“Constructed-in” bentos are at present remodeling the konbini meals scene.
Unprecedented occasions are at present occurring within the comfort retailer world, not less than in keeping with our reporter Masanuki Sunakoma, who says that is the primary time he’s felt such pleasure whereas shopping the aisles. The rationale for Masanuki’s pleasure is the truth that he now not has to make use of chopsticks whereas consuming a bento boxed lunch as a result of no longer one however two comfort retailer chains have packaged up their bentos for handheld comfort.
In April, Lawson packed a complete bento right into a rice ball, which he completely cherished, and it was so in style that it was re-released on 1 October because of in style demand. On this similar day, Household Mart launched a brand new “Bento Sandwich“, which packs a complete bento inside two slices of bread, and it turned every little thing Masanuki thought he knew about bentos and sandwiches on its head, so there was just one factor for it — a new-style bento showdown.
▼ Masanuki headed to each chains the place he picked up the brand new Bento Sandwich at Household Mart…
▼…and the “Complete Mentai Noriben” onigiri rice ball from Lawson.
A fast overview of the elements revealed that this was going to be a filling style check, with the sandwich described as a “Bento Sandwich with all of the Aspect Dishes” and the onigiri containing a complete noriben, consisting of tartar sauce, okaka gohan (rice with bonito flake seasoning) fried white fish, fried chikuwa (Japanese fishcake), rolled omelette, and nori seaweed, with a layer of mentaiko (spicy pollock roe) for additional flavour.
Trying nearer on the elements within the sandwich, Masanuki seen that this too appeared to comprise acquainted bento elements, with fried hen, fried chikuwa, croquettes, fried noodles, and tartar sauce within the combine. At 338 yen (US$2.27) it was barely costlier than the rice ball, which retails for 322 yen.
▼ Inserting these unconventional bentos aspect by aspect crammed Masanuki with a way of pleasure.
Describing them as “built-in bentos”, Masanuki wasn’t certain which one would win his favour as they each appeared extremely appetising. Selecting up the sandwich first, he took a chew and chaos unfold all through his palate.
The extra he chewed, the extra the flavours burst out, complicated his senses in an odd however pleasant means. Although the onigiri rice ball had an identical impact when he tried it, there was a transparent distinction between the 2 — the depth of the seasoning.
The onigiri was surprisingly modest in flavour, however the bread within the sandwich was richly seasoned, as was each ingredient inside it, with the fried hen, croquettes and yakisoba noodles coated in a wide range of scrumptious sauces.
The one factor offering some refreshment from the wealthy flavours was the seaweed, however it too had been fried, leading to all of the elements combating for dominion over Masanuki’s palate. It was chaotic however Masanuki was completely superb with that because it was extremely scrumptious, and the extra he ate it, the extra he discovered himself changing into hooked on the flavour.
After consuming each “built-in” bentos, Masanuki got here to the conclusion that they have been each winners, in numerous methods. The sandwich affords a Western twist on the Japanese bento, swapping out rice for bread so it’s extra of an out-there expertise, whereas the rice ball is extra like stuffing a complete bento into your mouth all of sudden.
Each are scrumptious and of fantastic high quality, although, so he extremely recommends making an attempt them to see which one appeals to you most. With comfort retailer chains now rethinking the standard bento, who is aware of the place they’ll take us to subsequent? No matter occurs, although, one factor’s for certain — Masanuki will probably be there to strive them, as a result of it doesn’t matter what time of day it’s, he by no means lets a superb meal go him by.
Photographs©SoraNews24
● Need to hear about SoraNews24’s newest articles as quickly as they’re revealed? Comply with us on Fb and Twitter!
[ Read in Japanese ]
