In a bid to become more sustainable, produce less waste and make life easier for yourself, you've probably opted for a traditional Tupperware container to take your lunches to work.
If you're sick of using cling film, foil or having your food mashed together by the time you sit down for lunch, or like to take lots of different foods with you and don't want to cart four or five containers around with you, a bento box might suit you best.
Whether you're heading into the office, on a day trip or out to the park with the grandkids, 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 thousands of years, 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, or for yourself.
It can also be a therapeutic task, allowing you to eat more healthily, reduce 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.
Taking inspiration from Japanese culture, bento boxes have become very popular over recent years across the globe due to their utter brilliance and ease.
Bento boxes usually contain sections or dividers so that you can keep the different flavours of your meal separate, making them the perfect solution for people on the go - and lessen the need for lots of containers or packaged plastic lunches. They're also great for children, as they look appetising and add a much more enjoyable element to eating lunch.
The best bento boxes for adults
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Description
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
Description
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.
Description
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
Description
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
Description
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
Description
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
Description
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.