BENTO EXPO: Season 8
Season 8 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of BENTO EXPO Season 7.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Episode Guide
Season 8 Progress Shield
Chirashi-zushi Peacock Bento & Glass Noodle Lion Bento
Apr 28, 2023 · 15 min
Today: animal-themed bentos. From Maki, glass noodles form the mane of an adorable lion. From Marc, an elegant peacock bento with lots of veggies. From Singapore, a bento featuring
Lemon-marinated Shrimp Bento & Lemon Chirashi-zushi Bento
May 12, 2023 · 15 min
Today: a special episode focusing on Hiroshima Prefecture. We meet local bento makers from West Africa, Malaysia, Vietnam and more. Marc and Maki make dishes with a Hiroshima speci
Onigiri Bento
May 26, 2023 · 15 min
Today: a beginner-friendly onigiri bento. Marc shares tips and guidance on how to make onigiri, or rice balls. From Misaki in Kanagawa Prefecture, a bento featuring a variety of tu
Tamagoyaki Bento
Jun 9, 2023 · 15 min
Today: a beginner-friendly tamagoyaki bento. Marc shares tips and guidance on how to make tamagoyaki, or rolled omelets. From Yanagawa in Fukuoka Prefecture, a bento featuring fres
Scallion Oil Chicken Bento & Salmon Piccata Bento
Jun 23, 2023 · 15 min
Today: Maki and Marc make bentos using just one pan. Marc prepares scallion oil and crispy chicken. Maki makes a salmon piccata and bacon rolls. From the Philippines, a bento featu
Katsu Curry Bento & Currywurst Bento
Jul 7, 2023 · 15 min
Today: appetite-boosting curry bentos. Marc prepares a bento of katsu curry. Maki makes a bento using currywurst sausages. From Yui in Shizuoka Prefecture, bentos featuring sakura
Vegan Shogayaki Bento & Japanese-style Tuna Pasta Bento
Jul 28, 2023 · 15 min
Today: bentos made with pantry staples. Marc prepares a soy meat shogayaki. Maki uses cans of tuna and corn to make a Japanese-style pasta. From South Korea, a market's unique bent
Rainbow Soboro Bento & Green Veggies and Chicken Sandwich Bento
Aug 11, 2023 · 15 min
Today: colorful bentos. Marc prepares a colorful soboro bento. Maki makes a sandwich bento with lots of veggies. From Daigo in Ibaraki Prefecture, a bento featuring a local variety
Salt-cured Salmon (Shiozake) Bento
Sep 8, 2023 · 15 min
Today: a beginner-friendly shiozake bento. Marc shares tips and guidance on how to prepare shiozake, or salt-cured salmon. From Hong Kong, a bento featuring a local favorite: XO sa
Chicken Kara-age Bento
Sep 22, 2023 · 15 min
Today: a beginner-friendly chicken kara-age bento. Marc shares tips and guidance on how to make chicken kara-age, a type of fried chicken. From Niigata Prefecture, a bento featurin
Acorn Onigiri Bento & Japanese-style Baguette Sandwich Bento
Oct 6, 2023 · 15 min
Today: bentos perfect for autumn picnics. Marc prepares onigiri shaped like acorns. Maki makes sandwiches with acorn decorations. From Yoshino in Nara Prefecture, a bento of sushi
Mushroom Rice Bento & Wrap and Roll Sushi Bento
Oct 20, 2023 · 15 min
Marc makes a fragrant autumn rice bento with lots of mushrooms. Maki rolls up a cute and colorful sushi bento. From Omori in Tokyo, a bento featuring nori, or sheets of dried seawe
Miso-glazed Pork Bento & Sweet Potato Korokke Bento
Nov 3, 2023 · 15 min
Today: a special episode focusing on Saitama Prefecture. We meet local bento makers from Indonesia and the US. Marc and Maki make dishes with Saitama specialties: sweet potatoes an
Salmon Rice Bento & Rice Burger Bento
Nov 17, 2023 · 15 min
Today, rice takes a starring role. Marc cooks rice and salmon in a single pot. Maki makes a rice burger with barbecued beef. From Kyoto Prefecture, an autumn bento featuring matsut
Miso Ramen Bento & Tonjiru (Pork Miso Soup) Bento
Dec 8, 2023 · 15 min
Today: tasty soup bentos with chef Ariga Kaoru. Together, our chefs whip up a variety of soup bentos featuring miso. We learn how to make a hearty pork miso soup, a miso ramen soup
Datemaki & Matsukazeyaki
Dec 22, 2023 · 15 min
Today, Marc and Maki team up to make a tiered bento to celebrate the new year. It's full of auspicious dishes! From Melbourne, a sandwich bento made with love.
Salmon Pita Bento & Good Luck Chicken Katsu Bento
Jan 19, 2024 · 15 min
Today: bentos to support students studying for entrance exams. Maki makes a lucky chicken katsu bento. Marc makes a salmon pita that can be eaten with one hand. From Kitakyushu, a
Peanut Fried Rice Bento & Peanut Tsukune Chicken Bento
Feb 2, 2024 · 15 min
Today: a special episode focusing on Chiba Prefecture, located near Tokyo. We meet local bento makers from Pakistan, Vietnam and Italy. Maki and Marc make bentos using peanuts, a C
Quick Omurice Bento & 10-minute Hamburg Bento
Mar 1, 2024 · 15 min
Today: bentos that can be made in just ten minutes. Maki makes a quick and easy Hamburg bento. Marc makes a fluffy and creamy omelet over ketchup rice. From Taiwan, delicious veget
Spring Blossom Chirashi-sushi Bento & Maki-maki Flower Bento
Mar 15, 2024 · 15 min
Today: a look at some popular bentos posted to our website. Maki and Marc make gorgeous spring-themed bentos. From Shizuoka Prefecture's Izu Peninsula, a bento that features the be