Oct 12
2012

How to Pick a Bento Box (+ A Giveaway!!)

in ad-free, Bento Buddy, Giveaway, Tips & Tricks

So you want to pack a bento, but before you start you need to make sure you have something to pack it in!  There are a lot of choices out there, and knowing what to pick can be a bit confusing if you’ve never packed a bento before.  But don’t worry, with a few simple guidelines we’ll get you going in no time!  We’re using the buddy system, remember?

Bento Buddy

There are a wide variety of bento boxes available in Japan made out of everything from plastic, to lacquered wood, to aluminum, and they come in every shape, size, and color imaginable.

Different kinds of Japanese bento boxes

There are lots of Japanese bento boxes for sale on amazon.com, as well as through sites like BentoUSA.  Zojirushi makes some of my favorite bento packing options, because they make high quality insulated and compartmentalized lunch jars. (Keep on reading for a chance to win one!)  There are also lots of other options, like Laptop LunchesEasy Lunchboxes, and Sistema Lunch boxes.  But how do you actually go about picking a container that’s right for you?

Sistema Lunch Box Products

5 Things to Consider When Choosing a Bento Box

  1. Size matters:  Who is the bento for?  If it’s for your 6-year old then they definitely don’t need a ginormous container, because they don’t need that amount of food!  When choosing a size, keep in mind how much food the person who will be eating the bento normally consumes, then choose a box accordingly.  I tend to eyeball things, but if you want more technical help, check out the size guides on Lunch in a Box and Just Bento.
  2. Easy to care for: No matter how much you might love a bento box, if it’s a pain to clean you’ll start liking it less and less.
  3. Easy to use: Again, you have to consider who the bento is for.  If it’s for a child, is it easy to open and close?  Is it microwaveable?
  4. Leakproof: Is the container leakproof or come with a special band that helps keep it tightly closed?  Remember, you want a container that keeps the food in it!
  5. Insulation: Do you want a container that will help keep food hot or cold?  Or do you plan on just using ice or gel packs to keep food fresh?

If all else fails . . . Not sure you want spend any money on a bento box, or you’re not even sure you want to pack a bento?  No worries, start slow!  Find an airtight plastic container, like a square or rectangle-shaped piece of Tupperware, and use that!  See? No excuses!

I have teamed up with my friends at Zojirushi to give away FIVE of their lunch jars to help you out with your own bento packing!  I love their jars because they will last a longtime if well cared for, they are well-insulated so they keep food hot/cold for hours, they are easy to wash, they have removable inner bowls that can go in the microwave (except for the Stainless Steel Food Jars which are one piece and cannot go in the microwave), and they are really nice looking!

Zojirushi Lunch Jars

Zojirushi Food Jar Giveaway!

There will be five (5) lucky winners!

Rules: The giveaway will close Friday, October 19th, 2012 at 12:01 am EST. The giveaway is open to readers with a US address. The winners will be chosen randomly and notified by email. Winners will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen.  To enter, please follow the steps below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{ 50 comments… read them below or add one }

Alessa October 12, 2012 at 2:25 pm

Love this.

Reply

Tamiko October 12, 2012 at 2:29 pm

My daughter loves her bento boxes, but I’d love some new ones and my youngest daughter will need some starting next year!

Reply

Amy October 12, 2012 at 2:32 pm

These bento boxes are so beautiful and practical. Can’t wait to pack my kids’ lunches in them. :)

Reply

Michelle October 12, 2012 at 2:37 pm

I really want to start doing this!

Reply

Kenny October 12, 2012 at 2:40 pm

Nice! I love Zojirushi stuff.

Reply

Geraldine October 12, 2012 at 2:46 pm

Thank you for the tips and for coming up with this giveaway!

Reply

Nolwenn October 12, 2012 at 2:59 pm

Oh I love this brand and I am looking for new bento boxes for my whole family. I live in Canada but can have a mailing address in the US (yaaay)
thanks for the chance to win.

Reply

Wendy October 12, 2012 at 3:09 pm

Zojirushi food jars are awesome! I’d love to win one!

Reply

Kirsty October 12, 2012 at 3:13 pm

We use containers that are rectangular with portions separated out – these seem to work well. I can’t wait to see what everyone packs in their lunches! :)

Reply

Jane October 12, 2012 at 3:13 pm

This is just the inspiration I need to start packing healthy lunches for work again. Thanks! :)

Reply

suzanne October 12, 2012 at 3:20 pm

Thanks for the info, I’ve always wanted one! Maybe I’ll win ^^

Reply

Tril October 12, 2012 at 3:42 pm

Any suggestions on health considerations like lead-free or BPA free materials in these bento boxes?

Reply

Callan October 12, 2012 at 3:49 pm

I’d love to win one for my little brother!

Reply

Jean Layton October 12, 2012 at 3:50 pm

Haven’t seen these colors before, sure to brighten lunch.

Reply

camel October 12, 2012 at 3:50 pm

Yes! I’ve seen such artistic lunches that friends in Japan make (forest scenery out of pieces of celery, etc) I’d love to try my hand at just packing a bento, let alone trying to be artistic about it. :)

Reply

jen @ the baked life October 12, 2012 at 4:07 pm

love this. My daughter is going to daycare in February and I’m totally lost on what to feed her. Can’t wait for the rest of this series :)

Reply

Marlo O October 12, 2012 at 4:24 pm

Awesome giveaway :)

Reply

vaishali October 12, 2012 at 4:28 pm

wow..this is great!

Reply

Heather October 12, 2012 at 4:40 pm

I have been considering getting a bento box for forever! This would be perfect :)

Reply

Michaela October 12, 2012 at 4:48 pm

I have spent hours on the internet looking at adorable and clever bento boxes for my lunch, but I never bought one :P Maybe now is the time to go bento! (love the pink one)

Reply

Jessie October 12, 2012 at 4:59 pm

These are so cool I have been thinking I would like these for me! I pack my lunch daily and the really are neat looking!!

Reply

Therese October 12, 2012 at 5:13 pm

I pack my lunch every day and I would love to have a cute container to put it in!

Reply

Chelsea K October 12, 2012 at 5:32 pm

I pack my lunch for work every day and it’s nice to get inspired to try something new!

Reply

S. Brooks October 12, 2012 at 5:32 pm

I pack a bento everyday for work. Love your inspiration!

Reply

Diana @ VeggieNextDoor October 12, 2012 at 5:35 pm

I pack my lunch every day but never seem to have the right-sized containers for all of the components. I would love a Bento Kit!

Reply

Leah Evanson October 12, 2012 at 7:06 pm

Would love to try these Bentos!

Reply

Erin October 12, 2012 at 7:14 pm

I’d love to win these — they’re gorgeous!

Reply

Amber October 12, 2012 at 7:21 pm

I pack 3 lunches every day! I would LOVE to win one of these!

Reply

Cathy B*****y October 12, 2012 at 7:30 pm

though I do not comment very often, I love your site. I always look forward to reading your posts, your ideas, your recipes, and tips! So excited about this giveaway.. Zojirushi is such an amazing brand. I first discovered them when my first Asian friend brought rice in a portable rice maker/steamer by them to a potluck… many years ago… I was hooked since! Would love to win one of these sets! I especially love the Mini Bento Stainless Lunch Jar set in blue, and the 17 0z pink food jar -thermos.. thanks so much for the opp!
Cathy B*****y pbprojecthope at yahoo dot com

Reply

Shannon October 12, 2012 at 7:33 pm

LOVE those Bento options!! Great for the kiddos lunch!

Reply

Aimee October 12, 2012 at 7:37 pm

Wow, the Zojirushi lunch sets are beautiful!

Reply

Kelly G October 12, 2012 at 7:59 pm

I’ve been wanting to get some bento boxes. Very cool.

Reply

Rebecca@A Dusting of Sugar October 12, 2012 at 8:04 pm

Bento lunches are so cool! I have a feeling I would like veggies a lot more now if they had been presented to me in a bento as a child.

Reply

pam October 12, 2012 at 8:32 pm

love the idea of bento…still learning how. Lunch seems a little more special.

Reply

Rebecca October 12, 2012 at 8:51 pm

I’ve seen photos of awesome bento boxes, but never actually made myself one. I’m looking forward to seeing what you post!

Reply

Linda October 12, 2012 at 9:45 pm

I’ve done everything you asked except for tweeting…because I know if I start that too, I’m doomed. Love that darling yellow jar…it would be perfect for my youngest grandson. Thanks for offering this!

Reply

Sophia October 12, 2012 at 10:38 pm

I love bento and Zojirushi!

Reply

Iryna B. October 12, 2012 at 11:00 pm

This is so awesome! Would love to win one of them!

Reply

lej October 12, 2012 at 11:31 pm

It would be great to win one. The food jars are really going to be the next big thing because they are versatile would love to give one a try.

Reply

Kelie E October 12, 2012 at 11:55 pm

This is so helpful! I salivate over your bento pics on instagram and am dying to try this myself.

Reply

VW October 13, 2012 at 12:04 am

Cute! Japanese lunches are the best too :D

Reply

Kristen Jones October 13, 2012 at 12:09 am

I would love to win one for my new kindergartener!

Reply

Candace October 13, 2012 at 4:02 am

LOVE the bento box I brought back from Japan. Would love to share a new one with my nephew.

Reply

Katherine October 13, 2012 at 4:13 am

Love love love! I don’t know what’s been holding me back from getting bento boxes for the kids, but this was a great kick in the butt… thanks!

Reply

Judi October 13, 2012 at 6:43 am

I love the idea of a lunch box with compartments! I wish I had had something like that when I was a kid. My food was always getting mixed together!

Reply

Becky October 13, 2012 at 6:44 am

Love this! I love bento boxes for my daughter- it’s great for her daycare!!!

Reply

Rachel October 13, 2012 at 6:58 am

Love these! So handy.

Reply

Ilana October 13, 2012 at 8:03 am

I love the bento idea. I’m going to try it for my 6th grader’s lunches.

Reply

Ye October 13, 2012 at 8:05 am

I’ll love to win one for my mom.

Reply

Sandra October 13, 2012 at 8:28 am

I would love one of these bentos!

Reply

Leave a Comment

Previous post:

Next post: