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Home / Main Ingredient / Fruit / Onigiri and Strawberry Salad Bento

Onigiri and Strawberry Salad Bento

Fruit, Fusion, Rice & Grain, Salad

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The weekday mornings are always busy for me as I have to pack three lunches and prepare breakfast all at the same time. It is a little easier in the summer months when the boys are home and I only need to concentrate on one lunch for Ro-Ri San. I am not so much into kyaraben (character bento) but I do enjoy making the bentos look appealing with colors and shapes. This can be easily achieved with all the the wonderful and colorful fruits and produce available at this time of the year. Packing a bento to school and work is also a great way to eat healthy and do portion control outside of home.

Onigiri(s) are very popular in Japan and are found even in the convenience stores. These rice balls or cakes are very tasty, usually with a filling of umeboshi (pickled plum), tsukemono (pickled vegetables), salted salmon, or various meat tidbits. There are also rice cakes with just furikake (rice sprinkles or seasoning). Onigiri is very portable and makes a great addition to the obento.

For a quick and easy onigiri, I mixed cooked short grain rice with packaged rice sprinkles. Shape the onigiri using plastic molds and decorate with strips of nori (toasted seaweed sheets). Leftover onigiri can be wrapped in plastic and kept frozen for 2 to 3 weeks. When required, place in a dish and heat in the microwave on high for one minute. Flip the rice cakes and heat for another minute. This is most convenient for packing bentos in the mornings. For pictures of the rice molds, check out my post on Onigiri with Jyuntoro.

Furikake can be found at places like Daiso and some Asian grocery stores. I bought this from Daiso in Yokohama on my recent trip there.

This is a stained, double tiered Hinoki cypress bento. It is a thing of beauty. I used an elastic band, to keep the bento together. The spring mix salad with sliced strawberries is at the bottom tier.

I was delighted to find these Hinoki cypress bentos on my recent vacation to Japan. I bought an unstained one from this store in Narai-juku. You can see it at the bottom right corner of this picture. The other (shown in today’s post) was purchased from a store just across the street from this store. Please do check out Food Adventures in Japan for more pictures on my trip.

Enjoy…..and have a wonderful day!

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August 11, 2010 ยท 41 Comments



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Comments

  1. Kamalika says

    August 11, 2010 at 4:04 pm

    I get to know about so many new things from your post..thanks for sharing…

    Reply
  2. anncoo says

    August 11, 2010 at 4:22 pm

    Hello Biren, love the way you present the onigiri and I also love the color of the Hinoki cypress bentos. About the Furikake, just let know you need any of these, I can get it for you because there are many Daiso outlets here.

    Reply
  3. rotinrice says

    August 11, 2010 at 4:26 pm

    Hi Ann, you are a sweetheart to offer to get me the furikake. I did buy quite a bit but will let you know when I run out ๐Ÿ™‚

    I really like my hinoki bentos ๐Ÿ™‚ ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  4. lequan@luvtoeat says

    August 11, 2010 at 4:27 pm

    Hi Biren, I think I should be paying you for all these Japanese lessons…teehee. I didn't even know there was an actual word for character bento, now I do. I've seen some pretty impressive kyaraben and boy are they CUTE! I love your onigiris, and I know my kiddies would love something like that too. Opening up a bento is like opening up a surprise. If someone made these for my lunch, I think I would enjoy lunch a lot more. You're such a devoted Mom and wife, kudos to you Biren!

    Reply
  5. rotinrice says

    August 11, 2010 at 4:56 pm

    I am so glad you find my posts informative. Thanks for your comments and your support ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  6. rotinrice says

    August 11, 2010 at 5:00 pm

    Thanks LeQuan! I am glad to hear that you are picking up some Japanese words from my posts ๐Ÿ™‚

    Onigiris are really fun to make using those molds. I have made gifts of them to moms with little girls and they are always well received. It is a fun activity for mom and daughter. Sometimes I pack a lunch for myself just for the fun of it. It is nice to open up a box with a well packed lunch.

    Reply
  7. Spoon and Chopsticks says

    August 11, 2010 at 5:43 pm

    Another informative post from you with great tips. I like the photos too.

    Reply
  8. Jay says

    August 11, 2010 at 6:42 pm

    wow..gorgeous clicks dear…enjoyed your post..!

    Reply
  9. pigpigscorner says

    August 11, 2010 at 7:17 pm

    What a beautiful and healthy pack lunch! Mine is always what's left from the previous dinner =P

    Reply
  10. Stella says

    August 11, 2010 at 8:31 pm

    Hey Biren, I love bento box lunch! And you're right about the visual appeal factor for a bento-different colors and shapes arranged nicely are a large part of what makes them so wonderful. Well, that and they are usually delicious too.
    I wish I could have had this for lunch today. I bet my Cauldron Boy would have liked it much better than what we had too (smile)!

    Reply
  11. Julie M. says

    August 11, 2010 at 8:52 pm

    That's a beautiful bento lunch you've put together! I've been wanting to try putting one together for a while now. I think you've inspired me to plunge ahead.

    Reply
  12. Patty Price says

    August 11, 2010 at 9:20 pm

    What a beautiful and healthy packed lunch, a pleasure for your loved ones to eat!

    Reply
  13. jillyann says

    August 11, 2010 at 10:10 pm

    Beautiful Biren! I am endlessly fascinated by bento lunches. I follow a few blogs that are dedicated to bento…love them. This box is gorgeous…almost to pretty to use!

    Reply
  14. 5starfoodie says

    August 12, 2010 at 3:18 am

    What a terrific lunch! Onigiri sound so delicious!

    Reply
  15. sweetlife says

    August 12, 2010 at 5:40 am

    beautiful bentosi love the color and can imagine what joy it is to open this up for your lunch, how fun

    sweetlife

    Reply
  16. Joanne says

    August 12, 2010 at 11:34 am

    My kids are totally taking bentos for lunch. Just so I can have fun making all of the food look pretty! This all looks so good.

    Reply
  17. sarah says

    August 12, 2010 at 2:30 pm

    nice clicks..new to me..looks so yummy!!!

    Reply
  18. A SPICY PERSPECTIVE says

    August 12, 2010 at 3:10 pm

    I go CRAZY over bento boxes! It almost doesn't matter what's inside. Although your lunch looks perfectly scrumptious!

    Reply
  19. Mary says

    August 12, 2010 at 4:04 pm

    I am amazed that you find the time to do such lovely bento. The men in your family are most fortunate. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings…Mary

    Reply
  20. Reeni says

    August 13, 2010 at 12:48 am

    What a beautiful bento! And your family is so lucky to have you packing those fantastic lunches for them. Onigiri is something new for me – I bet they're delicious!

    Reply
  21. Judy / BebeLoveOkazu says

    August 13, 2010 at 4:18 am

    Hi Biren, Your bento box is beautiful and your taste is impeccable! I would have chosen a similar box. ๐Ÿ™‚ I've been yearning to return to Japan for a visit and I'm so jealous you were able to enjoy good Japanese food! My mom used to make bento for me and love a good bento for lunch. Yours looks delicious.

    Reply
  22. tigerfish says

    August 13, 2010 at 6:16 am

    Nice set of meal, esp with the strawberry salad.

    Reply
  23. Joyti says

    August 13, 2010 at 11:51 am

    How cute ๐Ÿ™‚ I've never packed my own bento

    Reply
  24. Kristi Rimkus says

    August 13, 2010 at 2:02 pm

    Who wouldn't love this colorful, healthy meal for lunch. I always learn something new when I visit your blog. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  25. denise fletcher says

    August 13, 2010 at 2:32 pm

    My kids and I all love onigiri – it hardly matters what's inside! I am really starting to envy your collection of kitchen and tableware *sigh*

    Reply
  26. MaryMoh says

    August 13, 2010 at 3:15 pm

    Just so wonder to learn more about Japan, especially the food. I love hat last picture. My gosh…if I am there, I think my hubby had to pull me out…haha. I think I would want to buy all the kitchen gadgets ๐Ÿ˜€ They are so beautiful!

    Reply
  27. rotinrice says

    August 13, 2010 at 3:23 pm

    Mary, I am like a kid in a candy store when I go to places like these and there are so many of them in Japan. I have a hard time deciding what to get as I have limited luggage space. There are so many gorgeous things to look at and to buy…sigh*

    Reply
  28. Ma What's For dinner says

    August 13, 2010 at 5:50 pm

    Oh I want some, I want some!!! They're so beautiful, I think I'd actually feel guilty about eating what's inside…well for a second or two, then hunger takes over.

    Lots of yummy love,
    Alex aka Ma What's For Dinner ” target=”_blank”>http://www.mawhatsfordinner.com

    Reply
  29. Megan says

    August 13, 2010 at 10:41 pm

    Hi Biren… I feel so lost.. I didn't even know you went to Japan, now I have to go check out your trip photos! Anyhoo… I am usually a day late and a dollar short! As always you have created something wonderful! xoxoxo megan

    Reply
  30. Nithu says

    August 14, 2010 at 5:13 am

    Looks so good.

    Reply
  31. Angie's Recipes says

    August 14, 2010 at 1:00 pm

    All kinds of bento…they look very pretty!
    And the lunch box seems very nutritious and delicious!

    Reply
  32. Chef Dennis says

    August 14, 2010 at 2:54 pm

    I love this concept! I have to figure out a way to do this at school!

    Reply
  33. Sook says

    August 16, 2010 at 3:52 am

    Wow, what cute bento boxes! I love those!

    Reply
  34. MissionFood says

    August 17, 2010 at 2:30 am

    I love your Bento boxes, they look like so much fun ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  35. IJust LoveMyApron says

    August 17, 2010 at 8:11 pm

    Biren, sorry I was last thursday and the weekend so I lost keeping track of my fav blogs!
    This bento set is so cute and looks so tasty! I love bento lunch box. I used to pack for myself as it reminded me of Japan. I love that furikake! It makes rice taste even more tasty.

    Reply
  36. rotinrice says

    August 17, 2010 at 8:28 pm

    Tanantha, so sweet of you to catch up on my posts ๐Ÿ™‚

    I love bentos too and furikake is a quick and easy fix for tasty rice.

    Reply
  37. Magic of Spice says

    August 18, 2010 at 2:44 am

    That bento box is stunning (the box too)…The way you have put this lunch together is just beautiful ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  38. JC says

    June 24, 2011 at 8:16 am

    Hi Biren,

    May I ask how should I use furikake to flavour the rice? I can get the furikake at Daisho, unfortunately I don’t know how to use it. Hope you can share. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Biren says

      June 24, 2011 at 8:35 am

      I just shake it on the rice and gently mix it in with a spatula in the case of flavoring the rice for making rice cakes. Often times, I just simply sprinkle it on a bowl of rice. This is especially good for ochazuke. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  39. Mina Joshi says

    September 3, 2011 at 5:38 am

    If I had this in my lunch box – I would feel as though I was eating in a restaurant. So much variety and so everything looking so good!! WOW!

    Reply
    • Biren says

      September 3, 2011 at 10:52 am

      Thanks Mina! Bentos are fun to prepare, pretty to look at, and good to eat. Glad to hear you like it. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply

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Hi, I’m Linda! I make quick, easy meals, and spin on classics and old favorites with focus on Malaysian, Chinese, and American cuisines. Read more โ†’

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