Korakuen Bento

A bento is a typical Japanese boxed lunch usually served by moms for their kids to eat at school, but boxed lunches in japan has become more than that as you can find them virtually anywhere from convenience stores, to train stations, parks and gardens, theme parks... everywhere at least. The bento has become an art form and most popular locations serve a "special" bento, that can only be bought and eaten at that particular location.

Anyway, i was able to visit Korakuen, one of the three most famous gardens in Japan. It is located in Okayama, in the Chuugoku region of Japan. And being famous, of course gives them the distinction of serving their own bento.

Take a gander at this beautiful bento! And mind you, it's not pretty, but really yummy as well!

Clockwise from top: tender bamboo shoots with slices of pimiento, fish stwed in light miso, boiled eggplant with sauce, rolled chicken cutlet with egg, tsukemono or pickled vegetables, sweet taro and boiled quail egg, fragrant and lightly flavored rice in sesame, sakura and matcha with a cute bean paste peach sweet in the middle, slightly sweet boiled octopus with crane-shaped radish, egg that looks like jello.

Okay, so let's start with the rice. japanese rice is really good but this is truly artful rice as it is very lightly flavored with traditional flavors like sakura (cherry blossoms), and matcha. the pickled vegetables are quite a surprise because they're not too salty or sour as some yucky pickled veggies are but slightly sweet and crunchy. the "egg that looks like jello" was also a pleasant surprise because it's like a poached egg that with a very mild sweet-salty seasoning. and the octopus didn't try to force itself away from my teeth! that was how tender it was. and the slices of fish and chicken were absolutely lovely! no overpowering flavors, very natural and healthy. yes, this is really good bento! and for the price of JPY1,500... it's well worth your money!