bento
/ˈben.toʊ/
Japanese Origin
Food & Drink
Original Word
弁当
Kanji (bentō)
Entered English
1980s
First recorded usage in English
The Story Behind "bento"
From Japanese 'bentō' (弁当), a single-portion boxed meal. The tradition dates back to the Kamakura period. Bento boxes have become a global lunch trend for their aesthetic and balanced presentation.
Example Usage
"She packed a colorful bento box for her child's lunch."