Japanese iteration of a single-portion take-out or home-packed meal, often for lunch. A traditional bento typically includes rice or noodles with fish or some other meat, often with pickled and cooked vegetables in a box. Japanese homemakers often spend time and energy on carefully prepared box lunches for their spouses, children, or themselves. The increased popularity of bento and its term can be traced back to the 12th century during the Kamakura period, to be carried to work.