Who says train bento meals are just average? The super generous Shinkansen "Makunouchi" bento will blow your mind!

Photo and text / Excerpted fromHop on the Shinkansen—this is how you really travel Japan!: A flavor-packed journey through 25 cities and 60 bento meals》

Colorful Bento: A Must-Try Makunouchi Bento

Tokyo Station is a hub that gathers most types of bento meals. Bento from various cities across Japan can almost all be found here, making it a great starting point if you're looking to dive into the world of Japanese railway bento. Among the many types of Japanese train bento, the "Makunouchi bento" is a classic style. From a Taiwanese perspective, it’s like a high-end sushi bento!

The bento is divided into small compartments, with each section holding a different dish, or the contents are neatly arranged one by one, much like the way sushi is served in Japanese restaurants. This kind of bento lets you appreciate the Japanese attention to detail and patience. This sushi bento comes with a sheet of paper explaining the contents of the 12 compartments. The outer packaging is neatly wrapped in white paper, and opening it feels like unwrapping a gift. The food is really good—apart from familiar items like salmon roe gunkan, shrimp nigiri, and salmon nigiri, there are also side dishes like tamago, teriyaki chicken, and a variety of vegetables. There are even more creative options like a kelp and fish roll, an eel rice roll, and finally, in the upper left corner, a bamboo leaf-wrapped tamago. Each piece is not only visually appealing but also delicious. After trying it, you’ll truly understand how satisfying it is to enjoy a meal on a train in Japan—it’s such a cozy experience!

Tasting Report
Sunny: Rice – The vinegar-seasoned rice used for the sushi has just the right stickiness and acidity, pairing perfectly with the ingredients.
Main – Various seafood sushi and gunkan, all extremely fresh.
Side Dishes – Items like tamago and vegetables complement the sushi flavors seamlessly in both taste and texture.

Assorted elements – Varied in small portions, each with its own texture and flavor, allowing you to savor them one by one. It's like playing a game where you face different types of monsters—not facing a single tough boss that drains your health, nor being swarmed by weak enemies.

Bento Profile
Sold by: Chuo Honken / Price: ¥1500 / Type: Sushi Bento / Sunny’s Rating: ★★★★