When you hear the word "Bento", you’ll think of Japanese food. It’s a Japanese word for meals in a box.

What is bento?

Bento (written 弁当), or obento (お弁当) to use the honorific term, is the Japanese word for a meal served in a box. Beyond that basic definition though, just about anything goes as to what kind of box or container is used, as well as what is put inside that box,.

Different types of bento

(See also: Types of homemade bento.)

There are several different kinds of bento, with different purposes. Makunouchi bento are elaborate bento meals presented at formal meals, meant to be eaten at table.

(read more from the source)

Over here I think no Japanese restaurant go by without adding bento meals into their menu. But Tonki Bento stands out as a Japanese Restaurant which focuses on these box meals, hence the name.

It’s location is a little hidden, off from the busy Burmah Road, so some might not realise this corner shop. Nevertheless, they are going all out with their delivery service of bento meals. I tried their delivered bento lunch box before and I thought I would go to the restaurant to try out some other offerings of theirs.

 

Very simple interior decoration, comfortable enough for about 10 tables.

 

Free-flow of green tea

 Teriyaki Bento (RM 18.80)

A complete meal of rice, salad, teriyaki chicken, deep-fried prawns, orange and also a bowl of miso soup.

 

 

Tori Katsu Kore (RM 11.80) - Japanese curry Katsu-don. Japanese curry is not as spicy and fragrant as the curry we have here. It is more towards a sweet taste. It’s also not as red as our local curry. But this is how Japanese curry is like, since Japanese can’t really take spicy stuff. But there’s lots of big onions added in this curry.

Tori Katsu Don (RM 8.80). This version of chicken cutlet is added with an egg after being deep-fried. I’ve tasted much better Katsu-don elsewhere. Over here, it’s quite dry and lacks in aroma and taste.

 

 

A stock of carnation was given to each table for an occasion (go guess)

 

I think they are more popular with bento meals. Other types of ala-carte dishes are just so-so. I did not try their sushi though.

Look at their Bento sets for lunch. Great variety at a low price. (click to view larger image)

bento1_Page_1 bento1_Page_2
 

 Contact:

Tonki Bento
2, Lintang Burmah, Pulau Tikus, 10250, Penang
Business Hours: 11.30am - 2.30pm, 6.00pm - 9.30pm (Closed on Tuesday)
Tel: 017-475 7100
Service Charge 10%

 
Map: 
 

~