If you’re looking for an easy way to make lunch more exciting, I’ve got some bento box ideas to help get those creative juices flowing!
We’re going with an “around the world theme”, where I’m sharing 5 ideas inspired by different cultural cuisines.
Whether you’re packing school lunches for the kids or preparing an easy lunch for yourself, bento boxes are a fun and practical solution. These boxes are super balanced and endlessly customizable.
Bento boxes are also a great way to introduce new foods to picky eaters without making lunch feel overwhelming. Let’s get into it!
Why We Love This Recipe
- Easy meal prep: Bento box lunches can be assembled ahead of time, making them a game changer on busy days.
- Perfect for picky eaters: You can include familiar foods alongside small portions of new foods.
- A balanced meal: It’s an easy way to include multiple food groups in one lunch.
- Great for kids and adults: Bento boxes aren’t just for school-aged kids! They’re a great option for work lunches, picnics, road trips and meal prep.
- Easy to customize: Use your favorite foods to create different bento boxes based on what you have available.
- Helps with portion variety: Smaller compartments make it easy to pack a little bit of everything without bringing an enormous lunch.
- Less boring lunches: Mixing sweet and savory foods gives you plenty of delicious bites to look forward to at lunch time.
What Is in a Bento Box Lunch?
The hallmark of a good bento box is balance. Try to represent different food groups and include different flavors and textures.
Choose from these categories and get creative mixing and matching:
Protein
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Deli meats like turkey, ham or roast beef
- Chicken salad, tuna salad or egg salad
- Cheese cubes
- Greek yogurt
- Black beans, lentils or chick peas
- Peanut butter
- Rotisserie chicken
Fruits
- Apple slices
- Berries
- Grapes
- Orange segments
- Melon
- Strawberries
- Banana slices
Vegetables
- Cherry tomatoes
- Baby carrots
- Cucumber slices
- Snap peas
- Bell pepper strips
- Sweet potato
Grains and Main Dishes
- Whole grain crackers
- Whole grain bread
- Potatoes
- Brown rice
- Cheese sandwich
- Turkey and cheese roll-ups
- Pasta salad
- Savory veggie muffins
Snacks
- Granola bar
- Cheese crackers
- Whole grain crackers
- Mini muffins
- Veggie bites
Ingredients for Around the World Bento Boxes
Japanese Bento Box
- California roll. Pick one up the night before from your local sushi restaurant or supermarket. Or try making your own! Find my recipe here.
- Edamame. Steam them in the pods or shelled, depending on your preference.
- Mochi
- Mandarin oranges
- Soy sauce
Italian Bento Box
- Tortellini with pesto sauce. This is great warm, cold or at room temperature. Grab a jar of pesto sauce at the grocery story or try my easy homemade recipe.
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Mini mozzarella pepperoni skewers
- Grapes
- Mini biscotti
Mediterranean Bento Box
- Chicken souvlaki skewers. Season your chicken with souvlaki seasoning or try my homemade souvlaki recipe.
- Mini pita bread
- Feta cheese cubes
- Hummus
- Fresh strawberries
Chinese Bento Box
- Teriyaki chicken. Use store bought teriyaki sauce or try my homemade recipe.
- White rice
- Steamed broccoli
- Fresh kiwi
- Fortune cookie
American Bento Box
- Turkey and cheese sandwich
- Baby carrots
- Sliced apples
- Chocolate chip cookies
- Ranch dip
What Are the Best Containers to Use for Bento Boxes?
When choosing a bento lunch box, look for a container that is durable, easy to clean, and appropriately sized for the person using it.
For younger kids, containers with multiple separate compartments can make eating easier because foods stay organized and don’t touch. This can be particularly helpful for picky eaters who prefer their foods separated.
The boxes pictured here can be found on Amazon.
Stainless steel bento boxes are another popular choice. They’re durable and can be a good option for adults or older kids who need a sturdier container.
When you try any of these bento box ideas, I’d love to hear about it! Drop a rating or leave a comment below. Enjoy!
For more school lunch recipes, try these:
Bento Box Lunch Ideas
Ingredients
Japanese Bento Box
- 1 California roll
- 1/3 cup steamed edamame
- 2 pieces matcha mochi
- 1/2 cup mandarin oranges
- soy sauce garnish
Italian Bento Box
- 1-2 cups tortellini with pesto sauce
- 1/3 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup mozzarella pearls
- 1/4 cup sliced pepperoni
- 1/2 cup red grapes
- 2-3 mini biscotti
Mediterranean Bento Box
- 4 oz. cooked chicken breast
- 1-2 Tbsp. Greek seasoning
- 1/4 cup hummus
- 5-6 pieces mini pita bread
- 1/3 cup cubed feta cheese
- 1/2 cup fresh strawberries
Chinese Bento Box
- 4 oz. cooked chicken breast
- 3 Tbsp. teriyaki sauce
- 1/2 cup cooked white rice
- 1/3 cup steamed broccoli
- 1/4 cup sliced fresh kiwi
- 1 fortune cookie
American Bento Box
- 2 slices white bread
- 2 oz. deli turkey
- 2 oz. deli American cheese
- 1/3 cup baby carrots
- 1/3 cup sliced apples
- 1/4 cup ranch dip
- 2-3 chocolate chip cookies
Instructions
Japanese Bento Box
- Steam the edamame according to package directions. Drain the mandarin oranges of their liquid. Arrange all ingredients in bento box.
Italian Bento Box
- Boil and drain the tortellini according to package directions for al dente. Toss with pesto sauce.
- Thread the mozzarella balls and pepperoni onto toothpicks in an alternating pattern.
- Arrange all ingredients in bento box.
Mediterranean Bento Box
- Season the cooked chicken with souvlaki seasoning. Cut into cubes. Thread onto toothpicks.
- Cut feta cheese into cubes.
- Arrange all ingredients in bento box.
Chinese Bento Box
- Coat the cooked chicken in teriyaki sauce. Slice into strips.
- Steam the broccoli.
- Arrange all ingredients in bento box.
American Bento Box
- Make the turkey and cheese sandwich. Cut into fun shapes, if desired.
- Arrange all ingredients in bento box.
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