Both options are great for lunch meal prep, so you can literally grab and go. 'In Japan, these lunch boxes, taken to school or work, are prepared either a parent or spouse and are usually made to take to school or work,” adds Watanabe, whose restaurant serves premium bento boxes.Īnd in addition to the traditionally designed bento boxes, there are other types, as well, that let you customize: ones that include dividers that can be rearranged to your liking, or boxes that include extras like a sauce container or carrying bag. This is because 'they usually contain a variety of goodies in one box,' explains Junya Watanabe, chef-partner of Matsuoka, a Japanese restaurant in San Diego. While you can opt for your food to be stored in one large compartment, many bento boxes are divided into smaller compartments. They can be used for a picnic, hiking trips, takeout, and of course, as a lunchbox. That’s why we've always had an appreciation for the bento box, a Japanese take on single-portion food containers. But mashed potatoes and peas? Must be separated at all costs.

If certain foods aren't meant to be mixed together, then we prefer that they don’t touch in our lunch boxes while we head to the office.

Lunch box with compartments for adults