Japan is the land of the bento, or the packed lunch as it was referred to when I was a kid. In those days my lunches contained a staple of sandwiches and a bit of fruit. Perhaps even a biscuit of some description if I was lucky. The Japanese bento on the other hand is far more exotic beast. Often more akin to a work of art than something to eat.
But to conjure up something as elaborate as the above picture takes time, and presumably a considerable amount of skill. So if like me you definitely lack the latter, and quite often the former, there is thankfully a saviour at hand. The trusty bowl of instant ramen.
Yet don’t for a second think it’s a poor second choice. Well, actually it is, but considering the vast array of options available, it’s fairly easy to convince yourself otherwise. Just look, this is merely a small selection that can be found in my local supermarket.
Pour in some hot water, wait 3 minutes or so, and you are all done. Now that’s my kind of cooking!
Toni says
I stopped eating Cup O’ Noodles ramen in college, after reading the sodium content in one package @_@
As for bento, a friend of mine wrote an article for the Japan Times about how a the appearance of a child’s bento can reflect a mother’s love. I don’t know if you can still find the article, but her name is J. Authi.
pearly says
nice photo. instant noodles rock.
Slayer says
Wow what a supermarket, I need one of those here.