The Just Bento Cookbook Review & Giveaway
Entries are now closed. Thanks for all the inspirational comments. I’ve announced the winner here.
The much anticipated bento cookbook by Maki Itoh of Just Bento is now in it’s second printing! And no wonder…because this bento cookbook has it all.
The Review:
Maki has packed (pun intended) her cookbook with clear instructions, mouthwatering photos, recipes, meal planners, time lines, shopping guide, and glossary! After reading this book, you will be able to pack a healthy and beautiful bento box lunch like a pro.
She clearly describes each step and leaves no doubt as to how-to-do-it.
If you’re a seasoned bentoist wondering why you would need such a primer, well this cookbook is perfect for you as well. Maki’s included many easy-to-prepare recipes (both Japanese and non) and beautiful color photography to stare at. You’ll be pouring over each page without boredom.
Bottom line, this cookbook pretty much covers it all. There’s not much to criticise except just one teeny-tiny thing; the smattering of a few black and white photos.
I guess they’re included for styling purposes, but not needed in my opinion. But don’t worry, there’s just a handful so do not be distracted by my honesty. 
I’m definately a fan of this bento cookbook just a much as I am of Maki’s bento blog!
As I mentioned, The Just Bento Cookbook: Everyday Lunches To Go
The Giveaway:
Thanks to Maki’s publishers I have a copy to give away! Just leave one comment describing why you like preparing bento box lunches! Or if you don’t pack bentos yet, tell us why you’d like to start!
I’ll be accepting comments until 11:59 pm PST, January 12th! Winner will be randomly selected. Good luck!
If you can’t wait to see if you’ve won, you can order your own copy from Bento&Co. They have it in stock!
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I like to pack a bento styled lunch for my kids — mine are not all fancy, just colorful & healthy & fun to eat
I love having control over what’s going into my food, which I don’t get if I buy lunch out, plus I like how much I save (wallet and waistline) by bringing my lunch. And I always have a little smile when I take my colorful bento box out. It makes lunch time even more fun!
I like packing bentos/would like to pack bentos more because I like to eat with eyes as well as stomach. Meaning food should look good, smell good, taste good, be nutritious, and have good mouth-feel! Wow, so many requirements v_v;
I bought this book for my sister for Christmas and she likes it! I haven’t seen it yet though (we live on opposite sides of the planet) haha! I love Maki’s blog too!
I have been in awe of Bentos from the first time I saw them while teaching as an assistant in a private school. (I was 14 at the time). I knew that when I had my own children I would show them love, introduce another culture, help them care for their bodies and expose them this beautiful art form daily by packing bentos for them. My two children love their lunch! I love packing bentos. After everyone has gone to bed, I light a candle and get busy packing. It is very relaxing and therapeutic for me. I began this fall, (my children are young), and I am obsessed. Having a book would be so helpful as I am constantly researching and seeking resources. It would be nice to have some ideas all in the same place. Thank you for this opportunity!
Wow..I hope i could win this give away..I’m a beginner in making bento.. I just started this january. Actually, I already know bento from high school, but at that time bento was not known in my country. O ya, I’m from Indonesia but now i temporary live in philippines.
Now, I’m married with 1 beautiful daughter, she is 2.5 years old now. I already make plan from last year, that this year i want to start to learn how to make bento for my husband and daughter. I know your website from other bento blogger. I really enjoy your website, because there are so many recipes and lessons that i get.
Through bento, i can provide healthy, delicious, ‘beautiful’ meals for my family and also give some education to my daughter because i add some shape, colourful things in her meals and the most important is.. bento teach her how to live healthy.
When I was 16, I decided that I wanted to study abroad in Japan. Went to a Japanese high school, wore a sailor uniform, the whole deal. The thing that got me through the day of not understanding anything around me at first, were my host mom’s lovingly-packed bentos, in the bento box she insisted I picked myself. Sometimes she’d put little notes, too. When I came back and went to college, I started making bentos because it reminds me of my second home in Japan. I still keep in contact with my host family and I love showing them pictures of my bento, it feels like we’re still really connected, despite being on opposite sides of the world.
I’ve started packing Bentos about 5 month ago. So I’m still a beginner
As I have allergies against some artificial colorings and flavors I always brought my own boxed meal to university. But they were actually quite boring …
When I stumbled over Bentos I was amazed with their beauty and variety. And now every working day I make a nice and healthy bento.
I like preparing bento box lunches because I like to imagine how exciting my son will be when he see the cute food inside the bento box!
I can’t wait to have my own copy of this book!!!! Great review and fingers crossed I’m the lucky one!
I’ve never packed a bento box but they look so pretty and healthy, I’d love to learn. With this book I’m sure I could be well on my way to eating healthier.
joosbornenc at yahoo dot com
I just started making bento lunches, and I absolutely love it! My kids are trying a variety of healthy foods because the lunches look so fun. Bento lunches are fun to make, too.
I love packing bentos for my little girl so that she gets a variety of food choices during lunch. I also like the fact that i know what she ate or didn’t eat because she brings the box home. Veggie is a big bonus with bentos, because i can dress them up in a fun way so she would be prompted to eat them. It has been working for us for a year now.
I love packing bento box because it saves money and making my lunch time so much more exciting. I would look forward to lunch time and enjoy the simple, yet yummy food in my little beautiful box:) It just put a smile on my face!
thanks for the giveaway!
I’ve been wanting this book! I’m glad to hear it has a good review.
I like packing bento for a few reasons. One: it gives me an excuse to throw more veggies into my diet. I know I don’t eat enough of them, even though I do like vegetables! Secondly, bento allows me to be artistic with my food. As an art student, I had never before thought to use food as a medium. Now I can! And thirdly, I like to tkae my bento lunches with me and get lots of compliments on my yummy-looking lunches.
I like preparing lunches and bentos because it’s cheaper and healthier! both a must with my undergraduate income! ^-^
Lovely giveaway! I love to make bentos as a creative way of connecting with the seasons, exploring healthy vibrant foods, and sharing ideas and fun with the wonderful bento community!
I like to prepare bento lunches because it saves money (don’t have to go buy lunch), it has good portion for me who is watching what I’m eating, and lastly because it’s fun!!!
I have been packing bentos for a little less than a year now. While I am still not great I still take a lot of pride in what I make. As for why I like the preparation that part is easy. As someone who is going to school for art and also working I don’t have any free time to make anything art-wise for myself. Preparing bentos is a great way for me to get those creative juices going, make something I am proud of(which boosts my esteem), and keeps me eating healthy.
I want to start to save money and eat healthier!
I’m kinda of terrible at packing bentos and I’d really like to get better at it. Hence why I’d love to procure a copy of this book.
I like making bentos because they’re delicious and cute.
Ever since I was little, my Mom always prepared my bento. Now that I’m working I want to keep the tradition of bringing lunch from home but this time I want to be able to do it myself.
I love making Japanese food and this year going to be a healthier year!
I like preparing bentos because I can be as creative as I want with my lunches and it helps give me the right portions so I’m not overeating. Plus, who doesn’t want to see a cute face on their sandwich
I pack bentos for myself, that sounds selfish but in all honesty it helps me a lot, I can’t eat a lot so bentos help me maintain an excellent portion size, without feeling like i’m barely touching my food. Plus I have learned to balance my bentos with vegetables and fruit so they are much healthier. Overall bentos are steadily helping me to maintain a healthy relationship with food. I admit to having been on a bit of a bento hiatus but a trip to Japan has rekindled my love for the perfectly sized lunches.
I would like to start making bentos because it would motivate me to eat healthier and to actually have lunch instead of little snacks throughout the day.
I pack bento style lunches for my daughter. I know what she’s eating and where it came from. I can also personalize her lunches for added love! Thank you for the giveaway.
it saves me money and keeps me away from the discounted lunch (soda+pizza)that my job provides.
I would love to give this as a gift to my dear friend. She packs lunches for her daughters to take to school, and is looking for ways to give them healthy meals and snacks. I think this is a great way to do it, and makes it fun for the kids too.