Cute Food - The Adorable, Edible Art Of Kawaii Cooking
Ranked #11 in Food & Cooking, #100 overall
Cute Bento & Fun Ideas For Kid's Lunches
These cute foods are usually served in bento boxes from Japan, but parents will love the healthy ideas to make snack and mealtime fun for even the pickiest eaters! Don't be afraid of the natto and nori because even the most squeamish American cooks can use familiar foods to create edible art that is almost too cute to eat!
You'll find tons of obento cookbooks, recipes, and bento supplies right here. Plus, learn secret tips for making those cute faces on your food!
Photo Credit:
What Is Bento/Obento?
Obento is an art, but also a meal. In Japan, school children are treated to elaborate boxed lunches that are not only healthy and delicious, but beautiful to look at. Obento is traditionally a mom-made meal that is carefully constructed with love and offers a connection to home and family while the child is away at school. Because the meals are handmade, they usually take an enormous amount of preparation time and planning to create a balanced meal that is appetizing and appealing to the eyes.
To create these adorable lunches, onigiri (rice) and eggs are molded into the shapes of animals or cartoon characters and garnished with faces cut or punched out of seaweed, meats, cheese, etc. Carefully sliced fruits and vegetables are transformed into flowers, miniature animals, stars or basically, anything cute. The rice and other foods can also be dyed naturally to add even more variety to the palette.
Obento is packed in a waste-free container, with a thermos and reusable chopsticks or utensils, so it is a "green" lunch! If you think about the amount of garbage that is collected in just one school lunchroom in America each day you will realize the impact that prepackaged convenience foods have on the environment.
- The Meaning of Food | Food & Family | Obento | PBS
- Food in Japan is famously prepared as much for the eyes as for the palate.
- Obento
- Obento, or boxed meal, is an art form in Japan.
- Eating Our Way Through Japanese History - A Brief Study of the Obento
- The obento is a boxed meal, quite similar to a lunch box, which can be taken anywhere.
kawaii = cute
Yum-Yum Bento Box Cookbook
This book is a must-have for your bento bookshelf!
Yum-Yum Bento Box: Fresh Recipes for Adorable Lunches
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 02/14/2012)
Oh, boy obento! These cute, yummy, healthy lunches are all the rage in Japan, where mothers think of them as an expression of love for their children. Yum-Yum Bento Box is one of the first cookbooks in English devoted to these healthy and adorable meals. They're fresh, they're tasty, and they're almost too cute to eat!
Hawai`i's Bento Box Cookbook - 2nd Course
Learn to create cute, whimsical lunches!
Hawaii's Bento Box Cookbook: 2nd Course
Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 02/14/2012)
Hawaii's Bento Box Cookbook 2nd Course presents a new assortment of imaginative bento and ono dishes that will make lunch a one-of-a-kind treat for even the pickiest of eaters. The bento box continues to be popular among all ages, especially kids who can enjoy some fanciful food while benefiting from a nutritious meal.
Cute Obento American-Style
Start a new lunchtime trend!
Even if you are unsure about the unusual ingredients in Japanese cuisine or don't have the time to make traditional obento, you might want give bento a try, American style. Your kids will appreciate the effort and you just might start a new lunchroom trend as word gets around!
Start simple and try eliminating one prepackaged convenience food from your shopping list each week and replace it with a healthier, waste-free option packed in a reusable plastic container.
Look up some new recipe ideas in lunchbox cookbooks or by seaching online and use your imagination to liven them up. Kids love to play with their food, so you can even let your kids help you come up with their own ideas!
Try cutting your fruits and vegetables a different way, using garnishing tools or cutters. Harder vegetables like carrots can be precooked to soften a little for easier cutting with miniature cutters. To prevent browning in fruits like apples, soak in salt water or citrus soda (Sprite of 7up) for a few minutes before packaging.
Skip the Lunchables and use cookie cutters to make cut cute shapes out of low fat (or vegan) lunch meat and cheese slices. Serve with whole wheat crackers, pita bread, etc.
Instead of buying Uncrustables, use sandwich cutters to make cute sandwiches. You get bonus points for making animal shaped heads, like bears or bunnies! Use raisins, dried fruit, lunch meats or sliced cheese to make cute faces on the bread.
Instead of sending utensils in their lunchbox, pack cute plastic shaped food picks or cheater chopsticks for small, finger sized food. I guarantee, your kids will love this!
If you need help finding inspiration for cute ideas, try looking at photos of cute bento on blogs and Flickr!
Now, if you're feeling more adventurous and want to give Japanese bento a try, here are a bento basics for beginners! You can also join Kawaii Bento For Beginners on Facebook to get inspired and share ideas, photos, etc.
Bento Box Portion Suggestions:
3 parts carbohydrates (rice or pasta)
1 part protein
2 parts fruits and vegetables
Bento Basics For Beginners
Helpful links for getting started with bento making.
- The Kawaii Bento Club
- We are cooking cute and we want you to join us!
- Bento Summer School | Facebook
- Join the Kawaii Bento Club and your favorite bento bloggers for a 10 week crash course in bento making this summer. Learn how to make kawaii bento and be ready to pack totally cute, nutritious, eco-friendly meals for your kid's lunchboxes in the fall!
- Common Bento Foods
- List of common bento foods and descriptions.
- Bento Staple Ingredients
- Staple bento ingredients for your pantry, refrigerator and freezer.
- Cute Bento Recipe & How To Blogs
- Find lots of free adorable bento recipes & photos online to get you started in your bento making adventure.
- A Guide To Onigiri
- Onigiri (or omusubi, the other name for the same thing), the cute little rice ball, has really become popular outside of Japan in the last few years, in large part it seems due to its iconic status in anime and manga. While the onigiri is not limited in Japanese food culture to just bento use, it's an indispensable part of the bento maker's repertoire.
- Onigiri Rice Ball Tutorial
- Onigiri (also known as omusubi) are the ultimate comfort food. Very portable and usually with a delicious filling, these rice balls are popular on their own or as part of a bento box. Many types of fillings are used: salted salmon, bonito flakes moistened with shoyu, a pitted umeboshi, stewed kombu, and a mixture of tuna/mayo/wasabi are popular. Use your imagination - almost anything that tastes good with rice can go inside onigiri!
- How To Make Kawaii Faces On Your Obento
- The Japanese have taken cute to the kitchen and now you can too with the pop culture phenomenon of kawaii cooking. The new trend is catching on and adorable critters (kyaraben) are peeking out of lunch boxes all over the world as kids and adults alike squee with delight over the delicious cuteness.
- Natural Ways To Make Your Bento Colorful
- If you love character bentos (kyaraben), you may wonder how the creators manage to color some of the elements. Do they use food dyes? Not necessarily.
- The Kawaii Bento Club
- We are reinventing the way we feed our kids and families by preparing healthy, homemade food, making it cute and packing it in reusable, eco-friendly containers. Lunchtime has never been this much fun!
Bento Cookbooks
Recipes and full-color photographs of kid's bento!
Where To Buy Cute Bento Supplies
Shop online for kawaii bento boxes & accessories!
- Kawaii Bento Box Starter Kits
- Buying bento gear can be loads of fun, but if you're just jumping on the bento wagon and need some supplies to get started you'll probably need a list of the basic essentials so you don't break the bank on your first shopping spree.
- Eco-Friendly Bento Boxes
- Waste-free, stainless steel lunch containers are reusable, eco-friendly, easy to clean and dishwasher safe!
- Kawaii Bento Store - Cute Bento & Lunch Supplies
- Lots of adorable and practical bento lunch supplies, accessories, and cookbooks shipped from the United States. Plus, FREE SHIPPING is available on most orders over $25.00.
- Cute Bento Supplies From Japan
- Kawaii bento products can be hard to find locally in the United States, but are readily available online.
Bento Food Safety & Packing Tips
Tips for packing safe and delicious bento lunches.
Pack bento in food safe containers like the Bento Buddies pictured here!
They contain NO PVC, phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA), or lead.
*It's an extra bonus if they are also microwave and dishwasher safe.
- Food Safety For Packed Lunches
- Japanese bento cookbooks traditionally suggest packing foods with antibacterial properties in lunches in order to keep food from spoiling.
- Keeping Your Bento Lunch Safe
- This bento safety article is one of the first ones I posted here on Just Bento, back in November 2007. I've edited it and added some more information, especially since more and more new people are coming to the site. Even if you're a veteran bento maker, it's good to go over the basics occasionally!
- Box Lunches: Hot or Cold?
- A question I'm often asked is if we eat our box lunches hot, cold, or at room temperature. I mean, I often pack fruit next to savory foods that could heat up
- Packing Bento
- The secret to packing bento every day without driving yourself batty from lack of sleep (or chronically showing up to work late) is good planning. I can't say that I always plan well, but when I do, I can whip up a tasty bento in about 30 minutes. Sure, it takes longer than packing a sandwich and chips, but overall it's healthier, less expensive than eating out, and a cute bento can really brighten your (or a loved one's) day.
- Bento Box Packing Tips
- The general rule of thumb for bento make-up is 3 parts carbohydrates such as rice or pasta, 1 part protein, and 2 parts fruits and vegetables, but without candy, junk food or oily foods. Packed this way without gaps, a 600ml box holds a 600-calorie meal, although it's simple to cut back on carbs for a lighter lunch if you like.
Cute Bento Photos & Videos
Inspiration and ideas for creating your own cute food!
![cute chickies bento [explored] by gamene](http://static.flickr.com/2697/4033549432_60c6fa90d7_s.jpg)
![rain cloud bento [explored] by gamene](http://static.flickr.com/2609/4099831108_23d7feb070_s.jpg)
![cat and birdies bento [explored] by gamene](http://static.flickr.com/4063/4270807168_1db23eec89_s.jpg)
![chili corndog bento - detail [explored] by gamene](http://static.flickr.com/2739/4249955174_d8d6064445_s.jpg)
- Flickr: The Kawaii Bento Club Group
- Cute bento photos by members of The Kawaii Bento Group on Squidoo!
How Do They Make Those Cute Faces?
Find all the cool tools that make expressions on food!
Colorful Bento Boxes For Kids
Made by Vivo
* Keeps items organized
* Safe to use in the dishwasher
* Dimensions includes handle
* Layers and Bottom measures: 2-inchby 4.75-inch, Middle: 2-inch by 4.75-inch, Top: 2-inch by 4.75-inch
Kid's Stacking melamine food box with 2 layered sections and metal holder/handle. Great for meals on the move. Reusable, dish washer safe. Lively color combinations make picnics or an everday lunch an event.
Vivo Kids Bento Box, Orange and Pink
Amazon Price: $23.00 (as of 02/14/2012)
Vivo Kids Bento Box, Blues and Greens
Amazon Price: $23.00 (as of 02/14/2012)
Kid Friendly Chopsticks
One piece "cheater" chopsticks are easy to use!
Animal Shaped 2-Tiered Bento Boxes
Made by Kotobuki
* Perfectly sized for bringing lunch to school or to the office
* Includes two stacked compartments stacked separated by fitted plastic lid--great for separating two different dishes
* Made of food-safe plastic; includes elastic band for secure transport
* Top and bottom compartments dishwasher and microwave safe; inner lid not microwave safe and should be hand washed
Kotobuki bento are Japanese style lunch boxes. The stacking two tiers keep foods and flavors separate and the top tier has a press on lid to prevent spills. Includes an elastic band to hold the tiers together. Durable, attractive, and easy to clean. Made in Japan.
4-1/2-inch L by 4-1/2-inch W by 3-1/8-inch H.
Kotobuki 280-129 2-Tiered Bento Box, Panda Face
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 02/14/2012)
Kotobuki 2-Tiered Bento Box, Frog Face
Amazon Price: $18.50 (as of 02/14/2012)
Kotobuki 2-Tiered Bento Box, Duck
Amazon Price: $19.50 (as of 02/14/2012)
Kotobuki 2-Tiered Bento Box, Piggy
Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 02/14/2012)
Cute Shaped Egg & Sushi Molds
These work great for rice balls (onigiri) & hardboiled eggs!
Kotobuki Plastic Egg Mold, Set of 2, Fish and Car
Amazon Price: $0.01 (as of 02/14/2012)
3-inch by 3-inch
Learn How To Use Egg Molds
Helpful tutorials with step-by-step instructions!
Cute Food Shapers For Bento
These work great for rice balls (onigiri) & eggs!
Tovolo Farmyard Ice Cream Sandwich Molds, Set of 3
Amazon Price: $10.34 (as of 02/14/2012)
Tovolo Ice Cream Sandwich Molds, Set of 3, Classic Icon Style
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 02/14/2012)
Onigiri photo courtesy of indiebandswithamission / CC BY 2.0
Cute food photo courtesy of cuteobento / CC BY-SA 2.0
Rice Cookers
The easy way to make perfect rice every time!
Bento Sauce & Condiment Containers
Fill with dressings or sauces for your bento box!
Lunch Box Cookbooks
More kids recipe ideas, - add your own cuteness!
Lunch Kits For Bento
Everything you need for waste-free lunch on the go!
Face Food - Crafting Food Into Art
This is more of a coffee table book than a cookbook.
Face Food: The Visual Creativity of Japanese Bento Boxes
Amazon Price: $7.22 (as of 02/14/2012)
All across Japan, parents come up with unique ways to bring attention to their children's lunch boxes. And what better way to make children eat than to turn their midday meals into a cartoon? With Face Food, Christopher D Salyers documents the very real phenomenon of crafting food into visually creative and appealing forms, such as Pikachu, Daraemon and Cindarella, bringing health, heart and imagination to the bento box. How-to guides and articles by designers and chefs accompany photographs, all of which illuminate the dynamic reasons behind this wholly Japanese pursuit.
Birthday Bento
Cute party ideas and supplies!
Cute food photo courtesy of kimmaki / CC BY-ND 2.0
Hello Kitty Bento Supplies
A classic Sanrio favorite!
Hello Kitty Kitchen Accessories
Makes 4 different Hello Kitty shaped waffles!
Hello Kitty Waffle Maker Iron
Amazon Price: (as of 02/14/2012)
* Bakes 4 different Hello Kitty Shaped Waffles in One
* Aluminum Non-Stick Cooking Surface; Easy to Clean
* Built-in Thermostat
* Built-in Carying Handle
* Handle with Lock for Convenient Storage
Hello Kitty KT5211 2-Slice Wide slot toaster with cool Touch Exterior
Amazon Price: $20.00 (as of 02/14/2012)
This colorful 2-slot toaster browns Kitty's sweet face onto every slice of bread! The appliance features 7 shade settings and 4 toasting modes: bagel, defrost, reheat and cancel. Extra-wide slots let you warm thick slices, and a removable crumb tray makes cleanup easy. The decorative cool-touch exterior looks cheerful on your countertop, and has cord storage in the base. Imported. 8Hx7Wx11-1/2L".
About The Author
enslavedbyfaeries
First of all, I want to clarify that I am definitely not a bento expert. As a mother of two daughters, I have an appreciation for all things cute and when I started noticing all the photos of adorable lunches showing up online, my interest in bento was sparked. Admittedly, I burn most of what I cook, but I wasn't going to let that stop me from surprising my girls with a totally cute lunch instead of their usual bagels and bananas. Wow, I had a lot to learn because there is lot more to making obento than just plopping a face on pb&j.
I think the most important thing that I've learned is to start small. I can't be sure, but I doubt my girls would chow down on an entire authentic Japanese meal in their lunch the first time around, (not that I could actually make it), but I do think they would welcome a few new foods in lieu of a the boring standbys I keep stocked in the pantry. My plan is to learn and try a few new ideas each week. I'll try to keep you posted with the results along the way and I'll be posting photos attempts on Flickr.
You are invited to join The Kawaii Bento Club on Facebook to get inspired and share ideas, photos, etc.
Photo: Copyright 2010 enslavedbyfaeries
This module only appears with actual data when viewed on a live lens. The favorite and lensroll options will appear on a live lens if the viewer is a member of Squidoo and logged in.
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fugeecat
Nov 25, 2011 @ 8:15 pm | delete
- I want a bento box for christmas!
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Comfortdoc
Nov 24, 2011 @ 11:28 am | delete
- Thanksgiving blessings for the cute food ideas. My youngest would love all of the panda foods.
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shwetasoni05
Nov 23, 2011 @ 7:08 am | delete
- Wow! great lens! I liked all of them..
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pianolessongirl
Nov 21, 2011 @ 8:37 pm | delete
- This is super adorable food! I love it! Thanks for the lens. :)
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Beadsnresin
Nov 19, 2011 @ 4:34 pm | delete
- Awesome and cute lens!
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Anderotin
Nov 16, 2011 @ 9:13 am | delete
- Tasty, appetizing, and not difficult
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Anderotin
Nov 16, 2011 @ 9:08 am | delete
- Tasty, appetizing, and not difficult
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tinhinenuiet
Nov 11, 2011 @ 8:24 am | delete
- I love japanese food, and i never tried Kawaii...
Regards,
kelly Martin
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desa999
Nov 10, 2011 @ 5:47 pm | delete
- This food is entirely new to me, great lens with some fantastic photos, well done
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Atomika07
Nov 7, 2011 @ 11:44 pm | delete
- Sooo cute!! Wonderful lens, thanks for sharing!
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elynmac
Nov 4, 2011 @ 10:04 am | delete
- What a wonderful lens. All this will bring such cheer to the lunchroom. Thank you!
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information-palace
Oct 30, 2011 @ 4:57 am | delete
- this is my first kawaii encounter but man you got me hooked!
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HuntAndFishGuides
Oct 28, 2011 @ 10:24 am | delete
- Oh my gosh, bento is AWESOME! I'm totally going to pick up that cookbook! My kid will be the coolest kid in school because of his totally awesome lunches. Great, great, great lens!
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dogface
Oct 28, 2011 @ 10:15 am | delete
- Awww~ Those bentos look way too cute to be eaten ;3
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bethd821
Oct 27, 2011 @ 9:19 am | delete
- Oh, to be so talented!!!
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cffutah
Oct 26, 2011 @ 8:42 pm | delete
- lookin' good indeed! Wish I had this right now.
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Lifeboost
Oct 25, 2011 @ 8:39 am | delete
- Aw, how cute are these! And I have to admit, even though they're cute they look really appetising as well - so, not too cute to eat lol. Lovely lens! :)
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banana231
Oct 18, 2011 @ 6:53 am | delete
- Wooooaaa OMG ... are u a japanese ? Ur knowledge about bento is beyond wikipedia.
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JoshK47
Oct 17, 2011 @ 8:44 am | delete
- How adorable!!! I love it! :)
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WaynesWorld
Sep 30, 2011 @ 8:36 pm | delete
- Nice lens.
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cmoneyspinner
Sep 18, 2011 @ 9:53 am | delete
- Your lens was chosen as a Related Lens for my lens, "Everyday Exotic Spices". I know it isn't about spicy foods. But I just couldn't resist those adorable faces.
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lillian9534
Sep 15, 2011 @ 9:10 am | delete
- Never heard of this before. Really fascinating - and so much more appetizing than sandwiches.
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Showpup
Sep 13, 2011 @ 10:36 pm | delete
- This would be so fun to do for grandkids that come over!
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vermontmom
Sep 11, 2011 @ 8:56 am | delete
- This is new to me, too, and I can see why you'd be such a fan. Unbelievably adorable. And anything to get the kids to eat a healthier (and greener) lunch is a good thing.
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Cute Bento On Twitter
See who's Tweeting about cute food today!
by enslavedbyfaeries
Click for bento from J-List
Learn how to make healthy bento box lunches that your kids will love to eat and they're eco-friendly too! Hopefully...
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