Celebrate New Year in Barbie Style with This Limited Bento
Marie Moore
New Years in Japan is a very important time of year, in fact it is the MOST important time of year! Forget Japanese Christmas, New Years is when everyone has time off work, companies release cool expensive food like these gold leaf potato chips, and families get together and eat New Years cooking, also known as Osechi ryori.
But what is Osechi ryori you may ask, don’t worry we wrote a whole post explaining osechi ryori here! But essentially it’s the expensive and special food Japanese people only eat at New Years which is said to bring prosperity in the coming year!
Every year there’s always special collaborations for these osechi ryori, like this Hello Kitty one! And this year is no different with Barbie having teamed up with food company Itochi Shokuhin and Seibu and Sogo department stores to release this very special New Years osechi bento!
It comes with two layers packed with 32 different kinds of food in it! That’s enough to feed 2-3 hungry tummies! What makes it even more special is that the first layer contains very traditional Japanese New Year foods, whilst the second more western style food with broccoli and cranberry pork! Usually osechi ryori only contains the Japanese style cooking so this is a cool new take on Japanese New Years cooking!
The box is hand painted by artisans in Ishikawa prefecture, and the hot pink colour and Barbie logo really make it pop compared to the usual osechi boxes! What’s more is that it’s made from plastic which makes it more durable compared to its wooden counterparts, which means you can use it again and again!
What makes this osechi ryori bento even more special is the fact it comes with a limited edition (less than 20,000 in existence) Barbie doll! You can get the bento at Tokyo Seibu and Sogo department stores or online at Itochi Shokuhin’s store for 34,560 Japanese yen (Roughly US$310) and there’s only 330 sets available!
We’re sure many of you subscribed to our Japanese candy subscription box would love to try this, but sadly due to the perishable nature of the food inside it’s only available in Japan.
What do you think of this perhaps strange collaboration? Cool or just plain silly? Let us know in the comments!
Keep up with all fun foodie news coming out from Japan by following us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
Want to get a FREE Japanese candy box? Check out how to get one here!
Related articles
Japanese Chocolate Spolight: Amazing Ghana Truffles!
Get ready, chocolate lovers! Lotte is back with something extra special this season: Premium Ghana Chocolate Truffles! These little gems are pure luxury in every bite. They take the silky, rich flavor of Ghana chocolate and make it even dreamier with smooth textures and delicious fillings.
Aaron and Claire Show How to Make Chicken Nanban!
Aaron and Claire’s fried chicken recipe that brings the taste of Japan right into your kitchen. Juicy, crispy, sweet, tangy, and creamy all at once this one’s a total winner.
Japanese Pumpkin: the Cozy King of Fall Flavor
Pumpkin spice might take over the world every autumn, but in Japan, nothing says cozy quite like Japanese pumpkin. Known as kabocha, this squash is the true star of Japanese comfort food.
Yuzu Ramen: One of the Most Refreshing Dishes!
Yuzu ramen brings together noodles and broth with the bright, citrusy aroma of Japan’s beloved yuzu fruit. A modern favorite among ramen lovers, this dish is all about balance.
Oden: Why Should You Try This Amazing Winter Stew?
Oden is a beloved Japanese hot-pot dish that brings warmth to chilly days. It features a variety of ingredients simmered gently in a soy-flavored dashi broth. Each region of Japan molds the dish to its tastes, so traveling reveals new flavors and textures.
KFC Japan: One of Japan’s Most Popular Traditions
When it comes to fried chicken, KFC Japan is on a whole different level. Traditional Japanese food, such as ramen, sushi, and chankonabe, is still revered and super popular in Japan, but there’s a special place reserved in Japan’s stomach for fresh KFC. For some, the idea that KFC is a staple of Japanese culture...