Bento Party updates!

Wow! There is so much planning and follow-up to do for our upcoming Bento party! Emily and I have been checking out some potential restaurants to host this event and finally decided on "Onsen, a Japanese restaurant".


We have this information to update you:

Venue: "Onsen"
Lot: B-G01, Block B Jalan Persiaran Surian, Palm Spring @ Damansara.
Kota Damansara. Tel: 7801 5366.

(Map to Onsen, please click for a bigger picture)


Date: 6th September 2008
Time: 12.00p.m. - 2.30p.m.
Participating Fee: RM50/= inclusive of a complete Japanese lunch, free flow of Ocha (Green Tea), goodie bag of surprises and an afternoon of Bento-licious fun!

The lunch menu includes:
Kani Salada - Crabstick Salad
Mixed Tempura
Mixed Maki
Tori Karaage - Fried chicken
Niniku Chahan - Garlic fried rice
Mixed fruits
Ice-cream

What we have in mind is to have a buffet spread of food items that can be packed into a Bento box. After that, each participant can decorate and accessorize her bento box with their own barans, food picks, sauce bottles/boxes, etc, etc.



We will then each get to vote for the 'fanciest or best decorated' bento box. There will be a prize for the winner.

There will be a second category for beginners which will not include accessories. We have a prize for this too!


There is a participating fee of RM50 which will include a goodie bag. One of the items included in the goodie bag is a brand new Bento box! We have other surprise items in the goodie bag for you. Your new Bento box will be used for packing the food in the competition.



To be fair, all the participants will use the Bento boxes from their goodie bag (we'll have them all washed before hand). Bento boxes provided will be similar but in different colors.

The accessories (baran, food picks etc, etc) will have to be the participant's own.


I'm pleased to inform you that the 100 Yen store management has upon consultation with me, ordered new Bento boxes and related Bento gear from Japan and China.

All the pictures of Bento boxes posted in this post (except for the cup) will be available for sale at the Bento Party. The colors may vary a little depending on the stock available. So, if you are interested, please bring enough cash. There are lots of other Bento gear that will be sold at the Bento Party so don't miss out on this!


Different types of Onigiri and Gyoza moulds, Bento straps, cutlery and chopstick sets, new Bento boxes (some as in the pictures), insulated bags, fruit boxes and side boxes will be sold at the Bento Party! There is limited stock, so sales will be on a first come, first serve basis.



Thank you to those of you who have already e-mail me your details. I will send you details of how to make payment for this event. Please understand that we will need you to credit the RM50 participating fee before we can confirm a place for you.


The cut off date for registration (via e-mail to: japanesehomestylecooking@gmail.com) and payment will be 31st August 2008.

p/s This is an all adult event - so that all us mum's can have a few hours off to enjoy this event!


For more details, check these links:

Bento enthusiasts/bloggers meet

More updates on Bento Party





*Pictures taken off Ichiban Kan site. The pictures provided by 100 Yen store is too small and cannot be posted.*

BENTO #123

I'm back! Camp was awesome! I was exhausted but I needed to follow up with Emily and the people involved in the Bento Party. We've almost finalized all the details and now awaiting for one final confirmation before we can make the announcement of details!

It's going to be a fun Bento experience!!

Keep your date with us on 6th September 2008 for lunch between 12.00p.m. - 2.30p.m, for the Bento Party!!

#2 is already in Korea. She had 3 doctor's consultation in the five days preceding her departure to Korea and I'm glad to say that she's recovered. We're constantly communicating via SMS and I think on first two days, she missed us and was a little low in spirits.

Since she arrived, she's attended some concerts, master classes and even gone shopping! This morning, she was quite chirpy even though she's still having problems adjusting to the "awful food". (she doesn't like spicy food).

Before she left for Korea, I took her for Korean lunches for her to taste the variety of what she would be eating. We've tried Korean food before but because Hubs is not a great fan, we stuck to Japanese. I took to the lunches like a fish in water, absolutely loved every Korean dish I tried - it was even quite addictive! #2's reaction wasn't as positive but she could still eat. Apparently the local Korean food isn't as exciting.

Some of them had lunch with Professor Chang Hew Won and Professor Panovska Snezona, the organisers of the Piano camp and are now site seeing and shopping in a nearby town.

Two months ago, Benjamin Loh from Singapore was in Malaysia, and #2 had gone under his tutelage for a two hour masterclass. She was looking forward to be able to meet this amazing teacher again.

On this end, it's LONELY!! #1 is quite independent with her college and activities except when she joins the family for meals and Church activities. She's now on semester break and being a homebody, she's either in front of the TV or in her room or furiously icing cakes or cuppie cakes!

Today, she's out for a movie and because we woke up at different times, we didn't see each other. #2 is in Korea and #3 arranged to stay over at her God-brother's house for 3 days! She arranged and shifted all her tuition and piano classes to avail her a gap of 3 days for her hiatus!

This 9 year old is just too independent! After she planned and arranged everything, she informed me and what was I to say? I was too surprised and shocked to stop her! Last night when Hubs came back, he asked me where was #3 and I reported to him the status and he said "let her enjoy herself", well, that's what I felt too!

But, I'm alone in the house with the maid and 5 dogs. I'm cooking 'tongue' again because hubs asked for it several times already. It's not too bad now, quite a simple process.

Meanwhile, I made myself a delicious bento today. I looked in the fridge to scavenge for some food. Initially, when I opened the can of Norwegian Salmon fillets in herb sauce, I didn't know what to do with it because there was so much sauce. I laid a bed of alfalfa sprouts (you can't see it under all the sauce and salmon) at the bottom of the left box. Poured the fillets and sauce on it and cut some lovely white button mushrooms and tomatoes for vegetables.

In the right box, I sliced the corners of a muesli grain bread to dip and eat with the Norwegian Salmon fillet in herb sauce. My mum baked an awesome chicken pie on Monday, which I added to the bento.

Initially, I thought that it wouldn't be enough for my lunch but it turned out very filling and absolutely delicious! I'm surprised at how all the flavors blended and was so very satisfying. The Salmon fillet was really, really good. I bought this at a Norwegian cafe in Ikano .




Delicious! Delicious!!