Healthy Japanese Breakfast Bento Box (Print Version)
A well-balanced Japanese-style breakfast with grilled fish, rice, pickles, and fruit for a nourishing start to your day.
# What You Need:
→ Fish
01 - 2 small salmon or mackerel fillets (approximately 3.5 oz each)
02 - 1 tsp soy sauce
03 - 1 tsp mirin
04 - 1 tsp vegetable oil
→ Rice
05 - 1 cup short-grain Japanese rice
06 - 1 1/4 cups water
→ Pickled Vegetables
07 - 1/2 cup thinly sliced cucumber
08 - 1/2 cup julienned carrots
09 - 2 tbsp rice vinegar
10 - 1/2 tsp sugar
11 - Pinch of salt
→ Sides and Extras
12 - 2 large eggs
13 - 1 tsp soy sauce
14 - 1/2 avocado, sliced
15 - 1/2 cup steamed edamame, shelled
16 - 1/2 apple, sliced
17 - 1 sheet nori, cut into strips
18 - 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
# Directions:
01 - Rinse Japanese rice under cold water until water runs clear. Combine rice and water in a pot or rice cooker. Cook according to appliance instructions, or bring to boil, cover, and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes. Let rest covered for 10 minutes before serving.
02 - Whisk together rice vinegar, sugar, and salt in a small bowl. Add sliced cucumber and julienned carrots, toss thoroughly to coat, and allow to marinate for at least 15 minutes before serving.
03 - Pat fish fillets completely dry with paper towels. Brush with soy sauce and mirin mixture. Heat vegetable oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Place fish skin-side down and grill for 3-4 minutes per side until cooked through and golden brown. Remove from heat and set aside.
04 - Beat eggs with soy sauce until well combined. Cook in a small nonstick pan as scrambled eggs or as a thin omelet. If making omelet, slice into strips before serving.
05 - Portion cooked rice into each bento box or plate. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and nori strips. Arrange grilled fish, pickled vegetables, prepared eggs, avocado slices, steamed edamame, and apple slices alongside the rice in each container.
06 - Serve immediately while warm, or allow to cool completely, cover tightly, and refrigerate for a convenient portable breakfast option.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Everything cooks simultaneously so youre not standing over the stove forever
- The combination of warm rice, savory fish, and tangy pickles wakes up every part of your palate
- Youll feel like youve treated yourself to something special without spending hours prep
02 -
- Patting the fish completely dry before seasoning is the difference between nicely seared and steamed
- The pickled vegetables need at least 15 minutes but taste even better if you make them the night before
03 -
- Sprinkle furikake over the rice for an instant flavor boost
- Make extra pickled vegetables to keep in the fridge for quick lunches