Inarizushi Bear Bento

Inarizushi Bear Bento

It’s not new years without inarizushi! Tonight is our annual etsunengeiko at the Long Island Aikikai, where Hagihara-shihan leads the class from 11:30pm to 12:30pm. It’s a yearly tradition to practice over the coming of the new year. Afterwards, some students choose to partake in 

Seared Ahi Tuna Bento

Seared Ahi Tuna Bento

Costco and Aldi both have packs of individually packed frozen ahi tuna, which is great for my family who love raw/rare fish often but don’t want to spend the money (or time) going to a sushi restaurant. Our favorite way of eating it is searing 

Umejiso Onigiri and Soy Garlic Butter Steak Bento

Umejiso Onigiri and Soy Garlic Butter Steak Bento

I bought a small package of umeboshi (Japanese pickled plums) at the supermarket–I haven’t had it in a long time and memories of the salty-sour treat compelled me to make some onigiri for today’s bento. It’s a traditional pairing with rice and shiso (the red 

Yakitori Gizzards and Ginkgo Nut Bento

Yakitori Gizzards and Ginkgo Nut Bento

I bought a bag of gingko nuts and picked up a pack of chicken gizzards (they looked so fresh!) and decided to grill the gizzards yakitori style. While chicken gizzards are often not to everyone’s taste (even if they are delicious morsels perfect for grilling 

Avocado Ikura Don Bento

Avocado Ikura Don Bento

Both my 4 year old and 1 year old are fiends for ikura (salted salmon roe) so whenever I make the trip to the Asian supermarket (I now live far from Flushing), I always endeavor to buy some. It’s cheaper than ordering at the restaurant. 

Beef Teriyaki and Bara-Chirashi Bento

Beef Teriyaki and Bara-Chirashi Bento

We had prime rib at my mother-in-laws house for Christmas yesterday, and took home a lot of the steak as leftovers. An easy and delicious way to use it up was to cube it and make teriyaki. The sauce is very easy, with all the 

Deconstructed “Boston” Roll Bento

Deconstructed “Boston” Roll Bento

One of my favorite rolls is the Boston roll. I know, it’s weird right? For someone who loves raw fish as much as I do, why would I want to eat something that’s as common as some shrimp, cucumber, mayo, and lettuce in a roll? 

Wasabi/Spicy Tuna Onigiri Bento

Wasabi/Spicy Tuna Onigiri Bento

At one of the largest Japanese outlets in the northeast, Mitsuwa, they have onigiri in the flavor of spicy tuna and wasabi tuna. I really enjoy both, and usually buy one two munch on while I shop. I sometimes recreate it at home because it’s 

Vegetable Tempura Bento

Vegetable Tempura Bento

I had a single sweet potato I bought for sweet potato rice porridge (my youngest is getting over a virus right now and very picky about what she eats–but she loves sweet potatoes.) I also had some zucchini, red onions, as well as a bag 

Monkey Tonkatsu Sandwich Bento

Monkey Tonkatsu Sandwich Bento

Our second daughter was born in the year of the monkey–a sign that pretty much describes her to the T. Inquisitive, funny, mischievous, and very, very precocious, my cute little monkey girl inspired this bento today. You can use either chicken or pork–I just so