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Tools

The list of tools and accessories you can use to make decorative bento box meals is truly endless. Here are just a few examples of the items I used to make the lunches in this book.

Knives and scissors A good, sharp paring knife is the most important tool you’ll need to make bento lunches. Use it to slice fruits and vegetables, cube cheese, cut sandwiches into strips or triangles, just as a start. Even if a knife is the only tool you have, you can make a beautiful bento. Kitchen shears or fine-tipped scissors perform many of the same tasks as knives, but they give you an extra level of control. Use them to cut bread or cheese into shapes using a template or for more free-form designs.

Toothpicks and skewers The tips of toothpicks and bamboo skewers can be used to precisely place small elements in a design or reach into places where fingers don’t fit. The blunt end of a pick is great for dabbing mayonnaise onto small pieces of food when you’re “gluing” a decoration down. Toothpicks can also be used to make kebabs or decorative picks.

Silicone cups Silicone cups are used in most of the bento boxes in this book and for good reason! They can separate dry items from juicy ones, or keep small items like peas or berries from rolling all over the bento box. They are flexible enough to conform to the space available and because they’re made from silicone they’re almost indestructible. These cups also add a bright spot of color to a lunch and shaped ones can be used to emphasize a theme. Round cups intended for cupcakes are a good shape to start with.

Lidded containers Use small, lidded containers to pack dips and salad dressing. Larger ones can be used for kid-sized portions of yogurt or applesauce.

Lunch box systems Many manufacturers sell lunch box systems that are designed to include everything you need to pack a lunch and send it to school, day care, or the office. All of these systems come with some sort of divided container to hold food. Some are a simple divided box with a lid, others have an outer container with several removable inner containers. Systems might also include a thermal lunch bag, an ice pack, and cutlery.

Metal cutters Metal cutters are an excellent choice for making bento lunches because they’re sturdy and they cut through almost any food with ease—bread, fruit, cheese, and even firmer vegetables. They are available in endless shapes and sizes. You can find a cutter to fit almost any theme, but if you are just starting your collection, it’s best to stock up with the basics— circles, stars, flowers, and hearts.

Plastic cutters Plastic cutters are nearly as plentiful as metal ones and they tend to be a bit more economical. Purchase them in themed sets or variety packs, or raid your kids’ modeling clay sets for basic shapes. If you can find them, Japanese sets with lots of small cutters for making faces are a great option.

Sandwich cutters Larger sandwich cutters are a fast way to add character to a lunch. A quick cut trims the crusts off bread and gives you a decorative shape.

Stamping cutters Plunger or stamping cutters are dual purpose. Use the outside edge to cut basic shapes, then use the detailed insert to stamp an image onto bread or cheese.

Decorative picks Decorative picks are cute and functional! Thread with chunks of fruit, veggies, meat, or cheese for an appealing presentation, or use them as mini utensils to eat your food at lunchtime. You can buy sturdy plastic picks designed specifically for bentos, or keep an eye out for paper cupcake picks in kitchen supply stores.

Food dividers Slip decorative food dividers between foods with incompatible flavors or textures in your bento box to keep their flavors from melding. Or add them for a quick spot of color and fun.

Food-safe markers Several baking supply companies make these markers, which use food coloring rather than traditional ink. Use them to draw details on bread, cheese, crackers, and other dry, firm surfaces.

Egg molds Pop a warm hard-boiled egg into one of these molds, let it sit a few minutes, then remove it to find it transformed.

Rice molds Available from retailers that sell Japanese goods, rice molds are used to shape cooked rice into decorative shapes.

Punches Use punches designed specifically for bento lunches to punch faces or other shapes out of nori seaweed. Regular paper punches designed for crafting can also be used for this purpose.