How-to Make a Traditional Japanese Bento Box

Elena Yamamoto, co-chef of Brooklyn's Karasu, is back in the MUNCHIES Test Kitchen to show us how to make a bento box, the traditional on-the-go Japanese lunch. Elena's requirements for a great bento are simple: it has to travel well, be delicious, and have a variety of great colors.
Her salmon bento is packed with lots of fresh vegetables and Japanese rice balls like onigiri and inarizushi. It's so beautiful that you won't want to eat it. (But then you will, and you'll be very happy about it.)
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[@jazzyguy13]

I just described Elena to someone as the Bob Ross of cooking. She's so soothing, and really chill about her recipes, and doesn't care if she forgets something or makes a mistake, but everything she makes looks beautiful. Basically, I love her.

[@redsnake188]

I have no plans of cooking a bento but after the pork recipe I really just wanted more from her.

[@bubblegum2445]

lol

[@j.emimarunrak4348]

She's like that one kind teacher back in grade school that nobody skipped her class.

[@LAVERTUEG]

I really like her. Please more content from Elena Yamamoto

[@squirrel2590]

No

[@anoopks]

YEs, please! Tired of all the fat, chain-smoking hipsters.

[@moonkxssxd]

Hey don't hate on Action and Matty. They're great people with a fun outlook on life that can cook with the best of em, just like Elena.

[@saintghi8974]

MORE Japanese cuisines and tips and MORE Elena ❤️

[@fushigibliss]

same! i love her even though i just saw one of her episode (this is the 2nd one)

[@kaptenlemper]

Finally, a tutorial that reassures me that it's ok for the cooking process to be a bit messy and imperfect. Can we get more Elena content please?

[@YesIAmThatCoolBitch]

Finally somebody who doesn't scream at me like a maniac.

[@dunderbob91]

I take it you're not a Matty Matheson fan?

[@ned2315]

Matty is the best!

[@jdslipknot]

pro tip: you can like both.

[@Rohnon]

@@jdslipknot *YAAAAAA!*

[@meowser1905]

A little variety never hurt, some chill and quiet types are always good too. I like matty and action, and elena too.

[@billypilgrim1]

My bento box consists of a half eaten sandwich and a crumbly can of Pringles.

[@chocobillysranch9205]

High school memories

[@its_just_marvlus]

thats a highschool lunchable

[@mikeroadblock]

When I was really young my friend only had a can of them. The teacher was disappointed but he was so happy. Lol.

[@eitherorbooks]

"you want to be gentle with it", cut to shot of broken egg. My favorite way to eat though.

[@galanthamine]

Eggs can crack from the sudden change of temperature, but yeah it was kinda funny 😅

[@Nullllus]

Some eggs already have micro cracks though.

[@carolynhconrad]

I love Elena! Her videos are so soothing and make me want to try new stuff in the kitchen

[@PaulHo]

She's great! So easy to follow, personable, informative and inviting. I can't wait to see more of her. And her brother!

[@voxelemur]

I wish the editor would leave some white space between edits so it doesn't sound like a skipping record when the host talks.

[@MoxieBeast]

I love her and i love these tips 😋

[@kaktees]

Literally screamed when I saw her in the thumbnail! It's tonkatsu girl again!

[@otishasablackhat2]

I really like this chef. She explains the steps really well and adds her own story. Seems like she knows her stuff. I rewound so many times to make my own bento with some of these dishes...and added my own Bajan fishcakes!

[@PsychBurst]

Man, I just watched the tonkatsu one again yesterday.

[@OpinionatedMonk]

I could listen to her all day, talking about anything.

[@azfaru4367]

Been binging her videos. Oddly relaxing

[@evanh2475]

ya know i thought she would get shit for "overcooking" the salmon and im glad she mostly didnt. It is smart to cook the salmon through since its for bento.

[@sylviathecatuwu535]

I’ve been trying to learn how to make bento for so long, but the videos and websites I’ve been to never list the ingredients, and I was ready to give up until... BEHOLD! I found her! Elena THANK YOU! I wanted to try and make bento but I didn’t know any traditional ingredients for it until now! You’re awesome, thank you so much!

[@vexinglex4996]

I love how casual, cheerful, and friendly she is when she talks. She doesn't hype anything up and focuses on the dish and its relevance rather than herself. The end result is stunning.

[@lilpinche918]

I love the way she explained how to form the onigiri, makes so much sense.

[@Shetasen]

Can we have Elena and Rie from Tasty meet and do a video? I love them both so much

[@mohitjaswal401]

Great advice here! I like the idea of salting your hands before working with the rice.

[@nelsondx8054]

She's too pure for this world, bless her.

[@nelsondx8054]

@Ramen Lover si ese, dame tu cosita

[@simmimon]

Elena is so kind and gentle it shows in her cooking.

[@bensmith7536]

She is an absolute delight. Capable, talented, gorgeous.

[@nolan6183]

She's so intelligent and pretty, and her calming presence lends to her great teaching! *Protect Elena at all costs lads.*

[@user-lf1os3sh5c]

Extremely calming content I'm rewatching during this mad period... Please get Elena to make more video content!

[@quahogconvo]

Yay, I'm glad you invited her back for another video!

[@kafran1]

Elena is so pure! I love her videos. How come 200 people disliked this. Can't believe it.

[@dogscott7881]

I love Japanese food because aesthetics are important and that's pretty cool

[@DankeyKang202X]

Welcome back Elena!

[@jonatana.4540]

I would like to watch a whole show with this woman. The onigiri demonstration was super useful.

[@patriciabrown380]

Don't mind me just going through all the Munchie videos that have Elena in them bc she's literally the sweetest.

[@lotusringo7513]

She's sooooo cute!! More of her please!

[@euipaik1102]

I love your voice your vibe, you are just so pleasant to look at

[@smellyhenry]

i feel like she is a great chef, cause she likes makes food and like really good food, like her food looks like its really like tasty and like i want to like follow like her recipes cause like they seem like they are like really easy.

[@JMacsAmateurKitchen]

Man Japanese food is the best!!!!!

[@JMacsAmateurKitchen]

high horse - that’s a silly statement

[@JMacsAmateurKitchen]

Sancho G - haha appreciate the sarcasm!

[@JMacsAmateurKitchen]

Steven Universe - additives are the BEST!!

[@OPTIC23100]

Sancho G white people don’t have culture and they don’t season their food

[@emilyl.4753]

@@sanchog5704 American food is unhealthy and fattening. Nothing to be proud. BTW MAGA = Mueller ain't going away. Sucks to have such a shitty president.

[@detonationlurks]

Those are some gorgeous wooden bento boxes. I want them.

[@phiakate]

I could eat a bento box just full of the fried tofu stuffed with rice. I love those

[@partykrew666]

Elena and her bento boxes are so cute!

[@KevinWrestling93]

we want more of this, not that hangover show.

[@WildThyme69]

My girl, so glad she's back!

[@shahram72]

Thank you. I have been adding bento boxes to my work lunch menu and it has been fun and satisfying.

[@Nekoh19]

YES! I love her. We need more Elena

[@johndough8219]

Elena is great! More!

[@caglabot]

she's so chill and cool i like her

[@dear_totheheart]

Fascinating and so wonderful to see how to actually make bento in a simplistic and non-intimidating way. Really excited to try this!

[@JP-1990]

I'm getting some serious "chill mom" energy from this lady.

[@Bruno-rm4zq]

this is like the best video of youtube

[@brandeeisbomb]

my mom used to make that fried tofu rice pocket thing all the time when I was growing up and I never knew what it was called or that it was tofu.

[@jesuspresley6105]

We want more of the cute, cute, cute Elena!

[@PantsB4Squares]

Jesus Presley yes! I dont think i have seen her do a segment before.

[@jolukegiles]

such a pretty meal (looks at his rice & peas with gravy with distain)

[@davidsantiago7006]

I'm so glad she's back :)

[@iamnoone8084]

Her voice sounds so soothing and nice

[@lunamanee1236]

She's back!!! Awwww 💕❤️

[@aeon2252]

Why do I always watch these late at night, super hungry you ask? So I can dream of eating it because its a fact I can't make it so only one could dream.

[@zaricah1]

I love you so much elena Yamamoto

[@stupidpocket8610]

I don't think I could do this every day for lunch but it looks awesome

[@JoelMousseau]

These look delicious and I really want to make one

[@palebluedot8818]

love this lady. tHANK YOU FOR bringing her back for another video!

[@Cool4cake]

Make more Japanese dishes featuring her!!!!!

[@palebluedot8818]

Looks great! Also, more of this chef please!

[@melissahouse1296]

Gorgeous video & lunchbox. thanks! : )

[@ogamiitto999]

She's so adorable.

[@kimmirandaart9909]

She's amazing! and cute! also I feel really calm watching this

[@NightmaresWonderland]

Oh I can't wait to visit Japan next month

[@zukimidoriya6110]

I can't wait to try this out! I love to cook for my family so this will be a fun surprise for them! (BTW I'm 11 and have know how to make like 100 foods at least like I have made meatloaf with cake by myself before.)

[@millan5349]

hey chef Elena Yamamoto, do you also do the sugar and salt cure to fish when you are making sushi or eating fish raw?

[@valdeaunia]

Glad to see a video of her again

[@angieCity90]

Awe she got a haircut. She looks so cute!!!

[@alexacullen99]

She's back!!!!

[@sabiko.wabisabi]

It looks delicious♡ I am studying world cuisine. Subscribed and highly evaluated! I look forward to it from now on♪

[@TheElliement]

these look amazing and she's so sweet:)

[@clee89]

yay! she's back!

[@Rohnon]

9:09 So before you eat them, in japanese you have to say: Itadakimas! -And what does that mean? *PURGE THE UNCLEAN!*

[@jiazhiwu]

Giant Dad LUL

[@mylillilu]

Idk if your serious or not but it means: Thank you for the food! And then you say thank you again when your done but a different way. gochiso sama deshita. I believe is it :)

[@Itsbuckjames]

Can you reuse the soy water for the soy cured eggs? Like adding another batch of eggs after the first batch is done curing?

[@atsukorichards1675]

Yes, for a short time, and keep them in the refrigerator. Sometimes I use some soy sauce-based liquids from other dishes, like Niku-jaga (simmered beef with vegetables) or Ni-buta (cooked pork), instead of just soy sauce and water, for I don't waste those.

[@enriqueguzman7413]

Literally was binging bento box videos and then munchies makes one. Yeahhh boooiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

[@gilanggilang9859]

Love this gurl!!

[@michelleyustira7640]

Was hoping she'd wrap it with cute fabric to carry them!

[@casey4486]

Y'all just let them bite into the whole umeboshi without warning. Cruel

[@HenAndPenn]

Inari Zushi is the best!

[@baneicorn7969]

SHE RETURNS. I love you, Elena. Let me cook with you and also make goo goo eyes at your cute brother.

[@thatellen]

You just made everything my mom taught me that much easier!

[@Carroty_Peg]

Can anyone recommend a good Bento Recipe book ? Inspired after this !!

[@vbronzov]

Why everything in Japan is so practice, and without any junk? All of theese where so eatable, nteresting, and delucious!

[@JoshRin_]

bro when they just threw the whole pickled plum in their mouth 😆I always remember breaking it up and mixing it into my rice.

[@wijayaj001]

I wonder if she has her own style in making ramen, or udon. Would love to see her presentation on making one.

[@banjohead66]

LOVE inari....

[@Karma7711]

.... And in England - tesco meal deal

[@wynterbegay4403]

Do you make anything for diabetic and glucose levels things of that nature

[@kimang9814]

elena's back

[@juanmanuelv15]

I really like her videos

[@ZenYorkfield]

Where's Koji-san? Waiting for you to call him again.

[@killercaos123]

Bento is amazing.

[@TX1_.]

Overall u should make and use the type of ingredients u want to use and feel comfortable with if you wanna go for something else similar then go for it

[@peekaboo4413]

Now i'm Elena's fans.

[@mydinowilleatyou]

How long would the bento boxes keep in the fridge?

[@williamcheng8516]

too wholesome 🙂

[@trapgamezay]

Awesome! She's so cool.

[@PointyGorman]

I have some questions. Elena put raw eggs into boiling water, and they immediately split. Is there a purpose behind this, compared to the western method of heating up the eggs in the water to keep them whole? She also uses metal pointed chopsticks in a nonstick pan, you can hear the scraping sound. Why is this? Are they a special metal that doesn't scratch the pan?