Bento Boxes

Posted Apr 27, 2007 by Sarah Ellen Smith

Updated Apr 27, 2007 at 07:39 PM

The best thing about train travel in Japan to me is the bento box.  Divided neatly into sections of colorful and artfully arranged delicacies it is a treat for the eater who likes surprises.  Because you never really know what you’re going to get.  Even Japanese people shake their head sometimes when you ask them what different items are in your bento box. 

Sometimes what looks like a sweet pink thing turns out to be pickled something-sharp tasting and bitter.  But it’s good with sticky rice sprinkled with black sesame seeds.  Sometimes a scary looking mushroom-looking thing can be a bean that is more like a dessert.  Many things taste like fish because either they are or they are sprinkled with fish shavings or dried shrimp.  Bento box are not for everyone.

On the train there are attendants who come into your car pushing stainless steel carts filled with boxes, snacks, and drinks.  They call out in a singsong voice what they have to offer and bow politely before entering or leaving your car.

While it’s fine to buy a drink this way, it’s best to purchase bento boxes in the station where you can see what is inside.  Once an attractive packaging caught my eye on the way out of Okayama and inside were a dozen dusty green tea covered glutinous sweets that I could barely swallow.  My travel buddies were amused.

Still, I like to choose a box with as many unrecognizable items as possible.  There’s more sport in it if you have no idea what something is going to taste like.  And the variety in one box can be amazing.  The other day I had twenty two separate items in one box, such as several kinds of pickled veggies, rice, tofu,seaweed salads, fish, steamed veggies, beef tongue, tempura, beans, sushi, preserved fruit, and sweet rice paste.

For between 600 and 1500 yen ($4 to $12 U.S.) you can get an amazing menu of goodies.  Plus it gives you plenty to do during a long train ride.