Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on February 2014
Japanese bento boxes are getting a lot of international attention of late—most of it directed at extremely clever, super-cute creations based on anime characters while overlooking the finer points of the culinary artform. Writers Kumiko Kawai and Nao Muramatsu investigate the historic roots and contemporary significance in their book Fine Dining in a Box: The World of Kyoto Bento, now available in an English Kindle edition. Less of a recipe book and more of a cultural study, it explores the ingredients and presentation of the Kyoto-style lunch box to get at its underlying philosophy. A book that gets your mind working and stomach rumbling.
