The Just Bento Cookbook 2: Make Ahead, Easy, Healthy Lunches to Go is the sequel to the best-selling The Just Bento Cookbook. It contains almost all new recipes (with the exception of a handful of "classics"), and is designed to expand your bento making repertoire, as well as increase your knowledge of Japanese home cooking in general.

Highlights of The Just Bento Cookbook 2 include:

• Many recipes for items to make ahead and store in your refrigerator or freezer, ready to just pack and go
• A chapter on low-carbohydrate bentos. Whether you must watch your carbohydrate intake because you are a diabetic, or you are following a low-carb eating style, there are plenty of ideas as well as lots of low-carb recipes. While it focuses on shirataki noodles as well as its blockier cousin, konnyaku, both of which are high in fiber and have almost no calories, there are many other ideas for making your bentos low-carb too.
  (An editorial/space decision was made not to have a gluten-free chapter, but there are many gluten free recipes too, that are noted accordingly. Check out the rice sandwiches!)
• A lot more vegetarian and vegan recipes than in the first book, plus loads of vegetable based recipes for everyone!
• A whole section on quick-to-make bento ideas, even ones that 'cook' themselves in a thermal jar, ready to eat at lunchtime.

Where to buy the book

Here are some handy Amazon links. (Disclaimer: these are affiliate links, which bring a small commission to me, at no additional cost to you. ^_^)

• Amazon US (Amazon dot com) - please try this link first - it should lead you to your country's Amazon page for ths book. This is where to find the Kindle version of the book too if you are in the U.S.! If that doesn't work, please try:

• Amazon DE: the German title of the book is Das Bento-Box-Kochbuch: Meal Prep auf Japanisch. This link should also get you to the Kindle edition of the German edition if you are in Germany, or a country eligible to buy Amazon DE Kindle books (e.g. Switzerland).

• Amazon UK
• Amazon Japan

If you're having trouble finding it at your preferred bookseller, please contact the publisher, Kodansha USA, or the distributor, Penguin Random House. Please direct any media inquiries to Kodansha.

Should you get this book first, or the first Just Bento Cookbook?

Good question! I think that if you are an absolute beginner to bentos, the first one is the one to go for, since it has lots of information about planning your bento making workflow and so forth. But the second one is useful too, for the make-ahead ideas and/or if you have some special dietary needs. I say your ideal decision just may be to get both. ^_^