1. Recipes

How to Make Tamagoyaki Bento Box - A Step-by-Step Guide

Tamagoyaki is a traditional Japanese dish that is often enjoyed as part of a bento box meal. This delicately rolled omelette is sweet and savory, making it a perfect addition to a lunch or dinner bento box. The word "tamago" means egg in Japanese, and "yaki" means grilled or fried, so tamagoyaki literally translates to grilled egg. It is a staple in Japanese cuisine and is loved for its simplicity and delicious flavor.

Preparing a tamagoyaki bento box is a great way to enjoy a balance...

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Ingredients

  • ½ cup uncooked short-grain white rice
  • ¾ cup water
  • 1 sheet nori (dry seaweed), or as needed
  • 2 teaspoons bonito flakes, divided
  • 1 teaspoon white sesame seeds
  • 1 teaspoon black sesame seeds
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon mirin (Japanese sweet wine)
  • ⅛ teaspoon tamari
  • 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons tamari
  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
  • ⅛ teaspoon wasabi paste
  • ¼ cup steamed broccoli florets
  • ½ cup cooked shelled edamame

Information

  • Prep Time: 30 mins
  • Cook Time: 30 mins
  • Additional Time: 15 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins
  • Servings: 1
  • Yield: 1 bento box

  • Rinse rice with cool water until the water runs clear; drain. Bring rice and 3/4 cup water to a boil in a pot. Reduce heat and let simmer until water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Let cool, 10 to 20 minutes.
  • Cut the sheet of nori into two 1-inch strips; reserve the remainder of the sheet for making tamagoyaki.
  • Wet your hands and form the cooled rice into 4 equal portions. Keep your hands wet to keep rice from sticking. Create an indention in one of the rice portions using your thumb. Fill the indention with 1 teaspoon bonito flakes. Top with another rice portion to close the onigiri. Form into an oval shape and wrap the middle with a strip of nori. Make another onigiri with the remaining ingredients. Sprinkle white and black sesame seeds on top. Place in a bento box.
  • Whisk together the eggs, mirin, and 1/8 teaspoon tamari together in a bowl; divide into 3 portions. Cut remaining portion of nori sheet into four 1/2-inch strips.
  • Heat oil in a small saucepan or square tamagoyaki pan over medium-high heat. Add 1/3 of the egg mixture and cook until almost firm, 2 to 3 minutes; if omelette is too firm, it won't stick together very well. Slide onto a plate. Add the 4 strips of nori to the pan with some space between each.
  • Cook another 1/3 of the omelette the same way, but roll it up carefully in the saucepan with the nori. Slide the rolled-up omelette onto the edge of the first omelette. Cook the third omelette and roll it up, sliding it on top of the second omelette. Let cool enough to touch, about 5 minutes.
  • Roll the entire layered omelette together with nori inside. Cut into 4 pieces. Place into the bento box alongside the onigiri.
  • Mix 2 tablespoons tamari, ginger, and wasabi paste together in a bowl. Put the mixture into a portable container then put inside the bento box. Add the steamed broccoli and edamame.

    • Nutrition

    730 cal.

    • Total Fat: 21g
    • Saturated Fat: 4g
    • Cholesterol: 372mg
    • Sodium: 2239mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 99g
    • Dietary Fiber: 13g
    • Total Sugars: 7g
    • Protein: 35g
    • Vitamin C: 32mg
    • Calcium: 149mg
    • Iron: 8mg
    • Potassium: 462mg

    Categories

    Bento box recipes