April 1, 2008
Convenience store bento
When I reviewed my friend Jennifer’s cooking blog a while back I discussed her bento box posts. Val thought bentos were leftovers and I told her I’d show her what they look like some day. We eat them here pretty much like fast food anywhere - a meal on the go. It’s also pretty common for people to buy bentos in bulk for gatherings. I’ve been to two funerals that were catered with bentos - well, not the funerals, but the gatherings of family and friends that followed. Today I was really hungry while I was driving home from work. I’d already passed all of the restaurants and grocery stores along my way before I remembered that I was out of sandwich supplies. I knew I’d be too hungry to wait for something to cook by the time I got home, so I chose the last option I had left: the 7 Eleven on the highway right before the turn to my home. I got home with my lunch and pulled the wrapping off before I remembered that y’all wanted to see what a typical Hawaii bento in a disposable bento box looks like, so here you have it. I selected meat jun (seasoned, teriyaki-style beef dipped in egg and fried) and some chunks of spicy fried chicken. It comes with rice, of course, and chopsticks. Like many local favorites, no veggies - just meat and rice. When I first moved here the bentos and some other local foods usually sat on the counter near the cash registers in many stores. The safe-food people objected, so now they have to be kept either hot or cold. The one I bought today was displayed in a heated glass cabinet, so I didn’t even have to heat it up when I got it home. It was as yummy as it looks, and with a little over a pound of food for $4.99, not a bad price.
Technorati Tags: bento, bento box, fast food, food, Hawaii
Posted by skeet @ 4:11 pm • Food and beverage, Hawaii
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April 2nd, 2008 at 6:19 am, Anela Says:
Mmm, that looks good! Whenever we were on our way to Hana, we’d stop at Tesoro in Kahului and grab a spam musubi by the register and they were still hot. Those things never lasted longer than 6am! LOL I just recently started doing bentos myself. They’re pretty weak so far but I hope to start doing more ornate stuff soon. Great post!
April 2nd, 2008 at 6:31 am, skeet Says:
Have you seen some the bento box sites online, Anela? People are doing some amazing stuff turning food into art. I know what you mean about the spam musubi. they disappear almost as fast as they’re put out.
April 2nd, 2008 at 7:20 am, Anela Says:
Yeah and they can be hard to find too! I’m hoping the egg and rice molds I got on eBay Japan will be here this week. If you get supplies on eBay you have to watch the shipping and look for a place that’ll combine shipping so you don’t pay an arm and a leg. A great resource is www.jbox.com/BENTO.
April 3rd, 2008 at 5:00 pm, valmg Says:
I’m intrigued by the sound of that teriyaki beef fried in egg. Hmmm. It’s 11pm and I have to be up in 5 hours and I’m thinking about eating. Bad Val, bad.
April 3rd, 2008 at 11:22 pm, skeet Says:
Ah, you’re going to have to blog it with lots of pictures the first ime you use those molds, Anela! Mahalo for the link!
April 3rd, 2008 at 11:25 pm, skeet Says:
Oh, Val! The meat jun is so ono it broke da mout! (So good it breaks your mouth!) You’ll have to try it when you come visit me - or go find a Korean casual dining place near you if you just can’t wait!
April 4th, 2008 at 4:34 am, Anela Says:
Had my first try at the molds yesterday!
http://truealoha.com/blog/2008/04/03/bento-4-first-fancy-ish-bento/
April 5th, 2008 at 6:08 am, valmg Says:
I’d love to come visit you someday!
April 5th, 2008 at 6:37 am, skeet Says:
I’m impressed, Anela. I’m too lazy to make my food pretty, but I sure do admire folks who make the effort
April 5th, 2008 at 6:38 am, skeet Says:
I’d love to be your personal tourguide when you make the trip, Val!
April 5th, 2008 at 7:22 am, valmg Says:
If I am ever fortunate enough to get to Hawaii I’m going to take you up on that!