JAPANESE FEAST ON THE GO

Pinch, punch, come get your lunch! 🍱🌟 Bento Friday open from 12-2pm at 388 Broadway (next to Oiko's restaurant)

🍱 Brighten up your Friday with a nourishing BENTO! Beat the dreary weather with our extra colorful menu, packed with essential vitamins. For those craving comfort food, we’ve got hot miso soup ready to warm your soul. Don't miss out on the goodness—come grab your takeaway between 12-2pm! 🍲🌈

Miramar (& vicinity) locals - apologies for the sporadic store hours the last few weeks. We are BACK on our regular Friday 12-2 schedule all the way until the big summer break (last service 13 December) In addition to the weekly takeaway, you can expect to see: - More cooking workshops - New & improved menu items - Community outreach including schools We are PUMPED and ready to go!! 🤜🤛

The Bento Bar and Travelling Kitchen are excited to co-host a hands-on workshop where you'll learn to make delicious onigiri, soup, and other side dishes using locally harvested seaweed. Whether you're a Japanese food enthusiast, a local forager, or a curious home cook looking to expand your repertoire, you'll definitely learn something new! Date: This Sunday 20 October Time: 3:00-5:00PM Location: Strathmore Community Center (108 Strathmore Ave, Strathmore Park) * Suitable for children 8 years and above * Gluten Free / Dairy Free / Nut Free event. * Can accommodate Vegetarian/Vegan diet To secure your spot, use the booking link below: https://www.thebentobar.com/shop/events/Cooking-Workshop-20-OCT-2024 Don't miss out on this unique and educational culinary experience!

Happy term 4 everyone ✨ This is going to be a busy one - let's ensure our kids are properly fueled and energised!💪🏋️ You can place your weekly lunch orders at https://shop.tgcl.co.nz

Just a heads-up that we'll be taking a little break tomorrow for the school holidays. But fear not—we'll be back next Friday, 18th, well-rested and ready to serve up those fabulous flavours!

Hey Bento lovers! Despite the school holidays, we’re still running our usual Friday takeaway! Today’s special offerings include Mana’s new favorite, the flavour-filled “Mushroom Medley” 🍄, and a Korean-inspired, Kimchi & Gochujang Miso Soup with a spicy kick 🌶. Don’t miss out on these tasty specials! See you between 12-2pm! #TheBentoBar #WellingtonEats #wellingtonveganeats

🎉That's a wrap for the Bento Pop-Up on Cuba! 🎉 We had an absolute blast sharing our delicious onigiri with you all! Your support and enthusiasm mean the world to us. 🌏 A huge shoutout to everyone who stopped by, tried our food, and spread the word. You made this event a fantastic success, albeit too short! For those who can't get enough, come stop by our kitchen in Miramar during our BENTO FRIDAY between 12-2pm, or enquire about private/corporate catering on our website: https://www.thebentobar.com/catering Stay tuned for more exciting events and pop-ups. ✨ With gratitude and excitement, The Bento Bar Team 🫶

Get your onigiri ON!! 🍱💕 It's our final Day of Our CUBA Pop-Up! (11am-2pm) ALSO...Bento Friday back ON for the Miramar location (12-2pm)

#wellingtonfoodies #wellingtonveganeats #wellingtonvegans #JapanFestivalWellington2024

Happy hump day y'all!! Here's today's offerings. See you between 11am-2pm (or until we sell out) at 275 Cuba St. #wellingtoneats #wellingtonvegan #wellingtonveganeats #wellingtonjapanfestival #japanfestivalwellington2024

4 more days left try our onigiri & miso with our limited-time deal in town🍙✨ We have additional vegan-friendly options, along with our ever-popular meat & fish items. #TheBentoBar #PopUp #VeganFriendly #wellingtonvegan #wellingtonfood

We are super thrilled and grateful for the honorable mention on Urban List! 🙏 Thank you for recognizing The Bento Bar. 🍙 To our amazing community, this shoutout is a testament to your love and support. Please keep spreading the word and let’s keep the onigiri HOT! 🔥 https://www.theurbanlist.com/nz/a-list/new-zealand-food-news #TheBentoBar #UrbanList #HealthyEating #WellingtonEats #glutenfree #glutenfreeeats #japanesenzfood

🌸 Onigiri Pop-Up Alert! 🌸 Whether you’re a seasoned Japanese food enthusiast or a curious first-timer, our wholesome rice balls are perfect for a quick lunch or a delightful snack. Flavour of the day: Sukiyaki Beef, Tori Chicken, Miso Yakionigiri (vegan), Candied Kumara (vegan). Miso Soup of the day: Abura-age (fried tofu skin), Carrot, Onion #JapanFestival2024 #japanfestivalwellington2024

So, This Happened Today... The Bento Bar's brand-new ONIGIRI pop-up shop just sprouted on Cuba Street! WHERE: 275 Cuba Street WHEN: for the next 2 weeks, 11am-2pm (M-F) MENU: Revolving menu of scrumptious onigiri & piping hot miso soup---all for just $5! Tag your food curious friends/colleagues and pop in to discover the delicious hype😘 🍙🧡 #japanfestivalwellington2024 #wellingtonnz

Whether you sampled a taste of Japan yesterday and want an encore, or you missed out on the event altogether, Japan Festival isn't over yet!! 🌮 Our friend Taco Addict is dishing out mind-blowingly delicious Japanese-inspired tacos today from 12-7 at the beer garden by Garage Project (7 Marion St). Trust me, your taste buds won’t be disappointed! 😋 #japanfestivalwellington2024 #madeinnewzealand #wellingtonnz #japanfestivalwellington #foodtrucklife #iykyk #tacostacostacos

That was EPIC🙌 The Bento Bar team & family brought it and then some @Japan Festival Wellington 🌸🍱🍙Thank you for everyone who came to try our bento today and for everyone who helped us reach our new goals 🙏❤️

Happy Friday the 13th Friends!⚡On this auspicious day, may your vibe be whimsical, and onigiri cravings be strong 🍙 🫶

🎉 The Bento Bar x Japan Festival 2024: ONIGIRI POP-UP SHOP 🎉 Get ready, Wellington foodies! The Bento Bar, your go-to spot for gourmet onigiri rice balls, is teaming up with Japan Festival 2024 to bring Wellington's little Eastside secret to a big stage!🍙🇯🇵 WHERE? Right in the heart of the CBD, on vibrant Cuba Street (275 Cuba, across from Heyday Beer Co) 🌈 WHEN? 16-21 and 23-27 September. Open from Monday to Friday, 11 am to 2 pm—or until our delicious goodies sell out! ❌ Offerings include a rotating menu of flavour-packed ONIGIRI, and umami loaded CHUNKY MISO SOUP. Dietary-Friendly: All of our offerings are Gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free. Vegetarian and vegan options aplenty! Follow the link for more details: https://www.japanfestivalwellington.org/japan-week #JapanFestivalWellington2024 #JapanWeekWellington #JapanFestivalWellington

Exciting month ahead for The Bento Bar team, with Japan Festival participation next weekend AND a surprise POP UP announcement in the coming days ✨ Alright alright, enough with the tease and it's time for treats! See you 12-2pm 🍙🧡🍙

Looks like a windy day ahead...but we will be here with the menu lineup to make the trip worthwhile!😋See you at hour Friday Bento Hour between 12-2pm

🎉 Thank You for Your Enthusiasm! 🎉 We’re beyond thrilled by the incredible interest in our Onigiri workshop as part of the Wellington On A Plate event series! The waitlist is growing faster than we ever imagined, and we are so sorry we can’t fit everyone in this time. Rest assured, we’re working hard to add more dates and secure a larger venue for future sessions. Stay tuned for updates! In the meantime, please express your interest for future sessions by joining the waitlist here: https://visawoap.com/venue/the-bento-bar-taste-hq/6116 Thank you for your support! 🍙❤️ #TheBentoBar #WellingtonOnAPlate #OnigiriWorkshop

What an incredible turnout last week! We sold out every single bite 😋🙌 This Friday is shaping up to be another busy one with film crew catering, school lunch deliveries, and lunch takeaways 💦. We’re prepping a TON of food, but to guarantee your weekly bento fix, be sure to pre-order using the link below: https://www.thebentobar.com/shop/Bento-Box-Takeaway/Large-FullRange/Bento-Box-Takeaway-c153207016

Happy Bento Friday 📣 It's going to be another cold day - come grab our hot miso soup while it lasts. See you from 12-2pm!!

Did you know The Bento Bar does corporate & private catering services? It’s been a bustling winter catering for special occasions, corporate lunches, and crew meals, alongside our school deliveries and takeaways. We’ve had a blast reaching new customers and spreading the bento craze far and wide! 🍱✨ Ready to elevate your next event with our specialty lunch? Head over to our catering enquiry page to get started ⤵ https://www.thebentobar.com/catering

Brrr… it’s c-c-cold outside! Warm up with our delicious miso soup, perfect accompaniment for our bento lunch! Here's our special menu of the day: 🍙 Onigiri: Spicy Superfood Salmon Miso Pork Tuna Mayo Grilled Miso Much (v) Fiercely Celery (v) TriColour Veg (v) 🥗 Salads: Daikon Salad with Tuna Kale, Apple, and Carrot Salad 🍲 Miso Soup: Daikon, Onion and Corn Soup Visit us Friday between 12-2pm and treat yourself to a nourishing lunch to beat the winter blues!

Dear Bento Bar community, I pause today with a heart full of gratitude. 🙏 Your unwavering support for The Bento Bar’s school lunch program has been nothing short of remarkable. As we all noticed, this week brought an unexpected increase in fees—for both you, our cherished consumers, and us, the suppliers—courtesy of our partnered platform for school payment. At The Bento Bar, our passion has always been to serve wholesome, high-quality meals at breakeven prices. We want every young tummy to experience the joy of thoughtful & nourishing food. But alas, the recent fee hike left us with no choice: We had to adjust our prices with heavy hearts. The rising cost of living affects us all, and I’ve felt the weight of it as I made this change, bracing for the impact. Yet, we were surprised by the ever-strong support shown by the community. Your commitment to feeding our little ones with love and flavor—despite economic challenges—has been our beacon of hope. 🌟 Your support reenergized us, reminding us WHY we embarked on this mission in the first place. We are so grateful to have you along on this journey of rewriting the story of comfort food, one bento at a time 🍱 With warmth, Mana and The Bento Bar team

We are back in action and looking forward to seeing you for the Bento Friday takeaway from 12-2! Here's what we've got cooking today (26/7 Friday) 🍙ONIGIRI Suki Beef, Tuna Mayo, Miso Pork, Spicy Salmon Tri-Colour Veg (v), Candied Kumara (v), Nori Pickle (v), Fiercely Celery (v) 🥗SALADS "Japchae" Korean Sweet Potato Noodle Salad (GF, DF, Vegan available) Miso Potato, Corn and Broccoli Salad (GF, DF, Vegan) 🍲MISO SOUP Daikon, Carrot & Kumara (Vegan)

Hi Bento Bar Fam! We’re taking a mid-year break this week and next week during the school holidays. It’s our time to recharge, refuel, and get ready for the exciting months ahead! Stay warm and well-fed, and we’ll see you soon!" 🍙❤️

Winter is here, and we’re rolling out another menu to spice up your Fridays! Introducing our latest creation: ❤LUV MISO MUCH❤—also known as Miso Yakionigiri or Grilled Onigiri. 🍙🔥Available exclusively during our Friday takeaway hour. 5 July Menu of the day 🥗Soba Noodle Salad (contains gluten) 🥗Tuna Mayo Mustard Potato Slaw (vegan available on request) 🍙Suki Beef 🍙Spicy Tuna Mayo🍙Superfood Salmon 🍙Miso Egg 🍙TriColour Veg (vegan) 🍙Luv Miso Much (vegan) - NEW✨ PLUS our irresistible Miso Soup with tofu, kumara & leek 😋 —come savor the warmth and flavor at The Bento Bar!

Happy Matariki Friday! We are open 12-2pm for business as usual. Menu of the day as follows: 🥗Coconut & Carrot Salad with Shichimi Spice 🥗Miso Beef Potato Salad (vegan available) 🍙Suki Beef 🍙Miso Pork 🍙Spicy Salmon 🍙Miso Egg 🍙TriColour Veg (vegan) 🍙Fiercely Celery (vegan) - NEW✨ plus hearty & hot Miso Soup 😋

Get ready to be pleasantly surprised because I think I just did the impossible of transforming CELERY into the most delicious star ingredient!🍙✨ Introducing our new vegan menu "Can't Believe It's Celery" (working title). Come by and try for yourself Friday between 12-2pm, along with our other offerings including: 🍙 Superfood Salmon, Miso Pork, Tori Chicken 🍙 Miso Egg [vegetarian], TriColour Veg [vegan], Nori Pickle [vegan] 🥦 Edamame, Capsicum & Corn Salad [vegan] 🥦 Japchae (Korean potato noodle) Salad [vegan] Plus we'll have a big pot of seasonal Miso Soup ♨️

It's going to be a rainy day... but we have a perfect pick-me-up for you!! Offering hot, hearty miso soup to-go for $4/cup. It's vegan, gluten free, and perfectly complements our onigiri & bento. Numbers are limited so come quick! Onigiri Menu for the day 🍙Superfood Salmon, Sukiyaki Beef, Tuna Mayo 🍙Miso Egg, Nori Pickle, Miso Yakionigiri (new item) Salads of the day 🥗Soba Noodle Salad (contains gluten) 🥗Miso Mayo Potato & Corn Salad

Here's a rare video of onigiri making in action 🫶 We will be pumping out the following variations for our Friday Takeaway: 🍙Spicy Sriracha Salmon 🍙Sukiyaki Beef 🍙Tuna Mayo 🍙TriColour Veg (v) 🍙Candied Kumara (v) 🍙Nori Pickle (v) Have them A LA CARTE, or in an all inclusive BENTO BOX. Salads of the day are: 🥗Daikon & Carrot Salad (veg) 🥗Vermicelli Silver Noodle Salad (v)

We are turning up the heat this week with $1 MISO SOUP (vegan) with a bento purchase🥳Hurry down to the shop while supplies last! TODAY'S MENU (31/5 Fri - 12-2PM) 🥗Salads "Japchae" Korean Sweet Potato Noodle Salad (GF, DF, Vegan available) Coriander & Cumin Carrot Slaw (GF, DF, Vegan) 🍙Onigiri Suki Beef, Tuna Mayo, Miso Pork Miso Egg, Tri-Colour Veg (v), Nori Pickle (v)

Hope everyone's keeping warm this Friday! We are offering the same set of menu as last Friday due to popular demand. Whether you were hooked on those divine salads last week, or missed out last round, here's your chance!! TODAY'S MENU (24/5 Fri - 12-2PM) 🥗Salads "Japchae" Korean Sweet Potato Noodle Salad (GF, DF, Vegan variation available) Tri-Colour Edamame Salad (GF, DF, Nut Free, Vegan) 🍙Onigiri Spicy Superfood Salmon, Suki Beef, Miso Pork Miso Egg, Tri-Colour Veg (v), Nori Pickle (v) See you 12-2pm!!!

TODAY'S MENU (17/5 Fri - 12-2PM) Salads "Japchae" Korean Sweet Potato Noodle Salad Tri-Colour Edamame Salad Onigiri Spicy Superfood Salmon,, Suki Beef, Miso Pork, Miso Egg, Tri-Colour Veg (v), Nori Pickle (v)

Join us today from 12-2pm for a Friday delight!! 😋🍱 Menu of the Day (May 10) 🍙Sukiyaki Beef 🍙Spicy Salmon 🍙Miso Pork 🍙Miso Egg 🍙Tri-Colour Veg (v) 🍙Nori Pickle (v) 🥗 Daikon Salad with special house dressing 🥗 Miso Potato Salad

Happy Bento Friday y'all! Our revolving salad menu features the delightful and nutritious Napa Cabbage (also known as Wombok). Napa Cabbage is a leafy, crunchy Asian staple with a mild and sweet flavour. Its health benefits include, but not limited to: Low-Calorie Goodness: Only 20 calories per cup. Vitamin B6: Supports metabolism and neurotransmitters. Vitamin B9 (Folate): Heart-healthy nutrient. Antioxidant Vitamin C: Boosts immunity. Bone Health with Vitamin K: Strengthens bones. Brain-Friendly Copper: Sharpens neural pathways. Iron: Efficient oxygen transport. Calcium: Essential for strong bones. Manganese: Protects against cellular damage. Come savor the goodness of Napa Cabbage! 🙌🏼🥬 The other salad/side dish today is Japchae Noodle Salad For ONIGIRI, we have Suki Beef, Miro Pork, Spicy Salmon, Tricour Veg, Miso Eggs, and Nori Pickle 🍙

Our school lunch service resumes tomorrow (Tues) Place your orders from below link ⬇️ https://shop.tgcl.co.nz/shop

TGIF! The Bento Bar’s Friday takeaway is the perfect way to ring in the weekend with renewed energy. Tell your friends, family, and colleagues about this delectable Friday treat! Here’s what’s on offer today. ONIGIRI: Sukiyaki Beef, Superfood Salmon, Miso Pork, Miso Egg, TriColour Veg (vegan). and Nori Pickel. Side Salads to complement your meal: Japchae Sweet Potato Noodle Salad Daikon (radish) Salad 📍 Location: 386 Broadway ⏰ Pickup Hours: 12:00 - 2:00PM

We are back from holiday! Our menu for tomorrow includes: 🍙 Beef, Chicken, and Salmon Onigiri and Teriyaki Chicken side dish for the mixed bento 🍙Nori Pickle, Kumara, and Tri-Colour Veg Onigiri and Kumara Fritter side dish for the vegan bento 🥗 Salads of the Day: Spicy Carrot & Coconut Slaw & Miso Potato Salad 📍 Location: 386 Broadway ⏰ Time: 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Quick announcement for The Bento Bar community: 🚫 No Takeaway This Friday 29 March 📅 School Lunch Closures: 29 March (Friday) & 2 April (Tuesday) 🌟 We’ll be back in action starting April 5th and every subsequent Friday for lunch takeaway. Due to overwhelming demand, our Friday lunch service will continue throughout the April school holiday. So, if you’re staying local, bring your kids along for a family bento lunch! Wishing you all a wonderful Easter break filled with joy, gratitude, and delicious meals. 🌸🐰🥚

Ready to get your onigiri action on?? Here's the menu for Friday March 22 🍱 ONIGIRI MENU 🐮Sukiyaki Beef - Tantalizing affair 🐷Miso Pork - When pork meets miso, they're soy-mates for life 🐟Tuna Mayo - The combo that conquers the rice world 🥕TriColour Veg (v) - Threesome in rice triangle 🥒Nori Pickle (v) - Salty couple in a romance called umami 🍠Candied Kumara (v) - A sugary makeover makes kumara the belle of the onigiri ball SALADS OF THE DAY Edamame "Confetti" Salad: Where edamame, corn, and capsicum throw a wild Holi party in your mouth Carrot Salad with Sesame Miso Dressing: a symphony of umami whispers and crisp desire Intrigued?? Takeaway available from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at 386 Broadway, Miramar

🍙Join us for a Bento Friday! 🍱 If tender morsels and umami-packed bites are your thing, don't miss out on the 2 special ONIGIRI items on offer today. Swing by between 12-2pm and treat yourself to these delectable delights. Tag your foodie friends and spread the word!

🔥 Today’s Menu Highlights 🔥 Japchae: Korean sweet potato starch noodles (dangmyeon, 당면), also known as glass noodles. These noodles are made from sweet potatoes and are naturally gluten-free. They have a unique bouncy texture that pairs perfectly with a rainbow of vegetables. 🍙Today's Onigiri Special🍙 In addition to our usual classics, we have Superfood Salmon: A succulent blend of flaky salmon and nutrient-packed superfoods spinach, tucked in a cozy rice blanket. See you between 12-2pm!!

Happy Bento Friday y'all!! Here's what we've got going today: Menu: Sukiyaki Beef, Miso Pork, Tuna Maya, Superfood Salmon Vegetarian Onigiri Menu: Miso Egg, TriColour Veg (vegan), Normal Pickle (vegan) Side salads: Japchae (sweet potato noodle) salad, Carrot & purple cabbage coleslaw Hope to see you between 12-2pm!

Come on down to Miramar Community Center to grab your bento dinner 🍙🥢😋 We will be here till 8pm or until we sell out!! Also come check out some crafts, clothes, accessories etc by local artists/producers 💕

📣 Attention, foodies! The Bento Bar is gearing up for the Miramar Night Market this Saturday, and we’ve got some exciting news! 🌟 New Onigiri Flavor Alert: 🌟 We'll be debuting a brand-new onigiri flavor featuring delicious salmon! 🐟🍙 Whether you’re a seafood enthusiast or just curious to try something new, this onigiri is a must-try! 👉 Follow this space for more mouthwatering details on what we will be offering.

@ardiesavea you can grab your onigiri "fix" from your Miramar local @thebentobar.nz when you are back in Welly!😋🍙🍱 Hope you are enjoying Japan 🇯🇵🏉

How is it already Friday!?? Luckily for you, we will be delivering school lunches, then we will open shop for takeaway from noon till 2pm (or until sold out...whichever comes sooner!) Here's the takeaway menu for Friday 16 Feb: ONIGIRI - Beef, Pork, Tuna, Salmon (new!), Miso Egg, Mixed Veg (v), Nori Pickles (v) SIDES - Pork meatball, "Japchae" glass noodle salad, Tri-colour edamame salad Hope to see some of your faces 🧡🍙🧡

BENTO FRIDAY is upon us!! We are open 12-2pm for takeaway today after the school delivery. Here are the side dish menu for today: - Korean Japchae (potato noodles) salad [GF, dairy & nut free, vegan] - "Shichimi" (七味 Seven Spice) carrot salad [GF, dairy free, vegan] - Garlic miso chicken tender [GF, dairy & nut free] - Kumara rosti [GF, dairy & nut free, vegan] - Tamago omelette [GF, dairy & nut free] PLUS new onigiri menu slow-cooked salmon available on request 🍙 Hope to see many of you🧡

Haaappy New (school) Year!! We are back this week from the summer hibernation. Our school lunch delivery for Term1 starts tomorrow (30 Jan) so load up your Kindo account and order away! We are also happy to reopen our Friday takeaway (12-2) - Look for the blue flag out front during takeaway operation this term. We will be closed for Easter 29 March to 2 April. Looking forward to bringing the existing & new customers the healthy & tasty lunches this year!! Let's go~~🤜🤛

It was so exhilarating being a part of a sold-out event last week, creating the Studio Ghibli inspired bento for The Boy and the Heron premiere at The Roxy Cinema @roxycinemanz. It was the biggest and most intricate operation to-date, but our team stepped up and smashed it!! Thank you for those who came to the screening and made it special. And for those who couldn't make it, we have ONE LAST TAKEAWAY for this year on Friday from 12-2pm.

New menu alert - introducing TORI CHICKEN for our Friday takeaway line-up!! 🐔 🍙 (limited #s only) Come grab your onigiri fix tomorrow between 12-2.

An announcement for Seatoun parents: we can deliver the year 3/4 kids bento to Akau Tangi tomorrow for the EOTC programme. Kids can certainly use proper sustenance for the all-day affair, so order away!!🤸🏃‍♀️🤸‍♀️ For other year groups, the delivery to the school office will carry on as usual.

Happy Friday!! 🎶 Did you know: you can purchase individual onigiri by itself if you're feeling a bit snacky, or if you simply want to give it a go...🍙 A single onigiri starts from $4~

A special announcement 🎉 The Bento Bar is teaming up with The Roxy Cinema to commemorate the release of the new Hayao Miyazaki / Studio Ghibli film "The Boy and the Heron" on the 9th December. For one day only, the tickets for the lunchtime screening will include Ghibli-themed bento box to be enjoyed during the movie. (Adult/kids size available, Meat/Vegetarian/Vegan options available.) 🎬🍱😋 Seats are limited! For more info, and/or to grab your tickets, visit https://www.roxycinema.co.nz/bento-box-event-screening

Well, that was quick...we were met with such an enthusiasm at the super well-attended #huttjapanfestival2023 and sold out within the first hour! Sorry for those we missed. Next time we will bring a truck load of bento for all. Thank you for the warm support ❤️

We will be at #huttjapanfestival2023 tomorrow with our popular bento boxes 🍙🍱 rain or shine! The event goes from 11-3pm and we will be there until we sell out. There will be lots of things to see & buy, with market stalls and fun performances scheduled throughout the day. Hope to see many of you out there!

A special warm treat for those who are sick of this silly weather😫We've got miso soup with daikon and carrot (vegan) to add to your bento today for $4 for a bit of morale booster 👍 See you 12-2 for takeaway!

Here's our menu of the day: Edamame salad Daikon salad Gochujang spicy chicken + usual selection of ONIGIRI Open for takeaway from 12-2pm - see you soon!!🍙🍱

Come grab your Friday nourishment - we are open 12-2pm for takeaways!! 386 Broadway, Miramar (under Taste HQ sign)

Happy Friday (...the 13th! eeek😨) to the BENTOnistas!! We are BACK from the school holiday and will be open 12-2pm for takeaways and pre-order collections (via TheBentoBar.com). As a welcome back special, we're giving away *FREE MISO SOUP* 🥣🍜😋with all bento purchases. I mean who wouldn't want a nourishing cup of miso soup on a windy day like this!?? (* limited to the first 20 only)

Happy term 4 (also, eek! how is it already T4!?😬) to all parents and kids!! The Bento Bar is back in action tomorrow with new inspiration, vigor, and appetite gained from a brief visit to the motherland! 🇯🇵🍚🍡🍜🥟🍤 A refresher on the ordering process - you can place your order for the bento set or onigiri by themselves either weekly, or for the whole term. When there is sickness or event and you need to cancel your order for the day, contact the kindo/ezlunch helpdesk below: Email: helpdesk@tgcl.co.nz Phone: 09 869 5200 If you're NOT part of the affiliated local schools with the delivery option, you can place orders from our website TheBentoBar.com (currently limited to Fridays only) for the store pick up, or you can simply pop in between 12-2pm to grab as takeaways. For corporate or event catering inquiries, or should you have any questions/concerns, please email me directly at mana@thebentobar.com

Hard at work researching onigiri shops in the motherland 🍙🍙🍙

Just a heads up - we are taking a wee school holiday break starting on 22nd (next Friday). We are open for takeaway tomorrow, so hope to see many of you then!

Happy Bento Friday y'all!! We're open from 12-2 for takeaways for the next 3 weeks before a brief closure during school holiday (22 Sept - 8 Oct). Come stroll out to Strathmore (Next to Oikos restaurant) to get your fix 🍙

DID YOU KNOW - you can pre-order your BENTO lunch on TheBentoBar.com to avoid the queue?

Yaay for Friday!! We will be open 12-2pm selling Bento Box 🍱as well as individual Onigiri for those who are peckish 🍙 If you want to avoid the queue, you are welcome to pre-order & pre-pay through our website, and we will try our best to have them ready for you. Go to TheBentoBar.com/shop

We are super excited to share The Bento Bar will be open to public every Friday for takeaway starting today! We will be offering freshly made ONIGIRI rice balls (with various filling options), and a selection of daily salads / side dish for a complete and balanced meal, which is what BENTO (🍱弁当) is all about! Our food is made fresh, 100% gluten free, and with vegetarian/vegan options. We are open Fridays between 12-2pm. You can find us under the Taste HQ sign at 386 Broadway in Miramar - Help us spread the word!!

Thought this photo captures my current feeling 💛💛💛 So much love and appreciation for the bento community for coming back strong after my medical hiatus. Sooo good to be in the kitchen making nourishing food for you again, l could burst!!!🎉 Like my page and join the community! #thebentobar

GOOD NEWS for the bento fans & beyond - The Bento Bar will soon be providing lunch service as part of EZlunch (a.k.a. Kindo) network 🎉🎉🎉 We hope this will simplify the ordering process for our customers and help bringing our healthy and scrumptious lunches to a wider network of local schools. As such, we are temporarily suspending lunch services in order to focus on getting up to speed on the new ordering platform. Thank you for your understanding and we hope to be able to share more details and the service start timing in the coming weeks...watch this space!!

We had a busy yet exciting week catering our scrumptious BENTO for the hard working team at Weta FX in addition to our usual school deliveries! And we are so proud to have delivered them waste-free by collaborating with Reusabowl, which is a Wellington start-up on a mission to eliminate single-use packaging waste. Their awesome reusable product helps with the circular economy: each bowl is made from rice husk (a byproduct of the rice-making process), can be used hundreds of times, and is collected and composted at the end of its usable life. You can go to www.reusabowl.nz for more info. We are actively looking for better, kinder, and more sustainable ways for our business to operate. So far, we have only tried this out as a one-off collaboration between The Bento Bar x Reusabowl x Weta FX, but we are hoping to incorporate the waste-free philosophy for our school lunch deliveries for the better future💕

aaaand WE ARE BACK!! Thank you for your support and kindness while we went and did the Covid thing. We so missed delivering lunches to those smiling faces of your kiddies💕 So ready to flex my cooking muscles again 💪😤 [insert bone-cracking sound here] Here's what's on offer this week ⬇️

Sorry everyone, but I am in isolation and sadly have to cancel this Friday's and next Tuesday's service 😔😞

Hope you're staying dry and keeping warm🥶 Let's get some good sustenance in your systems and keep the bugs away!! Store pick up available from 12-1pm at 386 Broadway in Strathmore or Seatoun Dairy. https://www.thebentobar.com/store

Seatoun parents, School Swim Sports Day is upon us come Tuesday! Year 3-8 Kids will return to school tired and hungry from the action-packed morning, ready to dig into the delicious bento lunch😘 You can now order a weekly subscription so your Tuesday lunches are sorted for the rest of Term 3! Continuing with the same menu as last week due to popular demand - be sure to order before the 8am cut-off on the delivery day.

A couple of announcements... 🍙 The Bento Bar is starting a weekly bento delivery at Miramar North School on Fridays starting this week 5 August🎉 🍙🍙 You can now sign up for a weekly subscription through our website so you won't miss out on the bento day! (You can cancel anytime, or skip delivery when your child is not at school...just let me know by 8am) 🍙🍙🍙 Parents with 2 or more bento lovers in the family now receive 5% off when you sign up for the weekly subscription. 🍙🍙🍙🍙 2 local collection points now available (must pre-order & pre-pay by 8am): Seatoun Dairy - Tuesdays 12:15-1:30pm Roxy Cinema - Fridays 12:15-1:30pm So much goodness & excitements!! Let's do this 💪

Are you as tired as I am after day1 of Term3!? Good news - The Bento Bar is back bigger & better for T3😁 https://www.thebentobar.com/store We are resuming the Seatoun School delivery tomorrow (26th) and will be adding a couple of new schools in the coming weeks. (yay!) Please note we now have a few different pick up locations locally, so please get in touch with Mana if you'd like to find out more. LEEESSGOO!!!

Here we go!! The last delivery of Term 2 🤜🤛 I hope you survived this crazy term filled with viruses and isolation

Hope everyone had a fabulous Matariki weekend and enjoyed the colourful fireworks!🎆 ..speaking of colourful, have you ordered the Tuesday bento yet?? Here is this week's menu: Full Range (=meat and fish) - Candied Salmon - "Oyako" Chicken & Egg - Tuna Mayo Vegetarian - Soy Veg - Miso Tofu "Mince" - Veggie "Furikake" Sprinkles Have a great week y'all!!

We had so much fun debuting our bento at the Japan Festival on Saturday. Thank you for all your support, and sorry to those who visited after we sold out! Next year we will bring a much bigger squad so more people can get their hands on our yummy bento, we promise! #thebentobar

We will be offering our BENTO at the Japan Festival this Saturday from 11am to 6:30pm (or until we sell out). Pop by the TSB Arena and experience/eat/learn/meet everything Japan this weekend!!

We are trying something new this week - In addition to the usual 2 size bento options, we are taking A La Carte orders for the upcoming week. If your kids like onigiri but find other stuff undesirable, there is now a way to order 1, 2 or 3 onigiri in a box so we can cut the loss as well as reduce food waste ;) Order away for the 14th Tuesday delivery now at TheBentoBar.com

It's almost Bento Tuesday!! A sneak peek of the Onigiri line-up tomorrow: Full range L size: Beef, Pork mince, Veg "furikake" flakes Full range S size: Beef, Pork mince Veg range L size: Curry corn, Veg "furikake" flakes, Caramelised Onion Full range S size: Curry corn, Veg "furikake" flakes Order directly from TheBentoBar.com now.

NEW LOCATION ALERT!! We are happy to share that our BENTO can now be collected from The Roxy Cinema @roxycinemanz counter on Tuesdays!! If you are not attending Seatoun School, please be sure to select "Roxy Cinema" under the Pick Up Location when you pre-order your Tuesday lunch from TheBentoBar.com. (Please note BENTO must be ordered and pre-paid by the Monday midnight cut-off, as they won't be available for purchase at the collection point.) #thebentobar #roxycinemanz

pssst...did you know?? The Bento Bar is committed to waste as little raw ingredients as we possibly can, so all the unused part of veggies after cutting out the fun-shaped pickles get used in the side-dish (e.g. meatballs) or as flavoured "flakes" inside of the rice balls. So you might see some veggies coming home uneaten, but that doesn't necessarily mean your kids skipped the veggies...because we're sneaky like that😜 Order for next Tuesday 17th and beyond can be made via TheBentoBar.com (Deliveries are for Seatoun School only at this time, but we are working hard on offering to other schools and organisations in the area...so more to come!) Like my page & Join the community #thebentobar

Now delivering to Seatoun School every Tuesday during school terms! Join the bento community #thebentobar