How to Make Vegan Tsukune (Meatballs) Bento
A new bento favorite packed with the wholesome goodness of vegetables!
A healthy bento made with beans and vegetables. The soy-meat tsukune (meatballs) offers satisfying texture, while the two vegetable side dishes each use herbs to create a refreshing flavor.
Ingredients (Servings: 1)
Main Dish: Soy Meat Tsukune (meatballs) Teriyaki
rehydrated soy meat – 60 g (2.1 oz.)
white kidney beans (boiled, drained) – 80 g (2.8 oz.)
flour – 1 Tbsp
Kikkoman Soy Sauce – 1 tsp
cooking oil – 1 tsp
Teriyaki Sauce
Kikkoman Soy Sauce – 1 Tbsp
sake (cooking sake) – 1 Tbsp
sugar – 1/2 Tbsp
Side Dish 1: Salted Cucumber and Red Onion Dill Salad
cucumber – 20 g (0.7 oz.)
red onion – 20 g (0.7 oz.)
salt – a pinch
pepper – a pinch
dill – a pinch
Side Dish 2: Celery Cumin Salad
celery – 20 g (0.7 oz.)
cumin seeds – a pinch
vinegar – 1/2 tsp
salt – a pinch
olive oil – 1/2 tsp
To Serve
cooked rice – 150 g (5.3 oz.)
curly lettuce – 2 leaves
cherry tomatoes – 2
boiled broccoli – 2 florets
cucumber pickles – 2 pieces
Calories and Cooking Time
* Nutrition facts are for one serving.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare the Bento Dishes
- 1Cut the cucumber in half lengthwise, then slice it diagonally into thin pieces. Thinly slice the onion lengthwise, then cut the slices in half crosswise.
- 2Slice the celery into 5 mm (0.2 in.) pieces and place them in a bowl. Add a pinch of salt, 1/2 tsp vinegar, 1/2 tsp olive oil, and a pinch of cumin seeds, then mix well.
- 3In a separate bowl, combine the cucumber and onion from step 1 with a pinch of salt. Mix lightly and let sit for about 5 minutes.
- 4In another bowl, combine the white kidney beans and soy meat. Mash the beans with your hand while mixing them together.
- 5Add 1 tsp Kikkoman Soy Sauce to the mixture and combine. Then add 1 Tbsp flour and mix again. Divide the meat mixture into 4 equal portions.
- 6Heat oil in a fry pan over medium-low heat. Shape each portion of the meat mixture into an oval patty and place them in the pan. Cook for about 1 minute, then flip and cook for another minute.
- 7Turn off the heat. Add 1 Tbsp sake, 1/2 Tbsp sugar, and 1 Tbsp Kikkoman Soy Sauce. Return to slightly low–medium heat and coat the patties until the sauce thickens. Remove and let cool.
- 8Place the cucumber and onion from step 3 onto paper towels to drain excess moisture. Add a little pepper and sprinkle fresh dill over the top, cutting it with scissors as you add it.
Pack the Bento
- 1Fill half of one side of the bento box with rice and let it cool.
- 2Place a curly lettuce leaf along the border between the rice and the rest of the box.
- 3Fill half of the remaining space with the soy meat tsukune teriyaki.
- 4Add the celery cumin salad, then drizzle the dressing over it.
- 5Fill the empty spaces with cherry tomatoes and broccoli.
- 6Pack the salted cucumber and red onion dill salad right next to the cumin salad.
- 7Top the rice with cucumber pickles.
Tips for Packing a Beautiful Bento
With just a few easy tips, packing a bento can be fun, stress-free, and beautifully organized!
A Beginner’s Guide to Delicious Bento Recipes
“Bento” refers to Japan’s traditional lunch box. It typically includes rice, a protein, and vegetables, all neatly arranged in one container. Nutritious, colorful, and exciting to open—bento is something you can truly enjoy. Let’s get started!
- Related Information:
- What is Bento? A Beginner’s Guide to Delicious Bento Recipes
Recommended Vegan Recipes
About the Recipe Author
Yuko Ihara
Having lived in England and the U.S., Yuko Ihara is well-versed in a wide range of culinary genres. As a culinary researcher, she creates dishes for magazines and books, develops corporate menus, and also engages in product development and food consulting. She introduces easy-to-follow tips on how to make delicious food at home, emphasizing the importance of seasonality and healthful eating. When travelling, she loves to search for delicious vegetables and ingredients.
Instagram: @iharayukoo
