Everyday Bento. Wendy Copley
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 eggs
Meatballs
Pastrami
Peanut butter
Salami
Sausages
Turkey
Smoked salmon or other fish
DAIRY
Cheese cubes
Cheese slices
Cottage cheese
Cream cheese
Individual cheeses: string cheese, Babybel, etc.
Yogurt
Bento Foods by Color
When you are creating a themed lunch, food acts as a sort of paintbox you use to create an image or a mood. Use this chart as a guide when you are stumped!
WHITE
Cheese
Chicken
Couscous
Cream cheese
Egg
Grits
Pasta
Peeled apple
Popcorn
Pork
Potatoes
Rice
Tofu
Turkey
White bread
BROWN
Bacon
Bagel
Beef
Cereal
Chocolate
Crackers
Hamburger
Lamb
Meatballs
Nuts
Pinto beans
Pretzels
Sausage
Whole-wheat bread
BLACK
Black beans
Black grapes
Black olives
Blackberries
Raisins
PINK
Ham
Hot dog
Salmon
Shrimp
Watermelon
RED
Cherries
Dried cranberries
Raspberries
Red apple
Red pepper
Red tomatoes
Salami
Strawberries
Watermelon
ORANGE
Apricot
Cantaloupe
Carrot
Cheddar cheese
Dried apricots
Mango
Orange pepper
Orange
Peach
YELLOW
Applesauce
Banana
Corn
Pineapple
Yellow pepper
Yellow tomatoes
GREEN
Artichoke
Asparagus
Avocado
Broccoli
Brussels