Makunouchi facts for kids
Makunouchi (幕の内弁当) is a popular type of Japanese bento. A bento is a single-portion meal packed in a box. A Makunouchi bento usually has rice, fish, meat, pickles, eggs, and vegetables. It often includes an umeboshi, which is a sour pickled plum. Sometimes, you might find special versions with chestnut rice, sweetfish sushi, or even a meat-and-rice casserole.
History of Makunouchi Bento
The name makuno-uchi bentō means "between-act bento." This name comes from the Edo period in Japan (from 1603 to 1867). During this time, these special lunchboxes were sold to people watching plays.
People would buy them during the breaks, or "intermissions," of Noh and Kabuki theater shows. This way, they could enjoy a meal without missing much of the performance.
Makunouchi Today
After the Edo period, during the Meiji period, Makunouchi bento became very popular. They were often sold as ekiben, which are bento boxes sold at train stations. This made them a favorite meal for travelers.
Today, you can still find Makunouchi bento in many places. Convenience stores across Japan sell them. While the exact foods inside can be different from one store to another, Makunouchi bento usually has more types of food and costs a bit more than other simple bento boxes.
