[RECIPE] Nori Bento
Nori Bento is a simple yet comforting Japanese lunch box featuring layers of cooked rice, seasoned Nori (seaweed), crispy fried fish, Chickuwa Isobe-age (Tempura style), and assorted side dishes. While it's not a fancy bento, its homely flavors make it a favorite for everyday lunches.
Served in Kanoryu Wappa Lunch Box
Used: Deep Bowl, Rice Scoop, Rice Pot
Recipe:
Serving: 1
Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
[For The Rice]
- Cooked Rice (Rice options)
- 1 pack Katsuobushi Bonito Flakes
- 1 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 2 pcs Nori Seaweed
[Carrot Kimpira (Stir-fried and simmered)]
- 1 cup Dried Carrot
- 1 pack Dashi Pack
- 1/2 cup Water
- 1/2 tbsp Sugar
- 1 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 tbsp Mirin
- 1/2 tbsp Sesame Oil
- Sesame Seeds
[Chikuwa Tempura Isobe-age]
- 3 sticks Chikuwa Fish Cake
- 2 tbsp Flour
- 2 tbsp Potato Starch
- 1 tbsp Aonori Green Seaweed
- 1 tsp Grated Ginger
- 1/3 cup Water
- Cookling oil for frying
[Fried Fish]
- 2 pcs Salmon Filet
- 3 tbsp Mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup Panko
- Salt and Pepper
- Cooking oil for frying
[For the sides]
- Lettuce
- Broccoli (boiled)
- Mayonnaise
- Pickled Ginger
Instructions:
-
- Prepare Kimpira Carrot
- Rehydrate dried carrot in a bowl with the Dashi pack and water for 5 minutes.
- Transfer the carrot and soaking liquid to a heated pan. Simmer until the liquid has almost fully evaporated.
- Add mirin, soy sauce, and sugar. Continue simmering for a few minutes.
- Finish with sesame oil and sprinkle sesame seeds on top. Set aside.
- Make Chikuwa Isobe-age
- In a bowl, mix flour, potato starch, Aonori, grated ginger, and water to create a batter.
- Cut Chikuwa fish cakes in half lengthwise.
- Coat each Chikuwa piece in teh batter, then fry in heated oil until lightly golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
- Prepare Fried Fish
- Lighly season salmon fillets with salt and pepper.
- Coat each fillet with a think layer of matonnaise, then cover with Panko breadcrumbs.
- Fry in ehated oil until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- Make Katsuoboshi Rice Topping
- In a small bowl, mix Katsuobushi with soy sauce. Set aside.
- Assemble the Nori Bento
- Add 1 cup of cooked rice to the bento box and spread evenly.
- Spinkle half of the Katsuobushi mixture over the rice.
- Cover with Nori, then add another layer of rice.
- Spread the remaining Katsuobushi mixture.
- Finally top with a sheet of Nori to cover the rice.
- Arrange the Side Dishes
- Place the fried fish, Chikuwa Tempura Isobe-age, and carrot Kimpura on the side.
- Add hte boiled broccoli with a dollop of mayonnaise.
- Garnish with pickled ginger slices for color and extra flavor.
- Prepare Kimpira Carrot
> Purchase rice from the rice factory here
RECIPE by Azusa