Tofu Teriyaki Bento Box (Quick Vegan Lunch Idea)

This tofu teriyaki bento box is a colorful, nourishing, and easy-to-make lunch option. Crispy golden tofu is glazed with a sweet and savory homemade teriyaki sauce, then served over furikake rice with fresh, vibrant sides like cucumber salad, sugar snap peas, and cherry tomatoes. Perfect for meal prep, this Japanese-inspired vegan bento is healthy, balanced, and delicious.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• 100% vegan and packed with plant-based protein.

• Great for meal prep—makes two bento boxes.

• Crispy tofu coated in a homemade teriyaki glaze.

• Includes fresh, crunchy vegetables for balance.

• A complete, colorful, and satisfying lunch.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the tofu teriyaki

300 g firm tofu, pressed and cut into rectangles
2 tbsp cornstarch
1 tbsp neutral oil (avocado oil works well)
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp mirin
1 tbsp sake (or water + pinch of sugar)
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp sesame seeds

For the rice

1 cup Japanese short-grain rice (uncooked)
Furikake seasoning, to taste

For the sides

1 Japanese or Persian cucumber, thinly sliced
1 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp soy sauce
½ tsp shichimi togarashi (Japanese chili seasoning)
1 cup sugar snap peas
½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved

Directions

Cook the rice

1. Rinse rice until water runs clear.

2. Cook per package instructions. Fluff and sprinkle with furikake.

Prepare the tofu

1. Press tofu gently to remove excess water. Cut into rectangles.

2. Coat lightly with cornstarch.

Pan-fry tofu

1. Heat oil in a skillet. Fry tofu on all sides until golden brown. Remove and set aside.

Make the teriyaki sauce

1. In the same pan, combine soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar.

2. Simmer until slightly thickened. Return tofu to pan and coat evenly with sauce.

Make the cucumber salad

1. Toss cucumber slices with rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, and shichimi.

2. Let marinate briefly.

Prepare the vegetables

1. Blanch sugar snap peas in boiling water for 1–2 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water.

2. Halve cherry tomatoes.

Assemble the bento boxes

1. Layer rice into each bento box. Top with teriyaki tofu and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

2. Add cucumber salad, sugar snap peas, and cherry tomatoes on the side.

Servings and timing

• Servings: 2 bento boxes

• Prep time: 15 minutes

• Cook time: 20 minutes

• Total time: 35 minutes

• Calories: ~520 per serving

Variations

• Swap sugar snap peas for broccoli, edamame, or green beans.

• Add pickled radish or kimchi for extra tang.

• Use brown rice or quinoa for a higher-fiber option.

• Make it spicier with extra shichimi or chili flakes.

• Try a sesame-ginger cucumber salad variation.

Storage/Reheating

• Store up to 2 days in airtight containers.

• Keep cucumber salad separate to maintain crispness.

• Cool rice slightly before sealing to avoid sogginess.

• Best enjoyed cold or at room temperature—no reheating needed.

FAQs

Can I make this bento box gluten-free?

Yes, use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce in the teriyaki sauce.

How do I keep tofu crispy?

Pan-fry until golden and let it rest on a paper towel before adding sauce.

Can I use store-bought teriyaki sauce?

Yes, but homemade gives fresher, more authentic flavor.

What type of tofu works best?

Firm or extra-firm tofu is ideal for pan-frying.

Can I meal prep this for the whole week?

Best for 2 days, as cucumber salad loses crispness after that.

Do I need a bento box to make this recipe?

No, any airtight lunch container works fine.

Can I make the rice in advance?

Yes, cook and refrigerate rice. Sprinkle with furikake just before packing.

How do I blanch sugar snap peas correctly?

Boil for 1–2 minutes, then immediately shock in ice water to keep them crisp.

What can I use instead of sake?

Use water with a small pinch of sugar.

Can I serve this warm?

Yes, warm tofu and rice if desired, but cucumber salad should remain chilled.

Conclusion

The tofu teriyaki bento box is a quick, vibrant, and nourishing vegan lunch idea. With crispy tofu glazed in teriyaki sauce, fluffy furikake rice, and crunchy fresh vegetables, it’s a balanced and flavorful meal you can enjoy at home, at work, or on the go.

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