Basically, a bento box is a lunch box with separate compartments for each dish. This helps food retain their intended flavor so that sauces from one dish will not leak into another dish. Ingenious!

My first bento box was the Mr. Zojirushi bento box with 4 round stackable containers in an insulated thermos. In the 4 containers I would pack soup, vegetables, rice, and meat. It was like eating at home with 4 container bowls to eat from! This bento box was designed so that you could heat all 4 containers in the microwave, before you go to work. Then you would seal the containers and stack them one on top of each other and store them in the insulated thermos. The Mr. Zojirushi thermos would keep the food hot all morning until lunch. This bento box is convenient for those who have no access to a microwave at work.

The designs for bento boxes have been taken to the next level. There are cute bento boxes in the shape of a panda or cartoon character, as well as ones in eye-catching color combinations. Bento boxes make great holiday gifts for your friends and family or even yourself! I am so tempted to get the panda bento box… so cute! Or maybe someone will get me this for Christmas. Hint, hint. =)

You can even get the traditional bento box that you see in Japanese restaurants. Why not bring the Japanese dining experience home?

Tip: If you buy this the traditional bento box, check to see whether or not it includes a lid. Lids are usually $7. Bento boxes without lids can go for around $15. With a lid, they cost around $21.

Order your bento boxes from the YummySF Store.