Some Japanese homemakers wake up early in the wee mornings to pack beautiful bento lunch boxes for their spouses and children. The truth is I can barely wake up at 6:30 am. So how do I make Japanese-style bento for my children? It’s about strategizing based on your lifestyle and routine. With better planning and practice, you’ll get into the groove and become a pro with bento-making. 🔖 Here I’ve created a list of freezer-friendly dishes for you. They are family-friendly and kids-approved too. Bookmark this page for your reference!
Freezer-Friendly Main Dishes
⏲️ Under 30 Minutes
Beef
Beef and Green Pepper Stir Fry (Chinjao Rosu)Carrot Beef RollsGyudonSimmered Beef with Ginger (Shigureni)Teriyaki Steak Rolls
Chicken
Butter Shoyu ChickenOyakodon (Chicken and Egg Rice Bowl)Mapo Eggplant (Mabo Nasu)Omurice (Omelette Rice)Soboro DonTeriyaki Chicken Meatballs
Pork
All-Purpose Miso Meat Sauce (Niku Miso)Baked TonkatsuChashu Fried RiceEasy Fried RiceGinger Pork (Shogayaki)Ginger Pork Rolls with EggplantHam KatsuKabocha Pork Stir FryKatsudon (Pork Cutlet Rice Bowl)Miso Pork and Eggplant Stir FryMiso Ginger PorkOkonomiyakiTeriyaki Pork DonburiYakisobaYaki Udon
Seafood
Eggplant Unagi DonburiMiso Butter SalmonTeriyaki SalmonShrimp Fried RiceUnadon
Pasta
Ketchup Spaghetti (Napolitan)Japanese-style Tuna Mushroom PastaMiso Butter Pasta with Tuna and CabbageJapanese Pasta with Shrimp and AsparagusJapanese-style Pasta with Shrimp and Broccolini
Vegetarian
Japanese Fried Rice with Edamame, Tofu and Hijiki Seaweed (v)Kimchi Fried Rice (v)Niratama Donburi (v)Soy-Glazed Eggplant (v)Stir-Fry Miso Eggplant (v)Stir Fry Vegetables (v – please omit pork in the recipe)Teriyaki Tofu (v – please omit katsuobushi in the recipe)
⏲️ Under 60 Minutes
Beef
Baked Croquettes (Korokke)Menchi Katsu (Ground Meat Cutlet)Nikujaga (Japanese Meat and Potato Stew)Wafu Hambagu (Japanese Style Hamburger Steak)
Chicken
Baked Chicken KatsuChicken KaraageChicken KatsudonChicken Cheese KatsuChicken KatsuChicken TeriyakiGarlic Miso Chicekn WingsGarlic Onion ChickenGluten Free Baked Chicken KatsuGluten Free KaraageShio Koji ChickenTeriyaki Chicken MeatballsYakitoriChicken Meatballs with Sweet and Sour Sauce
Pork
Teriyaki Pork RollsGoya ChampuruGyozaHarumaki (Japanese Spring Rolls)Pressure Cooker Nikujaga
Seafood
Crispy SalmonSalmon Fried Rice
⏲️ Over 60 Minutes
Beef
Bulgogi (Korean Grilled Beef)Hambagu (Japanese Hamburger Steak)Instant Pot Short RibsJapanese Croquettes (Korokke)
Chicken
Chikuzenni(Nishime) – Simmered Chicken and VegetablesInstant Pot NishimeHoney Soy ChickenMiso Chicken
Pork
Fried Lotus Root with PorkMashed Potato Teriyaki Pork RollsPork Shumai (Steamed Pork Dumplings)
Seafood
Ebi Fry (Japanese Fried Shrimp)Japanese Salted Salmon (Shiojake/Shiozake)Miso SalmonShio Koji Salmon
Vegetarian
Kabocha Croquettes (v – please omit bacon)Vegetable Gyoza (v)
Freezer-Friendly Side Dishes
⏲️ Under 30 Minutes
Bean Sprout NamulBroccoli Blanched with Sesame OilTamagoyaki (Sweet Rolled Omelette) (pack frozen)Kinpira Gobo (v) (pack frozen)Kinpira Renkon (v) (can pack frozen)Chikuwa IsobeageCarrot Namul (v) (meal prepped)Green Bean Gomaae (v) (meal prepped)Green Bell Pepper with Okaka (meal prepped)Japanese Pickled CucumberKorean PancakeNamasu (Daikon and Carrot Salad)Pounded Burdock Root with Sesame Sauce (Tataki Gobo)Simmered Bamboo ShootsSimmered Sweet Potatoes with LemonSpinach Namul and Bean Sprout NamulSpinach with Sesame Miso Sauce (Gomaae)
⏲️ Under 60 Minutes
Gluten Free Korean PancakeHijiki SaladSimmered Kiriboshi Daikon (v)Simmered Taro (v)Steamed White Rice (v)
⏲️ Over 60 Minutes
4 Easy Soy Sauce Pickles (v)Instant Pot KuromameJapanese Turnips with Soboro Ankake SauceOkra Ohitashi (Japanese Okra Salad)Ramen Egg (Ajitsuke Tamago)Simmered Fried Tofu and GreensSimmered KabochaSpinach Ohitashi
Freezer-Friendly “Bento Fillers”
⏲️ Under 15 Minutes
Blanched broccoliBlanched aspareagusBlanched green beansBlanched okraBlanched cornChikuwa Okra (can’t freeze Chikuwa Cucumber)Ham FlowerOctopus SausageQuick and Easy Tamagoyaki
When you plan your weekly menu, include the freezer-friendly dishes from the list. Make sure you cook a big batch, portion, and freeze. Sign up for the free Just One Cookbook newsletter delivered to your inbox! And stay in touch with me on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and Instagram for all the latest updates.
