For parents of children in kindergarten or nursery school, preparing a bento box for field trips, sports days, or even just an ordinary lunch, the “train” motif is always a huge hit with both boys and girls! For kids who love vehicles, the joy of opening their lunchbox to find their favorite train inside is truly special.
But are you hesitating, thinking, “It looks too difficult to shape a train,” or “It’s too detailed and will take too long”? Don’t worry! I’m here to share easy-to-follow ideas for a “Train Character Bento” that looks intricate but can actually be put together quickly, even on a busy morning.
With this guide, you too can become a “Bento Master”! Let’s embark on a journey of creating a heartfelt “Train Bento” that will bring the biggest smiles to your child’s face!
1. Why Is the “Train Character Bento” Recommended?
There are several reasons why the Train Character Bento is a favorite among parents:
(1) Easy to Make Because It’s Square!
Trains are primarily composed of “squares” and “circles” (for wheels). Compared to making round character rice balls, a train’s shape is defined simply by filling the lunchbox in a rectangular form. This makes it an incredibly accessible motif for character bento beginners.
(2) Rich Variety of Colors!
From Shinkansen (white, blue, green) to local trains (red, yellow, green), a wide range of color schemes exists. You can easily change the color of the rice or decorations to match your child’s favorite color or the colors of the other side dishes, preventing boredom.
(3) Pairs Perfectly with Any Side Dish!
Simply arranging the main vehicle (the rice ball) next to the side dishes in the lunchbox makes the entire meal look like a train. Side dishes like decorative picks or sausages can be cleverly disguised as “cargo” or “passengers.”
2. The Basic Shape: Simple Local Train Character Bento Recipe
First, let’s introduce the easiest and most fool-proof recipe: a rectangular “Local Train” bento.
【The Main Dish: Train Rice Ball】
- Ingredients: Cooked rice, furikake (green, blue, orange, etc.), nori (seaweed sheets), sliced cheese
- Instructions:
- Form the Car Body: Mix the rice with your desired colored furikake (yukari, deco-furi, etc.) and shape it into a rectangle to fit the size of your lunchbox. Wrap it tightly in cling film to firm up the shape.
- Make the Windows: Cut the sliced cheese into several small squares (the shape of the windows). Use a nori punch to cut out circular or square “eyes” and attach them to the cheese squares.
- Decoration: Place the rice ball in the lunchbox. Cut thin strips of nori and attach them below the windows as a “line.” Place the cheese windows from the previous step onto the nori line. Voila, it instantly looks like a train!
- The Coupler: If the size of the lunchbox allows, cut a sausage or cucumber into small pieces and place them between the rice cars to resemble a coupler, adding an extra touch of cuteness!
【Coloring with Side Dishes!】
Using more “round” or “stick-shaped” side dishes makes them easy to resemble wheels or tracks.
- To Look Like Wheels:
- Meatballs (boiled, teriyaki, etc.)
- Quail eggs (you can decorate them with patterns or character faces for extra fun!)
- To Look Like Tracks or Cargo:
- Thinly cut tamagoyaki (Japanese rolled omelet) or thick omelet slices
- Meat rolls made by wrapping bacon or thinly sliced pork around vegetables like asparagus or green beans
- Rolled-up cheese or ham (insert a food pick to make them easier to eat)
3. Level Up: Challenging the “Shinkansen”
Once you are comfortable with the basics, let’s try the ever-popular “Shinkansen” (Bullet Train)! The key is the sleek, aerodynamic “nose.”
【The Main Dish: Shinkansen Rice Ball】
- Ingredients: White rice, blue or green deco-furi, nori, red part of crab sticks (kanikama)
- Instructions:
- Form the Nose Base: Wrap white rice in cling film and shape one end into a sharp triangle. This creates the distinctive “nose” of the Shinkansen.
- Coloring: For a blue Shinkansen (like the E7 series), lightly dust the rectangular section (not the nose) with blue deco-furi. For a green one (like the E5 series), use green.
- Adding the Line: Use nori or the red part of the crab stick to represent the colored line that runs along the Shinkansen’s body. Cut the long strips carefully with scissors.
- Windows: Attach small squares or circles of nori (cut with a nori punch) at regular intervals along the car body to complete the Shinkansen-style windows.
4. Preparation is 90% of the Work! Time-Saving Character Bento Techniques
Mornings before an excursion are a race against the clock! Eliminate the rush by preparing the night before.
- Cut Parts the Night Before: Components like eyes, windows, and lines made from nori, cheese, or ham can be stored in a small Ziploc bag in the refrigerator, drastically reducing your preparation time in the morning.
- Pre-Color the Rice: For rice that needs coloring with deco-furi, mix the color the night before. Once cooled, divide it into small portions wrapped in cling film (do not shape it!) so you only have to assemble it in the morning.
- Use Frozen Foods as Allies: Frozen side dishes designed for bento boxes can double as ice packs and are lifesavers for filling gaps. Choose ones that can be thawed naturally.
5. The Finishing Touch: A Message Filled with Love
A train character bento is not just visually cute; it’s also a way to engage your child in healthy eating. Try saying, “○○ Line, all aboard!” as you pack it, or telling them, “This car has your favorite rice ball inside.”
The ultimate goal of creating a character bento is to evoke the feeling of excitement, as if they are embarking on a journey the moment they open the lid.
So, what kind of train will you make today? Create a heartfelt bento box based on your child’s favorite train and fill their day with the biggest smiles!
