Ekiben or Japanese Ekiben, you could say is a train traveler’s comfort food. Literally meaning “station bento,” ekiben are special bento sold at train stations that are designed to be enjoyed on long train rides while showcasing the cuisine of the region they’re from.
Ekiben (駅弁, railway bento) are a specific type of bento boxed meals, sold on trains and 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 have become famous for their ekiben made from local food specialties (tokusanhin).
Ekiben were first sold in railway stations in the late 19th century, and developed at a time when meals on train were necessary during a long train journey. The popularity of ekiben reached a peak in the 1980s, but declined as air travel became more affordable and trains became faster. However, numerous types of ekiben can still be purchased at stands in the station, on the platform, or on the train itself, some of which may be presented in unique containers that can serve as souvenirs for the travelers. Despite the declining popularity in the 2000s, ekiben remains popular among foreign travelers.
The Japanese word ekiben is essentially a combination of the words eki, meaning “station,” and bento, the traditional Japanese lunch box. Therefore, an Japanese lunch box. Therefore, an ekiben is a portable lunch that you have at the train station.
Interested in trying unique Japanese food?
Enjoy traveling by train?
Fan of creative, intricately arranged lunchboxes?
Then Ekiben might be right up your alley.
Bento, or “lunchboxes,” are a ubiquitous part of Japanese food life. For many Japanese people, from elementary schoolers to businessmen, at least one meal of the day consists of a lovingly prepared box packed with rice and several pieces meat, fish, pickled vegetables, or any of a wide array of other foods, sized to portable portions.
While biting into a smelly sandwich on a crowded inner city train is decidedly considered bad manners in Japan, pulling out your chopsticks over a freshly opened ekiben on a shinkansen or limited express train ride is almost an essential part of the journey for some travelers.
Today, train stations in every prefecture still sell unique ekiben. Often, the most famous ekiben feature dishes that can only be found in that particular area – or sometimes only at one particular station!
For many travelers, enjoying a freshly made seafood bento on the train from Sapporo Station or a bite of famed Yonezawa wagyu beef while traveling through Yamagata is a special way to connect to those places, and to a long history of good food.
The best part: there’s a galaxy of styles to try from all across the country.
The next time you visit Japan, why not get yourself some Oishii Bento boxes and enjoy it while you ride a train/Shinkansen in Japan.
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