You mean this one? Cool! I've never seen them before.

Here is a link that might be useful: Mr. Bento

That is really a neat product. If I still worked I would have to have that little jewel.

I bought one and sent it back. The containers were small and did not have seals. The one that did seal wasn't tight and leaked. In all fairness, this was three years ago and the design may have been improved.

Also sometimes you just don't feel like filling up all those containers with a whole variety of different foods IYKWIM

OTOH, the Mr Bento link below has a LOT of ratings and is over 4.5 stars so it must be making quite a few people very happy.

Right now we are just using whatever tight sealing containers we have, like Tupperware and Rubbermaid, and a standard lunch box with a cool pack. I also have wide mouth Thermos bottles for foods that need to stay hot and it's working much better for us.

Here is a link that might be useful: This was the one I bought

Yup Sushipup and Beverlyal, that's the one I wanted! Me too, if I decide to return to work I definitely will get one for myself.

Loves2cook4six, I saw the rating too! When I find something interesting I always go on Amazon.com to see what other consumers have to say about it.

I bought hubby an E-Z freeze salad kit yesterday. Couldn't find it on Amazon.com but on Amazon.uk. He took a salad to work this morning. Will find out if it's any good when he comes home tonight.

Al

Here is a link that might be useful: E-Z freeze salad kit

I know someone who has one and loves it. The container sizes cnocerned her at first, but she said she realized that those are true portion sizes and not American SuperSize Everything portions. She's really gotten into the whole bento thing.

for me a thermos, zip lock containers various sizes, these seal really well and a small backpack type bag, does the job for my family and does not cost very much if it gets misplaced, a bento is just portions of food for lunch sort of a box lunch, i guess i am old fashion and not TRENDY , its okay with the family,

Mis-matched Tupperware/Rubbermaid and a recycled plastic bag work for me. Guess I'm not Trendy either.... LOL
And I certainly have no plans to become so.

On the other hand, I am fortunate to have access to my own mini fridge and a common microwave, sink and hot water dispenser here at work. So I don't really need anything more.

Deanna

The Japanese would be amazed to find out bento boxes are trendy. They've been doing it for decades. Nothing wrong with adopting an idea or product that makes something easier or even more fun.

I think bento boxes are part of a whole approach to lunches. It is also about mixing and matching food stuffs and portion sizes. No way could I stay organized enough to eat like that consistently. I couldn't even take the time to fill up the individual containers. My lunches consist of a lot of soups and casseroles/hashes that I portion up into tupperware containers on the weekends and then just throw in the lunchbag on the way out the door. I'm lucky if I take time to toss in an apple. No way would I fuss with portioning those individual containers with a bunch of stuff. Would be fun to have someone ELSE do it for me though!

Renee, I was thinking the same thing. Why is it some words sound "condescending" even when I'm sure that isn't the intent.

I love the one in the link above. If I still had a child at home that took lunches to school I would definitely buy one like that. Oh Wait, I take a lunch to work some days. Maybe I will buy one for myself.

Ann

Ann, Did you see the movie Eat, Drink, Man, Woman? It's really the same concept as the lunchbox the older man took the little girl. On No Reservations, they showed a similar idea in India. The size was bigger, but it was the same concept.

I like that everything is very compact and efficient. My friend who uses it likes it for that and because it makes it easier for her to stick to her diet. It's not for everyone. Nothing is.

I bought 2 packs of the Ziploc multicompartment boxes for my younger two's lunch box..they fit in their cloth insulated lunch boxes. With a juice or milk container and another few small things if needed.

They usually take half sandwiches, so I can fit more in the "sandwich" side. The seal seems to hold really well..I dishwash them sometimes..but often it's just easier to handwash.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bentos Ziploc (the first 2 pictures on this blog

OMG Who would think... Ziploc bento box! It looks very cool... not sure if I can find it in Calgary though. I remember when I was a kid we used to see those cute Hello Kitty plastic lunch box with sections, in the Asian stores. We went to the Asian mall today, everyone had the standard Rubbermaid type sandwich box. The best ones I saw were by Lock & Lock yet they were not bento style.

Think I will go to check the Ziploc aisle tomorrow to see if I will get lucky. Thanks Terri!

Al

I love bento boxes - I guess I'm just trendy... although I'm sure those who saw my clothes would argue otherwise!

I'm for anything that keeps portions in order and makes food fun and appealing.

Here's a link to the bentos we use, but I love the above Mr. Bento one too.

AM

Here is a link that might be useful: kids' bento

I just loved those two bento blogs! I can definately see bento boxes as good weapons in the battle to keep your kids and working spouse (or yourself if you are more organized than me), away from the junk foods and snack machines at school and work.

Sadly, I just don't have it together to make those kinds of lunches consistently, or even conistently wash the containers! But I can dream . . . If I was a foodie SAHM doing lunches for hubby and kids, I would be on those like white on rice! What fun! I am away from home for so much of the day though, I would need at least two, one for breakfast and snacks on the road, one for lunch and dinner. I leave at 7 and get home at 7 or later during the work week, partly thanks to a long commute. I would move closer to work if it wasn't a temp job.

I remember reading somewhere that the original "Bento Box" was a section of timber bamboo in which onigiri (salted rice balls often filled with pickled vegetables or fish) were carried by long-distance message runners and soldiers. This evolved into woven or kerfed and stacking boxes used by travelers and picnickers with accommodation for more luggage.

I have a bento box I bought thirty years ago, before the trend really hit. It's a simple metal box with a close fitting lid, that holds up to 4 cups. I can't imagine how many times, over the years, it has been filled with a layer of cold rice topped with small portions of leftover curry, sliced meats, stewed lentils, pickled or vinegar-dressed vegetables, seaweeds...oh gosh, just about a million things. I secure a pair of chopstix on top with a thick rubber band and I am set for lunch.

I think it's wonderful that the trend of segmented boxes has hit the US, as such containers lend themselves better to packing non-Asian foods. How I would have loved, as a kid, to have a break from the interminable plastic wrapped sandwich, piece of fruit and bundle of carrot sticks or dill pickle.

That said Al, I don't know how old your son is, but I can tell you that it would not have been wise for my mother to send me to school with a $60 lunchbox when I was a kidlet. We did the paper bag thing, but I remember a good many kids who brought the metal lunch boxes w/thermos who lost at least one or two per year. Also, I remember another topic where you mentioned him getting teased about fish breath...you might want to ascertain if other kids are bringing Bento lunches before you send him in with an elaborate set-up that might occasion more comment.

I like the "disposable" plastic container idea. ZipLock makes them as does Rubbermaid...and I'm sure a number of other companies as well. They're comparatively inexpensive but reusable should they not be lost or accidentally thrown out. I pack many of my husband's lunches in them. They are also microwavable, which is a plus if you've access to a microwave.

Al, I love the lock n lock small containers for "wet" things..those seals are fabulous!

I hope you can find the Ziplocs or something similar.
I've put homemade pudding in the small section, potato chips or crackers in the medium size and the sandwich plus something in the bigger section..never had pudding leak out..just press well.. Sometimes I wedge an orange and split between them and put it in the medium section...nothing else tastes like orange.

And the reason I went to reusables was actually less waste..no baggies or plastic wrap.

I use all reuasables in my husbands lunch box too..but his is tall, so I use 4 to 5 containers per lunch.

And for me I use a 4oz jelly jar with plastic lid for my yogurt parfaits, plus a rubbermaid ceramic microwavable dish for my leftovers.

Bean, I'm pretty sure they call the Indian ones "tiffins". My SIL has one :-)

Here's an example

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:1476224}}

I use those lock & seal containers for DS's lunch. They come in different shapes and sizes and fit very nicely into his square insulated bag. They seal very tightly and liquids never leak.

DS never wants to take a thermos though, so we don't have a need for hot food containers.

That's it! Thanks, Colleen. That was making me crazy trying to remember. It's the same idea, though, as the bento -- everything self contained and easily carried.

Isn't that something. In fact, I've found a picture of a Chinese lunch box. Looks similar yet very different.

Al

Here is a link that might be useful: Chinese lunch box

Check these out!!

Here is a link that might be useful: Life Without Plastic..

Terri, cool link!

Too bad they're not in Calgary! LOL What they carry looks good but not sure if the quality is as good as the look.

You notice Canadians have to pay more on shipping than Americans? I know it's different postal services but it still sucks!

Al

You can get metal tiffins in Calgary. My brother got one at a south Asian shop in East Calgary, and has it filled at a restaurant near his workplace.

Al, check out one of the Indian Restaurants in Calgary. If they don't have them they will be able to tell you where to get one. Also, if you are ever in Vancouver, they sell them at the Grandville Market.

Ann

Cooksnsews, do you know exactly which store? I have been to a couple of Asian stores this weekend but didn't see what I was looking for.

Ann, I actually had the similar though... wanted to go to a Japanese restaurant to ask for direction. :-) I have never been to Vancouver before, maybe I should go for a visit! :-)

Al

Al, I just spoke to my brother, and he got his tiffin at the Tiffin Curry House on 28th Ave NE, just north of Memorial Drive. It's in the same strip mall as the China Rose restaurant, across the street from the Islamic school. He says they come in two sizes, and cost somewhere between $10 and $20. I think you get a discount if you bring it back regularly to fill it with their food.

You're awesome cooksnsews! Just did a google search and there's only one in Calgary and it's in the SE industrial park. I will call them tomorrow to see if they have a different location. Al

I've seen a version of tiffins at World Market. The only thing I don't like about them is you can't put them in the microwave.

I've been using GlassLock by Snapware, and picking up the small sizes at my local Marshalls or TJMaxx. Two of the smallest rectangular sizes work for me when they're packed full. They're the same size as a Bento Box I have, so I know the portion size is right.

Here is a link that might be useful: Glass Lock

I'm certainly not trendy, that must be why I don't have a Bento Box, LOL. Hey, I'm a MOM, we're not allowed to be trendy, it's illegal here. I'm sure it is.

Nonetheless, I'd love to have one of those Bento Boxes but since I live half a mile from work and walk home for lunch many days, it's hard to justify the expenditure. (grin) On days when I do carry my lunch, I use the Snapware that Claire mentioned, or good old Pyrex bowls with plastic snap on lids. The only problem with those is that the lids split eventually but I've had some of those Pyrex bowls for 20 years.

Whatever I have for lunch, usually leftovers, gets packed up and stuffed into a tote bag that I got free a million years ago from joining a book club.

As Rachel mentioned, I can't imagine giving a $40 lunch box to Makayla or Bruvver, they'd lose the components far before the school year was over. Makayla and I went shopping and bought rubbermaid containers for her Hannah Montana lunch box so she's good to go, but I'm going to look for those Ziplock bento boxes, I'll bet she'd like those.

I like the stainless steel tiffins too, but as has been mentioned, they couldn't go in the microwave. I'm fortunate enough to have access to a refrigerator and a microwave, although 10 of us share it.

Annie

For the kids, I'd recommend the semi-disposable gladware stuff - NOT glass! or the unbreakable stainless steel. For the adults, glassware for the microwave, which isn't as available to the kids.

So the Tiffin boxes are not insulated? That explains why they are so much cheaper than Mr. Bento! Hmmmm... that won't do. It's so darn cold in the winter here that hubby's lunch will be stone cold by the time he has a chance to eat. Maybe I should order one Mr. Bento from the US. Have to bite the bullet on S&H & tax!

I don't plan on sending Mr. Bento to school with little man. Even though he has never lost anything in his lunch box; that doesn't mean it won't happen in the future. The boy doesn't care about hot meals anyway. I found a cute plastic box for his lunch for now. The plastic box has two sections so I can keep the wet and dry foods separated.

By the way, Annie, little man LOVES Michigan sushi. He has it three times already and can't wait for more! And so far, no complaint of sardine breath! LOL

Al

Just a few ideas:

1. Tiffin boxes can come with insulated outside jackets.

2. I forgot where I got them. There are heating packets you can get to heat up food. You just add a little water and it can heat up your food. May be camping supplies?

3. You can also get gell packs to keep you food cold or hot for half a day. (surgical supplies?)

dcarch

I may have to start haunting Marshalls for those glass containers. I'm trying to wean myself off as much plasstic stuff as possible.

Al, I think I got that address wrong. It should be 28th St SE. Except it isn't far SE - it's a few blocks North of Memorial, and only a block or so off Centre Ave, so it's still on the North side of the river. And yes, the outer sleeve is insulated.

Al, my kind of little guy, one that loves sardines. Ashley loves sardines too, but I can't get Makayla to eat them with me at all, not even in "Michigan sushi".

Your little guy is a more adventurous eater, it appears!

Annie

Dcarch, thanks for the ideas. I definitely will give them some thoughts.

Beanthere, Me too. I have a feeling that glass and metal are going to make a come back in the near future.

Cooks, thanks again. I have sent them an email asking about the product details. Hoping to hear back from them this week sometime.

Annie, Thanks for the Michigan Sushi idea. It's very well accepted. When I was preparing some yesterday, little man saw me and he started rubbing his palms together and said "Oooo!" LOL We went to the Asian market this weekend and discovered another type of canned sardines: Spanish style! It was really good!

Al

I have a friend with a bento site.

Here is a link that might be useful: iloveobento.

Here's the site I was trying to find again for you Al.
It comes highly recommended from a Kimi at Nourishing Traditions.

Here is a link that might be useful: Tickle Trunk

My Dad found the Ziploc containers and is sending me some. Just wanted to thank you guys for the info. I am always on the search for a better lunch box. My little guy doesn't eat much right now so maybe I can change up his lunch boxes and make them more appealing to him.
Thanks for starting this post, Al.
Lisa

Barnmom, those are very cute but not cheap. Love to look at them though! :-)

Terri, that's a great site. Are they supposed to be small like that, 14 cm? I thought they were bigger. I liked the double walled containers because I wouldn't need to get another insulated jacket for it.

Lisa, you're welcome! I am still trying to take it all in. It's great to know that I have many options.

Here's the plastic box that I bought for little man this weekend. Today's lunch: Yin-yang egg sandwich, mini Mandarin and strawberries.

Al