Too Precious to Eat! Adorable Japanese Artsy Lunch Boxes “Kyaraben” | Japan Guide

Kyaraben or Charaben is a shortened form of Character Bentos. Rice and other ingredients are decorated into anime characters or animals and are packed into lunch box bento.

WHAT IS KYARABEN?

Reference: pecolly

Kyaraben (Japanese: キャラ弁) or Charaben is a shortened form of Character Bentos that rice and other ingredients are shaped or decorated into anime characters or animals and are packed into lunch box bento. Usually, bento is a lunch box prepared by mothers to be eaten at lunch time has a long traditional culture in Japan. Mothers always try to arrange vegetables or food which children are not fond of to encourage them to try. That’s why the character bentos become very popular in Japan to make their children enjoy eating their least favorite vegetables or food. Recently, it is getting popular in the wider range of the world. Japanese government even launched the contest in 2014. There are lots of garnishes and interesting side dishes for character bento in Japan.

AMAZING KYARABEN GALLERY

WINNIE THE POOH

Reference: kitchen note

MICKEY & MINNIE

Reference: cookpad

BIG HERO 6

Reference: Juru’s Kyaraben

CARS

Reference: Juru’s Kyaraben

TINKERBELL

Reference: Juru’s Kyaraben

POKEMON

Reference: pecolly

SUPER MARIO BROS

Reference: Juru’s Kyaraben

CINNAMONROLL

Reference: Juru’s Kyaraben

MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO

Reference: Juru’s Kyaraben

Reference: Juru’s Kyaraben

DORAEMON

Reference: Juru’s Kyaraben

ANPANMAN

Reference: Juru’s Kyaraben

RILAKKUMA

Reference: my365

Reference: youtube

USEFUL GOODS FOR KYARABEN

Reference: Tokyuhands

Reference: rakuten

These tools are for shaping hams or any other ingredients to animals. You can find amazing goods for Kyaraben at some shops such as Daiso (100 yen shop) and Tokyu Hands. Those tools will help you get everything looking just nice.