Bento Box Ideas for Summer Adventures – The Ultimate Portable Feast?

If you’ve ever browsed social media and seen perfectly portioned, colourful lunchboxes packed with tasty bites and delicate presentation, chances are you’ve encountered a bento box. 

Originating in Japan, a bento is more than just a packed lunch: It's a portable, thoughtfully curated meal designed for both balance and beauty. And during the summer months, bento boxes become the perfect companion for picnics, beach outings, road trips, or park lunches. Or even work lunches, too.

What Exactly Is a Bento Box?

A bento box is a single-portion meal traditionally packed in a compact, compartmentalised container. It typically contains a mix of protein (such as fish, meat, or tofu), rice or noodles, and a variety of vegetables and fruits. The key is balance, not only in taste and nutrition but also in texture and colour.

Bento boxes are hugely popular in Japan, not just for their practicality but for the care and creativity put into their assembly. They've since become a still growing global trend, with people customising them to suit all sorts of diets, preferences, and occasions.

Why Take a Bento Box on Your Summer Adventures?

Portability: Bento boxes are designed to travel well.

No muss, no fuss: No need for multiple containers or cutlery – everything’s in one tidy package.

Healthy and balanced: The compartments naturally encourage variety and portion control.

Instagrammable appeal: Let’s be honest, they’re lovely to look at!

Summer-Inspired Bento Box Ideas

Here are some refreshing and fun ideas for packing your own summer-themed bento:

1. Mediterranean Breeze Bento

Main: Couscous salad with roasted peppers, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and feta

Protein: Lemon and herb grilled chicken skewers or falafel

Veg: Hummus with carrot and celery sticks

Treat: A few pieces of baklava or seedless grapes

2. Vegan Summer Picnic Bento

Main: Chilled soba noodles with sesame dressing and edamame

Protein: Teriyaki tofu slices

Veg: Pickled radish, shredded carrot and cucumber ribbons

Treat: Fresh mango chunks or a matcha mochi

3. British Garden Party Bento

Main: Mini crustless cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches

Protein: Slices of boiled egg with a dash of black pepper

Veg: Pea and mint salad

Treat: A mini scone with jam and a dollop of clotted cream

4. Kids’ Summer Fun Bento

Main: Cheese and tomato pinwheels (puff pastry or wraps)

Protein: Mini turkey meatballs or veggie nuggets

Veg: Sweetcorn and cherry tomatoes

Treat: Watermelon stars or mini jelly pots

5. Sushi-Inspired Bento

Main: Avocado and cucumber sushi rolls

Protein: Tamagoyaki (Japanese rolled omelette)

Veg: Seaweed salad or pickled ginger

Treat: Lychee or a few Pocky sticks

Tips for Packing a Great Summer Bento

Keep it cool: Use an insulated bag and ice packs if your bento contains perishables such as clotted cream, above.

Balance is key: Aim for a variety of textures and flavours.

Use colour playfully: Employ Play vibrant, bright ingredients to make your box appealing and appetising.

Prep ahead: Many components can be made the night before and stored in the fridge.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're heading to a music festival, hiking in the hills, or simply planning a family day out in the park, a bento box is your perfect summer mealtime solution. Not only will you have a delicious, balanced meal at your fingertips, but you’ll also be able to avoid soggy sandwiches and overpriced snacks.

So why not channel your inner Japanese homemaker this summer and start curating your own edible artwork on-the-go?

Box Brewery should be on your Christmas list!

If you are buying beers for yourself or a family member or a friend for this Christmas and Nee Year period,. then you simply must make certain that beers from the Box Brewery are on your list.

They are one of the leading independent brewers in the South of England, proudly sited in Wiltshire.

One of their fine ales is called Funnel Blower and, as my wife is a fanatic for the history of Victorian engineering. this one really caught her attention.

It is a finely hand crafted real ale and named for an incident that struck the Isambard Kingdom Brunel ship the Great Eastern, when, two days after her sea trials commenced, the ship suffered a gigantic explosion which blew off one of her five funnels.

What of the beer? The only thing this is liable to blow is your taste buds! It isa serious ale and not to be taken lightly, coming in with an ABV of 4.5%. The other thing that took my wife's fancy about this beer -and mine, too! is that this is a dark brown coloured Porter beer.

It has a good Porter aroma, you just know that there are some well-roasted barley and malts in there! You can taste the bitterness of the roasted notes, but that's well-balanced by a nice sweetness that pervades this fine ale.

It will cost you a very reasonable £2.35 a bottle and for stockist lists please visit www.boxsteambrewery.com or call them on 01225 858383.

Of course, this is not the only beer they brew. Please ask them for details and do mention That's Food and Drink and That's Christmas when you contact them!