A bento lunch box is a lunch box with several separate compartments, allowing different parts of a meal to be packed together without being placed on top of one another. Bento lunch boxes are particularly popular for children, but they can be used by anyone who prefers a divided lunch. They work especially well for meals with several different components, while a traditional lunch box with one large compartment is often better for large sandwiches, wraps, or salads.
In this guide, we take a closer look at what a bento lunch box is and when it is a good choice.
What does bento mean?
Bento originates in Japan and refers to a meal packed in a container, often divided into different sections. In modern lunch boxes, the term bento lunch box is typically used for models with several fixed compartments.
The purpose is not necessarily to pack Japanese food. The key principle of bento is the way the meal is divided. For example, a bento lunch box may have one larger compartment for the main part of the meal and several smaller compartments for fruit, vegetables, or snacks.
What are the advantages of a bento lunch box?
The biggest advantage is that several different foods can be kept organised in one lunch box. This is particularly practical if your packed lunches often consist of lots of smaller items.
Instead of using one large container together with several small boxes, each item has its own designated space. For children, this can also make the entire lunch easier to see and understand when they open the lid. However, the bento principle is less suitable if the packed lunch mainly consists of very large food items. Fixed compartments provide less continuous space than a traditional lunch box.
How many compartments should a bento lunch box have?
Bento lunch boxes are available with different numbers of compartments. The more compartments a lunch box has, the more divided its total capacity becomes. This means that more compartments do not necessarily provide more space.
For example, SteelMate's bento lunch box has a total capacity of 935 ml divided into 5 compartments:
| Compartment | Capacity |
| Large main compartment | 340 ml |
| Compartment 2 | 215 ml |
| Compartment 3 | 182 ml |
| Compartment 4 | 131 ml |
| Smallest compartment | 67 ml |
This provides one main compartment and four smaller sections for different parts of the packed lunch.
Bento lunch box with 3 or 5 compartments?
A lunch box with 3 compartments provides more continuous space, while one with 5 compartments allows for more detailed organisation. SteelMate's regular 3-compartment lunch box has a capacity of 1,000 ml, with the largest compartment alone holding 500 ml. The 5-compartment Bento model has a capacity of 935 ml, and its largest compartment holds 340 ml.
A 3-compartment model will therefore generally be better if you need plenty of room for a larger main meal. A 5-compartment bento lunch box is more suitable if your packed lunch often consists of many smaller portions. The deciding factor should be how the space is distributed, not simply the number of compartments.
Read our guide to lunch boxes with compartments if you want to compare fixed compartments with a removable divider.
Should the compartments in a bento lunch box be leakproof?
If your packed lunch consists only of dry foods, leakproof compartments are less important. However, if you bring juicy fruit, dips, or other moist foods, it is important to check whether the individual compartments are actually sealed from one another.
A lunch box can be leakproof on the outside without being leakproof between its compartments. SteelMate's 5-compartment Bento model has a removable platinum silicone insert in the lid that seals around each individual compartment. The design is therefore intended both to prevent leaks from the lunch box into your bag and to keep the contents of the compartments separate.
This is a different design from a lunch box with a removable divider, where the food is organised into sections but the divider itself is not necessarily liquid-tight.
Is a bento lunch box good for children?
Yes, particularly if your child prefers several different small items in their packed lunch. A bento lunch box can be used to separate the main meal, fruit, vegetables, and snacks without the need for separate bags and containers. However, a bento lunch box is not automatically the best choice for every child.
If your child mainly eats large open sandwiches, regular sandwiches, or wraps, fewer and larger compartments may be easier to use. You should also consider the lunch box's weight and external dimensions. SteelMate's 5-compartment Bento model measures 25.5 × 18.5 × 5 cm, has a capacity of 935 ml, and weighs 670 grams when empty.
Read our guide to lunch boxes for children for a more comprehensive overview of size, weight, and choosing a lunch box for school and nursery.
Bento lunch boxes made from stainless steel
Bento lunch boxes can be made from different materials. SteelMate's model combines 304 (18/8) stainless steel with a removable platinum silicone insert in the lid. The steel forms the actual food container, while the silicone creates the flexible seal around the individual compartments.
This makes it possible to combine a durable stainless steel container with the sealing performance required by a bento lunch box with several individual compartments. Both the complete SteelMate Bento lunch box and the removable silicone insert are also dishwasher-safe.
When should you choose a bento lunch box?
A bento lunch box is particularly suitable if:
- Your packed lunch consists of many different smaller items.
- You want to keep different foods separate.
- Fixed compartments suit the way you normally pack food.
- You want to combine several small portions in one container.
However, if your packed lunches vary considerably from day to day or often include large dishes and sandwiches, one large compartment or a removable divider may provide greater flexibility.
Frequently asked questions about bento lunch boxes
What is a bento lunch box?
A bento lunch box is a divided lunch box with several separate compartments for different parts of a meal.
Are bento lunch boxes only for children?
No. Bento lunch boxes can be used by both children and adults. They are particularly practical for meals consisting of several different smaller portions.
Are 5 compartments better than 3?
Not necessarily. Five compartments provide more separate sections, while three compartments generally offer more space within each section.
Can liquid leak between the compartments?
It depends on the design. If each compartment is individually sealed against the lid, the contents can be kept separate. A standard divider without individual seals is not necessarily liquid-tight.
Conclusion
A bento lunch box is best suited to anyone who wants several fixed compartments and a clear division of their packed lunch. A model with multiple compartments is particularly useful if meals often consist of several small portions.
If you need space for large sandwiches, wraps, or other substantial dishes, consider a lunch box with fewer compartments or a removable divider instead.
The most important factor is therefore not whether a lunch box is called a bento, but whether its compartment layout suits the way you actually pack your food.
