I will never forget my first Japanese Bentō (弁当). A bentō is a packed meal in a container, and depending on the bentō, different items are placed in the container.

kyarakutā bentō (キャラクター弁当), which is shortened to Kyaraben (キャラ弁) is a type of “character bento”. The bentōs in this category are cute, and made to look like adorable animals or anime figures. These bentōs are often made by those who want to surprise their significant other by showing how much time and thought was put into preparing these boxed lunches.

Hinomaru bentō (日の丸弁当) is a simple rice and umeboshi lunch box. Umeboshi (梅干) is a pickled plum that is very nutritious and somewhat sour and salty tasting. The red umeboshi is placed on a flat bed of rice, which looks like a Japanese flag. Hinomaru is the name for a Japanese flag, hence, that’s where the name hinomaru bento comes from.

Makunouchi bentō (幕の内弁当) is a type of bentō with white rice, a strip of salmon (or other fish, meat items), umeboshi or other pickled items, rolled egg and perhaps some veggies like carrots and spinach. These bentōs are very filling and can be sold in convenience stores, train stations and even in restaurants.

Sushizume (鮨詰め) means “packed sushi” in Japanese. This type of bentō will often have some kind of sushi rolls (like a cucumber/avocado roll), tuna/salmon (fish) rolls, couple of sashimi pieces (like octopus), and some soy sauce/wasabi (or other condiments) in a special corner. Other items may include slightly seared but raw mackerel, and yellowtail fish.

Noriben (海苔弁) is basically a seaweed and white rice lunch box. Sometimes in addition to the seaweed, there may be two fried eggs on top of the rice, or two fried chicken/fish strips. The seaweed is crisp and usually cut into rectangular strips. The strips are consumed with the rice. It’s a modest meal with little fanfare, but it’s healthy.