Choosing a Bento Box That Carries Deliciousness

Colorful side dishes, and fluffy white rice. Whether for yourself, for the person who works hard every day, or for a child studying hard—a bento box is always packed with both deliciousness and affection.

This time, we introduce the appeal of the "bento box" and how to choose one. We've gathered bento boxes that, once you own one, can be used for a very long time.

How Do You Choose a Bento Box?

At lunchtime every day, what catches your eye is the bento of the person next to you. If you eat a packed lunch every day at work or school, that adds up to more than 200 meals a year. Whether you're simply filling it with side dishes prepared over the weekend or with leftovers from last night's dinner, if it's packed into a bento box that suits your style, it somehow ends up looking that much more sparkling.

Whether you already have a favorite bento box or have never given much thought to bento boxes before, why not join us in searching for one that makes you feel a little special?

First, Getting to Know the Materials.

Bento boxes are made from a variety of materials. ZUTTO carries many bento boxes as well, and the four representative materials are as follows.

Wood and bamboo, stainless steel, and plastic

Let's take a closer look.

・Wood and Bamboo

Bento boxes made of natural materials carry a traditional, classic atmosphere.

Because the wood or bamboo used in these bento boxes continues to "breathe," they offer good ventilation and keep the humidity inside the box at just the right level.

As a result, they absorb excess moisture from the rice, giving you rice that's plump and moist without becoming sticky. Being able to fully enjoy the fragrance of the wood is also part of the appeal.

However, one downside is that they cannot be used in the microwave. Wooden bento boxes are so good at keeping even cooled rice delicious—almost like an ohitsu (wooden rice container)—but they're not suited to those who want to reheat their lunch. Also, unfinished plain-wood bento boxes can't be washed with neutral detergent and need to be thoroughly dried, which can require a bit of extra care.

・Stainless Steel

Stainless steel—meaning "stain-less," or rust-resistant. Since it's the same material used in knives and pots, its high durability and toughness are its greatest appeal. Stainless steel is also easy to clean and keep sanitary, which is another plus. It holds up well against vinegar and oily dishes, meaning you don't need to worry about what side dishes you pack, and it's excellent at resisting odors and staining as well.

It's dishwasher-safe, but cannot be used in the microwave. Using a scrubbing brush or abrasive cleaner can scratch the surface, which may affect its usability.

・Plastic

Perhaps the biggest advantage of plastic is that many varieties can be used in the microwave. It's lightweight and easy to carry, and comes in a wide range of colors and shapes. It's also appealing because it's easy to find at an affordable price.

However, it tends to absorb odors and stains easily, and once scratched, it may become discolored or crack. Metal scrubbers and abrasive cleaners should not be used.

Finding the Size and Shape That Suits You

・What's the Ideal Capacity?

As a rough guideline, the following can serve as a standard.

Children: 350ml

Women: 500ml

Men: 650–1000ml

If you like to pack plenty of side dishes, we recommend going up a size. Especially with magewappa (bent-wood boxes) and the like, since ingredients are packed in tightly, the capacity you choose affects how the finished bento looks. It's worth taking your time to decide.

・What Shape Is Easiest to Use?

When you hear "bento box," many people probably picture a rectangular shape. At ZUTTO, we mainly offer 【square】, 【round】, and 【oval】 shapes.

【Square】

The classic rectangular bento box lets you enjoy that familiar process of packing white rice firmly into one end and arranging side dishes alongside it. Being able to easily fit larger items like grilled fish or meat may well be a unique advantage of this elongated rectangular shape.

【Round】

It's not just cute to look at—round bento boxes are actually very easy to use. Because you pack side dishes in a circular arrangement, you don't need to worry as much about color balance as you would when filling in the corners of a square shape. They're also perfect for rice bowl-style dishes like bibimbap.

【Oval】

Surprisingly easy to use is the oval-shaped bento box, a shape often seen in magewappa. Since it has no corners, it's also easy to clean.

Looking for a Companion to Love for Years to Come

Now that you have a sense of what kind of bento box might suit you, let's take a look at some actual bento boxes.

・A Bento Box with the Scent of Asunaro: Wajima Kirimoto

*Shallow type

This is a beautifully crafted wooden bento box. It uses "Asunaro," a tree species unique to Ishikawa Prefecture that grows in the Noto region. It's slim and long, fitting neatly into an everyday bag.

It comes in two sizes: 【shallow】 and 【deep】. The capacities are as follows.

Shallow: 350ml

Deep: 500ml

*Top tier is shallow, bottom tier is deep

This bento box can be stacked in as many tiers as you like, so choose according to the amount you'd like to pack.

Wooden bento boxes tend to have an image of being difficult to maintain, but this one features a 【glass coating】, making it ideal for everyday use as well. This glass coating is a finish using a room-temperature, liquid-form glass coating agent. It keeps the natural texture of the plain wood intact while making it resistant to stains and helping prevent deterioration. Just like other tableware, all you need to do is wash it with neutral detergent and dry it thoroughly.

Not just for packing a lunch—filling it with little snacks to enjoy alongside sake like this makes it look almost like something you'd be served at a traditional ryotei restaurant.

Material: asunaro (Japanese false cypress, glass-coating finish)

Shape: square

*Not microwave safe.

・The lunchbox everyone dreams of owning: Odate Kogeisha's magewappa (bentwood ware)

An oval-shaped wappa bento box. If you love cooking, you've probably longed to own one at some point. It has a nostalgic look to it, yet it's a traditional craft that fits right into modern life.

Odate Kogeisha's bento boxes are made from natural Akita cedar that is 150 to 200 years old, making them remarkably lightweight and durable. Because the Akita cedar "breathes," it helps maintain just the right humidity inside the box, giving rice packed into a magewappa an exceptional flavor. In fact, some people say they prefer cold rice from a wappa box over warmed-up rice from any other kind of lunchbox!

This magewappa bento box has a urethane coating, so simply wash it with detergent and dry it thoroughly after use. Plain unfinished wood bento boxes can take a long time to dry, which sometimes makes daily use difficult—but this one can be used every day without any trouble, which is very convenient.

When you first start using it, you'll notice the distinctive scent of Akita cedar, but it mellows with use over time. It's a popular lunchbox, and many ZUTTO staff members are fans of it themselves.

Here are the available options:

・Oval Bento Box, Small: 500ml・・・Recommended for women

・Oval Bento Box, Medium: 650ml・・・Recommended for men

・Hangou Bento Box: 820ml・・・Recommended for those who want to separate rice and side dishes, or who want to pack a larger amount

Material: Akita cedar (urethane-coated finish)

Shape: oval

*Not microwave safe.

・The functional beauty of stainless steel: Kobo Aizawa

Next is a bento box from Kobo Aizawa, whose matte stainless steel finish and pared-down design catch the eye.

Made from 18-8 stainless steel (which contains nickel), this box requires no special care and is both rust-resistant and sturdy. Every corner of the lunchbox is carefully crafted, and even with its simple form, this is an item you can truly appreciate for its beauty.

The design suits anyone, regardless of age or gender, and thanks to the included rubber packing, snapping the lid shut keeps even juicy dishes from leaking.

The square lunchbox comes in three sizes—small, medium, and large—so you'll want to pick different sizes for the kids, your husband, and yourself, letting the whole family enjoy one.

There's a variety of shapes to choose from, too.

・Square Lunchbox, Small: 360ml・・・Recommended for children

・Square Lunchbox, Medium: 670ml・・・Recommended for women and men

・Square Lunchbox, Large: 1000ml・・・Recommended for those who want to pack a lot

・Slim Rectangular Lunchbox, 2-Tier: 350ml×2・・・Slim enough not to tip over inside a bag

・Square Lunchbox, Small, 2-Tier: 360ml×2・・・Great for carrying curry and similar dishes

・Round Lunchbox, 2-Tier: 400ml×2・・・An easy-to-pack round shape

Material: stainless steel

Shape: square/round

*Not microwave safe, but can be used in a heated food warmer.

・Light and beautiful bamboo bento box: Kohchosai Kosuga

Next up is a bento box made of bamboo, crafted by the long-established Kyoto maker Kohchosai Kosuga.

It's made using "laminated board," in which countless smoked bamboo strips are layered together, giving it a distinctive texture.

Since it's square, it's great for packing onigiri, inari-zushi, sandwiches, and the like. The surface of the bamboo is finished with a urethane coating, so oils and other liquids don't easily soak in, making it easy to care for. Each tier weighs only about 181g, so it's wonderfully light—a simple, stylish bento box made possible by Kohchosai Kosuga's deep expertise in working with bamboo.

Beyond serving as a bento box, it also works nicely as a sewing box for storing needles, thread, thread scissors, and other items you use often.

It also looks lovely set on the table as a jubako-style tiered box.

Care for it the same way you would a wooden bento box: wash it well and let it dry thoroughly.

It comes in single-tier and double-tier versions.

・Single-Tier Bento Box: 450ml・・・Good for women or as a small accessory case

・Double-Tier Bento Box: 900ml・・・For those who want to pack a lot

Material: laminated bamboo (polyurethane resin coating)

Shape: square

*Not microwave safe.

・An insulated jar for carrying soup: STANLEY

Here's a bonus pick. If you want to carry soup or miso soup with you, a STANLEY insulated food jar is just the thing. With its rugged look and excellent functionality, this food jar is popular among men as well. It weighs about 500g, so it has a bit of heft, but that also makes it well suited for taking outdoors.

We've introduced a variety of bento boxes here—did you find one you love? Whichever you choose, it's sure to make your lunchtime that much more enjoyable.

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