Japanese Lunch Box Fried Shrimp (Bento Box) Recipe
Written from a passionate home-cook’s kitchen
Hi there, I’m so happy to welcome you to my kitchen! There’s something uniquely charming about a beautifully packed lunch box – the vibrant colors, appetizing textures, and bursts of flavor always bring a little sparkle to an ordinary day.
Among all the lovely bento boxes I’ve enjoyed, Japanese Lunch Box Fried Shrimp never fails to delight me the most.
I still vividly remember preparing this meal for my friends on a day at the park. Watching their eyes light up when they opened their adorable bento boxes was incredibly rewarding.
I’m truly excited to share this personal beloved fried shrimp bento recipe with you.
Trust me – you’re going to impress yourself with how easily you can whip up an authentic yet adorable Japanese lunch.
Let’s dive right in!
Tools Table:
| Tool | Purpose | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Frying pan | Frying shrimp | Local supermarket or Amazon |
| Mixing bowls | Mixing batter and ingredients | Kitchenware store or online |
| Bento box | Serving & carrying your lunch | Asian stores or online Etsy |
| Kitchen Tongs | Handling shrimp safely | Cooking supply store or Amazon |
| Measuring spoons | Accurate ingredient measuring | Kitchenware store, supermarkets |
| Bamboo sushi mat (optional) | Shaping cute rice balls | Asian grocery, online Amazon |
Total Prep Time:
Approximately 30 minutes including preparation and cooking.
Ingredients:
- Shrimp (medium-sized, peeled and deveined) – 10-12 pieces
- All-purpose flour – 70g (about ½ cup)
- Salt – ⅛ teaspoon (plus a pinch extra)
- Water – 60ml (¼ cup)
- Egg – 2 eggs (1 for batter, 1 for frying stage)
- Milk – 15ml (1 tablespoon)
- Natural Garlic Powder – ⅛ teaspoon
- Ground black pepper – ⅛ teaspoon
- Natural Korean Chili Pepper Powder – ⅛ teaspoon
- Bread crumbs (preferably Panko breadcrumbs) – about 1 cup, or as needed
- Vegetable oil – enough for shallow/deep frying
- Cooked rice – about 1 cup or more per serving
- Sausage – 2 mini sausages for garnish/cute decoration
- Cherry tomato – 2-3 pcs
- Dried seaweed (nori sheets) – 1 sheet (decorate rice balls)
- Ketchup & Passion Sweet & Sour Sauce – to serve/dipping
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Prepare Shrimp: On clean shrimp, gently season each with a pinch of salt and black pepper. Set aside for 5 minutes to briefly marinate.
- Make Batter: In a mixing bowl, combine flour, water, 1 beaten egg (reserve the other for frying), milk, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly until a smooth batter forms.
- Bread the Shrimp: Place bread crumbs in another shallow dish. Dip each shrimp into batter ensuring full coverage, then coat each piece evenly with bread crumbs. Set aside.
- Frying Time: Heat your frying pan with enough vegetable oil at medium heat. Gently place shrimp pieces into the heated oil. Fry each side for around 2-3 minutes until golden and crispy. Using kitchen tongs, carefully transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate for draining excess oil.
- Cute Bento Arrangement: Add hot steamed rice into your Bento box, shape rice balls using clean hands or sushi mat wrapped with plastic wrap. Decorate rice balls using tiny strips of nori seaweed (create little smiles or eyes!).
- Prepare Bento Garnish: Pan-fry mini sausages over medium heat for 3-4 minutes. Cut these into cute shapes like small octopus or flower forms. Arrange fried shrimp, prepared rice balls, sausage decoratives, and cherry tomatoes neatly in Bento Box. Pack tiny containers of ketchup and Passion Sweet & Sour Sauce as delicious dipping compliments.
Food Storage:
Keep leftover shrimp refrigerated in an airtight container up to two days. To maintain crispiness, store separately from wet ingredients and reheat in oven or air fryer before serving again.
Pro Tips:
- Want extra crisp? Double-coated shrimp: dip shrimp again quickly after initial crumb coating.
- Healthier Version: Use air fryer at 180°C/355°F for 8-10 minutes, shake mid-way for a deliciously crispy finish!
- Variation Ideas: Swap shrimp for chicken tenders, tofu cubes, or veggies like zucchini or cauliflower pieces if vegetarian.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Here’s an approximate nutrition table per serving (serving size: around 4 shrimps and rice):
| Nutrient | Amount per serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 420 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 50g |
| Protein | 18g |
| Fat | 15g |
| Saturated Fat | 3g |
| Cholesterol | 130mg |
| Dietary Fiber | 2g |
| Sodium | 480mg |
FAQs
- Can I use frozen shrimp?
Absolutely! Make sure to thaw completely and pat dry before seasoning and coating. - What kind of rice suits this meal best?
Japanese short-grain white rice is best, providing a perfect sticky texture. - What if I don’t have Korean chili powder?
Feel free to substitute regular chili powder or omit it completely if spice-sensitive. - Can breadcrumbs be replaced?
Yes! Crushed corn flakes cereals or cracker crumbs give similar crispiness. - Can I prepare Bento Boxes the night before?
Indeed, though keeping fried items separate to maintain crispness is wise. Just microwave rice shortly before consuming.
Final Thoughts
Before closing, let me say – I absolutely admire your enthusiasm to recreate this wonderful Bento Box recipe.
Remember, cooking is about you – adjusting flavors, experimenting with ingredients you love, and most importantly, having fun in your kitchen!
Meals in Bento form always carry heartfelt love and care from the cook prepared. Start this culinary journey, and I promise you’ll love every tasty bite.
Please reach out if you have any questions or share your Bento adventures – I can’t wait to see your delicious creations!