Hello there! This is Kawaben, a mom who’s been tackling the challenge of making kyaraben, or character bento boxes. I’ve just finished a bento for my toddler shaped like a long-tailed tit.
While I’m not the best at it, it turned out pretty charming. My daughter happily gobbled it up, saying, “It’s a snowman!” and finished the entire thing with a big smile. The feeling of accomplishment you get when they eat everything, no matter what, is just the best. (We ate this bento together on a day out during summer vacation.)
For those who haven’t seen one, here’s a photo of a real long-tailed tit.
They’re so white, fluffy, and just heartwarming to look at. Their head tilted to the side is the absolute cutest. They’re even called the “Snow Fairy.” (They remind me of a daifuku rice cake!)
Recently, their popularity has exploded, especially with the release of so many mascots and goods. When I was at Seria (a 100-yen store), I saw a lunch box with a long-tailed tit illustration and just had to buy it on impulse.
Unfortunately, Japanese long-tailed tits can only be seen in Hokkaido. In Tokyo, all you see are pigeons and crows. I hope to travel to Hokkaido with my family someday to see one in person.
If you think making character bentos is too hard, don’t worry! This long-tailed tit bento is packed with tricks that even clumsy people can easily try. It’s perfect for your child’s field trip or sports day, or even just as a treat for yourself. Opening this bento will definitely bring a smile to your face.
Instructions
Ingredients
- Rice: A small amount
- Quail egg: 1
- Nori (dried seaweed): A small amount
- Broccoli: 1 floret
- Tamagoyaki (Japanese rolled omelet): 2 slices
- Cherry tomatoes: 2
Directions
- Form two rice balls and place them in the bento box so they are nestled together.
- Place the boiled quail egg between the two rice balls.
- Fill the empty spaces with tamagoyaki, broccoli, and cherry tomatoes. (Cut the tamagoyaki diagonally to make a heart shape before placing.)
- Use a nori punch to cut out the shapes, then use tweezers to stick on the eyes, mouth, and wings. (The nori punch was purchased at Seria.)
A Time-Saving Tip
The key item I used was a long-tailed tit-shaped nori punch from Seria. It’s lightweight, sturdy, and best of all, inexpensive. It cuts the nori into the perfect shape, so all you have to do is stick it onto the rice balls. It’s so easy!
However, the nori can sometimes crack when you’re cutting it, so here’s a trick: use thicker nori for sushi rolls, or place the nori on a plate with a few drops of water, cover it with plastic wrap, and microwave it for about 10 seconds. This adds just enough moisture to prevent it from cracking.
With this long-tailed tit kyaraben, your everyday lunch can become something special. I hope this helps you out!
I’ve uploaded videos to YouTube as well! Check them out.
