How to Meal Prep Bento: $3 Bento Challenge 常備菜で3種類のお弁当作り

These 3 easy and budget-friendly meal prep ideas for bento prove that eating healthy can be delicious and fun! A little prep work on Sunday will set you up to eat healthier, save money, and reduce your stress through the week.
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INGREDIENTS
Ajitsuke Tamago (Ramen Egg) *
3 large eggs
2 Tbsp soy sauce
2 Tbsp mirin
2 Tbsp water
Grated Carrot Salad *
1 large carrot
¼ tsp salt (kosher or sea salt; use half if using table salt)
freshly ground black pepper
¼ tsp sugar
1 Tbsp rice vinegar (You can use lemon juice)
1 Tbsp olive oil
Korean Spinach Salad *
6 oz (170 g) spinach
1 Tbsp sesame oil
1 clove garlic
½ tsp salt
Chicken Karaage *
½ inch ginger
2 cloves garlic
½ tsp sugar
½ tsp sesame oil
½ Tbsp sake (or dry sherry)
½ Tbsp soy sauce
½ lb chicken thigh (1 thigh)
2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp potato starch/corn starch
neutral flavor oil (vegetable, canola, etc) (for frying)
Chicken Soboro *
1 Tbsp neutral flavor oil (vegetable, canola, etc)
½ lb ground chicken (you can also mince chicken breasts/thighs)
1 tsp ginger (grated, with juice)
1 Tbsp sake
1 Tbsp mirin
1 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp soy sauce
Scrambled Eggs*
2 large eggs
1 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp neutral flavor oil (vegetable, canola, etc)
Tuna Salad *
1 canned tuna
3 Tbsp Japanese mayonnaise
Freshly ground black pepper
Other Ingredients *
Rice
Black sesame seeds
Green leaf lettuce
Cherry tomatoes
Blanched snow peas
Red pickled ginger (beni shoga)
Nori seaweed
#mealprep #bento #3dollarchallenge #justonecookbook
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Meal Prep Bento: $3 Bento Challenge 常備菜で3種類のお弁当作り

[@pochuyma9530]

Bento is a work of love. As many Asians typically don't say "I love you!", but show it by cooking, Japanese show their love to their children by making Bento boxes.

[@luesue201]

Exactly !! Japanese ppl prefer what act what to do than words ..act is most important in here and I love that

[@happycook6737]

After working a private Japanese kindergarten, I can say bento making is also a huge competition among mothers! All about appearances...

[@deepfuchsia7204]

5:18 I can't reproduce this step, nothing just happens no matter how many times I clap with my fingers =(

[@ralithelion]

I laughed so hard at work my boss threatened me

[@zuzannakapusta3]

Maybe ask Thanos for advice. I think that he will know how to help You! :D

[@mikehodges6598]

@@zuzannakapusta3 He would recommend snapping your fingers ;-)

[@rebeccahherdener2068]

Lmao!

[@kaomingyu7575]

Hahaha I will teach you how to do it first record video of snap then stop record put rice then record another video then combine two video together I laugh so hard when U comment this 😂

[@Loke2112]

Wow my girls would so love me to do this for school.

[@ArenKae]

Do it! The memories will be worth it. :)

[@OnyxAgainstTheWorld]

They will love you for .....EVER

[@MM-qx4ir]

"too bad." Haha just kidding, that's just the first thing that popped into my head.

[@MM-qx4ir]

@ja da law and order SVU

[@satan4518]

Tony Wiltshire That’s so cute! You’re a great dad!!

[@feraldeercolony]

Oops. I just impulse-bought a bento box. Guess I’m committed now!

[@FireflyOmegaify]

Me too lol

[@almarosales8770]

Lmao same. I bought one for school, didn’t realize I have to learn how to cook now

[@kylaw2593]

Same dude

[@suziebee4240]

I kept impulse buying things and now i have like 4 bento boxes. And funny thing is i end up just using small containers to put each food separately cuz the type of food i make will move around and mix on my way to work.

[@cineraria5532]

Oops It slipped into my hand hahah

[@Vehilien90]

I'd love to see more of these Bento meal-prepping videos! It's such a struggle for me to plan bento's ahead for multiple days.

[@Geeky.rainbow.vampire]

Meanwhile, in America: "Ay kid. Heres a lunchables"

[@justonecookbook]

Hopefully eating healthy and well will become more priority one day. 😊

[@Geeky.rainbow.vampire]

@@justonecookbook yeah 😁

[@Chillipep]

If someone offers you a lunchable, run!

[@Naturally-Bright]

@@Chillipep yeah, one time I opened one and it smells like chemicals

[@Chillipep]

@@Naturally-Bright Lunchables are ungodly and don't even taste like food. Poor kids, stupid parents.

[@TabiEats]

Hey Nami! We’re so delighted to collaborate with you again. Can’t wait to get together for our annual summer meetup!!! :)

[@justonecookbook]

I know, I've been waiting for the day!!!! Can't wait to catch up. Some of your kind fans came to say hello. You have an awesome community over at TabiEats! Hugs to your fans and you guys!

[@whitneysanders6996]

Two of my favorite youtubers channels!!

[@justonecookbook]

@@whitneysanders6996 thank you for your support! xo

[@nareevaidsiri6495]

Me and my husband love Satoshi and Nami so much! Our Fav KZbinrs!

[@mindysmom6132]

Brother Shinichi, brother Satoshi, and Nami San.....I adore you all so very much! ❤️

[@VAMPYRICBASSIST]

Giving shoutouts to the channels that inspired your video makes me realize what a great person you are. I love your channel and now I know you're an amazing KZbinr too. 🥰💪🙋‍♂️

[@thaonguyen_hy3pi]

This is exactly what I was looking for. 👍 And thank you for introducing other Japanese cooking channels.

[@justonecookbook]

Thank you Thao!

[@ItsYaBoiV]

I could probably eat onigirazu every day, you can fill them with so many things. 😻

[@derinedala5032]

How do your eat them without them falling apart as soon as you unwrap them?

[@jake_watch8276]

@@derinedala5032 easy eat the plastic along with it

[@Liuhuayue]

Yeah, I really want to make one. It's like a sandwich x a sushi roll.

[@amzarmimieamzar698]

Derin Edala for your information japanase rice is a lil bit sticky so yeah dont worry :)

[@sophhww]

Wait i did not now DIO-sama likes bento's

[@skwerwl]

Wow, I've never seen Onigirazu before - I love the concept of marrying onigiri & a sandwich. Looks delicious

[@Pistonrager]

If I recall correctly it's a fairly new thing. A manga artist's wife made them for him, so he added them to his manga. The manga was about how this big tough guy salary man really loved to cook and made fancy meals but he attributed the cooking to his wife.

[@BlacqRomantic]

@@Pistonrager what’s the manga name?

[@jneidorff1619]

Ah, those look delicious! I love the trick of shaving the carrot before julienning it; thank you for sharing that with us!!!

[@justonecookbook]

Yeah, you get the thinnest if you can julienne very well. :)

[@wooot24]

Wow this is so helpful! I’m really starting to love Japanese food because cooking it is not that hard, it’s delicious and makes me feel good. Not to mention I’m saving a ton of money by not buying my lunch every day. I really can’t thank you enough for this video!

[@NEMO-NEMO]

You are still the best ever teacher of Japanese foods. And always smiling and teaching us indirectly how to enjoy life, food, family and friends. Thank you.

[@Loke2112]

Only because I know your likely paying attention I wanted to add that I am so grateful for your showing me just how easy it is to meal prep for such a healthy delicious Japanese lifestyle. I do it every Sunday for my girls and I have enlightened them to the amazing flavors and qualities of Japanese cuisine. Being able to send them off with meals like this would give me great satisfaction. Thank You!

[@justonecookbook]

Your words are too kind, and thank you very much! I believe the same way. I really believe our bento can enlighten and make the kids happy when they open the bento box and see all the colorful and delicious food at school in the middle of the day. Good luck with making bento for your girls. They are so lucky to have you as dad! xoxo

[@karimareyes3992]

Watching bento vids no matter how complex is always so interesting

[@meloncornets3034]

These look great! My son goes to care twice a week and I want him to have a wider palette. I feel like making him more traditional bento will encourage him to try more things.

[@maggitcluster]

i'm actually looking for bento recipes, I'm going into highschool and i wanna make myself japanese lunches! Thank you for this video! 🌿🍃💚

[@ErisstheGoddessofmanhwas]

I love how simple you made it , i don't like cooking very much so for me sumple options that doesn't take to much time in the kitchen is the best

[@TheKerokitty]

What an easy alternative to making onigiri or maki for bentos. We put panko breaded tilapia, spicy cucumbers and kewpie mayo in ours and it was ALMOST as good as a katsu sando... Now my kids want to try all the flavors.

[@justonecookbook]

That sounds delicious!!!

[@dinushe1972]

Im fron sri lanka I love Benito thank u , arigttooo

[@windelritter]

Oh my god you actually showed how to make the stuff you put in holy moly YES

[@dasffs]

I found your Omurice video first, and this is my second, but I can already tell what a great resource this channel is going to be for me. I've gotten into cooking more since the covid quarantine. Thanks for helping me eat healthfully!

[@maureenthefirst1]

Wonderful ideas. I am spending too much money on food and yours is very nutritious and cost-effective. Thank you I appreciate your ideas.

[@eling8585]

This is one of the best meal prep videos I´ve seen. Cheap, healthy and delisious food. And I know exactly how I would substitute the meat ingrediens. Thank you for making my high school life easier!

[@chouaoshita1206]

I love your videos! My husband is Japanese and it’s nice to learn authentic recipes from your channel, thank you! Keep up the great work! I’d love to see some kid friendly bento boxes! 😊

[@justonecookbook]

Thank you so much for watching! My kids love the Lunchbots bento box: amzn.to/2lAfOrS

[@gqv_7123]

This video is very helpful! I managed to replicate these bento and started planning my own. ありがと!

[@estrellanarvaez-reynolds7387]

I got a bento box for Christmas, and recently a new job. I’m beyond excited to make myself meals like this 💗

[@artesyamoore]

This is the MOST perfect tutorial period. Quick and to the point. Love this! Thank you!

[@cbryce9243]

I would love it if you made a show doing all you did in real time. Although I enjoyed it a lot, this was too fast for someone who has never cooked like this. The food in the nori wrap looked so yummy!

[@EpiphanyDraws]

My mom gave me a few bento boxes from Japan, and I'm going to try and actually use them every day at school! hopefully this will also help me eat healthier

[@tiffany3601]

3:38 Chicken Karaage 5:07 Tuna Salad 5:14 Onigirazu 4:21 Chicken Soboro

[@G04308]

More bento recipe pls...that affordable and easy to make but yummy. ..douzo arigatou

[@killerdog42]

this was super satisfying to watch

[@Milkymommy09]

Thank you. This was exactly what I was looking for. Simple, nutritious bentos that are easy to make and have ingredients I can get here in the midwest. You also have a very happy and engaging personality that is enjoyable to watch. Please keep up the good work.

[@Meteora597]

Dunno why, but this video just brought a smile to my face several times :) Maybe it's because I was imagining my wifes reaction when I make her a perfect bento + the music and the vibe of this woman speaking. But anyway thanks for nice 8 minutes of my life!

[@drvege5749]

I lOVE Japanese Food , Thank you for Great videos

[@galaxycoffeecat8083]

Thanks for the video! I have been working on eating proper meals and I wanted to try good Japanese recipes! Will be looking out for more helpful videos!

[@abeth217]

Excellent video. Please make more of such !!

[@millyrobbins9820]

i just bought a bento set from japan and i cannot wait to try these!!!

[@czntrm]

This is PREFECT! Exactly what I'm looking for! All of these foods, my kids, uh teenagers, will eat. Thank you for making this video! 💜

[@lilianavaquera8407]

if only I could transfer the food from the screen to my hands so I could eat it. It all looks so good. great job!!

[@pandmantom]

Made it. Holy super easy. I may have overdid it..now I gotta eat it all..i mean now I GET to eat it all! Thanks again!!

[@justonecookbook]

Thanks for trying this meal prep Tom! Hope you enjoy!

[@pochuyma9530]

Thank you for showing us Japanese culture with honorifics! Bento and Obento, now I finally understand.😊

[@Moonphase40]

The tuna onigiri had my mouth watering so much 😭🤤 I know what I'm making tomorrow!

[@holycow92883]

Everything looks wonderful Thank you.

[@JESUSISLORDforevermore888]

Aloha from Hawaii. Love BENTO BOXES. We make them here in Hawaii. I love those seaweed wraps. We have many...my favorite is the Spam or chicken MUSUBI.

[@CRRoper1]

Thank you for introducing Japanese cooking. I've been cooking this way some, but you just taught me many more ways. Finally found something good- thank you!

[@keithyoshino235]

You are the greatest! You bring back so many fond memories of my mom's take on traditional Japanese bento.

[@justonecookbook]

Hi Keith! How wonderful to have a fond memory of your mom's home cooked bento! Thanks for watching this video!

[@msbennet29]

love this video! please do more meal prep bento videos please!!

[@MegaZohaib99]

Japanese dishes are so awesome!

[@elbentzo]

Thank you, Nami san, for another lovely video. Always a pleasure and an inspiration to cook more great Japanese food.

[@justonecookbook]

Thank you for watching! :) Let's cook more Japanese food together! xo

[@cookingnana5469]

I love ur cooking!! makes me so hungry🤤💕thank you so much for sharing❤️

[@rexrodefamily5266]

Love your videos!!! I’m here to find some delicious (and affordable) bento ideas for my babies lunch! I can’t wait to try these and add in some Korroke! 😋 Thank you for sharing healthy, and beautiful meals. It doesn’t have to be expensive to taste good, and be good for them. ❤️

[@chiekowalstad6345]

なみさん、ビデオありがとうございます！！ 恥ずかしい質問です。 日曜日に準備して、冷蔵して。月、水、金曜日にお弁当を作る時は、冷たいままお弁当を作るですか？一回温めてからお弁当を作りますか？

[@justonecookbook]

動画観てくださりありがとうございます！冷蔵庫に入れてるとはいえ、安全面を考えると、必ず温めて殺菌してからお弁当に入れます。よくなぜ温めてから、冷やしてお弁当箱に入れるのかと聞かれるのですが、二つ意味があります。温めるのは、殺菌のため。温めたものを冷やすのは、温かい食べ物を入れて蓋をしてしまうと、なまぬるーい、ばい菌が好む環境を作ってしまいます。そのために、必ず冷やしてから蓋を閉めます。水滴が落ちて、そこから食べ物が傷んだりします。なので、お弁当に入れる調理したものは必ず温めること。ブログの方で詳しく書いています。もしよかったら読んでください。

[@laynasazna]

Love this video! So easy, straighforward and clear. Plus the mini educational bits are culturally enlightening and so fun

[@Marsha-at-Home-Endeavor]

Oh my I miss this food from Japan, I'd love to get all these bento boxes

[@cjmlife5369]

thank you for sharing. Your bento looks delicious and plating is so beautiful

[@bobby5enpai]

Just subscribed. I'm about to start making my first bentos for work. Great information, and it all looks delicious!

[@cavalos9]

Is there a substitute I can use to replace the sugar. I want to implement these meals into my lifestyle with little to no sugar. Hope you see this. Great video 👍

[@celineiona178]

please make more bento ideas and recipes, this video is sooo goood❤️

[@gdajklhenw]

Love these bento. Do you store them in the fridge throughout the week? Can the bento be microwaved before they're eaten or are they just eaten cold? Thanks!

[@Youtube221B]

Delicious & easy to follow! I love the short Japanese lesson at the end!

[@justonecookbook]

Thank you so much Judy! :)

[@Flustered_Potato]

This looks so simple and easy to make.

[@AVE_YAMA]

Thank you! I love the japanese word at the end too. Bento can be so complex and it can be overwhelming to start making them. But this gave me confidence to try!

[@ML1800]

this is gonna make school and weight loss so much more overcomable , thank you ^^

[@Ramyapad19]

Yum looks delicious i am making that korean spinach salad soon for me love spinach just saw this now was sleeping am in Singapore love your videos making me hungry Thanks Ramya

[@justonecookbook]

Thank you Ramya!

[@Rizwana711]

I just wanted to learn making a bento because of anime ! Looks so delicious!

[@tamara4557]

Hi Nami-san I'm here over from TabiEats. Love the Idea that on Friday you make a bento with the ingredients of the Monday and Wednesday but still make something completely different.

[@justonecookbook]

Thank you for visiting, Tamara! Yes, I didn't want all three bento look too similar. :D Thank you for your kind words!

[@sisi.seesee]

This is all so adorable! but it seems like very little foods. Do you usually eat something else in addition to the bento?

[@catoh95]

Think I’ve found the right thing I’ve been needing my whole life!!!! Thank you!!!!

[@iflanzy]

Now I'm going to have to make all these next week.

[@justonecookbook]

Hope you enjoy Isaac! :)

[@TheEyegod]

Thank you for making this sooooo easy. Bento's are always fantastics!

[@modernhereticnw]

I would love more content like this! Onigiri and bento ideas.

[@justonecookbook]

Thank you so much for your kind feedback! :)

[@April4YHWH]

modernhereticnw I second that!

[@Ilovepuppy27]

these are so cute thanks for sharing! I have a question, are bentos eaten cold or do people heat them up?

[@trantran6989]

First time i watch your video and I like very much the way you cook . Thanks 🙏

[@arishachan777]

$3 main ingredients $50+ seasoning/extra stuff (sake/mirin etc) Huhuhuhu But absolutely useful to add prep!! And nice short Japanese lesson at the end. ❤❤❤

[@hbamiga669]

the great thing is, those extra ingredients will last you a while!

[@moonlightdragonrider]

Ive been eating enough Japanese food that I have all of those in stock. Since they're used as seasoning they last a good while.

[@xh3435]

I can now enjoy cheap and easy-to-make bento. hmm they look delicious

[@THEXOXOROCKNROLL]

Love your video!I am Chinese,in shanghainese, bento sounds like beedown, it also means easy, convenient.

[@justonecookbook]

Thank you so much for your kind words! :)

[@tomato9138]

dude this video deserves atleast 1m views

[@justonecookbook]

Aww thank you! It means so much to us! xo

[@music2urbrain]

Thanks for these wonderful ideas. I have been packing lunch for work since I arrived here in Japan, and prepping for lunch could really be so difficult. These ideas have just helped me in easing out lunch prep. Thanks., New sub here

[@Allyx.G.]

this all looks so good! how do you keep the food for the week? do you freeze it?

[@Trinity_Li]

Hello! 👋 Visitor from TabiEats! I love your bentos! They look simple, delicious, and simply beautiful. I can’t wait try it. Please make more recipes! Thank you for sharing!

[@justonecookbook]

Thank you so much for stopping by, Trinity! :)

[@kayleenspeaks5531]

So satisfying 🤤

[@nonegyptianegyptian5673]

i just bought the ingredients today i cant wait to eat this at work

[@bobhongchicago]

Thank you for your videos. I try to make your recipes at least once a month. I love Japanese food and love to share it with my family!

[@justonecookbook]

Thank you for watching!

[@ChrisJohnsonCJs-Kitchen]

Lots of fun new recipes to try here! It'll be fun to have something new to pack for lunch. Your method for making Onigiri seems a lot easier than others I've seen.

[@ChrisJohnsonCJs-Kitchen]

Also, how many days in advance would you make each of these items? For the Sandos, I'm guessing you make them the same morning? Oh, and one more question? How do you keep cut out veggie flowers from drying out in your Bento?

[@spawnoftrial14]

So excited to try these!!

[@yohandrys]

These are perfect. I like simple meals.

[@umicarus]

chicken karaage and chicken soboro are now are my todo list of bentos to make since I dont eat fish or seaweed.

[@stablecircleh]

I love Bento boxes! Thank you for sharing

[@wfireC]

You made the most nutritiously balanced Japanese bento than most I have seen. I always feel those cute bento boxes that only have a little vegetable and hotdogs and lots of white rice are very bad to the eaters' health.

[@clarissatoplar6863]

How do you keep all the bentos good until Friday? I'm just thinking of how long you can store them in the fridge before they go bad. Most places I look it says 3-4 days for leftovers. So how do you make them last till Friday? Thanks and loved your video!

[@dezzo999]

I’m very happy I watched this video! Your ideas will make meal prepping easier for my family!

[@justonecookbook]

Aww thanks so much Desiree! :)

[@irenesoetomo6174]

I tried already....oooo tasted soooo yummyyyyy, thanks 😍👍

[@mindysmom6132]

Nami San! Sugoi! Thank you for sharing how to make so many different types of obento! I love love soboro, so guess what I’m going to be making soon! ☺️ What a great collaboration with the boys from TabiEats! I’m excited to view the videos from No Recipes and Chopstick Chronicles! Thank you all so much! ♥️

[@justonecookbook]

Thanks so much Mindy's Mom! xoxo

[@mred3608]

Great healthy budget ideas Nami. Looking forward to all your wonderful videos this year.

[@justonecookbook]

Thank you for your kind words! Hope to improve the video quality too.... :)

[@ayanchowdhury7303]

Fantastic. Will try definitely.

[@0134harley]

Oh my god 😱, super simple and healthy recipes, I am hungry now 😓

[@afifasimlee2111]

WoW_!! You are amazing big sister_first time I watched your video I became your fan... awesome recipes...