News On Japan

Nissan Develops Bento Box for Long Drives

TOKYO, Feb 13 (News On Japan) - Nissan Motor Co. has commenced the limited sale of "Michi-Bento," a lunchbox specifically designed for long drives. The project is supervised by the popular culinary expert, Mr. Kouken Tetsu. We had the opportunity to sample the "Michi-Bento (Western Japan Edition)" provided by Nissan and here is our review.

A Five-Tiered Lunchbox Like No Other The "Michi-Bento (Western Japan Edition)" is priced at 700 yen (tax included) and resembles a five-tiered traditional "jubako" box. It is designed to fit into the cup holder of Nissan's "Serena" model. The bento features an abundance of ingredients sourced from Western Japan.

The side dishes are not crumbly and are all bite-sized, which makes them easy to eat inside a car.

Korean Cuisine-Inspired "Gimbap"

Surprisingly, three out of the five dishes in the bento are Korean-inspired. One of these is the "Bulgogi Gimbap," which is delicious with the sweetness of the pork complementing the sticky Jindomai rice. The sweetness rather than the spiciness stands out, with each bite enhancing the sweetness of the rice.

Cleverly Presented "Gyeran Mari"

Another Korean dish is "Gyeran Mari," a Korean-style rolled omelet made with bell peppers, ham, and green onions using eggs from Okayama chickens. The eggs tenderly wrap around the ingredients without overpowering bitterness. It has a homemade taste, like something your mother would make, and the crunchy texture of the vegetables is also delightful.

The arrangement of the dishes shows a clever touch, with the surface and cross-sections alternated to give the impression of two different types of omelets. The skill of Mr. Kouken Tetsu is evident!

Praise from the Staff

I also attended a "Michi-Bento (Western Japan Edition)" event recently and witnessed a particular scene. The PR staff were whispering, "Why is it? It tastes even better than at the tasting session we had the other day." "It's true! The flavors are more distinct!" It was clear that the development staff had been fine-tuning the flavors until the last moment. Perhaps they strengthened the taste to ensure that the deliciousness comes through even in a lunchbox meant for drives where heating up the food can be challenging.

The "Michi-Bento (Western Japan Edition)" will be available on February 17th and 18th at the Takarazuka North Service Area. For those interested, don't miss this opportunity!

Source: MDPR

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

A rocket carrying the lunar lander developed by Japanese space venture ispace was successfully launched from the Kennedy Space Center in the United States.

The number of foreign visitors to Japan hit an all-time high last year, topping the annual record set before the coronavirus pandemic. Spending by tourists also reached a record high. (NHK)

Yomiuriland’s iconic Ferris wheel, cherished by visitors for over four decades, marked its final day of operation on Monday, as fans flocked to bid farewell to the beloved attraction and relive old memories.

Last month, Chef Kei Kobayashi, the first Asian to earn three Michelin stars in Paris, supervised dishes for the film "Grand Maison Paris." His restaurant in Paris, as well as five branded establishments in Japan, was featured in a special interview. Kobayashi proposed 20 to 30 menu items for the movie, with several dishes now being offered in Japan for a limited time, including a 5,500-yen course at his Gotemba restaurant.

Chiba's Urayasu City hosted a '20-Year Celebration' event at Tokyo DisneySea on Monday, marking the transition to adulthood for local residents.

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Food NEWS

Last month, Chef Kei Kobayashi, the first Asian to earn three Michelin stars in Paris, supervised dishes for the film "Grand Maison Paris." His restaurant in Paris, as well as five branded establishments in Japan, was featured in a special interview. Kobayashi proposed 20 to 30 menu items for the movie, with several dishes now being offered in Japan for a limited time, including a 5,500-yen course at his Gotemba restaurant.

Known for its marbling and melt-in-your-mouth texture, wagyu, or Japanese premium meat, is one of the most luxurious in the world. This means wagyu is typically expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. (Japan by Food)

According to Teikoku Databank, the estimated cost of preparing one serving of curry rice in November reached 377 yen.

No trip to Japan is complete without a visit to a local izakaya. There, you'll find office workers gathering to refresh after a long workday with a cold glass of beer, groups of friends cheering to celebrate a special event, and travelers looking to make friends. (Japan by Food)

Naples, Rome, New York, Chicago and… Tokyo? Little do many people know, several Tokyo pizza shops are ranked among the best not only in Asia, but in the world! (Japan by Food)

In this episode on Tekniq, we witness the massive operation of catching yellowtail fish, followed by the process of slicing banana trees for fish food. (TEKNIQ)

On this episode of Anime with Alvin, we're making a homemade version of the Japanese-style Big Mac seen on Weathering with You. (Babish Culinary Universe)

Today’s Tokyo eats aren’t your average ones. They’ve gone viral on the internet, especially in Japan, but do they live up to their reputation? From cream-filled donuts to a HUGE American-inspired meat sandwich, Shizuka puts four viral spots to the test to find out if they really are delicious in real life and WORTH the hype. (Japan by Food)