Where to get cheap bento boxes in Los Angeles

February 16, 2012 9:35 PM

Where to buy cheap bento boxes in Los Angeles area?

I would like to buy a bunch of cheap bento boxes (not filled with food, just the plastic/metal food holder) for an upcoming party. Can anyone recommend a good place to browse for such items in southern California, say between Ventura and the north part of Orange County?

In the Bay area, I would go to Ichiban Kan or Daiso, but I don't know the local equivalents - what are the good Japanese dollar stores?

posted by that possible maker of pork sausages to Shopping (6 answers total)

A few of chains off the top of my head: Tokyo Japanese Outlets, Mitsuwa Market, and Marukai, which is another grocery chain that also carries household goods. All three have several locations in the LA area.

Hope this helps!
posted by Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld at 9:44 PM on February 16, 2012

There's a discount/dollar store, I believe, in the Little Tokyo Galleria as well.
posted by scody at 9:46 PM on February 16, 2012

I'd just go wander around Little Tokyo and try my luck. Rafu Bussan often carries pretty random items, although they tend to be slightly higher end than what I think you're looking for.
posted by Diagonalize at 9:49 PM on February 16, 2012

Here is a source in Gardena, CA.

http://www.calricecenter.com/
http://www.calricecenter.com/foodContainers.html
posted by calgirl at 10:34 PM on February 16, 2012

That's a pretty big geographic range. Look for restaurant supply stores in close to you, preferably in an predominantly Asian neighborhood or with a recognizably Asian name. San Jose is too far north, but when I went to Dong Vinh Restaurant Equipment and Supply it was filled with this sort of thing.
posted by ActingTheGoat at 11:28 PM on February 16, 2012

LAX-C should have what you need. They are just outside of Chinatown and are a giant restaurant supplier open to the public.
posted by Vaike at 1:52 AM on February 17, 2012