Bento Lunches

We call it "baon" in our own dialect. Bento lunches are very common in asian countries specially in Japan, Korea and China. Bento means "meal serve in a box". I grew up in bento lunches. My mother usually prepare bento for our lunches at school. This includes rice, eggs, marinated sweet pork or dried fish or sometimes rice with longganisa (sausage like but taste like sweet pork) or some veggies and fruits like mango, pineapples or cantaloupes. Although some prepare their bento artistically, ours is just simple, usually placed in divided lunch boxes. Some preferred their bentos hot and warm for lunch so they have this kind of special layered container and wrap with fabric to keep it heated.
When my kids started school and up to this day, I usually prepared bentos for their lunches, not everyday but at least 2 to 3 times a week and when I don't, they kind of miss it they said :) I have many cute bento lunch boxes that I left in Hong Kong, I should had brought all of it here lol. I can't find anything like that in any store here. But when we were in California I found bento lunch boxes in one of Asian store there that I wanted. It has four detachable dividers and comes with chopsticks and small container for sauces. 
Since that my kids are sometimes getting tired of rice, I make a variety of healthy food they like to eat, like chicken wrap slices and fruits and added small amount of meat. If I have time, I make sushi and spring rolls and added it to their bentos. I seldom buy process foods for their lunches (make me feel guilty, although it's ok once in a while) or sometimes sandwiches, but I prefer freshly cooked meal. 

simple bento lunch I usually make. Josel and Jason's bento

This is Jessica's bento lunch box. It's two layered container

this is just like the one I have when we were in Hong Kong but yellow and beige bag. I usually bring it with me as we were always on the road and boat. It comes very handy specially when Josel got hungry. He's a year old at that time.

This is the one that I really wanted but can't find anywhere here in any store. I found this bento lunch boxes online and they are selling this kind of containers and I think I'm going to buy it :)

Elaborate and artistic bento. Jessica and I once made a rice face with hair made of black sea weeds, the one we wrap for sushi :)

Complete bento stuff.

This is not only for lunches but also good for picnics on summer time. It's fun to me and for my kids too :)

If you're interested in bento making, visit this site

Cute Bento Making

http://www.cookingcute.com/recipes.htm

Just Bento @   

http://www.justbento.com/recipes

Have a nice day!