come with some sort of divided container to hold food. Some are a simple divided box with a lid, others have an outer container with several removable inner containers. Systems might also include a thermal lunch bag, an ice pack, and cutlery.
Metal cutters Metal cutters are an excellent choice for making bento lunches because they’re sturdy and they cut through almost any food with ease—bread, fruit, cheese, and even firmer vegetables. They are available in endless shapes and sizes. You can find a cutter to fit almost any theme, but if you are just starting your collection, it’s best to stock up with the basics— circles, stars, flowers, and hearts.
Plastic cutters Plastic cutters are nearly as plentiful as metal ones and they tend to be a bit more economical. Purchase them in themed sets or variety packs, or raid your kids’ modeling clay sets for basic shapes. If you can find them, Japanese sets with lots of small cutters for making faces are a great option.
Sandwich cutters Larger sandwich cutters are a fast way to add character to a lunch. A quick cut trims the crusts off bread and gives you a decorative shape.
Stamping cutters Plunger or stamping cutters are dual purpose. Use the outside edge to cut basic shapes, then use the detailed insert to stamp an image onto bread or cheese.
Decorative picks Decorative picks are cute and functional! Thread with chunks of fruit, veggies, meat, or cheese for an appealing presentation, or use them as mini utensils to eat your food at lunchtime. You can buy sturdy plastic picks designed specifically for bentos, or keep an eye out for paper cupcake picks in kitchen supply stores.
Food dividers Slip decorative food dividers between foods with incompatible flavors or textures in your bento box to keep their flavors from melding. Or add them for a quick spot of color and fun.
Food-safe markers Several baking supply companies make these markers, which use food coloring rather than traditional ink. Use them to draw details on bread, cheese, crackers, and other dry, firm surfaces.
Egg molds Pop a warm hard-boiled egg into one of these molds, let it sit a few minutes, then remove it to find it transformed.
Rice molds Available from retailers that sell Japanese goods, rice molds are used to shape cooked rice into decorative shapes.
Punches Use punches designed specifically for bento lunches to punch faces or other shapes out of nori seaweed. Regular paper punches designed for crafting can also be used for this purpose.
Bento Box Idea List
Often the most difficult part of packing a bento box is figuring out what foods to put in it! Use this list to trigger ideas before you go shopping.
GRAINS
Bagels
Banana bread, zucchini bread, or other quick breads
Cereal bars
Cheese crackers
Dinner rolls
Dry cereal
Flatbread
French bread
Granola bars
Mini-muffins
Pancakes
Pasta
Pita bread
Pretzels
Rice
Rice cakes
Tortillas
Waffles
Whole grain crackers
FRUITS
Apple
Applesauce
Banana
Berries
Canned fruit, drained and rinsed
Cherries
Dried fruit—raisins, dried cranberries, etc.
Figs
Grapefruit
Grapes
Kiwi
Mango
Melon
Nectarine
Orange or clementine
Peach
Pineapple
VEGGIES
Artichoke
Avocado
Bell pepper
Broccoli
Carrot
Cauliflower
Celery
Corn
Cucumber
Edamame
Green beans
Lettuce
Olives
Peas
Radish
Sugar snap peas
Tomatoes
PROTEINS
Baked tofu
Beans
Bean dip
Beef
Chicken
Ham
Hard-boiled
