About this season
Bento, or lunchbox, is a fun slice of Japanese food culture that more people around the world are sharing. Healthy and delicious foods are beautifully and creatively presented. This NHK series features demonstrations and advice by Japanese bento experts, as well as shares some of the bento pictures and videos sent in by viewers worldwide.
Episodes (20)
1. Chicken Katsudon Bento & Maki-maki Omurice Bento
Aired 19 April 2021 • 15 min
From Marc, a crispy chicken cutlet with creamy egg sauce. Meanwhile, Maki makes a finger food version of Omurice. Bento Topics features the food culture of Japan's popular island resort, Okinawa Prefecture.
2. Shiitake Yaki-onigiri Bento & Kani Cream Korokke Bento
Aired 26 April 2021 • 15 min
From Marc, toasted shiitake stuffed with rice and glazed with miso butter. Maki uses crab sticks to make quick and easy cream croquettes. Bento Topics showcases a yummy bento from the Philippines.
3. Lamb Chop Bento & Tangy Chicken Bento
Aired 24 May 2021 • 15 min
Marc grills lamb and veggies in a fragrant curry sauce. Maki glazes chicken with a clear sweet and sour sauce. Bento Topics features Okayama Prefecture's famous Bara-zushi bento, eaten on festive occasions.
4. Yaki-udon Bento & Rice Korokke Bento
Aired 31 May 2021 • 15 min
Marc's bento features sweet and savory Yaki-udon noodles. Maki makes rice croquettes filled with cheese for her Rice Korokke bento. Bento Topics features Poland's favorite dish, pierogi dumplings.
5. Fried Wonton Bento & Whole Tomato Pilaf Bento
Aired 21 June 2021 • 15 min
Marc makes fried wontons filled with spicy pork and shrimp. Maki cooks a whole tomato with rice and bacon to make a one-pot tomato pilaf. And from Matsue, a bento packed with famous Shijimi clams.
6. Sushi Sandwich Bento & Norimaki Salmon Fritter Bento
Aired 28 June 2021 • 15 min
Marc wraps various fillings with nori to make a handy sushi sandwich. Maki makes tasty Norimaki salmon fritters. And from Seoul, a Bossam bento of boiled pork and condiments wrapped in leafy greens.
7. Colorful Inari-sushi Bento & Cabbage Menchi-katsu Bento
Aired 2 August 2021 • 15 min
Marc's bento is full of colorful Inari-sushi. Maki makes a crunchy cabbage Menchi-katsu bento. Bento Topics features Karashi Mentaiko, the spicy and umami-rich delicacy of Fukuoka Prefecture in southern Japan.
8. Chicken Cordon Bleu Bento & Yakiniku Norimaki Bento
Aired 9 August 2021 • 15 min
From Marc, a bento-friendly version of Chicken Cordon Bleu. From Maki, sushi rolls with Yakiniku and vegetables. And from Trinidad and Tobago, a bento packed with classics -- and lots of chili peppers!
9. Miso-butter Salmon Bento & Fried Stuffed Nasu Bento
Aired 20 September 2021 • 15 min
Marc pays homage to a regional dish of miso-butter salmon. Maki's deep-fried stuffed eggplant is a favorite with kids. From the coast of the Sea of Japan, a specialty bento packed with turban shells.
10. Harumaki Bento & Soy Meat Dry Curry Bento
Aired 27 September 2021 • 15 min
Marc's bento features spring rolls packed with a rich and savory filling. Maki uses soy meat to make a healthy dry curry bento. And from Milan, Italy, a bento featuring an all-time favorite -- lasagna!
11. Ganmodoki Bento & Pork Kinpira Burger Bento
Aired 18 October 2021 • 15 min
Marc makes a bento with Ganmodoki, a traditional tofu and veggie dish. Maki makes a burger with teriyaki-style pork and veggies. And from northeastern Japan, a bento packed with Uni, or sea urchin!
12. Saikoro Pepper Steak Bento & Sweet Potato Rice Bento
Aired 25 October 2021 • 15 min
Marc dices a thick and tender steak to make a Saikoro Pepper Steak. Maki cooks Sweet Potato Rice in a pot. We also meet a Parisienne who has embraced the concept of sustainability in making bentos.
13. Salmon Nanbanzuke Bento & Braised Pork Bento
Aired 15 November 2021 • 15 min
Marc marinates fried salmon and veggies, while Maki marinates simmered pork. Both dishes can be prepared the night before. From Awaji Island, charcoal-broiled conger pike over sushi rice!
14. Triple Curry Soboro Bento & Saba Katsu Bento
Aired 22 November 2021 • 15 min
Marc makes a triple curry Soboro with ground meat and veggies. Maki uses canned Saba, or mackerel, to make a seafood version of Menchi-katsu. From Bangkok, a bento featuring riceberry.
15. Tantanmen Bento & Veggie Wrapper Shumai Bento
Aired 20 December 2021 • 15 min
Marc tops noodles with sesame sauce and ground meat to make a spicy Tantanmen Bento. Maki uses sliced veggies to wrap her colorful shumai packed with meat and vegetables. From Tokyo, a tempura bento.
16. Ebi Fry Bento & Cabbage Roll Bento
Aired 27 December 2021 • 15 min
Marc makes Ebi Fry, panko-breaded fried shrimp. A perfect match with tangy tartar sauce! Maki pan-fries bento-friendly cabbage rolls stuffed with sliced meat and cheese. From Taipei, a Gua Bao bento.
17. Satsuma-age Bento & Garden Beef Roll Bento
Aired 31 January 2022 • 15 min
Maki rolls veggies in sliced beef to make her colorful Garden Beef Roll Bento. Marc's bento features Satsuma-age, a traditional sweet and savory fish cake. From Australia, a meat pie bento.
18. Miso-katsu Bento & Miso-chicken Sandwich Bento
Aired 7 February 2022 • 15 min
A special episode centered on Aichi Prefecture, featuring bentos made by foreign residents of Aichi. Marc and Maki prepare bentos using Mame-miso. From Nagoya, a Tebasaki chicken wing bento.
19. Tonteki Bento & Clam Rice Bento
Aired 28 February 2022 • 15 min
Marc tops pork steak with sweet and spicy sauce to make a tasty Tonteki Bento. Maki makes an umami-rich Clam Bento, a longtime favorite of fishermen in Tokyo Bay. From Tokyo, a Tamagoyaki sandwich.
20. Teri-tama Sandwich Bento & Mosaic Sushi Bento
Aired 7 March 2022 • 15 min
Maki uses an ice tray to make an easy yet beautiful Mosaic Sushi Bento. Marc makes a Teri-tama sandwich with teriyaki chicken and eggs. From Guatemala, a bento featuring stew, tortillas and pilaf.