Just Bento

A list of bentos no. 1 to 30 featured so far on Just Bento. Bentos no. 31 onwards here. In addition, some also-ran bentos that didn’t make the list.

The following values are indicated for each bento:

• Time needed: The approximate time needed to prepare the bento.
• Calories: The approximate calories in the bento, providing the amounts indicated are used.
• Type: The cuisine type.
• Vegan/Vegetarian/Omnivore (type of main protein used): So you can pick the ones that suit your dietary needs. (Omnivores, don’t reject the vegan options out of hand - I’m an omnivore and these are vegan bentos I enjoy eating!)

Most rice-based bentos are gluten-free, but see the instructions for details.

Bento no. 30: Stovetop vegetable frittata, lentil snacks, asparagus, strawberries. Time needed in the morning: 15 minutes (mainly to cook the frittata); the lentil snacks are made in advance. Calories: 515; Type: not-rice based; Lacto-ovo-vegetarian (egg, cheese, lentils) Link

Bento no. 29: Eggs and spring greens. Time needed in the morning: 5 minutes, the eggs take about 20 minutes to cook and 10 minutes to prepare in advance. Calories; 525; Type: Japanese; Omnivore (eggs, _chikuwa_ (fish based)), meat-free Link

Bento no. 28: Salad bento. Time needed in the morning: 5 minutes, 20 minutes to make salad in advance; Calories: 310; Type: Salad; Vegan (tofu ‘mayo’ - extra). Link.

Bento no. 27: Cool and spicy vegan bento. Time needed in the morning: 15 minutes, 20 minutes to make salad in advance; Calories: 380; Type: Fusion; Vegan (tofu ‘mayo’, kidney beans). Link.

Bento no. 26: Mini-burgers with tofu, spinach with sesame. Time needed in the morning: 15 minutes; Calories: 410; Type: Japanese tradition; Omnivore (tofu-meat burgers). Link

Bento no. 25: Shoujin ryouri type vegan bento. Time needed: 20 minutes; Calories: 310; Type: Japanese traditional; Vegan (fu wheat gluten). Link

Bento no. 24: Rustic bread, cheese and sautéed vegetables, fruit. Time needed: 5-10 minutes for assembly; Calories: 470; Type: Bread based; Vegetarian (cheese).. Link

Bento no. 23: Parsley and lemon sushi rice with salmon and crunchy lotus root. Time needed: 10-15 min. the night before, 20 min in the morning; Calories: 380; Type: Japanese; Omnivore (fish). Link.

Bento no. 22: Vegan bento featuring savory lotus root mini-cakes. Time needed: 20-30 minutes; Calories: 415; Type: Asian-fusion; Vegan (peanut butter sauce, lotus root). Link.

Bento no. 21: Chicken teriyaki bento. Time needed: 20 the night before, 15 in the morning; Calories: 445; Type: Japanese; Omnivore (chicken, egg). Link

Bento no. 20: Shrimp chirashizushi bento. Time needed: 20 minutes; Calories: 400; Type: Japanese; Omnivore (shrimp). Link

Bento no. 19: Salmon furikake and frozen tofu nuggets. Time needed: 20-30 min in advance, 10 in the morning: Calories: 490; Type: Japanese; Omnivore (fish, tofu) Link

Bento no. 18: 3-color soboro bento. Time needed: 20-30 min. in advance, 15 in the morning; Calories: 475; Type: Japanese; Omnivore (ground beef, egg). Link

Bento no. 17: Potato cakes stuffed with ground beef (or any other savory filling). Time needed: 20-30 min. in advance, 15-20 in the morning; Calories: 300; Type: Japanese; Omnivore (ground meat) Link

Bento no. 16: A minimalist vegan bento for a tender tummy. Time needed: 15-20 min. in advance, 10 in the morning; Calories: 400; Type: Japanese; Vegan (tofu). Link

Bento no. 15: Bacon wrapped tofu! Also tea eggs. Mostly make-ahead again. Time needed: 20 min. the night before or earlier, 15 in the morning; Calories: 495; Type: Japanese; Omnivore (bacon, tofu, egg). Link

Bento no. 14: Vegan bento with miso-tahini-walnut carrots; mostly make-ahead for quick assembly in the morning. Time needed: 20-30 min. the night before or earlier, 10 the morning; Calories: 450; Type: Japanese; Vegan (walnuts, miso, edamame, tahini) Link

Bento no. 13: A mixed-pasta bento with a sweet pepper confit and decorative wiener flowers. Time needed: 35-40 minutes if you make the flowers, 20 min. for plain cut wieners; Calories: 565; Type: International; Omnivore (wiener sausages). Link

Bento no. 12: A salmon bento with a miso soup ball, assembled in 5-10 minutes! Time needed: 5-10 minutes; Calories: 435; Type: Japanese; Omnivore (fish, miso). Link

Bento no. 11: Gyuudon or beef bowl with a low-cal twist - konnyaku! Time needed: 15 min. the night before, 10 in the morning; Calories: 455; Type: Japanese; Omnivore (beef). Link

Bento no. 10: Vegan fritters. Time needed: 10 min. the night before, 15 in the morning; Calories: 460; Type: Japanese; Vegan (chickpea flour). Link

Bento no. 9: 10-minute bento! Vegan too. Time needed: 5-10 minutes; Calories: 450; Type: Japanese; Vegan (tofu). Link

Bento no. 8: A leftovers bento! Fried rice with ham and lentils. Time needed: 15-20 minutes; Calories: 460; Type: Japanese; Omnivore (leftover ham) Link

Bento no. 7: A bento featuring fall vegetables and tamagoyaki. Time needed: 20 min. the night before, 10 in the morning; Calories: 480; Type: Japanese; No meat (egg). Link

Bento no. 6: Pita bread sandwich bento. Time needed: 15 minutes; Calories: 550; Type: Middle-Easternish; Vegetarian (yogurt, black beans). Link

Bento no. 5: Another vegan bento featuring black bean burgers. Time needed: 20 the night before, 10 in the morning; Type: Japanese; Vegan (black beans).Link

Bento no. 4: A picnic bento packed in a disposable egg carton. Time needed: 15-20 minutes; Calories: 530; Type: Japanese picnic; Omnivore (fish, egg). Link

Bento no. 3: Spicy shirataki noodle bento - high fiber, low calorie! Time needed: 20 minutes; Calories: 270; Type: Asian-fusion; Vegan (tofu). Link

Bento no. 2: Chicken and vegetables on rice, donburi style. Time needed: 15-20 minutes; Calories: 520; Type: Japanese; Omnivore (chicken).Link

Bento no. 1: A basic bento! Mostly vegetarian with quail eggs. Time needed: 20 minutes; Calories: 545; Type: Japanese; Omnivore (chicken, egg). Link