Whimsical Sanrio Bento Delight
Bring a touch of joy to your lunch hour with this delightfully whimsical Sanrio-Inspired Bento Box! This charming meal features refreshing cold soba noodles, meticulously crafted with love and creativity. With iconic characters like Hello Kitty, Keroppi, and Badtz Maru, every bite is not only visually appealing but also packed with flavor. The bento is complemented by colorful sides of fresh fruits and veggies, ensuring a satisfying mix of nutrients. Perfect for school, work, or any meal on the go, this bento box will brighten your day and impress friends or coworkers alike!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
22
Ingredients
Ingredients
somen noodles
1.5 ounces (preferably without added salt)
toasted sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon (for greasing noodles)
white cheese
1 slice (preferably provolone)
green onion
1 (sliced)
parsley
1 tablespoon (finely chopped)
nori sheet
1/4 (cut into shapes)
yellow cheese
1 slice (preferably cheddar)
red bell pepper
1/2 (cut into shape for bow)
cha soba noodles
1.5 ounces (preferably without added salt)
matcha green tea powder
1/4 teaspoon (optional, for flavor)
nori sheet
1/4 (cut for Keroppi)
white cheese
1 slice (for Keroppi)
radish
1/2 (for cheeks)
coconut aminos
2 tablespoons (for dipping sauce)
rice vinegar
1 tablespoon (for dipping sauce)
ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon (for dipping sauce)
garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon (for dipping sauce)
raw honey
1/4-1/2 teaspoon (sweeten to taste)
green onion
1 (finely chopped, for dressing)
pear
1/4 (cut into shapes for Badtz Maru)
mango
1/4 (cut into shape for Badtz Maru)
blueberries
1/2 cup (washed)
Instructions
1
Prepare your workspace with essential tools including a sharp kitchen knife, bow cookie cutter, small round cookie cutter (1/2 inch), large round cookie cutter (1 1/2 inch), and a cardstock template for character shapes.
2
Tip: To prevent nori from curling, place a tiny piece of cheese underneath the cutouts.
3
For Hello Kitty, begin by cooking the somen noodles: boil for 2 minutes, drain and rinse under cold water. Stir in toasted sesame oil to coat and keep cool in the fridge.
4
If using a cardstock template, trace Hello Kitty's face shape and cut it from the slice of white cheese. Set it in the bento box.
5
Neatly twist your chilled noodles over the cheese, shaping them into Hello Kitty's head, body, and ears. Use green onions and parsley to enhance flavor and detail around the character.
6
Cut nori for whiskers and eyes, placing them accordingly on the noodle shape. Add a yellow cheese oval for the nose, and shape a red bell pepper bow using the cookie cutter.
7
Now move on to Keroppi: cook the cha soba noodles for 6 minutes, drain, rinse, and add toasted sesame oil. Optionally, mix in matcha powder for added color and flavor before cooling in the fridge.
8
Create a base for Keroppi with an oval cheese piece beneath the Hello Kitty noodles and fill it with the green noodles as required.
9
Use the large round cookie cutter for Keroppi's eyes from leftover cheese, and cut corresponding nori for a lively expression, including a 'v' shaped mouth.
10
For the radish, cut out cheeks and place them on either side of the mouth.
11
Whisk together the dipping sauce ingredients in a bowl, sweetening with honey to taste. Transfer to a small lidded container for easy packing.
12
To craft Badtz Maru, arrange washed blueberries in an oval shape. Create the character's spikes using halved blueberries, topped with pointed halves.
13
Cut pear into U shapes for eyes, placing them atop the blueberries with a half blueberry as the eye's center. Form a rounded triangle from mango for the beak, right beneath the eyes.
14
Fill any remaining space in the bento box with your favorite fruits and vegetables for added color and nutrition, ensuring the box is sealed and kept cool until it's time for lunch.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Whimsical Sanrio Bento Delight?
It is a charming and creative lunch box featuring cold soba and somen noodles shaped into iconic Sanrio characters like Hello Kitty, Keroppi, and Badtz Maru, accompanied by fresh fruits and vegetables.
Which Sanrio characters can I find in this bento box?
The bento features three iconic characters: Hello Kitty, Keroppi the frog, and Badtz Maru the penguin.
What types of noodles are used in this recipe?
This recipe uses white somen noodles for Hello Kitty and green cha soba noodles for Keroppi.
How long should I boil the somen noodles for Hello Kitty?
The somen noodles should be boiled for approximately 2 minutes, then drained and rinsed under cold water.
How do I cook the cha soba noodles for Keroppi?
Boil the cha soba noodles for 6 minutes, drain them, rinse under cold water, and toss with toasted sesame oil.
How can I prevent the nori cutouts from curling?
To prevent nori from curling, place a tiny piece of cheese underneath the cutouts to provide a stable moisture barrier.
What ingredients are in the bento dipping sauce?
The sauce is a mixture of coconut aminos, rice vinegar, ground ginger, garlic powder, raw honey, and finely chopped green onions.
What tools are recommended for shaping the characters?
You will need a sharp kitchen knife, a bow cookie cutter, a small (1/2 inch) round cookie cutter, a large (1 1/2 inch) round cookie cutter, and cardstock templates.
How is Hello Kitty's face constructed?
Her face is shaped using chilled somen noodles over a white cheese base, with nori for eyes and whiskers, a yellow cheese nose, and a red bell pepper bow.
How do I make Keroppi's eyes?
Use a large round cookie cutter to cut circles from white cheese, then add nori cutouts to create a lively expression.
What fruit is used to make Badtz Maru?
Badtz Maru is primarily crafted using fresh blueberries for his head and spikes.
What is used for Badtz Maru's beak and eyes?
His beak is made from a rounded triangle of mango, and his eyes are U-shaped pieces of pear with blueberry centers.
Can I make the Keroppi noodles a brighter green?
Yes, you can optionally mix in a small amount of matcha green tea powder with the cha soba noodles for enhanced color and flavor.
What is used for Keroppi's rosy cheeks?
Small rounds of sliced radish are used to create Keroppi's signature pink cheeks.
How do I keep the noodles from sticking together after cooking?
Stir in a small amount of toasted sesame oil to coat the noodles after rinsing them in cold water.
What type of cheese is best for the white character bases?
Provolone is recommended for the white cheese slices, though other mild white cheeses will work.
Is this bento served hot or cold?
This bento is intended to be served cold, making it perfect for preparing in advance.
How do I prepare the red bell pepper bow?
Use a bow-shaped cookie cutter to stamp the shape out of a fresh red bell pepper slice.
What garnish is used around Hello Kitty?
Sliced green onions and finely chopped parsley are used to add detail and flavor around the character.
What is the purpose of the cardstock template?
The template helps you accurately trace and cut the character shapes from the cheese slices for a professional look.
How should I pack the dipping sauce?
Whisk the ingredients together and transfer them to a small, lidded container that fits inside or alongside the bento box.
Is the dipping sauce spicy?
No, it is a savory and slightly sweet sauce featuring ginger, garlic, and honey, though you can adjust the flavors to your preference.
Can I substitute the coconut aminos?
Yes, you can use soy sauce or tamari if you do not have coconut aminos, though the flavor will vary slightly.
How do I create Badtz Maru's hair spikes?
Halve some blueberries and top them with pointed halves to recreate his iconic spiky hairstyle.
What should I do with the remaining space in the bento box?
Fill any gaps with your favorite fresh fruits and vegetables to add more color, nutrition, and to keep the characters in place.
Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Yes, the whimsical character designs and familiar flavors like noodles and fruit make it very appealing for children.
How much honey should I add to the dressing?
The recipe calls for 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of raw honey, but you should sweeten it to your personal taste.
What type of cheese is used for Hello Kitty's nose?
A small oval cut from a slice of yellow cheese, preferably cheddar, is used for her nose.
Can I prepare this bento the night before?
Yes, ensure the box is sealed tightly and kept cool in the fridge until it is time for lunch to keep the noodles and fruit fresh.
What is the total number of ingredients in this recipe?
There are 22 ingredients listed to complete the noodles, characters, and dipping sauce.