Zojirushi Mr. Bento Stainless-Steel lined Lunch Jar, Silver | 
 enlarge | Brand: Zojirushi
Category: Kitchen
List Price: $65.00
Buy New: $42.95
You Save: $22.05 (34%)
New (8) from $42.95
Rating:  210 reviews
Sales Rank: 528
Color: Silver
Shipping Weight (lbs): 3
Dimensions (in): 10 x 6 x 6
MPN: SLJA14SA
Model: SL-JAE14
UPC: 023596134232
EAN: 0023596134232
ASIN: B000246GSE
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand New with full warranty.
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| Features:
| • | Round jar with 4 food bowls for hot or cold lunch storage | | • | Vacuum-insulated stainless-steel construction keeps food warm | | • | Microwaveable bowls measure 15.2, 10.1, 9.5, and 6.8 ounces | | • | Easy-to-clean container washes quickly | | • | Includes convenient carrying bag for transport |
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| Customer Reviews: Read 205 more reviews...
 I love this thing! July 2, 2008
B. Kim (Monrovia, CA)
Leave it to the Japanese to innovate sack lunches!
I purchased this lunch kit after seeing a co-worker many years ago with a Nissan version. I have a Zojirushi rice cooker, so I know they make quality stuff. After re-reading the reviews between the Mr Bento and the Nissan version, I bought the Mr Bento b/c of the volume of favorable reviews as well as other tangibles, such as the carrying case, spoon, and the cool design.
Product-wise, I am very happy. Despite some negative reviews about it not being insulated, I really dont understand what they are talking about. We have an electric water kettle that I fill up the night before to about 4 cups. When I go downstairs for breakfast, I flip the switch and take my bento containers out that I want to heat up in the microwave. I'll eat my yogurt or breakfast in the meantime. When the water is done, I'll pour the water into Mr Bento and allow it to sit for about 5 to 10 minutes. At the tail end of the water time, I'll microwave my food for about 2-3 minutes. Then I'll dump the water and put the food into the container. I have had some late lunches (2 to 3pm) on occasion and the food was still warm-hot...hot enough to eat.
One thing you'll notice is that you will *think* that you are not eating enough, but once you dig into your own lunches, you will probably not be very hungry! You can pack alot of food. Perhaps we Americans are so used to being overfed when we buy lunch outside.
In terms of design, here are my two gripes: 1) the bottom most soup container can be a real bear to open sometimes, esp when it is damp and/or tightly closed. 2) I wish the top closable dome lid was metal like the body of the Mr. Bento. Plastic dome = cheap. Similarly, I wish the latch/clasps were metal. Plastic = wear.
The nice bag is a great value add. If you can't tell, there are two extra pouches sewed onto the outside. Great for sauce packets or mid meal snacks.
Tips: 1) I cut out an old metallic bubble type car shade into a circle and use it as an insulation barrier for the hot and the cold food. Personally, i think it makes a big difference. If you do the same, make sure that the circle is slightly bigger than the cylinder itself so you get a good seal. 2) Cut your food into bite sized pieces. Cutting anything inside these containers is not easy, esp the taller one. On that note, I purchased a Boker Snacpac as someone recommended b/c of the portability of the entire utensil set. The knife is the only good thing about it. The spoon is useless for anything but stirring a French espresso in a little cup. the fork is way too narrow. So I just use the supplied Mr. Bento spoon and the Boker knife which is quite nice. 3) If you have foods or sauces that you think might stain, consider lightly oiling the surface with your fingers or use Saran Wrap to line the inside (which is what I do).
Spare parts: yes, they do have them and for just about every part, including container lids. I will post up the reply I received from a nice Zojirushi representative at a later date.
Oh yeah, I have been losing a little weight b/c now I am in control of my meals. Not to mention with gas prices the way they are now, every little kind of money saving activities like packing lunch helps in the end.
 Bento-licious! July 1, 2008
M. Oleary (Puget Sound, WA)
Very well made, the pieces are of high quality.
PROS:
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* The shoulder sling is adjustable
* Very high quailty construction
* Works well to keep foods cold until lunch after spending the night in the fridge.
* Easy to clean despite not being dishwasher safe
CONS:
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* Spork pocket inside keeps the spork rather loose and isn't well made
* Rubber seal ring in soup container hard to remove, even with short nails
* Directions lacking for how to (if at all) use the venter(?) on the soup container
Despite the cons, this is a well made product which I use daily to bring lunch to work. The containers are well sized to give variety and still have a small lunch to a fairly large sized lunch which will satisfy almost all but the most ferocious of appetites. I'm a 200 poundish male and this gives me more than enough food for both breakfast at work, a snack, and lunch.
Looking forward to lunch! June 22, 2008
Romy Vreeland (New York)
I wasn't a big leftovers person until I got my Mr. Bento lunchbox. It works particularly well for Asian meals, but of course it is infinitely adaptable. You're only limited by your creativity!
The other 5-star ratings say a lot of what I would recommend about this must-have product, but I would add that to prolong the life of your lunchbox, you should wash the inner containers as soon as possible (especially if you are putting staining foods in them, like tomato sauce), and I would remove the soft plastic lids before microwaving if possible-- there's a fine line between a warm lid and a warped lid since the plastic is rather thin. Beyond that, it's pure joy!
Oh, and it comes with boring plastic chopsticks, but I added my own give it a personal touch. Presentation is part of what makes eating from this sleek little lunchbox so pleasant.
Does Leak June 15, 2008
Tennis Ace (WA, USA)
I got this for my mother who brings lunch to work everyday. She loves it especially the black carrying bag. She did say the 2nd to bottom container did leak, however the bottom container does not leak. It comes with a cute spork. Each lid seemed to close differently. Very cute set.
I {heart} Mr. Bento June 14, 2008
Marzipan (Northern, California)
This is a nifty little product. I bought 2. I pack up leftover's from dinner for my husband's lunch the next day. I warm it up in the microwave before he leaves for work and by lunch time it is still warm. He loves it for it's convenience, that he doesn't have to stick it in the fridge, that he doesn't have to wait in line to use the microwave and he feels very "avante garde" when all the containers are displayed out waiting to be eaten. It also comes with a stainless steel spork which is so convenient! I use the other Mr. Bento for me and my kids for playdates at the park. I pack fruits and finger sandwiches and the kids love that it's all ready for them. As a mom, I love that it is all contained in this stainless steel container and everything stays either warm or cold, very easy to use and it looks cool too. Lots of mom's have noticed it and have asked me where I got it. I just love my Mr. Bento!
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