What is Bento 弁当
Bento is the Japanese iteration of a single-portion take-out or home-packed meal, often for lunch. This meal typically consists of a starch (like rice or noodles), a protein, and assorted vegetable and fruit side dishes.
Historians found that the tradition of preparing conveniently packed meals dates back to the XIIth century. This was when dried rice was prepared to be eaten outside. Far from being refined, those meals were mainly carried by people who worked outdoors – farmers, fishermen etc. However, the habit eventually spread to the high society. It eventually became a convenient meal for travelers during the Edo Era. More importantly, it also became a must for outdoor excursions, tea parties, and theater since plays could last several hours.
The famous “ekiben”, from bento and eki, train station, first appeared during the Meiji period. This was despite historians being divided about which station first sold it. However, the XXth century (between the wars and food shortages) saw the decline of what could be seen as a luxury. The development of school canteens for students chased away the need for homemade lunch. The bento found its salvation in the 80s after the emergence of microwaves and convenience stores. Once again, the homemade/industrial lunchbox became a common sight at school and at work.