Japanese bento with cute octopus-shaped sausages, broccoli, grape, tomato, and rice, popular with children.
The weather has been really nice in the Bay Area and my children want to play outside in the park and go biking. My already-busy life has turned into super-hectic life and I find myself struggling to find time to do everything.
When I am too busy to make a full bento for my son’s lunch, I sometimes make this Cute Octopus Sausage Bento because it’s super quick and fun!
Okay…it’s not really “octopus sausage”, but these sausages are cut to shape like an octopus. Did you think they are really made of an octopus? 🙂
In Japan, moms try to feed their children nutritious food that is sometimes not popular with children by making the food look more interesting and fun. You have probably seen cute Japanese bento like these with animal shapes and character shapes. Octopus-shaped sausages are one of the easiest things you can make.
To learn how to make quick and easy Octopus-shaped Sausages, click HERE for the step by step pictures. I hope this easy octopus sausage dish will be helpful when you are busy. Have a nice weekend!
Japanese Ingredient Substitution: If you want to look for substitutes for Japanese condiments and ingredients, click here.
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- Onigiri (Rice Ball)
- Octopus Sausages
- Grape tomatoes
- Grapes
- Broccoli (pre-blanched, see Notes)
- Make Onigiri and let it cool before packing into the bento box.
- Make Octopus Sausages and set aside to let it cool before packing in the bento box. I used two sesame seeds for octopus eyes. 🙂
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Pack tomatoes, grapes and pre-blanched broccoli in the bento box.
- Make sure all the foods cool down completely before closing the bento box.
[Please read FOOD SAFETY TIPS].
Broccoli: How to Freeze food for bento, click here.
* This lunch is for my 6-year-old son.
Recipe by Namiko Chen of Just One Cookbook. All images and content on this site are copyright protected. Please do not use my images without my permission. If you’d like to share this recipe on your site, please re-write the recipe in your own words and link to this post as the original source. Thank you.
Oh, just too cute! Well done – another inspiring lunchbox!!!! Keep it up – I look forward to more of your lunchboxes.
Thank you so much for your kind feedback, Sandra! 🙂
Hello Mrs. Nami, if i dont have japanese rice how do i make onigiri? btw i use the thailand rice. im from Malaysia 😀
Hi wawa! I headed some readers used basmati rice or jasmine rice to make onigiri so it’s possible. However when Japanese rice is cooked, each grain sticks to others. It is easier to make onigiri with Japanese rice but if you prefer other kinds that’s totally okay. 🙂
I love the spoon case with the Eiffel Tower on it, where did you get it?
Hi Rin! Check the link above the recipe area for more information (or here: http://www.lunchaporter.com/products/Eiffel-Tower-Fork-.html).
I’m not sure if 15% off coupon code is still available but you could give it a try? Email the owner of the site if it doesn’t work. She might give you discount coming from my site. 🙂 Hope that helps!