Cute Bento Boxes - Cooking Light

Photo: Grant Cornett

Thinking Inside the Box

You've got to take your lunch and snacks to school and work anyway, so why not make it fun? We rounded up our favorite cute and colorful containers to make sure your food is always dressed to impress.

Our first beautiful boxes are the Takenaka Deep Bento Boxes, in Large ($32) and Small ($22).

These deep-dish style boxes, made of durable polyethylene, come in a variety of bold colors (pictured here in blue). Both have locking side clasps for an airtight seal, and the large version comes with a movable divider.

Microwave-safe
Dishwasher-safe
BPA free

View What's Inside: The Foodie Bento

Photo: Randy Mayor

Odaiba Bento Box

Your lunch is sure to be the envy of the office in this bright and bold bento! The Odaiba bento ($24) is made of two stacking containers, but can also be used without the upper container (which has its own removable lid). The colorful top clips on to keep your contents secure. Available in five different color schemes.

Microwave-safe (without lids)
Dishwasher-safe (without lids)
BPA free

CL Readers get 15% off on Bento & Co. products by using the code KYOTO. Enter the code during checkout, before choosing a shipping method. The code expires 9/14/13.

Photo: Randy Mayor

Insulated Tiffin Lunch Set

Traditional Indian tiffins have been toting food back and forth for years. Aladdin's bold tomato-hued spin on the classic tiffin ($25) is insulated and leak-proof, keeping your lunch hot or cold for around three hours. The lids are interchangeable, so you can use one bowl or both—your choice! A removable divider and an ice pack are also included.

Microwave-safe
Dishwasher-safe
BPA free

Photo: Randy Mayor

LunchSkins Snack Bags

These Lunchskins reusable snack bags ($8 each) are environmentally friendly and completely adorable. Each bag is lined with fast-drying, lightweight, and certified food-safe fabric, and there’s even a convenient space for labeling.

Dishwasher-safe (top rack only)
BPA free

Photo: Grant Cornett

Boon's Cargo Snack Box

Kids will love toting this bright lunchbox ($18) to school every day. Four neat compartments and an airtight lid keep food organized and fresh, and the handle makes for effortlessly portable meals.

Dishwasher-safe (top rack only)
BPA free

View What's Inside: The Buddy Bento

Photo: Randy Mayor

Gel Cool Peco

This clever little Bento & Co. box ($25) keeps both your food and your drink cold, all while bundled together in one convenient package. The box comes in six different colors and contains a freezable gel pack.

Microwave-safe (without gel pack)
Dishwasher-safe

CL Readers get 15% off on Bento & Co. products by using the code KYOTO. Enter the code during checkout, before choosing a shipping method. The code expires 9/14/13.

Photo: Randy Mayor

ModCloth Savor the Scenery Container Set

Your food will have quite the pretty view when packed neatly in one of these decorated glass containers ($38/set of 5). Each bowl comes with its own lid and will hold 16 ounces of your favorite dish.

Microwave-safe (without lids)
Dishwasher-safe (without lids)
BPA free

These containers are currently out of stock. You can request a restock notice from ModCloth on the product page.

Photo: Randy Mayor

To-Go Ware Snack Stack Stainless Steel Food Carrier

Talk about versatility! This tiffin-style food carrier ($19) consists of two food containers, plus a lid that doubles as a plate. It’s all sealed together with a double-latch system to protect against leaks. Each piece is made of high-quality, food-grade stainless steel. Shown here is the smaller 2-tier option, perfect for snacks or small meals. If you need to pack more, there is a larger 2-tier version, as well as a 3-tier option.

Dishwasher-safe
BPA free

Photo: Randy Mayor

Japanese Character Bento Boxes

Let these little friends join in on snack time! Broadway Panhandler offers four versions of this Japan-inspired bento box (pictured here in Maiko and Ninja, $35 each). The bodies are made of two stacking compartments, and their headgear is a small bowl for dips and sauces. An elastic strap keeps your snacks secure.

Microwave-safe (without inner lid)
Dishwasher-safe (without inner lid)

Photo: Grant Cornett

Kitchenworks Purple Bento Lunch Box

If you combined a traditional bento box with a classic, elementary school lunch box, you’d get this versitile bento box from Kitchenworks ($25). Within the large outer container are five smaller boxes that can be removed, rearranged, and filled to fit your every lunchtime whim. Its hard plastic material ensures it will be around for many meals to come.

BPA free

View What's Inside: The Southern Bento

Photo: Randy Mayor

Aladdin Collapsible Bowl Set

This collapsible 3-bowl set ($20) is more than just colorful; each bowl also ‘smooshes’ flat for easy storage. Featuring twist-on, leak proof lids, this set is a must-have for small kitchens. (Note: The bottom two containers are pictured in their collapsed state.)

Microwave-safe
Dishwasher-safe
BPA free

Photo: Randy Mayor

Snack Attack Dip-to-Go Containers

Have a fruit and veggie field day with Hutzler's fun Snack Attack carrot and apple snack boxes ($6 each). Each one has a small container (with lid) to hold your hummus or other dip, and a larger bowl to keep your favorite healthy snacks safe.

Dishwasher-safe
BPA free

Photo: Randy Mayor

Bento Colors

Inside the unique Bento Colors box ($25) are three stackable boxes, each with a lid. The inner boxes can be removed for easy packing and storage flexibility. This simple and stylish box is available in pink, purple, black, white, green, and blue (pictured).

Microwave-safe (without outer box)
Dishwasher safe (without outer box)

CL Readers get 15% off on Bento & Co. products by using the code KYOTO. Enter the code during checkout, before choosing a shipping method. The code expires 9/14/13.

Photo: Grant Cornett

Pop'n Go Collapsible Container

If you’re on the go or pressed for storage space, the Pop'n Go collapsible container is a great option ($25). The body features two compartments to effortlessly pack whatever you’re craving, while the lid holds a matching combination utensil (no more hunting for a fork or spoon at lunchtime!).

Microwave-safe (without lid)
Dishwasher-safe
BPA free

View What's Inside: The Fast-Food Lover's Bento

Photo: Randy Mayor

Bento Cut & Prep Set

Umbra’s bento cut and prep set ($30) makes it easy to prepare foods ahead of time and seal them away for future use. The cutting board doubles as a lid, and it fits neatly on top of five nesting boxes (two 1-cup, two 2-cup, and one 3-cup).

BPA free

Photo: Randy Mayor

Vacuum Insulated Food Jar

This double-walled, stainless steel food jar from Thermos ($21) will be the superhero of your lunchbox, keeping both hot and chilled foods at their respective temperatures for 5-7 hours. Of course, the colorful designs don’t hurt either (there are two to choose from). Its ergonomic and leak proof lid is also easy for little ones to open, so you have one less worry at lunchtime.

Dishwasher-safe (top rack only)

Photo: Randy Mayor

Totoro Bento Box

The lovable Totoro makes a fantastic lunchtime companion on this sturdy blue and green container from Bento & Co. ($17). Four clips ensure a tight seal, and a removable divider keeps your food separated. The Totoro Bento Box pictured here is the 900 ml version, but it is also available in 650 and 1200 ml ($15 and $18, respectively).

Microwave-safe
Dishwasher-safe (without lid, as artwork will fade)
BPA free

CL Readers get 15% off on Bento & Co. products by using the code KYOTO. Enter the code during checkout, before choosing a shipping method. The code expires 9/14/13.

Photo: Randy Mayor

Tiffin Lunch Box

This tiffin-style lunch box from Vivo is sure to brighten any day with its retro look and bold colors. The lid and chrome frame keeps its stacking layers neatly upright and makes it a breeze to carry around. While the pictured style is no longer available online, here are six other color and style options from the same brand ($21-$36).

Dishwasher-safe (without frame)

Photo: Grant Cornett

Insulated To-Go Food Container

It may resemble a takeout box, but this Aladdin Insulated To-Go Food Container ($15) is far from its foam lookalikes. Its cool-touch technology keeps the box from being too hot, even straight out of the microwave, and its double-wall build keeps food warmer for longer. It also features an internal divider and a leak proof lid.

Microwave-safe (without lid)
Dishwasher-safe
BPA free

View What's Inside: The Whole-Grain Bento

Photo: Randy Mayor

Woodland Creatures Snack Box Set

Cute woodland creatures make everything better, right? Each container in this 4-piece set from My Sweet Muffin ($18/set) features a different design on a sweet polka-dot background. Also, each is a different size, so they nest neatly inside one another when stored.

Dishwasher-safe (on cool setting only)
BPA free

These containers are currently out of stock. You can request a restock notice from My Sweet Muffin on the product page.

Photo: Randy Mayor

Monkey Bento Box

We aren’t monkeying around—we love this Hakoya monkey bento box ($24 USD)! Its 2-tier design keeps foods organized, and it even includes an elastic band to keep things nice and secure.

Microwave-safe
Dishwasher-safe

Bento and Snack Boxes We Love

Thinking Inside the Box

Odaiba Bento Box

Insulated Tiffin Lunch Set

LunchSkins Snack Bags

Boon's Cargo Snack Box

Gel Cool Peco

ModCloth Savor the Scenery Container Set

To-Go Ware Snack Stack Stainless Steel Food Carrier

Japanese Character Bento Boxes

Kitchenworks Purple Bento Lunch Box

Aladdin Collapsible Bowl Set

Snack Attack Dip-to-Go Containers

Bento Colors

Pop'n Go Collapsible Container

Bento Cut & Prep Set

Vacuum Insulated Food Jar

Totoro Bento Box

Tiffin Lunch Box

Insulated To-Go Food Container

Woodland Creatures Snack Box Set

Monkey Bento Box