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 (16)
1. Sweet Chili Chicken Tatsuta Bento & Curry Chicken Salad Sandwich
Aired 26 April 2024 • 15 min
Today: health-conscious bentos with Marc and special guest Takahashi Yoshiro, a chef and athlete. Together, they make two protein-rich chicken bentos. From Hyogo Prefecture, bentos featuring Tajima beef.
2. Citrus Teriyaki Pork Bento & Pork Kimchi Don Bento
Aired 16 May 2024 • 15 min
Today: health-conscious bentos with Marc and special guest Takahashi Yoshiro, a chef and athlete. Together, they make two flavorful pork bentos. From Thailand, a homemade bento for a boat captain.
3. Morioka Jajamen Bento & Soba Inari Bento
Aired 6 June 2024 • 15 min
Today: a special episode focusing on Iwate Prefecture in northeastern Japan. We meet local Uyghur and Vietnamese bento makers. Maki and Marc make noodle-based bentos inspired by Iwate.
4. Pork Ketchup Bento & Glazed Tofu Bento
Aired 27 June 2024 • 15 min
Today: bentos with Marc and special guest Watanabe Akiko, a popular bento maker. They each use ketchup in their fun and easy recipes. From Shodoshima, a warigo bento for watching farmer's kabuki.
5. Tamagoyaki Five-color Bento & Scallion Pancake Bento (Negiyaki)
Aired 25 July 2024 • 15 min
Today: colorful and tasty bentos with Marc and special guest Nozaki Hiromitsu, a legendary chef of Japanese cuisine. From the Yatsugatake Mountains, a bento with fresh highland vegetables.
6. Caramelized Beef (Shigure-ni) Bento & Beef Onigirazu Bento
Aired 15 August 2024 • 15 min
Today: bentos with Marc and special guest Nozaki Hiromitsu, a legendary chef of Japanese cuisine. Their bentos feature beef shigure-ni. From Kagoshima Prefecture, a sweet potato tempura bento.
7. Umeboshi Chicken Bento & Ume-shiso Chicken Sandwich Bento
Aired 12 September 2024 • 15 min
Today: a special episode focusing on scenic Wakayama Prefecture. We meet local bento makers from Malaysia, Poland and Indonesia. Maki and Marc make bentos using umeboshi, a Wakayama specialty.
8. Tofu Dengaku (Miso-glazed Crispy Tofu) Bento & Teriyaki Tortilla Bento
Aired 26 September 2024 • 15 min
Today: a look at some popular bentos posted to our website. Maki and Marc make savory bentos perfect for an autumn picnic. From Bali in Indonesia, a tasty and protein-rich tempeh bento.
9. Miso Tamagoyaki Bento & Miso-marinated Cod (Saikyo-yaki) Bento
Aired 25 October 2024 • 15 min
Today: part one of a special two-part series focusing on timeless Kyoto. Marc visits cooking expert Sugimoto Setsuko. Together, the pair make bentos featuring Kyoto specialty shiro miso.
10. Koyadofu and Chicken Teriyaki Bento & Koyadofu and Matsutake Rice Bento
Aired 15 November 2024 • 15 min
Today: part two of a special two-part series focusing on timeless Kyoto. Marc visits cooking expert Sugimoto Setsuko. Together, the pair make bentos featuring koyadofu, a dried tofu.
11. Chakin-zushi (Omelet-wrapped Sushi) Bento & Stuffed Pepper Bento
Aired 6 December 2024 • 15 min
Today: Marc prepares bentos with cooking expert Yanagihara Naoyuki, a chef of Japanese cuisine. Together, the pair make two festive-looking bentos perfect for the holiday season.
12. Soba Sushi Roll Bento & Colorful Spring Roll Bento
Aired 20 December 2024 • 15 min
Today: Marc prepares bentos with cooking expert Yanagihara Naoyuki, a chef of Japanese cuisine. Together, the pair make colorful bentos featuring a soba roll and spring rolls.
13. Fried Tofu Patty (Ganmodoki) Bento & Unagi-style Eggplant (Unagi Modoki) Bento
Aired 17 January 2025 • 15 min
Today: Marc prepares bentos with guest chef Ozaki Fumie. She's an expert in shojin ryori, a type of vegetarian cuisine. Together, the pair make two plant-based bentos inspired by Japanese favorites.
14. Soy Meat Kara-age Bento & Tofu Teriyaki Bento
Aired 7 February 2025 • 15 min
Today: Marc prepares bentos with guest chef Ozaki Fumie. She's an expert in shojin ryori, a type of vegetarian cuisine. Together, the pair make two protein-rich bentos featuring soy-based foods.
15. Jibuni-style Simmered Duck Bento & Crabstick Croquette Bento
Aired 7 March 2025 • 15 min
Today: a special episode focusing on scenic Ishikawa Prefecture. We meet local bento makers from Malaysia, Indonesia, China, and France. Maki and Marc make bentos using Ishikawa specialties.
16. Ginger Pork Teriyaki Bento & Wrap-n-roll Pork Bento
Aired 21 March 2025 • 15 min
Today: our final episode! We introduce viewer bentos. Maki makes a cute "wrap-n-roll" bento. Marc makes a bento with ginger pork. From Kasama in Ibaraki, an inari-zushi bento. Thanks for watching!