Bento Pushers: Obentos Japanese is in Business!

Posted: October 7th, 2011 | Author: LumDimSum | Filed under: Foodies & Dining Scene | Tags: Central Park, Jambo Smoothies & Juice Bar, Japanese food, Jungbo Juice, Live Well, Obentos 本之味, salads | No Comments »

Since before it even opened its doors, I have had my eyes set on new, healthy Japanese cafe Obentos 本之味. I was fortunate enough to have been invited to a pre-opening tasting of their healthy, high-quality salads and bento boxes.

It’s only been a few weeks since it first opened its doors in the first week of September and having just dined at Obentos 3 times in one week, it’s safe to say I am officially hooked on this little spot in Central Park.  And I’m not the only one.  Every time I go, there’s a fight for tables and seats.  People are waiting in line just for more Obentos, we all can’t get enough!  This is one of the few places I could eat at every single day and never get sick of it or feel guilty about it!  It’s clean, healthy and there’s enough variety to keep customers coming back for more.

Obentos’ salads are a little pricier than my previous favorite salad selections at Live Well Cafe and Jungbo Juice (previously known as Jambo Juice), but they are definitely worth the extra RMB 15-30. With their large salads ranging from RMB 40-70, you can choose from their 10 different options.  My personal favorites are their Firecracker Beef Salad with Spicy Jalapeno Ponzu Dressing (RMB 60) and their Seared Sashimi Tuna Nicoise Salad (RMB 70).

Obentos’ Outstanding Salads:

Large Fresh Tofu Salad with Sesame Dressing (RMB 48):

Mixed greens, cucumber, red & yellow cherry tomatoes, ohitashi, julianne carrot, sushi ginger, sunflower seeds, bonito flakes, white & black sesame seeds

Seared Sashimi Tuna Nicoise Salad with Miso Mustard Dressing (RMB 70):

Mixed greens, cucumber, red & yellow cherry tomatoes, red onion, long beans, Julianne red radish, soft boiled egg, white & black sesame seeds, oven roasted pumpkin seeds

Zen Chicken Salad with Ponzu Dressing (RMB 50):

Mixed greens, cucumber, red & yellow cherry tomatoes, julianne red radish, daikon shoots, julianne carrot, avocado, oven roasted pumpkin seeds

Firecracker Beef Salad with Spicy Jalapeno Ponzu Dressing (RMB 60):

Mixed Greens, Cucumber, red & yellow cherry tomatoes, julianne daikon, julianne carrot, red pickled ginger, daikon shoots, white & black sesame seeds

If you don’t think a salad is substantial enough for a meal, you can always try one of their bento boxes.  With 10 different selections ranging from RMB 46-78, each bento box comes with 3 different side dishes (like wasabi potato mash, braised root vegetables, kinpira lotus root & egg), and choice of steamed white rice, Obentos flavoured rice or their cleansing coleslaw salad (their flavoured rice is the best choice, followed by their cleansing coleslaw).  I highly recommend their Steamed Chicken Bento Box with Ginger Sesame Dip (RMB 56) which is both low in fat and calories.

Obentos Bento Boxes:

Braised Ginger Soy Pork (RMB 46) / Beef Sukiyaki (RMB 56)

Seared Sashimi Tuna (RMB 78) / Teriyaki Salmon (RMB 60)

Steamed Chicken (RMB 56)

Desserts:

Green Tea Panna Cotta (RMB 20) / Chocolate Tofu (RMB 20)  

Review of Obentos 本之味: Just west of The Place Cafe in Central Park, Unit 106-107, Bldg 9, Central Park, 6 Chaoyangmenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District, 朝阳区朝阳门外大街新城国际9号楼106-107室; Tel: 6597 0085, 6597 0223

Best Part:

• Super healthy, high-quality Japanese salads and bento boxes
• Popular lunch destination in Central Park
• Delivery  to CBD area starts just after October National Holiday!
• Obentos is so healthy, they even have healthy desserts!  Try their chocolate tofu or green tea panna cotta (RMB 20)
• Newly opened, Obentos is super clean and I love their design and take-away packaging. 

Comments:

• Lunchtime Special!  All large salads and bento boxes include a free miso soup or soft drink.
• It’s quick, casual so customers order at the counter and are given a number to receive their meal
• Customers can help themselves to complimentary hot tea and ice water. 
• Cashier always forgets to remind customers to take their own soft drinks/beer from the fridge (rather than bringing to customers)
• Lunch hours are super busy, so expect to wait for a table to open up unless you arrive before or after lunch rush (noon-1:00PM)

Rating: (on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being best)

• Food: 8
• Atmosphere: 7
• Service: 7
• Overall Experience: 8

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