With back-to-school season on the horizon, many parents and caregivers are preparing for the return of the daily lunch-packing routine. Lunch prep can be overwhelming, especially if you have picky eaters or are on a fixed budget. However, introducing some variety into the lunchtime ritual can make all the difference. Bento boxes are an excellent option, combining balance, and kid-friendly fun in one little package.
Bento boxes are lunch boxes that contain a variety of foods arranged in different compartments. While they originated in Japan, bento boxes have become popular all over the world. Bento boxes are both nutritious and exciting and have become a fantastic way for picky eaters to not only eat their lunch but look forward to it as well. International Fresh Market will outline how to create four delicious, quick lunches, perfect for inclusion in any bento box. Even better, all the ingredients featured can be found at our Asian grocery store.
What Makes a Bento Box Appealing to Kids
Children have a natural affinity for anything small, and bento boxes fit the bill perfectly. Traditional bento boxes have little compartments, into which are packed a variety of foods, including a protein, veggie, carb source, and a fruit or dessert option. With a host of different colors, flavors, and textures, bento boxes are a feast for the senses.
For picky eaters, using familiar Asian flavors in creative ways can encourage children to try new things without overwhelming them. There are a lot of ways to make bento boxes visually appealing as well. Using silicone cups, mini containers, and rice molds can make it even easier to prep. These small additions can also make lunch an exciting time that kids look forward to.
Recipe 1: Chicken Teriyaki Rice Bowl
Chicken teriyaki rice bowls are savory and sweet, the perfect kid-friendly rendition of the Japanese favorite. To make it, you’ll need boneless chicken thighs, soy sauce, sugar, mirin, garlic, steamed white rice, broccoli, and sesame seeds. You can whip up the liquid ingredients to make a quick teriyaki sauce ahead of time.
To make it even easier, substitute frozen broccoli florets for fresh, and air fry chicken before combining it with the pre-prepared sauce and cooked broccoli. For packaging in a bento box, serve the chicken in bite-sized pieces over the rice, and include the broccoli on the side. For vegetarians, tofu is an easy swap for the chicken.
Recipe 2: Korean-Inspired Beef & Veggie Wraps
Beef and veggie wraps are a burst of fresh flavor, featuring bulgogi-style beef wrapped either in lettuce or mini flatbreads. To make it, cook the sliced beef over high heat, before removing from the pan and combining with a sauce made of garlic, soy sauce, and brown sugar. You could also incorporate pear puree for a more traditional version.
Add the meat, shredded carrots, and butter lettuce into the mini flatbread for serving. For incorporating into the bento box for later, wrap the ingredients in parchment so kids can DIY their own flatbreads at lunch. For even more flavor, include a small container of mild gochujang-mayo or sesame dressing in the bento box. You can find all of these traditional ingredients and much more at International Fresh Market.
Recipe 3: Veggie Sushi Rolls (No Raw Fish)
Veggie sushi rolls are a great way to get more fresh ingredients into your child’s diet all while keeping things fun. These easy veggie sushi rolls feature no raw fish, just fresh, flavorful ingredients like sushi rice, nori, avocado, cucumber, tamagoyaki (Japanese sweet egg), crab sticks or tofu, and soy sauce. To assemble, use a bamboo mat or cling wrap to roll the veggies and protein into the nori wraps, and slice into small pieces.
To create a fully-rounded meal, include edamame and a fruit skewer on the side in the bento box. Include some soy sauce packets so your child can season their sushi rolls as they wish. For even more creativity, add all the ingredients in separate compartments in the container and encourage your child to DIY their sushi at lunchtime.
Recipe 4: Filipino-Style Spaghetti with Chicken Lumpia
If your child loves traditional spaghetti, consider making Filipino-style spaghetti with chicken lumpia. This sweet and savory spaghetti dish features spaghetti noodles, banana ketchup, your choice of hot dogs or ground meat, and sauteed garlic and onion. With crunchy mini egg rolls on the side, this is the perfect kid-friendly dish!
Save yourself time by making a big batch of sauce ahead of time and air-frying or baking the chicken lumpia from frozen. To pack it for a bento box, serve the cooled spaghetti in a compartment separate from the sauce and wrap the lumpia in foil to maintain the delicious crunch. For even more options, include a small container of dipping sauce, such as vinegar or sweet chili. You can pick these up in the Asian aisle at International Fresh Market, along with sweet treats or fresh fruit to accompany the Filipino-style spaghetti.
Visit Our Asian Grocery Store for Lunchtime Staples
Back to school season can be stressful, but packing lunches doesn’t have to be. Try any or all of the Asian-inspired bento box recipes for a fun, flavorful, and easy to prepare take on lunch. Plus, introducing new flavors in familiar formats can help expand your kids’ palates all while keeping lunchtime an enjoyable, exciting experience.
At International Fresh Market, we have everything you need for back to school and beyond. We have hundreds of products from dozens of countries, including fresh meat and vegetables and shortcut packaged options that make feeding your family a breeze. From savory specialty sauces to ready-made lumpia, we can help you simplify lunch prep and keep your kids happy and satisfied.
Stop by our Asian grocery store to explore even more international lunchbox options and to get some in-person inspiration. Our friendly associates are always happy to help, whether you need assistance finding the perfect lunch ingredient or want suggestions for a fresh take on family dinner. Visit us today to discover everything we have to offer!
