Japanese News
Cooking Lesson Report - Making Obento
Year 12 Japanese Continuers Course
After the Trial Exam, the Year 12 Japanese Continuers course students experienced making an obento (Japanese lunch box). For the first step, they learnt some rules in making the obento, then they researched typical dishes for the obento and prepared them at home before the lesson. Everyone was expected to bring at least one side dish for the obento lesson. Then, they designed their obento by themselves using the prepared dishes. Everyone made cute, delicious and unique obento for lunch on the day. Well done!
Ms Mariko Suzuki
Leader of Learning - Langauges
I learnt that a bento has to be colourful and that it usually consists of the colours white, green, red, brown and others. I would describe the bento as an all-in-one lunch as it typically consists of starch (like rice or noodles), protein, and assorted vegetable and fruit side dishes; we ate mandarins at the end of our bento lunch.
In terms of presentation, no. My obento looked horrible, but it tasted wise and delicious. I would eat again. The Japanese green tea helped with refreshment and cleansing of the palate.
Mark Carpio (Year 12 Japanese Continuers)
From this lesson, we experienced first-hand the beauty of what a typical lunch box would consist of for those of Japanese culture. We learnt of the many different types of obento you can make, each expressing characteristics of the person who made it. As a result of this lesson today, we have been provided proficient insight into what a typical Japanese bento consists of and how to make one.
As this was my first bento I am really proud of how it turned out. Trying to compete with my classmates to see who could make the best bento was enjoyable as we were able to come together as a class over something we all had interests in. Overall I am happy with the way my bento turned out even though it wasn’t the best in the class.
Thyrone Henderson (Year 12 Japanese Contineurs)
Obento is quite interesting when you understand the full thought process into putting one together as you must consider factors like colours and the types of foods included in it. So overall it was an enjoyable lesson that furthered my understanding of Japanese culture.
I highly enjoyed the obento I made today. Mainly because it looked nice so it entices you to want to eat it. I enjoyed all the food that we each had made to include in our obento. I would definitely do it again and recommend it to other students who take Japanese in the future.
Mia Lovering (Year 12 Japanese Contineurs)