You might think you're a pro when it comes to lunch, but you're not a real pro until you've tried a bento box. Instead of carrying around countless Tupperware containers in a bid to eat more healthily and create less waste, a bento box can do it all.
Whether you're heading into the office, on a day trip or out to the park with the kids, a bento box is a brilliant way to store your lunch.
What is a bento box?
Of Japanese origin, a traditional bento contains fish or meat, along with rice or noodles and vegetables, all in a handy container. Bento is sometimes fashioned into popular characters or decorative scenes from Japanese culture.
For centuries, bento has played an important role in Japanese culture and tradition, showcasing the care and thoughtfulness that goes into preparing lunch for a loved one - something we could all do to appreciate.
Taking inspiration from Japanese culture, bento boxes have become very popular over recent years across the globe due to their utter brilliance and ease.
Putting together a bento box can be therapeutic, allowing you to consider each ingredient as you add it, eat more healthily, reduce plastic and other waste, and create a beautiful, nutritionally balanced meal.
We love this video from Marie's Kawaii World - check it out to learn more about the culture and history behind bento.
Bento boxes usually contain sections or dividers so that you can keep the different parts of your meal separate, making them the perfect solution for people who lead busy lives. They're also great for children, as they look appetising and make eating lunches more enjoyable.
The best bento boxes for adults
This bento box is BPA-free and made from non-toxic materials. It's strong and sturdy, there's plenty of room for all of your food and it's microwave and dishwasher-safe.
Review: "Quick delivery. Love [the] two layer[s] used to carry lunch to work [and] easy to clean. Came with cutlery. Was able to carry my fruit and veg separately without having different containers in my bag. [The] seal is wonderful, no leaking. Would recommend."
www.kidly.co.uk
This sweet little bento box is affordable, looks great and has an integrated fork for ease. It's technically made for children, but it's so cute (and a good size), that we couldn't leave it out. It comes with a bento insert, plus an integrated fork. It's also dishwasher-safe.
This bento box has three individual compartments which layer up to keep your food separate. It's made from natural eco-friendly wheat straw and is microwave and dishwasher-safe.
Review: "I use this every time I have lunch at college. Personally I only use it for stir fry, noodles and salad. It doesn't leak or stain. I love it, It's the perfect size and it's small enough to fit in my bag. I highly recommend."
www.etsy.com
This classic bamboo and metal lunch box is inspired by the traditional bento boxes, but you'll need to buy dividers to keep your food separate. It's high-quality, can be personalised and comes with a security strap, fork and knife.
Review: "Lovely, good quality product as described. It was delivered very quickly, thank you. It was a gift for my sister and she loved it."
www.etsy.com
This bento box has two stackable compartments, is BPA-free and is dishwasher, freezer and microwave-safe (for up to three minutes). The bento box is designed with two separate food compartments which will help you to become a better food organizer and store different foods separately. The bento lunch box is made from BPA- FREE and food grade material. It contains no lead, vinyl, PVC or any other toxic materials.
www.etsy.com
With a spoon and chopsticks included, this bento box is well-designed for easy access and secure closure. It's microwave, dishwasher and freezer-safe.
Review: "The box is great, I love the separate compartments and that it comes with cutlery. Perfect for work."
www.johnlewis.com
This beautiful rainbow-decorated lunch box from Eleanor Bowmer's is made from a bamboo mix, so it's an eco-friendly option. It comes with a security strap, but no internal separators. It's hand-wash only, so keep it away from the dishwasher.
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Jade Moscrop is the Deputy Editor for WhatsTheBest, specialising in lifestyle topics. She also writes for Closer, Heat, and Mother&Baby.
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