Back to school lunch ideas

My oldest is going to kindergarten this fall and that means packed lunches. I am now brainstorming and trying out different meals for him. I am inspired by the Japanese bento style of eating. 

This is what I found in the Japanese supermarket. Genmai Inari (brown sushi rice encased in tofu);
I paired it with 'baby mushrooms' fried in butter. The only way my picky vegetable eater would consume tomatoes and cucumbers is to have it in a sandwich. This time, I rolled tomatoes, cucumber, sliced chicken and a touch of hoisin sauce with rice paper rolls. The boys were intrigued with the rice paper. When you buy it in the supermarket, it so stiff like paper and when you damp it with water, it becomes rice skin! It's almost like a science experiment. Needless to say, the rice paper rolls were a surprising hit with the boys. You never know until you try.

For dessert, I got chocorooms (little chocolate mushrooms) They are delicious and reminds the boys of the little mushrooms in Fantasia.

Watch this space for more lunchbox ideas!