Mini Tuna Burger Bento Redux
Last week was the one year anniversary of the first bento that I ever posted online. I know! A whole year! Now 300 plus bentos later I find myself looking back at that first bento post and scrutinizing my progress!
I’ve learned a lot since then and I definately have more ”bento stuffs” … WAY more bento-stuffs… so let this be a warning to bento newbies… bento-making is highly addictive. 
So here I am a year later… with uncountable bento gear, a bento blog and celebrating my one year anniversary with a “before and after” post! As they say, “time flies when you’re having fun!”
Here’s the photo of the original bento posted on flickr twelve months ago.
The first thing you’ll notice is the quality of the photo! I no longer use a flash for my photos because it makes food look very unappetizing.
The second difference is the shape of the box. The ”after” bento is packed in an “MRB” or “Magic Round Bento” which is a better choice when you want your bento to look good. I also don’t have the original box anymore…I have other square boxes, but a round box is the easiest to pack. It just works. It really does!
The other changes are the addition of lettuce and kaiware for garnish, and the takuan details. Also a musubi instead just “rice and peas” to keep things nice and neat.
Another thing lacking in the ”before” bento is the color black; an important feature for bento lunches. It’s an easy fix with the nori flower and black sesame seeds on the tamagoyaki! And speaking of tamagoyaki… that first one was so overcooked… I’m better at it now.
The highlight of my year long bento journey is “meeting” all of you! I have picked up tips and recipes from all around the world which I think is awesome. For example, the mini miso tuna recipe I used for both my “before and after” is from Maki’s Just Bento site!
When I surf the bento sites I’m amazed at the variety of foods and presentations. All of which have contributed to my cooking and bento education!
Do you think I’ve improved? Heck yeah, I think so!
With that said, I’m honored to share the “before and afters” of three very talented bentoists!
Megan of “Bentozen” says… and I quote… “kimbap is my JAM, yo!” And she’s right! I’m in awe of her playful yet precise bento techniques.
Susan, author of Hawaii’s Bento Box Cookbook: 2nd Course
Sheri of “Happy Little Bento” creates lunches that are both cute and sophisticated! Teriyaki chicken and rice never looked better than in her bentos!
How about you? Have you experience a bento evolution? What tips or suggestions could you share?
LOL, I am totally guilty of flash photography! Beautiful bento and I love how everything is so artfully and perfectly arranged. Love the MRB!
Thanks Susan! It’s amazing how much I’ve learned in the short time I’ve been packing bentos! And it’s because of experienced cooks like you that showed me the way…
I must say I liked the square presentation… but you made it shine with my heart’s fave MRB. The exact same stuff, but you’ve done magic. The pea musubi is so cute! I’ll have to try that.
What a fun joint post, thanks for suggesting!
Hi sheri, You were one of the first people to “follow” me around on flickr and you still do! Always a kind and encouraging word for even the most scariest of my creations! Thanks!
i agree that the MRB is wonderful for arranging, but it’s YOUR unique style and special eye for details and colors that made both of these boxes beautiful
thanks for all the bento tips and memories debra, it has been a blast!!
Thanks Megan! You are so kind! Just think how much more fun we will have and I can’t wait to see what our bentos look like a year from now!
You guys are great, your first one looks like mine. Like I was telling the others, it’s so funny because I just posted my first bento post today! So give me a little while and I’ll join in and hope to see improvement! And yeah…it’s addicting….tell me about it…and you are a bento pusher..lol!!! just kidding, I love it!!:D
Hi Lyndsey, Thanks for your encouraging comments! I’m not a pusher… I’m a enabler! And proud of it.
I just love how effortless yours and everyone else’s bentos look. Effortless and yet, so pretty! It’s just amazing how your ‘first’ bento really is so good! And it’s evolved incredibly afterwards.. I just love getting totally lost in your posts and one day, I will also create effortless bentos like you!
Thanks ChataleP, Hello and welcome to my blog. So sweet of you to drop in and leave a nice comment. I hope that you will someday create a bento and share the photos with us!
What a wonderful topic! Its delightful to see how your refined and vital style has emerged, Debra–and how a talent for color and form has blossomed so fully and inspiringly!
Hi Jenn, I love to read your words, that alone makes me want to post more bentos just to see your comments! Thanks!
I love seeing all of these evolutions! It’s fun to go back and look at how far everyone has come
Thanks Jenn, We had fun doing this post. Can’t wait to see what our future bentos turn out to be!
i love seeing these bento evolutions! you have the best ideas debra!!! my one year bentoversary was in february so we almost kinda started around the same time, and now you have a blog! i need to get my butt in gear and start one too. you are an inspiration. also great use of the MRB, I don’t think I have ever used a MRB! Maybe it’s time now hehe
Hi Laura, Yes! You should totally do a blog. Your bentos are awesome and I will always remember your sweet comments on flickr and viewing your very creative bentos! Please post a MRB bento, I know it would totally rock!
For me, you will always the great bento maker. Always admire your delicious and pretty bento since before I started blogging.Before and after bento are great. Nice to see a lot of things changed awesomely!
Hi Lia! Oh my, thank you very much for your super nice comments!
Congratulation to your one year bento history! I’m so glad to have you as bento friend.
Yeah, you are right. Your skills especially in cooking and arranging improved a lot! Ir’s really fun to view the before and after pictures ^-^
Thank Lil’chan! I agree… I’m better now but so much more to learn and to improve on. I’ll be checking out your bentos for inspiration.
Your “new” bento is so much better, than the old one! I love how you improved your skills over the time! Thanks for sharing! ^-^
Thanks Token! Nice of you to say!
This is so cool! I must say, I think your eye for color is fantastic, and you always make bentos look so effortless. I’m a carnivore, but would happily scoff down any of your veggie delights
I’ve only been bento-ing for a while, but I think the most valuable lesson is PACK TIGHT!
Hi mils, I think color is one of the most important elements in a balanced looking bento. But you are right and I’ve learned the hard way… pack it tight is right! Thanks for the reminder.
Hello! Your before and after post made me smile. I’ve been creating bentos for almost a year, but I have only started blogging them (and therefore photographing them) for the past month. To create a good looking bento is one thing, but to take a nice picture of it afterwards is a whole other talent! I’m working on both of those talents in conjunction and having a huge amount of fun. Thanks to you and the rest of the bento community for being such an inspiring and welcoming group. I wonder what my bentos will look like in another year…
Hi Miloko! Thanks for your kind comments! I am so pleased to know that we are providing information for all for building a better bento!
I’ve always appreciated that your bentos feature food that I actually want to eat, not just stare at, while still being beautiful! I started following your site in November or December, I think, and I can’t believe you’ve only been doing this for a year! Seems like your level of expertise would take years to master.
Thanks Maria! Yes, I’ve only been publishing bentos for a year. I’ve been eating or making bentos most of my life but those earlier years are nothing to brag about! I appreciate your nice comments!
No Way – you have only been bentoing for a year? I Can’t believe that….You have become quite the master in that short time…and am again in awe. I too just passed my 1 year mark of making my daughters lunches (mostly bento), and it’s quite funny to look back at my first few. However, I have not been as diligent as you and have skipped many days. What a fun way to see how your style has progressed….I’ll expect to see the same type of entry next year as well. Beautiful job – on both.
Hi Karina! So cool that you make bentos for your daughters’ lunches and congrats to you for your 1 year anniversary! Thanks for your awesome comments!
Debra, I’m so enjoying this historical project! Thanks for the tip about the MRB; I’m so thankful to learn from all of you!! And your photography has indeed progressed; the first picture is beautiful!!!
Hi Rachel, It means a lot to me that you are learning from us! After all. I look to YOU as the expert when it comes to food and nutrition. Thanks again for you sweet comments.
How much you have evolved in a single year! The flavours are still the same but your presentation and photographing skills seem to have progressed at warp speed. I agree that using a flash makes the food looks bleak but in the dark winter months it’s hard to have good light.
Apart from the MRB (which I love, but frankly who doesn’t), I love your pea musubi and the takuan flower. Lovely presentation, but I’m sure that even this one will look bleak compared to the bento you’ll post on April 26, 2011
I think this is such a fun feature!
I must do it myself in the next week or so. You have definitely improved, much more so than I did 
But hey, your bento total is the triple of mine in a third of the time! 
I always love looking at your bentos — oh, and stealing your ideas