An authentic beef bento box that’s absolutely delicious—you won’t be able to stop after just one bite!

Photo and text / Excerpted fromHop on the Shinkansen and experience Japan the right way!: A culinary journey through 25 cities and 60 bento boxes》

Omi Beef Set 0??? / Coming to Japan means trying all kinds of beef

Beef? Yes, no matter what kind of beef, it’s my favorite. Omi beef is one of Japan’s renowned wagyu varieties, with a reputation that rivals that of Kobe and Matsusaka beef. At the same time, this is also the most expensive bento on offer so far. But honestly, when you see what’s inside the display case—just a few slices of beef laid over rice—it’s hard to pull out your wallet. I really hesitated for about three seconds before buying. But I figured, given that it’s wagyu, this bento should offer me yet another delicious experience.
And indeed, I didn’t regret it at all—I even wanted to willingly buy a second one. With each bite of beef, you can tell it wasn’t pre-marinated but grilled directly over fire, preserving the unique texture of the meat while letting the sauce become even more aromatic through the grilling process. Eating the beef on its own gives you the feeling of being in a top-tier steakhouse, and when paired with the rice, it’s like ordering a high-end ribeye rice bowl. Even I, who had lost my appetite from the sun, found myself taking bite after bite after just one taste. Japanese beef is truly delicious!

Taste Test Report
Sunny
Rice: The white rice at the bottom, mixed with some of the grilled beef sauce, has extra flavor.
Main: The beef is lightly grilled—the outside is cooked, but the inside is a mouthwatering tender pink, without any rawness or bloodiness. Both the texture and taste are top-notch.
Side: Instead of the usual shredded egg, thin strands of green onion are placed under the beef. The slight sharpness and freshness of the scallions enhance the richness of the steak.

Barley can
The beef has the texture of premium yakiniku, with distinct differences between the crust and the interior. The flavor is rich, though it’s just a bit cooled down.