Bento for everyone!

April 14, 2008 12:22 PM

Where can I buy small bento boxes, or small lunch boxes or tins that would pass as bento boxes? I want to give them out at BlogHer with my business card inside. Bonus points for personalization options (but I think that will be over my budget).
posted by misha to shopping (8 comments total)

Pearl River.
posted by saladin at 12:27 PM on April 14, 2008

Oops, meant to write, look under Kitchenware/Lunch boxes and other boxes. They only have one proper bento box for sale, but a lot of other neat/related options.
posted by saladin at 12:30 PM on April 14, 2008

alibaba.com and the like would probably get you this at the quantity and price you're looking for for a giveaway item.
posted by By The Grace of God at 12:46 PM on April 14, 2008

Cute, fancy, plain bento boxes.
posted by rokabiri at 12:47 PM on April 14, 2008

Ichibankan USA is the online store of a California-based '100-yen' store chain (dollar store that carries mainly Japanese/Asian goods). They have a growing number of cheap bento boxes available online. They have a wholesale option so if you're buying a lot of the same, who knows - they may give you a discount. Otherwise, J-List has a good variety, but their selection is more expensive (and better quality). Another online source is eBay. If that doesn't do it, more ideas (last one is a self link).
posted by thread_makimaki at 12:51 PM on April 14, 2008 [1 favorite]

I won't get bonus points for personalization options but maybe I'll get bonus points for cheapness/cuteness/oddity? Archie Mcphee has "Parasite Pals" bento boxes, 4 for $9.00, which is pretty cheap. Sounds weird but I have one I found at the thrift store and I actually use it.
posted by hecho de la basura at 1:02 PM on April 14, 2008

Ichiban Kan just launched (link above in thread_makimaki's post) ad they are the cheapest at around $1.50 a box.

(Glad to know you're here, thread_makimaki, I love Just Bento and subscribe!)
posted by IndigoRain at 8:40 PM on April 14, 2008

I am loving the suggestions so far and have been emailing Ichiban Kan, but they aren't ready for wholesale yet and even though the website shows some of the bento boxes in stock, they told me they are actually out of them now. I'm going to try Archie McPhee, too, and I've been to the dollar stores and am checking out restaurant supply places because I'm enjoying the search for something that meshes with my site.

Keep up the suggestions, please! : )
posted by misha at 9:02 AM on April 16, 2008