Bento Box Ideas: Packed with Leftovers & Easy Prep

I’m sharing simple, real-life bento box ideas—what to pack, how to arrange everything, and tips to make your lunches easy, tasty, and enjoyable. Using leftovers is a huge time-saver, and I highly recommend it. So let’s pack your lunch and enjoy a delicious meal at work or school!

Looking for more? Check these simple onigiri bento ideas!

1. Sweet & Sour Stir-Fry + Sides

A balanced bento with sweet & sour stir-fry, tofu-saba fish balls, quick pickles, and rice.

2. Saba Hambagu and Fresh Veggies

A satisfying bento with Japanese-style saba hambagu, steamed rice, veggie sides, and nukazuke.

3. Mushroom Rice and Tamagoyaki

A comforting bento featuring mushroom takikomi gohan, tamagoyaki with nori, and a variety of simple veggie sides.

4. Mapo Tofu and Simple Stir-Fry

A quick and flavorful bento with mapo tofu, stir-fried cabbage, rice, and fresh veggies.

5. Tofu Soboro + Sides

A protein-packed bento featuring tofu soboro with mackerel, steamed rice, shishito peppers, and simple sides.

6. Mackerel and Egg Soboro + Sides

A colorful bento with steamed rice, mackerel and egg soboro, goma-ae, pickles, and a simple chickpea salad.

Watch these Bento Ideas!

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