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Tofu Teriyaki Bento Box (Quick Vegan Lunch Idea)

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This Tofu Teriyaki Bento Box is a vibrant, Japanese-inspired vegan lunch idea featuring crispy tofu glazed in homemade teriyaki sauce, fluffy furikake rice, and fresh vegetables. Perfect for meal prep, it’s a balanced, healthy, and satisfying on-the-go meal.

  • Author: Tina
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 2 bento boxes
  • Category: Lunch
  • Method: Pan-Fry
  • Cuisine: Japanese
  • Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

For the tofu teriyaki:

300 g firm tofu, pressed and cut into rectangles

2 tbsp cornstarch

1 tbsp neutral oil (e.g., avocado oil)

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

Instructions

  1. Rinse rice until water runs clear. Cook according to package directions. Fluff and sprinkle with furikake.
  2. Press tofu gently to remove excess water and cut into rectangles. Coat lightly with cornstarch.
  3. Heat oil in a skillet and pan-fry tofu on all sides until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
  4. In the same pan, combine soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar. Simmer until slightly thickened, then return tofu to coat with sauce.
  5. Toss cucumber slices with rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, and shichimi. Let marinate briefly.
  6. Blanch sugar snap peas for 1–2 minutes, then shock in cold water. Halve cherry tomatoes.
  7. Assemble bento boxes: layer rice, add teriyaki tofu with sesame seeds, cucumber salad, snap peas, and cherry tomatoes.

Notes

  • For a gluten-free option, use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce.
  • Keep cucumber salad separate if storing to maintain crispness.
  • Best eaten cold or at room temperature—no reheating required.
  • Swap sugar snap peas with broccoli, edamame, or green beans.
  • Add kimchi, pickled radish, or avocado for extra variety.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cheftinaskitchen.com/tofu-teriyaki-bento-box-quick-vegan-lunch-idea/