bento

   or "o-bento"

(JAPAN)

   meal in a box often made at home for lunchtime consumption either at school or work. Generally consists of rice, pickled vegetables, and other items such as pork, hamburg, fried shrimp, etc. A large industry specializes in preparing and selling bento.

   meal served in a box with different compartments

   Combination of side dishes with rice served in a plastic or wooden lunch box. It is the most common kind of food eaten for lunch outside home in Japan.

   ♦ traditional boxed lunch. They say that a Chinese dish you eat by taste, a western dish by aroma and a Bento by color.

   ♦ Traditional boxed meal, served in a lacquer or plastic box with individual compartments for each food