Gourmet Meatless Monday Bento-yaki Boxes — Preorder for August 31st

Healthy eating just got a whole lot more exciting. On Monday, September 29th, I’m launching my gourmet Washoku Yaki-Grill Bento- a collaboration with Ohana Bento Creations that brings you the most unique, plant-based bento experience in Honolulu.

Each Bento-yaki box is 100% plant-based, and prepared with the same attention to quality I’d want for myself — because, honestly, I’ve never been able to find a fancy vegan lunchbox that checks all the boxes for health-conscious foodies. If you’re like me, you’ve probably been frustrated by the lack of gourmet, plant-based lunches that rely on refined oils, sugars, or mystery ingredients.

Hawai’i Washoku Bento with Tofu Spam & Quinoa Dash Oinari

Why These Bento-yaki Boxes Are Different

100% plant-based – Every vegetable is certified organic, sourced locally when possible, and prepared in a vegan kitchen.
Clean, Healthy Cooking Oils – I use only extra virgin olive oil and avocado oil for frying. No canola, no soybean oil, no junk.
Naturally Sweetened – The only sweeteners you’ll find here is monk fruit sugar, dates, maple, agave, date syrup. Zero refined sugar, zero guilt.
Collaboration with Ohana Bento Creations – These Bento-yaki Grill boxes are a game-changer. They let you enjoy the flavors of grilled food without the cross-contamination risks that can happen on shared outdoor grills. Vegans and vegetarians can finally enjoy a grilled-style meal in total confidence.

Black Bean, Black Lentil, Tofu & Flax Seed Meatballs with Chili, Garlic & Shiso Soba

What Is Bento-yaki?

It’s all-inclusive dining you can take anywhere—all you need is your appetite.

Seasonal Yaki-Grill Bento
Celebrate the rhythm of the seasons with this ever-changing bento, featuring the freshest ingredients available. No two Seasonal Bentos are ever quite the same, making each one a delicious surprise.

Every box includes:

🍴 Chopsticks & tongs for easy eating and grilling
🔥 Charcoal & matches to fire up your mini grill
🧤 Gloves & a charcoal extinguisher for safety and convenience
🍱 A built-in mini grill and five segmented sections for a beautiful, organized presentation
🍳 One dedicated grill section to cook or warm up your food right at the table, beach, or park

The Bento-yaki box design from Ohana Bento Creations is not only stunning, but practical: it keeps food fresh, flavors intact, and presentation gorgeous. It’s simply genius!

Plant-based Paradise Bento with 20 Veggies & Superfoods Lentil Mix

A Collaboration with Ohana Bento Creations

This exciting launch wouldn’t be possible without the creativity and vision of brothers Richard and Joey Yee, the founders of @ohanabentocreations. They are the ones who first brought the Yaki-Grill Bento concept to Hawai‘i, and I’m honored to collaborate with them to take it in a new direction.

Together, we’re introducing Hawai‘i to the world’s first all-plant-based Yaki-Grill Bento with a mission to bring Meatless Monday to the shores of Hawai‘i and inspire people to enjoy at least one plant-based meal each week. It’s a small but powerful step toward better health and a more sustainable future.

My Japanese Culinary Roots

I started my culinary career in Japan and spent 30 years living there, fully immersed in the art of Japanese cooking. My passion for creating balanced, beautiful meals led me to write the cookbook Hawai‘i Washoku, which teaches the principles behind Washoku — the traditional Japanese philosophy of harmony in food.

Every Bento-yaki box I create is guided by these principles. This isn’t just “white rice and a few side dishes” — each box is thoughtfully composed, restaurant-quality, and crafted with the same respect and attention to detail I would give in a fine dining kitchen. My mission is to nourish you from the inside out, with meals that honor the body, the senses, and the planet.

Holiday Specials Coming Soon

To make celebrations even more fun, I’ll also be releasing special holiday bentos:

Halloween Yaki-Grill Bento (October 31st) 🎃
Thanksgiving Yaki-Grill Bento (November 27th) 🦃
Christmas Yaki-Grill Bento (December 24th) 🎄

Each holiday box will be crafted with festive flair, perfect for parties, gatherings, and gifting. Surprise your friends and Ohana with a gourmet experience.

📦 How to Preorder

All Yaki-Grill Bentos must be preordered—they are made fresh and in limited quantities.

Cost: $52.25 (including tax) per bento
Pick-up Location: Downtown, Honolulu

For private functions (corporate events, parties, or celebrations), there is a minimum order of 10 bentos. You can choose from any of the four signature styles, and I’ll happily customize the menu to suit you and your guests, and any dietary preferences you may have.

To secure your bento, please contact Lillian directly. Preorders are required.