According to historians, bento boxes first appeared in Japan in the Kamakura period between 1185 and 1333. The word "bento" was derived from translations of "convenient" or "useful" and the portable meals later became popular as workers and students would use them to take lunch on the go. At restaurants, bento boxes are a great way to sample multiple courses for an all-in-one price.
Many restaurants feature bento boxes with a colorful variety of dishes, often including bites such as seaweed salad, miso soup, dumplings, sushi rolls, sashimi, tempura style vegetables or meats, teriyaki meat or tofu, chicken or pork katsu rice and more. Bento boxes are a hearty way to break up the day and get a taste of some of the restaurant's best offerings.
Here are six of our favorite Japanese restaurants in Phoenix for standout bento box lunch options.