Adorable My Melody Bento Box
Sanrio Character My Melody Bento Recipe: How to Make a Character Bento with a Taiwanese Lunch Box
I’ve created a character bento box inspired by ‘My Melody,’ one of the currently popular Sanrio characters. Instead of using pre-colored rice like pink rice (hongguk rice or mushroom rice) or adding food coloring like beet juice, I’ve made this recipe using just plain white rice. The ingredients are simple, and the seasoned rice is delicious on its own. If you’re a fan of Sanrio characters, give this a try! This recipe is perfect for using with a special lunch box, such as a Taiwanese ‘Miner’s Lunch Box.’
Ingredients- 1 serving cooked white rice
- 1/2 onion
- 5 lettuce leaves
- 1/2 sheet of dried seaweed (gim for kimbap)
- 1 slice of cheese
- 5 slices of ham
- 1 strand of cooked pasta (for securing)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- Salt to taste
- Oyster sauce to taste
- Pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the rice thoroughly and cook it in a rice cooker. Fluffy, well-cooked rice will hold its shape better for the bento.
Step 2
While the rice is cooking, take out the dried seaweed (gim) and cut out shapes for My Melody’s eyes and mouth. You’ll need two oval shapes for the eyes and one smiley mouth shape. Using kitchen scissors or a knife will help you make clean cuts.
Step 3
Next, use a slice of cheese to cut out a round shape for My Melody’s nose. Pop it in the refrigerator for a bit; this will make it firmer and easier to handle. If you have a cheese allergy, you can use a single corn kernel or a thin omelet piece cut into a circle for a very cute nose.
Step 4
Set aside the cut-out pieces for My Melody’s face. Now, wash the lettuce leaves thoroughly and pat them completely dry. Arrange the lettuce leaves at the bottom of your bento box. About 5 leaves should be sufficient, but you can adjust the amount based on the size of your bento box. Fresh lettuce will add a refreshing touch to the bento.
Step 5
Now, let’s create My Melody’s signature puffy cheeks and decorations. Take one slice of ham and fold it accordion-style, like you would fold colored paper. Secure the folds temporarily with a strand of cooked pasta.
Step 6
Take another slice of ham and cut it into approximately 1cm thick strips. Remove the pasta holding the folded ham, wrap this strip around the folded ham to create a band, and secure it again with another piece of pasta so it doesn’t come undone. This will form My Melody’s rounded cheeks.
Step 7
Prepare half an onion and slice it thinly into julienne strips. Then, heat a little oil in a pan and sauté the julienned onions until they are golden brown and slightly softened. The sweet sautéed onions will add a wonderful flavor to the rice.
Step 8
Transfer the cooked rice to a bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of sesame oil and a pinch of salt, then mix gently. Seasoning the rice well is key to a delicious bento.
Step 9
We’ll use a portion of the seasoned rice for My Melody’s face shape and ears, while setting aside some plain rice for the white part of her face. In the same pan used for sautéing the onions, add the seasoned rice (for the face and ears). Stir-fry together with a little pepper and oyster sauce. The oyster sauce will enhance the umami of the rice. Taste the rice and adjust the oyster sauce accordingly! This stir-fried rice will become My Melody’s head and ears.
Step 10
Lightly grill 3 slices of ham and the pre-made ribbon ham. You don’t want them to be crispy, just warmed through and slightly pliable, which will maintain a softer texture.
Step 11
Now, let’s assemble My Melody in the bento box. First, shape the stir-fried rice to form her face and ears.
Step 12
Wrap the lightly grilled ham slices around the rice, starting with the face. Gently press the ham to help it conform to the rice shape.
Step 13
Next, carefully place the shaped ear portions into position. Since they aren’t secured with toothpicks, they can be a bit wobbly, so handle them gently to ensure they sit stably in the bento box!
Step 14
Place the ribbon decoration on top of the bento. This signature ribbon will instantly make the bento even cuter!
Step 15
Take the plain white rice that was set aside earlier. Shape it into My Melody’s round face and place it on top of the bento box. Gently press the rice to help it stick and hold its shape.
Step 16
Finally, use the carefully cut-out seaweed and cheese pieces to create My Melody’s dark eyes and nose. This will complete her adorable face!
Step 17
And there you have it – a finished My Melody character bento! Make it for a special occasion or as a delightful surprise for someone you care about.
