, a shortened form of , is a style of elaborately arranged
bento (Japanese boxed lunch) which features food decorated to look like people, characters from popular media, animals, and plants.
Japanese homemakers often spend time devising their families' meals,
including their boxed lunches.
Originally, a decorated bento was intended to interest children in their food and to encourage a wider range of eating habits. It has now evolved into a cultural symbol, to the point where national contests are held.
In popular culture
''Kyaraben'' lunchboxes are a major plot element in ''
Bento Monogatari
''Bento Monogatari'' (often translated as 'Lunchbox Story') is a 2010 short film by Pieter Dirkx. It was selected for the 2011 Cannes Film Festival in the Cinéfondation section. The film was the director's graduation project at the Hogeschool Si ...
'', a 2010 short film by Belgian director
Pieter Dirkx
Pieter Dirkx (born 24 February 1984) is a Belgian film director and painter. His short film ''Bento Monogatari'' premiered in the Cinéfondation program at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival. Dirkx was nominated for the Cinefondation Award at the sam ...
.
See also
*''
Ekiben
are a specific type of ''bento'' boxed meals, sold on trains and at train stations in Japan. They come with disposable chopsticks (when necessary) or spoons. ''Ekiben'' containers can be made from plastic, wood, or ceramic. Many train stations ...
''
*''
Makunouchi
is a popular type of Japanese bento which consists of mostly rice along with fish, meat, pickles, eggs, vegetables, and an umeboshi (a salt pickled plum). There are also other kinds of food such as a chestnut-rice, sweetfish sushi, and meat-a ...
''
References
External links
Face Food: The Visual Creativity of Charaben (and Other Food)
Bento
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