Episodes 20

1 Shichimi Chicken Bento & Shichimi Sausage Bento

April 29, 2022

15m

Maki and Marc prepare bentos with Shichimi Togarashi, a blend of 7 spices that is used all throughout Japan. From Tokyo, a hanami bento perfect for viewing cherry blossoms.

2 Taimeshi Bento & Oyaki Bento

May 6, 2022

15m

Maki makes a bento with Oyaki, Nagano Prefecture's beloved dumplings. And Marc makes Ehime Prefecture's famous Taimeshi: sea bream with rice. From Singapore, a bento influencer!

3 Beef and Spicy Mayo Roll Bento & Miso-mayo Sawara Bento

June 3, 2022

15m

Maki makes a Miso-mayo Sawara (Spanish mackerel) Bento. Marc makes a Beef & Spicy Mayo Roll Bento. From the Philippines, bento boxes that combine cute characters and traditional flavors.

4 Sanga-burg Bento

June 10, 2022

15m

In this special episode, Marc reports from a fishing port in the Boso Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture. He makes an original bento inspired by a local specialty, Sangayaki: grilled fish patties.

5 Kinchaku Tamago Bento & Pork Inari Bento

July 8, 2022

15m

Maki and Marc prepare bentos with Abura-age: deep-fried tofu. Marc makes a Kinchaku Tamago Bento while Maki makes a Pork Inari Bento. From Bali, a picnic featuring Ikan Bakar, a tasty seafood dish.

6 Curry Soup Bento & Creamy Kabocha Soup

July 15, 2022

15m

In this special episode, Marc meets a skilled soup bento maker, Ariga Kaoru. She's known for her easy yet tasty recipes for soup made in vacuum flasks. Marc prepares an original curry soup bento.

7 Lamb and Veggie Stir-fry Bento & Tori-ten Bento

August 12, 2022

15m

Today: bentos inspired by regional dishes. Marc makes a Hokkaido Prefecture specialty: lamb and veggie stir-fry. Maki makes Tori-ten fried chicken, a dish from Oita Prefecture. From Georgia, a tasty Khachapuri bento.

8 Kakiage Sandwich Bento & Veggie Menchi-Katsu Bento

August 19, 2022

15m

Marc fries up some shrimp and veggie fritters to make a Kakiage sandwich. Maki makes a colorful veggie Menchi-katsu bento. From Kamakura, a bento featuring a colorful assortment of local vegetables.

9 Maple-miso Chicken Bento & Maple-mustard Pork Bento

September 30, 2022

15m

Today: a look at some of the most popular user submissions to our website. Marc and Maki both make use of maple syrup in their bentos. From Hong Kong, a family picnic bento.

10 Tochigi Special: Chicken Wing Gyoza Bento & Nori Gyoza Bento

October 7, 2022

15m

Today: we travel to Tochigi Prefecture and meet some of its foreign residents, including bento makers and restaurant owners. Maki and Marc prepare bentos inspired by Tochigi.

11 Curry Goya Champuru Bento & Purple Sweet Potato Korokke Bento

October 28, 2022

15m

Marc makes a bento featuring goya or bitter melon, a specialty of Okinawa Prefecture. Maki makes korokke, or croquettes, with purple sweet potatoes. From Thailand, a bento in a traditional pinto lunchbox.

12 Stamina Donburi Bento & Salmon Avocado Bento

November 11, 2022

15m

Today: energizing bentos! From Marc, sweet and savory pork belly on rice. From Maki, a colorful combination of salmon and avocado. From Kawagoe, a bento featuring sweet potatoes.

13 Meat-wrapped Onigiri Bento & Fireworks Onigiri Bento

November 25, 2022

15m

Today: our chefs share their takes on onigiri! From Marc, sweet and savory beef wrapped around onigiri. From Maki, a "fireworks" boiled-egg onigiri. And from Mongolia, a bento featuring mutton.

14 Tofu Kara-age Bento & Pork Belly Kara-age Bento

December 9, 2022

15m

Today: our chefs share their takes on kara-age! Marc opts for tofu instead of chicken, while Maki rolls up thinly sliced pork. From the port of Shimonoseki, a bento featuring fugu, or pufferfish.

15 Kara-age with Tangy Scallion Sauce Bento & Layered Katsu Bento

December 30, 2022

15m

Maki layers cheese and basil between slices of pork to make deep-fried cutlets. Marc tosses crispy chicken in tangy scallion sauce. And from Taiwan, a bento featuring a local favorite: lu rou fan.

16 Salmon Daikon Bento & Tomato Sukiyaki Bento

January 13, 2023

15m

From Maki, a delicious one-pan tomato sukiyaki. From Marc, pan-fried salmon and simmered daikon glazed with a sweet and savory sauce. From Arita, a curry bento served in a bowl you can keep.

17 California Roll Bento & Crab Rice Bento

February 3, 2023

15m

Today: a special episode focusing on Shimane Prefecture. We meet local bento makers from Germany, Bangladesh and Brazil. Marc and Maki make dishes with a Shimane specialty: snow crab.

18 Oyster Rice Bento & Miso-butter Oyster Bento

February 17, 2023

15m

From Maki, oysters sautéed in butter, served with miso sauce. From Marc, oysters along with rice cooked in a savory oyster dashi. From Colombia, a fiambre bento wrapped in a plantain leaf.

19 Dashimaki Egg Sandwich Bento & Fried Meat-wrapped Quail Eggs Bento

March 3, 2023

15m

Today on BENTO EXPO, Maki fries up quail eggs wrapped in pork, and Marc uses a microwave to make a dashimaki egg sandwich. From Malaysia, a bento featuring Nyonya cuisine.

20 Sobameshi (Fried Yakisoba-and-Rice) Bento & Pumpkin Mochi Bento

March 17, 2023

15m

Today: a look at some viewer-submitted bentos. Marc makes sobameshi: chopped yakisoba and fried rice. Maki makes kabocha dumplings stuffed with cheese. From Kobe, a bento made with Kobe beef.

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