This is a review of a bento shop at ecute inside Ueno Station (inside the ticket gate). I was drawn to the name "Sandwich" and decided to buy it. The price of 550 yen for one set is quite reasonable. However, when I received it, I found it surprisingly light. It is a set of 4 ham sandwiches and 2 cheese sandwiches from Ofuna-ken. The sandwiches are made with soft and light bread with butter and mustard. The slightly spicy taste goes well with the ham sandwiches. It seems that this is the first sandwich bento in Japan. Even though it's not a main meal, it's perfect for a light snack.

I visited "Ekiben-ya Takumi" on the 3rd floor of Ekiya Ueno in JR Ueno Station around 12:00 on a holiday in March 2023. There were no other customers, so I looked at the various ekiben options before ordering the "Kinmedai Saikyo-yaki Bento" for ¥1,050. I decided to take it back to the office to eat. Opening the package, I found seasoned rice topped with two pieces of Kinmedai Saikyo-yaki, simmered shiitake mushrooms, stir-fried takana with sesame oil, carrots, lotus root, umeboshi, and shredded egg. The bento also came with simmered hijiki seaweed and pickled tsukemono. The Kinmedai Saikyo-yaki was delicious even when cold, with a perfect balance of saltiness and sweetness. The flesh was tender and the combination of Saikyo miso with rice was excellent. Eating the takana, rice, and Kinmedai Saikyo-yaki together was a delightful experience. The slightly sour taste of lotus root was refreshing. The bento, with dishes like hijiki seaweed, simmered shiitake mushrooms, and carrots, offered a stable and delicious Japanese taste. Although the portion size was not large, the well-balanced flavors made for an enjoyable meal. Despite the price being slightly over ¥1,000, I was satisfied with the taste and felt it was worth it.

On this day, I purchased an ekiben here for my expedition to Mito and enjoyed it elegantly in the green car reserved seat. It was breakfast time as it was early in the morning. I chose Fukagawa-meshi. It consisted of a simple combination of clams and burdock stewed in a Japanese-style seasoning, along with tamagoyaki (Japanese rolled omelette) and pickles. The harmony between the clams and rice was good, making it a dish that makes you want to drink beer. Overall, the portion was light, so those with a big appetite may be able to eat another ekiben. Thank you for the meal.

I got lunch at Ueno Station. Recently, there are many new restaurants around the Ecute near Ueno Station. I noticed the word "reprint" at a bento shop, and as a big fan of chicken rice, I couldn't resist. The price is a minimum of 680 yen (including tax) for a bento. Looking at the photo, it seems to be a bento with mainly minced chicken. I found out that it was a bento from Shinjuku Station around the time of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. The taste was nostalgic, with a ginger flavor in the minced chicken. It reminded me of the minced chicken my mother used to make for me when I was in elementary school. I can't remember exactly how it tasted back then, but I enjoyed it while feeling nostalgic. It was a simple bento, but it was delicious. Thank you for the meal.

After returning from a business trip, I purchased the "Okukujishamo Bento (1100 yen)"! It was a lovely Friday, and I had already decided that I would have a station bento on my way back (laughs). Other regions are great too, but the presence of bento in Ibaraki Prefecture shines brightly. I bought it and enjoyed it on the Limited Express Tokiwa train! The contents are: mixed rice, grilled Okukujishamo, minced Okukujishamo, minced egg, kinpira burdock, mountain vegetable soy sauce pickles, and grilled long green onions. It's very appetizing! This Okukujishamo, raised in the extreme temperature difference environment of Okukujishamo, is an elite chicken, and the more you chew, the more the umami spreads in your mouth. Just like Hitachi beef and Rose Pork, Okukujishamo is a representative chicken in Ibaraki. Please enjoy it through this station bento! I hope you come to Ibaraki to eat it! Thank you for the meal (^人^)

First dose of Moderna vaccine. The doctor warned me to avoid alcohol, and I heard that even with the first dose of Moderna, I might experience pain in my shoulder or arm, as well as fatigue. So I decided to minimize movement as much as possible. No alcohol, limited outings. The remaining pleasure is "food"! For dinner, I chose the "Shumai Bento" from Sakae-ken. The next morning, despite feeling fatigued and having a reduced appetite, I knew that if I ate something with a rich flavor like one with meat, my appetite would improve. I browsed through a few shops at Ecute Ueno and stumbled upon "Gyuu Niku Domannaka". Yes, that's it. It was a bit of a topic a few days ago. I purchased it immediately. The next morning when I woke up, I didn't feel fatigued or loss of appetite, just some dull pain in my arm. This way, I could fully enjoy the meal. I heard it's delicious even when cold, but since I was enjoying it at home, I decided to warm it up before eating. I heated it in the microwave for about 2 minutes. Just slightly warm. Perfect. Now, let's dig in! Sweet! It must be the Tohoku flavor. A specialty from Yamagata. Hmm... Indeed, it's delicious! The number one popular choice is understandable. But. It's a bit too sweet for my taste. In between, I tried the side dishes. Rolled kombu. The glaze on it looks sweet and savory. Yes, the sweetness is a bit overwhelming. Oh, but this aroma. It's actually wrapped in herring. In small amounts though. That's nice. The carrots and taro are milder in taste than I expected. Hmm. This is within an acceptable range. Back to the beef. When I tried the pickled radish, it felt quite good. The remaining 1/3 is the minced beef area. It might have been tastier if I mixed it thoroughly before eating. It's quite a portion. At 1200 yen, it's reasonably priced for a station bento. It's satisfying in terms of portion. It was delicious, but too sweet for me. It seems that flavors like this are popular because, including myself, everyone is quite accustomed to "rich flavors." If it was a bit more subtly flavored, the taste of the beef and the deliciousness of the rice would shine even more. So, after eating it once, I was satisfied. It didn't quite match up to my personal favorites like "Shumai Bento," "Fukagawa Meshi," "Chicken Bento," "Anago Meshi," "Touge no Kamameshi," and other station bentos. Not bad having a station bento at home. I'll do it again. Thank you for the meal.

I had some business in Tokyo and after finishing it, I headed back home from Ueno Station. As I walked through the concourse on the second floor after passing through the JR Ueno Station ticket gates, I came across a bento shop that I often visit. I decided to buy some bentos to take home. This time, I purchased the Chicken Bento Karaage (500 yen) and the Variety Appetizer Set Tsuki (650 yen). I took them home and enjoyed them with some beer. The Chicken Bento Karaage is a popular bento that consists of only karaage (Japanese fried chicken). It's a favorite combination of karaage and ketchup rice. The karaage was still cold as it was a bento, but the soy sauce-based seasoning was delicious. The crispy coating paired well with the beer. The Variety Appetizer Set Tsuki is a collection of various bento appetizers made by Nippon Vashi Dai Zou, including items like Chicken Meatball with Cartilage, Chicken Meat with Japanese Mustard, and Beef Sukiyaki. There were 8 different items in total, including some bentos I've tried before. The Chicken Meatball with Cartilage had a nice texture with the crunchy cartilage inside the soft meatball. It went well with the sweet sauce. The Chicken Meat with Japanese Mustard had a strong mustard flavor that complemented the chewy chicken meat. The Beef Sukiyaki had a delicate flavor with high-quality beef. These small appetizers were perfect for enjoying with a drink. Recently, I've noticed more bentos focusing on appetizers without rice, which is great for those who enjoy drinking. Despite the current situation, I was able to experience a travel-like feeling at home.

I have returned to Kanto after finishing my trip from the southeast to Tochigi. I took the Tobu Line from Aizutajima Station to Asakusa. From there, I transferred to the Ginza Line to Ueno Station and then headed home. Before that, I bought a station bento box as a conclusion to my trip. There is a shop on the 2nd floor of Atre Ueno inside Ueno Station where I have visited a few times. This time, I purchased the Beef Sukiyaki and Yakiniku Bento Box (1250 yen). I took it home and enjoyed it. This station bento box, as the name suggests, features two types of beef dishes - beef sukiyaki and yakiniku. The white rice is divided into two portions, each topped with beef sukiyaki and yakiniku. The beef sukiyaki is not as rich as expected, rather light and elegantly seasoned. The taste is good, but it might be a bit weak when eaten with rice. It came with shirataki noodles, carrots, and wheat gluten. The yakiniku is coated in a sweet and savory sauce. It is on the sweeter side and goes well with rice. The quality of the meat is decent. It also included seasoned bean sprouts and a seasoned boiled egg with spinach as side dishes. You can enjoy two different flavors and feel satisfied with this bento box. It might be a good choice when you are in the mood for meat.

I visited "Ekiben-ya Takumi" at Ecute Ueno 3F inside JR Ueno Station around 12 o'clock on a holiday in June 2021. I purchased the "Asari Okowa Bento" for ¥930 from the attractive lineup of ekiben. The bento, which is not particularly large in size, features asari okowa as the main dish with various traditional Japanese side dishes. The asari okowa made with 100% glutinous rice has a satisfying texture and a well-balanced flavor of sweetness and saltiness. The vegetable, ganmo (fried tofu), and konnyaku (yam cake) simmered dishes have a light and comforting taste. The positioning of the tamagoyaki (rolled omelette) and kamaboko (fish cake) is perfect, and the size of the tamagoyaki is just right. The chicken tsukune (meatballs) is the main dish, with hijiki seaweed simmered dish placed at the bottom, which is a nice addition. Although I wish there were a bit more space for side dishes, I am satisfied with the taste of the "Asari Okowa Bento." The price of ¥930 may seem high considering the portion size, but the bento exudes a sense of elegance befitting a station bento. The convenience of being able to purchase ekiben locally at "Ekiben-ya Takumi" without having to travel is truly appreciated.

Today's early morning walk started in Asakusa. I had breakfast ramen in Inari-cho and will head back from Ueno Station. Since I'm already here, I'll buy a bento box from "Ekibenya Takumi" on my way back. I'll have the Ofuna-ken Sandwich, please. During lunchtime while working from home, I'll have a cup of milk tea. I am grateful for the first "Sandwich Bento" in Japan. I'll enjoy four Kamakura Ham sandwiches and a cheese sandwich. The simple sandwich without cucumbers allows the deliciousness of the ham to shine through. I haven't been to Ofuna in a while. I'd like to take a solo trip to the izakayas when they can operate at regular hours. A solo trip to izakayas in Ofuna. Perhaps I'll make it a one-night-two-day trip with Fujisawa and Kamakura? Thank you for the meal! "Ekibenya Takumi" Tokyo, Taito-ku, Ueno 7-1-1 Ekiute Ueno JR Ueno Station 3F [Mon-Sat] 6:30-22:30 [Sun/Holidays] 6:30-21:30

Weekend mini trip. After wandering around, I returned to Ueno station. I'm a little tired from the long train journey. I'm heading home from here, but let's stock up on some drinks for the evening. On the 3rd floor of Ueno station, inside the ticket gates, there are various shops including restaurants and souvenir shops. Among them, of course, there are bento shops. Let's buy a bento here to take home. This time, I bought the Kokugikan Yakitori (700 yen). It's perfect for a drink in the evening. The Kokugikan (Sumo Hall) has a yakitori factory underground, which is a little-known fact. This bento was made in that factory. The Kokugikan Yakitori comes with 3 pieces of grilled chicken and 2 meatballs. The grilled chicken has a nice texture. The sauce is not too sweet, with a rich but balanced flavor. The meatballs are tender. The sauce tastes similar to the grilled chicken. It's cold because it's a bento, but the taste is delicious. It's great as a side dish for beer. When you want a snack instead of rice, this bento is just right. It seems perfect for drinking on the shinkansen as well.

This is a review of two bento boxes. The first one is from Nihonbashi Oozou and includes chicken soboro miso stew, chicken meatball with cartilage, steamed chicken with salt sauce, and teriyaki chicken on chicken broth rice. The second one is from Fukunoshima and includes simmered vegetables, grilled salmon, rolled omelette, fried shrimp with seaweed, meatball, simmered beef, sautéed burdock root, fish cake, nanohana in soy sauce, bean miso, pickles, and pickled plum. Both bento boxes were simple but satisfying.

I am in Sendai♪ Visiting my mother's hometown and grave after many years. Went with my eldest daughter and son♪ Wanted to eat a Noriben but it seems they only sell it at the festival in Tokyo now, so I cried. Oh well, can't be helped so I got a variety of other things haha. My son ate two of them plus got two more from the neighboring rice ball shop haha he eats a lot. I heard that station bento are made to be delicious even when cold, some people even microwave them before eating... But I prefer to eat while looking at the scenery and ask "How does that taste?" while sharing bites. I enjoyed all of them♪ Finally fulfilled my wish to visit the grave, feeling happy♪

I visited "Ekibenya Takumi" in Ueno Station on a Saturday in July 2020 around 5 pm. Ekibenya Takumi is a shop where you can buy ekiben (train station bento boxes). They don't have a wide variety of ekiben, but the layout of the bento boxes and the atmosphere of the shop make you want to buy one. This time, I chose the "Karaage Zanmai Bento" for ¥980. I purchased it and decided to eat it at the office. The bento includes three types of karaage: ginger soy sauce flavor, garlic soy sauce flavor, and nanban black vinegar sauce. The karaage is still delicious even when it cools down. The seasoning is a bit strong, but it goes well with the rice. It would be nice to have more vegetable side dishes in the bento. The concept of comparing three types of karaage is great, so you don't get tired of eating it. It's a satisfying amount of food in the "Karaage Zanmai Bento," but I felt that the price of ¥980 was a bit high. A price reduction of 100 yen would make it more reasonable.

As part of the usual winter train journey, I departed from Ueno and headed towards Niigata Prefecture on the Joetsu Shinkansen. I bought breakfast at the station, and I noticed the "Yamabushi-yaki" bento. It's my first time seeing it in Ueno. It's a specialty of Shinshu (Nagano and Yamanashi), known for its large pieces of fried chicken. The name comes from "yaku" meaning to fry and "yamabushi" meaning mountain bandit. The Yamabushi-yaki bento is a type of bento with a large piece of fried chicken on top of rice. It certainly makes an impact. When you open the lid, you can faintly smell garlic. If it were any stronger, it might be a bit off-putting to eat on the train. The batter is slightly thick and hard. The seasoning is light despite the garlic aroma. While some cold fried chicken can still taste good, this one was a bit disappointing as it was quite hard. I imagine it would be delicious when freshly fried, but as a bento, it could use some improvement. Overall, it was an interesting experience. Thank you for the meal.

Morning meal during a business trip to Sendai. Taking the Tohoku Shinkansen, so stopping at Ueno Station. Visited "Ekiben-ya Takumi" at Ueno Station. Since I'm heading to Tohoku, I decided to try a Tohoku-style ekiben, the most popular one being the "Gyuu Niku Domannaka." The "Domannaka" refers to the Yamagata-grown rice used in this ekiben. It is topped with sweet and savory simmered beef and plenty of seasoned ground meat. It was delicious. The highlight is definitely the Yonezawa beef. The sauce is exquisite, and the rice is simply delicious. Ekiben should taste good even when cold, and the rice being tasty is impressive. Although I think it would taste even better if heated in the microwave, personally, I find eating ekiben at home a bit boring (laughs). I found out that it is made by a company called "Shinkiya" located near Yonezawa Station in Yamagata Prefecture. It's a great ekiben.

Meat - Today's mood is meat! I couldn't decide between the yakiniku bento from Jojoen at Ecute, but I decided to go with the campaign. I bought a participating station bento for JR East's "Ekiben Taste Battle 2019" and sent in the postcard for a chance to win. Only 100 people will win, but it's free to enter, so it's a little bit of fun. The bento was delicious, and while it would have been nice to win, just the excitement alone was worth it.

I will be going on a 2-night, 3-day trip to Kanazawa starting from today. This time, I will be taking the Shinkansen from Ueno Station, so I will be getting a station bento at Ueno. I did some research online and one that caught my eye was the Chicken Bento. It seems to be limited to the Tokyo area. It consists of ketchup rice, a small amount of egg, fried chicken, and true to its name, it is a bento with chicken. It was delicious and had a good portion size, becoming my favorite! It also has smoked cheese in it, making it a good snack to go with alcohol. Sometimes, it's nice to have bento like this instead of ones with strong regional flavors. Thank you for the meal.

This review is about the "Obako Bento" that I purchased at Ueno Station and ate on the Akita Shinkansen train when visiting my partner's hometown. When I was heading to my partner's hometown in Kitaakita City, I took the Akita Shinkansen in the evening after finishing work and headed to Kakunodate. Since I was going to Akita, I decided to buy the Akita-related station bento "Obako Bento" for 1050 yen. By the way, "Obako" means "daughter, girl" in Akita dialect. I untied the bento box string and opened the lid around Omiya Station. The bento box was divided into three sections: the top section had grilled salmon, tamagoyaki, seafood balls, and apricot side dishes. The middle section had chicken and egg rice with teriyaki chicken. The bottom section had dishes like fuki and gobou, simmered vegetables, and iburi gakko pickles. The main dish was the chicken soboro rice! It was a simple bento box with a main dish of chicken rice, and apart from iburi gakko, I didn't feel much of Akita's local cuisine in it. "Thank you for the meal"

I visited here inside Ueno station (inside the ticket gates) to buy a bento box to bring on a day trip with him. There were many types of bento boxes to choose from, but in the end, I got the "Soba shop's tempura rice ball." I had imagined tempura rice balls to have shrimp sticking out from the top, but the appearance was simple and I was a little disappointed. However, the shrimp, although small, was firm and delicious. It might not be that great if eaten at home, but eating it on the train made it taste even better, like a 20% increase in flavor.