It’s that time again: Time to figure out what you’re going to pack for lunch. Sure, you could go with the good old turkey and cheese sandwich—it hasn’t let you down yet. Or you could break out of your rut and pack one of these 38 bento box lunch ideas, all of which happen to be work- (and school-) approved.
A quick primer on the bento: It’s a Japanese style of serving a single-portion meal on the go. Traditionally, it consists of a variation of rice or noodles, meat or fish and vegetables packaged neatly into a divided container. The concept has grown in popularity and has been embraced by other cultures who borrow the convenient containers for all kinds of food. Though these bento box lunch ideas stray from traditional Japanese foods, the recipes (like carrot tabbouleh bowls and lemon-roasted potatoes with chicken and spinach) are still supremely portable, easy to make ahead and suitable for both kids and adults. Time to eat, y’all.
