recipes do not have photos.
June 20, 2017
If you don't like the cutesy bento books and just want to pack a mighty lunch -- this is the book! Filled with authentic Japanese dishes, it's one of the few cookbooks that I keep. The format and the content are just too useful and actually more convenient to have on hand than looking up recipes on the Internet.
June 12, 2018
The Just Bento Cookbook: Everyday Lunches to Go
By Makiko Doi
The first of her two Bento cookbooks, this one has a section on Japanese style bento, as well as a section of not so Japanese style bento. The recipes are different from the other book, so I have more lunch ideas to add to my repertoire.
4 Stars.
By Makiko Doi
The first of her two Bento cookbooks, this one has a section on Japanese style bento, as well as a section of not so Japanese style bento. The recipes are different from the other book, so I have more lunch ideas to add to my repertoire.
4 Stars.
April 8, 2020
Very good for a person looking to start making bento. Lots of cute ideas and great pics. Explains the balance of a good bento box and how to get there by adding or taking away elements. Wish there was more suggestions for supplies and things but plenty on internet.
Not alot of new info for someone who has some experience but still worth paging thru if you have it in the library.
Not alot of new info for someone who has some experience but still worth paging thru if you have it in the library.
March 30, 2021
Hi, I am Kyle. I have good knowledge of cooking and love to try and make different traditional dishes. That's why I purchased a book titled Yum-Yum Bento Box and bought Japanese bento boxes from Katachiware. They provide bento boxes that are very effective to present your dish uniquely in front of others.
This the website from where I brought the Bento Boxes www.katachiware.com.au
This the website from where I brought the Bento Boxes www.katachiware.com.au
June 19, 2022
Some fun ideas, cute for a kids lunch, not something I’d spend my time doing for myself. Also many ingredients that I don’t keep in my kitchen, or recipes that were more involved than I prefer. I enjoyed the tamagoyaki recipe from the first bento, though it was quite a process. Instructions are very thorough which is sometimes hard to find in a cookbook so that’s a plus!
April 30, 2018
I have yet to try any of the recipes, but reading through the book I found them easy to understand. I also appreciated the tips provided not just for the recipes, but for bento itself, and some that extend to Japanese cooking in general.
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