“There is something very satisfactory about being in the middle of something.” ~Marilyn Hacker
Who said bentos are for little kids? My big kids, middle kids, AND little kids love a bento lunch. In fact, my middle schooler packs his OWN bento lunch, and he’s pretty good at it, too!
This week’s bento is an example of what my 6th grader, whom we call Birdie, takes to school in his bento box. Oh, and did I mention that his bento box has a cool factor of infinity?
Seriously…it’s a samurai warrior. Way cool.
The top layer of this bento box is designed just right for rice, noodles, soups, or other microwavable meals. It has an inner lid that keeps things sealed in, and you can transfer the food into his little “rice bowl” helmet. My kids have even taken dry cereal in it and poured the milk in at lunch time. You can purchase this little samurai kokeshi set HERE, at BentoUSA along with many other designs in this same style.
Yakisoba noodles are a great choice because they are not really saucy, so there is no mess coming home in the bento later. Also, they are still yummy when they are room temperature, so there is no need to make a trip to the microwave. We grate carrots into ours and almost always add peas. Sometimes we use cabbage, and sometimes we use chopped fresh spinach.
You can buy yakisoba noodles and sauce at most Asian markets, and sometimes in the Asian/International food aisle of your grocery store.
The bottom layer is filled just like any other of our bentos…with small portions of assorted snacks. The toadstool food picks was purchased HERE, the little leaf pick HERE, and the acorn food pick HERE…all from BentoUSA.
I used a small circle cutter for the cheese. I stacked them up and put the pick through the middle…
Birdie wi currently perfecting his hashi (chopstick) skills…he likes to try to pick EVERYTHING up with his hashi! His Grampa would be very proud of him…
Happy bento-ing, everyone! And don’t forget…bentos aren’t just for “babies!”
Thanks for stopping by!
Arlee, Small Potatoes
