I first discovered bento boxes when I first started watching anime. The girls in the stories frequently tried to impress the boys they liked by making cute little lunches for them. After that, I looked them up online. Wow! I was amazed at how many different styles of bento boxes there were. They come in metal, wood and plastic with fun anime characters as well.
Bento boxes are divided into individual compartments. Sometimes they have a second or third layer that all stack together for holding a meal. The main ingredient in the lunch is either rice or noodles. Then they add the fun stuff. The side dishes, or okazu, can be made of meat, eggs, fish, tofu, vegetables or fruit. The okazu is cut and prepared in bite sized pieces that work well with chopsticks. In children’s meals, the vegetables may be cut into cute shapes. They even have molds for boiled eggs! When I saw a picture of a boiled egg shaped like a teddy bear, I couldn’t believe it was an egg! They can also mold the rice into shapes. Some of the pictures I’ve seen have been extremely artistic and imaginative. The women who spend time making these bento box lunches are really creative. I’m tempted to buy a few of these lunchboxes at the local Asian store and try my hand at it. It sounds like a lot more fun than making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
From time immemorial the traditional Japanese kitchen has centered around the stove or hearth. A stove made of clay called a kamado was in the center. Pots would be set on top for cooking. This was actually very similar to today’s modern stoves with the exception that it was heated with a fire instead of electricity or gas.
In today’s Japanese kitchen, space is at a premium. Everything is arranged conveniently in as small a space as possible. Since most Japanese recipes use the techniques of broiling, boiling, grilling, steaming and frying, the kitchen is set up to make the most of these cooking techniques. A small gas stove usually takes up the most counter space. They usually have two burners. This stove is used for the majority of dishes needed to make up a meal. Many of these small gas stoves also have a small integrated broiler built in that functions a little like a toaster oven.
A small refrigerator will usually stand at the end of the counter. Most households will have a rice cooker and a microwave. Since most Japanese kitchens do not have a dedicated oven like they do in America, many of the microwaves are hybrids that also allow the cook to bake and toast. Dishwashers are also very rare in a Japanese kitchen. Most dishwashers are small and portable. They can be set up on top of the nearest cabinet. Some kitchens also have a special appliance for heating water. They are programmable and will keep water hot for anything it may be needed for.
In newer homes, a “system kitchen” is often built in instead of having the appliances sitting on top of the cabinets. System kitchens may have the stove, dishwasher and broiler built right into the cabinets. This is a new innovation in Japan.
