Cute Ryan Inari Sushi Bento Box
Adorable Ryan Inari Sushi Bento Box for Kids
This is a charming Ryan-shaped Inari sushi bento box, perfect for your child’s spring picnic! It’s designed to be as delightful to look at as it is to eat.
Main Ingredients- 2 servings of cooked rice (warm)
- 3 sheets of seasoned fried tofu pockets (Inari age)
- 3 sticks of imitation crab meat (shredded)
- 1 packet of corn flakes (for a crispy texture)
- 1 slice of processed cheese (for Ryan’s ears and mouth)
- 2 slices of processed ham (for garnish on rice balls)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- Pinch of salt (for seasoning the rice)
Inari Tofu Simmering Sauce- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 cup water (approx. 100ml)
- 0.5 Tbsp fish sauce (for umami)
- 2 Tbsp corn syrup or oligosaccharide (for shine and sweetness)
- 2 Tbsp cooking sake or mirin (to remove any strong odors)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil (for the final aroma)
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 cup water (approx. 100ml)
- 0.5 Tbsp fish sauce (for umami)
- 2 Tbsp corn syrup or oligosaccharide (for shine and sweetness)
- 2 Tbsp cooking sake or mirin (to remove any strong odors)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil (for the final aroma)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare all the ingredients needed for your Ryan Inari sushi bento box. Ensure the rice is warm and the imitation crab meat is nicely shredded.
Step 2
In a bowl, combine the warm rice with the crispy corn flakes, 1 tablespoon of fragrant sesame oil, and a pinch of salt. Gently mix everything together using a spatula or spoon, being careful not to mash the rice grains. This step seasons the rice beautifully and ensures a lovely texture.
Step 3
Cut the Inari tofu pockets into bite-sized pieces. Briefly blanch them in boiling water for about 30 seconds to remove excess oil. Rinse the blanched tofu under cold water and gently squeeze out any excess water. Carefully open up the center of each pocket to create a pouch shape. Now, combine all the ingredients for the Inari simmering sauce (soy sauce, water, fish sauce, corn syrup, and sake) in a pot and bring to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, add the prepared tofu pockets and simmer over low heat until the sauce is reduced and slightly syrupy. Turn off the heat and stir in the final tablespoon of sesame oil for a wonderful aroma.
Step 4
Add the shredded imitation crab meat to the seasoned rice and mix gently. Incorporate the sushi vinegar (or a mixture of rice vinegar, sugar, and salt if you don’t have pre-made sushi vinegar) and mix carefully until the rice is evenly coated and slightly sticky. Now, fill each Inari tofu pocket with the seasoned rice, pressing gently. Arrange the Inari sushi in your bento box. Using kitchen scissors, cut out eyebrow and eye shapes from nori seaweed and attach them to the sushi. Use the processed cheese to create the ears and mouth, and you’ll have a charming Ryan-shaped Inari sushi!
Step 5
Let’s make some cute chick and strawberry decorations for the bento box! Peel the hard-boiled quail eggs. Prepare two small bowls: one with water mixed with curry powder, and another with water mixed with beet powder. Soak the peeled quail eggs in these colored waters for about 8 hours to give them a vibrant hue.
Step 6
Once the quail eggs have absorbed the colors beautifully, use black sesame seeds to create the eyes for the chicks. Fashion small beaks and combs from thinly sliced carrot and insert them into the eggs to complete the adorable quail egg chicks. For the strawberries, dot black sesame seeds onto the red-colored eggs to mimic strawberry seeds. Cut out small leaf shapes from lettuce and attach them to the top to create the strawberry effect!
Step 7
Arrange these delightful quail egg chicks and strawberries together in the bento box. They look so charming and cuddly when clustered together!
Step 8
We’ve also included some boiled broccoli florets and plain quail eggs alongside the decorated items. Serving them with a side of sweet and tangy gochujang sauce makes for a visually appealing and tasty addition.
Step 9
Finally, to complete the bento box, we’ve made some simple round rice balls. Decorate them with nori seaweed and slices of ham to add extra cuteness. Enjoy creating a fun and engaging mealtime experience for your child with these varied shapes and colors!
