HOME Tokyo and Surroundings Tokyo Tokyo's Surrounding Areas 'That's Too...Unique!' 6 Weird Ways Foreigners Were Shocked by 'Real' Japanese Bento Culture

'That's Too...Unique!' 6 Weird Ways Foreigners Were Shocked by 'Real' Japanese Bento Culture

Last updated: 11 February 2021

Japanese bento culture has become world-famous, with even the word 'bento' becoming increasingly adopted in English! For people abroad who may have grown up with a relatively simple 'lunch box' culture, Japanese bentos probably have several distinguishing points.

In addition to having good nutritional balance, rich colors, delicious ingredients and taste, Japanese bentos actually come in a variety of different forms, including 'ekiben' boxed lunches sold at train stations and decorative 'kyaben' lunches, which often feature the image of a manga character, all made out of colorful ingredients.

When I asked foreigners about whether they were surprised by Japanese lunches, as a Japanese I was surprised by the overwhelming responses! Here are six common themes that arose from the question! (Comments are personal opinions of respondents.)

First of all, what we often heard was the huge variety of Japanese bento boxes. There are a lot of types: ones with seaweed used as a main ingredient; Makunouchi style (with rice, fish, meat, pickets, eggs, vegetables, and an umeboshi plum); ones with karaage - and the popular 'don' variety, with meat, sushi or other toppings! So what sort surprised most?

"I was surprised that there were so many types of goods sold at convenience stores and supermarkets. In my hometown, food sold at convenience stores is basically limited to sandwiches. I thought it was nice to have such variety in Japan because you could eat and compare." (UK / 20s / man)

"There are many types of Japanese lunches - and they can be refrigerated or frozen and sold, because microwave ovens are pretty common. In India, there are not many types of lunches because they do not last long." (India / 20s / man)

"They are so convenient so I thought I didn't have to cook lunch (laughs), but I wasn't used to the fact that the expiration date was on that or the next day, so actually I found I often ate bentos that had expired." (America)

You do have to be careful with the expiration date! There are so many kinds of bentos so you might be tempted to buy several. But if you do, be sure to check the expiration date so you're not stuck with more than you can eat.

The overwhelming majority of people from around Asia commented on Japanese lunches being cold. There are many things that are delicious even when cooled down, however hot lunches might seem to be the norm in certain other countries.

"It was really a culture shock that the lunch was cold. They're still delicious if served cold, but I prefer a warm lunch." (Taiwan / 50s / woman)

"Thais don't eat cold foods so much, so cold lunches are still not customary." (Thailand / 30s / woman)

"I can't get used to eating cold lunches and I don't think they're particularly tasty." (Vietnam / 20s / woman)

"Bentos sold at my office are cold and Japanese people eat them, but it's kind of unthinkable for me." (Philippines / 30s / man)

It's interesting indeed to see how big a deal food temperature is! For Japanese, we typically feel that even if a bento is served cold, the rice and other ingredients are still very delicious, so we aren't necessarily as conscious about the temperature of the food. I hope that when people visit Japan, they will try a variety of bento styles - not just hot, but cold ones as well.

Regarding nutritional balance and food volume, we heard surprises from various countries.

"I think the nutritional balance is quite good and there are many seasonal ingredients used as well." (Indonesia / 50s / woman)

"There tends to be piles of meat and it's fairly cheap and filling. I think guys in particular would be very happy." (France / 30s / man)

"I think that many of the bento boxes tend to have a smaller portion of vegetables, and the main dish in the bento tends to be fried. I'm not sure whether bentos really have such a great nutritional balance to be honest." (Germany / 20s / woman)

Although many of our respondents seemed pleased with the overall amount of food in Japanese bentos, it is worth noting that many do indeed contain fried foods. Recently, however, convenience stores and supermarkets have been boosting the variety of vegetable-based bentos. We hope to enjoy a good selection of lunches that are as tasty as they are healthy!

Japanese lunches are not only nutritional but also look good. Many respondents were impressed by the arrangement of ingredients.

"Many Japanese bentos have a cute appearance and are just kinda fun and make me smile!" (USA / 30s / woman)

"Lunches in Hong Kong...we tend to simply pack up leftovers from the day before. I think it's very hard to consider how to arrange things in colorful ways and serving them for lunch, and the Japanese who make time for making such colorful lunches are too great." (30s / man)

"I'm impressed by how Japanese split the side dishes using leaves and cups so that the flavors don't all mix together. I'm surprised that they care so much." (UK / 20s / woman)

"Character bentos are just too awesome. I can't eat them because they're so cute." (Poland / teens / woman)

Character bentos are kind of a masterpiece of food and perfection, and even Japanese envy this kind of creativity! I understand how people wouldn't want to eat these cute styled lunches.

One thing to remember about Japanese lunches is 'ekiben.' Many foreigners are surprised by Japanese ekiben culture.

"Because eating and drinking is prohibited on Hong Kong trains, it is surprising to see people eating lunch on Japanese trains." (Hong Kong / 20s / man)

"Tokyo Station and many of the other large stations sell these cool lunches - many of which are produced by famous shops or chains. It's a bite of luxury for a fraction of the price you'd pay at one of the restaurants!" (Switzerland / 20s / woman)

"Eating a local ekiben at your destination is the real pleasure of traveling in Japan, and it will make a great memory." (Taiwan / 20s / woman)

"One of the ekiben I once bought became hot when I pulled the string, and I was very surprised when I ate for the first time." (Spain / teens / man)

Ah, the heated ekiben! It is a bento that was born to be eaten hot, but stored in the refrigerator. So with some clever ingenuity, a packaging company found how to create a self-heating bento box that can be eaten on the go! I would be surprised too, were I to experience this overseas.

"The side dishes are too unique. What's the deal with the omnipresent pasta salad!?" (China / 30s / woman)

"I didn't know that adding umeboshi has an antibacterial effect! It's not just delicious and it goes well with rice, but it's really Japanese who also thinks about the body." (France / 40s / woman)

"There are many types of lunch boxes. They can be filled with cold packs or have a size that's super easy to carry even when you've other bags. It's proof that Japanese really are particular about lunch boxes." (Malaysia / 20s / man)

"I remember the first time I encountered a bento that came in a plastic tray instead of paper, and how it was strong enough to be heated in the microwave. I remember being impressed with how Japanese use quality materials even just for disposable food containers.” (Nepal / 30s / woman)

There you have it! Japanese bentos come in a variety of formats and have a number of different ingredients, arrangements, and types. It's wonderful to see how many foreigners are impressed with the strong commitment that bento makers have to their customers! We hope that when you visit Japan, you head to the train station, convenience store, or supermarket and give a bento a go. They are a wonderful way to get an authentic taste of Japan!