Editing Bento (section)

==In other countries==

=== China ===
The Chinese word for boxed meals is ''héfàn'' (盒饭), though ''biàndāng'' as a re-borrowing from Japanese may also be used. There are numerous regional styles, ranging from [[Northeastern Chinese cuisine|Northeastern Chinese]] boxed meals<ref>{{Cite web |last=irenelovesya |date=2023-05-23 |title=Dongbei Lunchbox: A Budget-Friendly Viral Lunch Option |url=https://www.thebeijinger.com/blog/2023/05/22/dongbei-lunchbox-budget-friendly-delight |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=www.thebeijinger.com |language=EN}}</ref> to the [[Hong Kong cuisine|Hong Kong]] "two dishes with rice" boxed meal.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Editorial |first=Business Digest |date=2023-03-23 |title=【兩餸飯】兩餸飯為香港經濟不景氣產物？談兩餸飯的起源 |url=https://businessdigest.io/%E5%95%86%E6%A5%AD%E7%86%B1%E8%A9%B1/%E5%85%A9%E9%A4%B8%E9%A3%AF-%E5%85%A9%E9%A4%B8%E9%A3%AF%E7%82%BA%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E7%B6%93%E6%BF%9F%E4%B8%8D%E6%99%AF%E6%B0%A3%E7%94%A2%E7%89%A9-%E8%AB%87%E5%85%A9%E9%A4%B8%E9%A3%AF%E7%9A%84%E8%B5%B7%E6%BA%90 |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=Business Digest |language=zh-HK}}</ref> Packed meals would traditionally be carried in boxes known as ''shíhé'' (食盒, "food box"). ''Shíhé'' ranged from basic styles to elaborate, multi-tiered designs.

=== Taiwan ===
The ''bento'' made its way to [[Taiwan]] in the first half of the 20th century during the Japanese colonial period and remains popular to the present day.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.eater.com/2019/3/6/18241749/bento-box-best-food-train-stations-taiwan|title=Taiwan's Train Food Puts Amtrak to Shame|last=Chen|first=Karissa|date=2019-03-06|website=Eater|access-date=2019-06-05}}</ref> The Japanese name was borrowed into [[Taiwanese Hokkien|Taiwanese]] (''piān-tong'') and [[Hakka]] (''phien-tông''). A modern Taiwanese bento always includes protein, such as a crispy fried chicken leg or a piece of grilled [[Mackerel as food|mackerel]] and marinated pork chop, as well as side dishes.<ref name=":0" /> [[Taiwan Railway Bento]] is a well known bento dish manufactured and distributed by the [[Taiwan Railways Administration]] at major railway stations and in train cars. It is estimated that, with five million boxed meals sold per year, annual revenue from bento distribution amounts to 370 million [[New Taiwan dollar|NTD]] (approx. 10 million [[United States dollar|USD]]).{{sfnp|劉文駿|王威傑|楊森豪|2003|pp=137－142}}
=== Korea ===
In Korea, similar packed lunch boxes are called ''[[dosirak]]'', and they may be homemade or store-bought. They are similar to Chinese and Japanese variations. ''Dosirak'' is usually made with a few different vegetable and meat side dishes, often including a type of [[kimchi]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Korean lunchbox recipes from Cooking Korean food with Maangchi|url=https://www.maangchi.com/recipes/dosirak#:~:text=Dosirak%20(also%20spelled%20%22doshirak%22,and%20a%20serving%20of%20rice|access-date=2020-12-13|website=www.maangchi.com|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Singapore ===
In Singapore, such packed lunch boxes are often acculturated and localised with cuisines slightly different to Japan. These may include roasted pork (similar to [[char siu]]) and [[soy egg]]s, as well as [[fried rice]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Events and listings: CNY food deals, Nafa open house, Singapore Art Week events {{!}} The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/life/events-and-listings-cny-food-deals-nafa-open-house-singapore-art-week-events |website=www.straitstimes.com |access-date=31 January 2022 |language=en |date=14 January 2022 |quote=Takeaway bento sets are also available, including Salted Egg Prawns with Egg Fried Rice and Honey Chicken Char Siew with Egg Frice Rice.}}</ref> It has been a common method of meal preparation within Singaporean cuisine as early as the start of the 20th century, intensifying during the [[Japanese occupation of Singapore|Japanese occupation]] and cultural influences in subsequent decades with Japanese-style bento also being common in the country today.

In 2021, the Singapore Food Tech Event showcased how bento of the future might look like for a [[Food system|sustainable food system]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ho |first1=Sally |title=Singapore Food Tech Event Showcases Alt-Protein Innovations and Serves Bento Box of The Future |url=https://www.greenqueen.com.hk/ket-alternative-protein-food-tech-show-singapore-2021/ |website=Green Queen |access-date=31 January 2022 |date=3 September 2021}}</ref>