A Beginner’s Guide to Bento Boxes: Recipes, Tips and Inspiration

Bento boxes are everywhere now. From Japanese convenience stores to high-end restaurants and even homemade lunchboxes, bento has become a go-to meal option for many people. But what exactly is it? And why does it feel so satisfying to open one?

Let’s break it down.

At its heart, a bento box is a single-portion meal neatly packed into compartments. Each section holds a different part of the meal—rice, protein, vegetables, sides, and sometimes dessert. Every item is placed with care. Nothing is random. The idea is to create balance—not just in taste but in colour, texture, and nutrition, too.

Simple? Yes. But that’s the beauty of it.

At Hanare, the best kamameshi restaurant in Singapore, bento boxes are more than just a meal—they’re an experience. Our bentos are filled with comforting Japanese dishes like grilled salmon, A4 Kagoshima wagyu beef, whitebait salad, and their signature dashi-cooked Koshihikari rice. If you’re curious about how bento works—or want to try making one at home—this guide is for you.

Let’s get started.

What Makes a Bento Box Special?

Bento boxes are all about variety. You don’t just get one big thing. You get a little bit of everything.

A typical bento might include:

• Rice – usually Japanese short-grain

• Protein – chicken, fish, beef, or tofu

• Vegetables – pickled, fresh, or cooked

• A side or two – salad, tamagoyaki (Japanese omelette), tempura

• Dessert – fruit, mochi, or a small sweet treat

Each item is prepared to be enjoyed at room temperature. That means no reheating, no fuss. Just open and eat.

The Bento Format at Hanare

Hanare’s bento boxes are inspired by traditional Japanese cooking but with a polished, modern touch. They’re available by pre-order, with a minimum of four per order, and come with high-quality ingredients and seasonal sides.

Here’s a closer look at some of our signature bento options:

Chicken Teriyaki Bento

Perfectly charred and juicy grilled chicken, glazed in sweet-savoury teriyaki sauce, served with:

• Tiger prawn and assorted vegetable tempura

• Whitebait and tofu salad with plum dressing

• Grilled chicken meatball (tsukune), seasonal sides and pickles

• Dashi-cooked Koshihikari rice with salmon, sweet corn and sesame

A curated selection that’s simple, reliable and comforting. 

Sauce Grilled Unagi Bento

Tender freshwater eel grilled in a rich soy-based sauce. This bento is a bit more luxurious. It also comes with:

• Tiger prawn and vegetable tempura

• Whitebait and tofu salad with plum dressing

• Grilled chicken meatball (tsukune), seasonal sides and pickles

• Dashi-cooked Koshihikari rice with salmon, sweet corn and sesame

Unagi brings a deep, smoky flavour that pairs beautifully with the sweet notes in the rice.

Grilled Miso Cod Fish Bento

Delicate, flaky and lightly sweet, this bento features cod fish marinated and grilled in miso. The rest of the box includes:

• Tiger prawn and vegetable tempura

• Whitebait and tofu salad with plum dressing

• Grilled chicken meatball (tsukune), seasonal sides and pickles

• Dashi-cooked Koshihikari rice with salmon, sweet corn and sesame

A solid pick if you’re looking for something gentle yet flavourful.

Grilled A4 Kagoshima Wagyu Beef Bento

This is the bento to splurge on. It’s packed with premium A4 wagyu that is not only oozing with flavour, but also tender, and incredibly rich. It also includes:

• Tiger prawn and vegetable tempura

• Whitebait and tofu salad with plum dressing

• Grilled chicken meatball (tsukune), seasonal sides and pickles

• Dashi-cooked Koshihikari rice with salmon, sweet corn and sesame

This bento captures everything indulgent about Japanese comfort food.

Bento Building Blocks: Make It at Home

Feeling inspired? You don’t have to be a chef to build your own bento. Here’s a simple step-by-step format you can follow using ingredients you like—or inspired by Hanare’s menu.

1. Choose a Base

Start with rice. Japanese short-grain rice works best. If you want more flavour, cook it in dashi (Japanese broth), as Hanare does.

You can also mix in:

• Sweet corn

• Furikake (rice seasoning)

• Chopped herbs

• Toasted sesame seeds

Udon noodles or soba can be used, too, especially in warm-weather bentos.

2. Pick a Main Protein

Choose one protein—or two if you’re hungry. Bento-friendly proteins include:

• Teriyaki chicken

• Miso-glazed fish

• Unagi

Seared wagyu slices

• Rolled omelette (tamagoyaki)

• Tofu steaks

The key? Pick items that taste great, even when they’re cold or at room temperature.

3. Add Your Sides

Side dishes are where the variety really shines, as they gracefully introduce colour and contrast. Try:

• Blanched spinach with soy and sesame

• Pickled radish or cucumber

• Sautéed mushrooms

• Edamame

• Whitebait and tofu salad (like Hanare’s version)

Tip: Use silicone cups or dividers to keep sauces and textures separate.

4. Include Something Crispy

A bit of crunch keeps the meal exciting. You can add:

• Tempura vegetables

• Karaage (Japanese fried chicken)

• Lotus root chips

• Fried tofu cubes

Let anything fried cool fully before packing. That way, it stays crisp.

5. Finish with a Sweet Note

It doesn’t have to be big. Just enough to cleanse the palate.

Ideas:

• Matcha mochi

• Warabi mochi

• Yuzu cheesecake

• Seasonal fruit slices

• A small matcha financier

Bento Combinations You Can Try at Home

Want some ideas to start with? Here are three easy combos that bring the Hanare feel into your kitchen:

Bento Idea 1: Everyday Chicken

• Teriyaki chicken slices

• Rice with corn and sesame

• Pickled radish

• Steamed broccoli

• Tamagoyaki

• A slice of orange

Bento Idea 2: Light Seafood

• Miso-glazed salmon

• Edamame

• Dashi rice with shredded nori

• Whitebait and tofu salad

• Grilled sweet corn

• Warabi mochi

Bento Idea 3: Weekend Wagyu

• Seared wagyu slices

• Pickled daikon

• Spinach with sesame

• Rice with ikura (salmon roe)

• Crispy tempura zucchini

• Yuzu cheesecake square

Quick Bento Tips

• Let hot food cool before packing. It keeps condensation low and textures crisp.

• Pack items snugly. Loose food moves around. Tight packing helps everything stay put.

• Use a lunch bag, especially if you’re packing for work or school.

• Don’t forget your sauces. Soy sauce, mayo, or a tiny bottle of dressing can add a lot.

Common Questions

How long can bento stay fresh?

If stored properly, 4–6 hours at room temperature is fine. 

Can I prepare everything the night before?

Yes! Cook and store items separately in containers. In the morning, just assemble.

Do I need a real bento box?

Not really. Any container with sections will work. Just make sure it seals well and doesn’t leak.

Final Thoughts

A bento box isn’t just food—it’s a way of thinking about meals. It’s about variety, balance, and care. Every item has a place. Every bite brings something new.

Hanare’s bento sets are a perfect example of how much love can fit in one box. Whether you’re in the mood for buttery miso cod, smoky grilled unagi, or tender wagyu beef, our bento offerings bring the warmth of a Japanese home-cooked meal to your table.

And if you’re ready to try making your own, you now have the basics to start. Keep it simple. Use what you love. Mix and match until it feels right.

At the end of the day, a good bento is never just about the food.

It’s about how it makes you feel.