How to Choose a Bento Box
Bento boxes that meet various types of needs have been increasing in recent years, and they are available on the internet nowadays.
How to Choose a Bento Box
When you choose a bento box from them, first and foremost, it is important to decide the size, function, and material suitable for the person using the lunch box.
Size
One guide to the size of the bento box you pick up is the daily necessary energy amount of the person who uses it.
But that differs from individual to individual depending on the physical constitution and the activity amount.
So as a reference, here is a guide for (Japanese) people whose body sizes are average.
| User Age | Appropriate Bento Size |
|---|---|
| 3 to 5 | 400ml |
| 6 to 8 | 500ml |
| 9 to 11 | 600ml |
| 12 to 17 | Men: 900ml, Women: 700ml |
| 18 to 50 | Men: 900ml, Women: 600ml |
| 51 to 60 | Men: 800ml, Women: 600ml |
Function
If the user of a bento box commutes on foot or by bus, what the person carries will move unsteadily.
For that reason, for those people, a bento box with a lid furnished with packing is recommended.
As another example, if you want to microwave your bento box in your office, you need to have one corresponding to the usage.
To put it in a nutshell, before purchasing a bento box, you should think about what kinds of situations you have while carrying it and where you use it.
Material
Typical materials used for bento boxes are wood, plastic, aluminum, and stainless, each of which has different properties.
So let’s decide what material to choose according to the usage/situation.
Wood
| Eubest Natural Wooden Bento Box | Magewappa Hello Kitty Bento Box |
|---|---|
 |
 |
| Amazon.com | Amazon.com |
When it comes to the wooden bento box, Mage-Wappa is well-known. In general, you must not microwave this type.
Additionally, wooden bento boxes have the following features.
- You can enjoy even cold rice deliciously because the wooden bento box absorbs humidity.
- Carrying this type is easy as it is light in weight.
- Since this type has a good appearance, the dishes inside also look good.
Plastic
| Komax Biokips Food Storage Lunch Boxes | Little Bear Heat Resistance Plastic Bento Box |
|---|---|
 |
 |
| Amazon.com | Amazon.com |
Plastic is the most common material for the bento box. Its main features are as follows.
- Plastic bento boxes are resistant to heat. So you can microwave them.
- This type prevents liquid leakage as it usually has a lid furnished with packing.
- This type is available in a variety of designs.
Aluminum
| Skater Aluminum Lunch Box My Neighbor Totoro | Muji Bento Box Aluminium Large Oval |
|---|---|
 |
 |
| Amazon.com | Amazon.com |
Aluminum bento boxes must not be microwaved. But this type has several good points as follows.
- Aluminum bento boxes are generally light and tough.
- This type is easy to maintain as you can easily remove oil and stains by washing.
- You can warm this type in a heater.
Stainless
| Seed & Sprout Stacker Stainless Bento Box | LunchBots Stainless Food Container |
|---|---|
 |
 |
| Amazon.com | Amazon.com |
Stainless bento boxes are widely used in Japan. This type also must not be microwaved but has several good points.
- Stainless bento boxes are generally light and tough.
- This type is easy to maintain as you can easily remove oil and stains by washing.
- Many prevent liquid leakage because they have a lid furnished with packing.
(Reference page: rakuten.ne.jp )
