Print

Easy Delicious Bento Box Ideas: 5 Perfect Flavorful Japanese Meals to Try

easy delicious bento box ideas - featured image
Print Recipe

These easy delicious bento box ideas bring together flavorful Japanese meals that are quick, simple, and perfect for any occasion. Featuring teriyaki chicken, tamagoyaki, tempura veggies, and fresh sides, these meals offer a nostalgic and comforting taste of Japan.

Ingredients

  • Japanese short-grain rice (1 ½ cups, rinsed)
  • Rice vinegar (2 tablespoons)
  • Sugar (1 tablespoon)
  • Salt (½ teaspoon)
  • Boneless chicken thighs (12 oz / 350g), cut into bite-sized pieces
  • Soy sauce (3 tablespoons)
  • Mirin (2 tablespoons)
  • Sake (1 tablespoon, optional)
  • Brown sugar (1 tablespoon)
  • Fresh ginger (1 teaspoon, grated)
  • Large eggs (4, room temperature)
  • Sugar (1 tablespoon)
  • Soy sauce (1 teaspoon)
  • Mirin (1 teaspoon)
  • Sweet potato (1 small, thinly sliced)
  • Green beans (8-10 pieces)
  • Tempura batter mix (½ cup) or homemade (½ cup flour, ¼ cup cold sparkling water)
  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • Pickled ginger (a few slices)
  • Edamame (½ cup, shelled, steamed)
  • Cherry tomatoes (6-8)
  • Shredded nori (seaweed, optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 ½ cups (270g) of Japanese short-grain rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well.
  2. Combine rice with 1 ¾ cups (420ml) water in a rice cooker or pot. Cook according to your appliance or bring to boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer 15 minutes. Let sit covered 10 minutes off heat.
  3. While rice cooks, mix 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon sugar, and ½ teaspoon salt in a small bowl until dissolved.
  4. Transfer cooked rice to a large bowl and gently fold in vinegar mixture. Cover with damp towel and set aside to cool slightly.
  5. In a bowl, combine 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons mirin, 1 tablespoon sake (optional), 1 tablespoon brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon grated ginger. Marinate chicken pieces for 10 minutes.
  6. Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add marinated chicken and cook 4-5 minutes per side until cooked through and sauce thickens, spooning glaze over chicken. Remove and let cool slightly.
  7. Beat 4 large eggs with 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon mirin.
  8. Heat a lightly oiled rectangular pan over medium heat. Pour a thin layer of egg mixture, cook until set but slightly wet on top, then roll toward you.
  9. Push rolled omelette to far side and pour more egg to coat pan. Repeat rolling 3-4 times. Remove and slice into ½-inch (1.3cm) pieces.
  10. Heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). Mix ½ cup tempura batter with cold sparkling water according to package or whisk ½ cup flour with ¼ cup cold sparkling water.
  11. Dip sweet potato slices and green beans in batter, fry in batches until golden and crispy, about 2-3 minutes. Drain on wire rack.
  12. Quickly steam shelled edamame for 3-4 minutes until tender and bright green. Cool.
  13. Place a portion of seasoned rice in one compartment of the bento box.
  14. Arrange teriyaki chicken, tamagoyaki slices, tempura veggies, steamed edamame, cherry tomatoes, and pickled ginger neatly in other sections.
  15. Garnish with shredded nori if desired.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the bento box to allow each item to shine. Fluff rice gently if too sticky. Re-fry tempura briefly to restore crispness if soggy. Use tamari for gluten-free option. Tofu can replace chicken for vegetarian version. Use a rectangular pan for easier tamagoyaki rolling.

Nutrition

Keywords: bento box, Japanese meals, teriyaki chicken, tamagoyaki, tempura, easy lunch, flavorful, quick meals, healthy Japanese food

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/easy-delicious-bento-box-ideas-5-perfect-flavorful-japanese-meals-to-try/