Chicken kara-age, tomato and shallot salad with sesame vinaigrette and rice with carrots and peas
So I’ve been getting bento inspiration from all over … But I must give credit where it is due. I first fell in love with the idea of bento this January, when I spotted “The Just Bento Cookbook” at a bookstore in Santa Cruz.
I was making my annual New Year’s pilgrimage to the coast and contemplating ways to bring new joys into 2011. And there it was, this book that I just couldn’t put down.
Since then, co-workers have gifted me books on bento, and I’ve found so many amazing bento-makers on the Web. It has been a pleasure cooking, learning and eating my way down this road.
So thank you, Makiko Itoh, for the inspiration. This bento’s for you!
Korean Hapa 
It’s beautiful!
Thanks, Sherimiya. 🙂
Hi there, Koreanhapa! I found you through Sherimiya’s twitter update, and I am also a Korean mother of two girls living in Toronto Canada! I just discovered bentos last September since my girls were having lunch at school, and am loving it as well. Anyways, I am also a huge DWTS fan, and found the link to Hines Ward on your site! I will definitely be rooting for him as I have a ton of friends with bi-racial kids. I do agree that Koreans are so prejudiced. Funny thing, too, I was also on Justbento.com and have yet to pick up the book. I am totally guilty of making lunches that do smile back at you – can’t help it! But will get the book soon. Happy bentoing, and hope we keep in touch! : )
Hi Tammy. Thank you so much for sharing. I hope to be making bentos for children one day like you! For now, I must be content sharing lunchtime joys with coworkers and friends. I have great respect for what Hines Ward is doing and feel honored that I can support his work in this tiny way. Koreans seem to have a love-hate relationship with hapas sometimes. I hope that will change in the future. And, of course, there are many Koreans who are truly accepting, and I feel lucky to have them in my life. Look forward to reading your blog! 😉 (That’s a “hapa smile.”)