kyaraben
The latest lunchbox from this girl’s character bento-making dad probably raised a lot of questions at school.
From Pikachu to Totoro, these onigiri rice balls are as cute as they are delicious-looking!
We’ve seen gorgeous character bentos and grated radish animals swimming in hotpot stews, but this winter it’s all about shivering rice cats begging to be covered in bright yellow omelette blankets.
What did you have for lunch today? If you’re anything like me, it was probably nothing special – just something to keep you going until the end of the day. Oh, how wonderful it would be to be blessed with the skills (or a skilled family member) to make outrageously accurate kyaraben, i.e. packed lunches intricately designed to look like various characters! Lunch could be so much more entertaining!
Since not all moms are adept at creating kyaraben, some kids have taken their decorative lunches into their own hands. And by kids, I don’t just mean girls…
The Kyaraben trend is still going strong in Japan, and even though winter has prompted some to make the temporary switch to deco-nabe, the demand for adorable packed lunches shows no signs of abating. Today we’d like to take a look back over the best of the past year’s Kyaraben. What can we learn about 2014 in Japan from studying these perfect works of edible art?
While some of us may recall our childhood lunches as a series of soggy sandwiches in boring brown paper bags, two lucky children in Singapore are bound to look back on all their meals as miniature worlds of cute and delicious fun.
It’s all thanks to their mother, who decided to expand her skills beyond the humble bento lunchbox, and bring the cute to any meal of the day. Check out her amazing collection of healthy meals after the jump. It’s the best collection we’ve seen yet!
If you’re at all familiar with bento, you’ll probably know that a lot of people will go all out to create adorable (or just plain amazing) meals for their children— or inner otaku, for that matter. I’ve heard that there is fierce competition to make the cutest lunches (especially for special events like Sports Day) so it’s no wonder that techniques and trends are continually changing, and it seems that the latest fad in lunches is the humble dinner roll.
MOST POPULAR
Now
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Survey finds more than 70 percent of Japanese children have an online friend
New Japanese menstrual product seeks to help women spot unidentified iron deficiencies
Haunted hospital near Mt Fuji re-opens after renovation at Fuji-Q Highland, and it’s terrifying
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Is it rude to sing along at concerts in Japan? We ask a pro musician for his take
One of Japan’s craziest stores filled a swimming pool with used CDs【Photos】
Weekly
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements- Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026- 7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade- Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Can a dirty butthole make you filthy rich in Japan? We’re starting a New Year’s lottery experiment
Monthly
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo- 7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
- Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Yearly
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer- Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
RECOMMENDED STORIES
New Japanese menstrual product seeks to help women spot unidentified iron deficiencies
Haunted hospital near Mt Fuji re-opens after renovation at Fuji-Q Highland, and it’s terrifying
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Is it rude to sing along at concerts in Japan? We ask a pro musician for his take
One of Japan’s craziest stores filled a swimming pool with used CDs【Photos】
How to make no-rice “fried rice”【SoraKitchen】
We take on the Baskin-Robbins Japan 31-day challenge and live to tell these tips
More Than a Capsule Stay: Why Solo Travelers Choose “global cabin Yokohama Chinatown”
Can a dirty butthole make you filthy rich in Japan? We’re starting a New Year’s lottery experiment
Mr. Sato accosts award-winning actor Hideaki Ito【Interview】
Sumo Sanrio! Hello Kitty and pals team up with Japan Sumo Association for new merch【Pics】
Beautiful Studio Ghibli photo frames let you put yourself in the worlds of Totoro and Kiki【Pics】
-
