Hi, WNYC listeners. This is the genius Japanese lunchbox I have. It’s deceptively simple, but so effective. I got mine at Katagiri, on E. 59th Street.
Here it is open:
The little white divider is almost symbolic–it slides, and it comes out completely. It doesn’t form a perfect seal, so if I really want to keep something dry–nuts, say–I put it in a silicone muffin cup.
Then I close it all up:
Seriously, it looks small, but it actually holds a pretty hefty lunch. I like having everything spread out, like it’s on a plate. And the plastic is really heavy and doesn’t stain, even if you microwave it.
I also bought this lunch box, but it is nowhere near as satisfying. I show it to you here, because you might get seduced by it at the store. Trust me, it’s not as good (even if it does have a dedicated spot for your chopsticks). For one, just too many pieces. And it actually holds _too much_ food (for me, at least).
They do fit into a tidy stack–but it doesn’t seal quite as well as the plain one-piece box. Which makes me nervous.
Honestly, I bought it for the Engrish. How can you resist this?
Lunch is a good day pastime! This failed lunchbox pays for itself through sheer inspiration!
I listened. I learned. I LOVED!
Thanks, Naomi! Glad I could help.
Thanks for your bento post! I will definitely check out Katagiri – thanks for the tip!
Oh Jebus, I have one of those too and the Engrish is exceptional. The lid features text that reads something like: “LUNCH SCENE: As the pressures of modern life increase, nutritional and important lunch is a crucial existence of history’s time.”
But you’re right, they really do store a lot more food than one might first imagine. I had mine for years before realizing there was yet another huge compartment built into the lid that I hadn’t even known about!
Whoa! Maybe I should look more carefully at mine…
Jeremy has, of late, been making fun of my bento box obsession. I suspect that when he is in NYC later this spring, he will be visiting Katagiri for me in order to buy me some presents.
If he knows what’s good for him!