Odakyu Electric Railway’s flagship Romancecar limited-express trains currently consist of four different models, but the bright red GSE (70000 series) stands out as the most prominent, featuring the panoramic seats that have become synonymous with the Romancecar.
The “Romancecar GSE Bento” we’re introducing today is a station bento box shaped like this train. While it could be described as a children’s ekiben—a style often seen with JR Shinkansen trains—this product has been officially licensed by Odakyu Electric Railway. As a result, the reproduction of the train’s shape, body color, side stripes, and font is so faithful that even I, an adult writer, couldn’t resist buying one.
As for the contents of the bento box, the rice is ketchup rice that resembles the color of the car’s body, and the mixed vegetables are vibrantly colored. The seasoning on this ketchup rice is quite mild, which I personally like, but if you prefer a stronger flavor, you might want to add some of the included ketchup.
The side dishes include fried shrimp, fried chicken, hamburger steak, rolled omelet, ketchup-flavored spaghetti, and jelly for dessert—a classic lineup that even kids will enjoy. The large fried shrimp are generously filled with shrimp; they’re definitely not just big on batter. The fried chicken is well-seasoned with soy sauce. The hamburger steak is shaped like a cute star, a little touch designed with kids in mind. Since the seasoning is light, it’s best to eat it with the included ketchup.
When you eat these side dishes, spaghetti appears underneath. Unlike ketchup rice, this has a rich flavor reminiscent of the Napolitan spaghetti served at Western-style restaurants. While the bento box is predominantly brown and orange, the variety in flavor intensity ensures it doesn’t feel monotonous. The dessert is grape jelly.
While it’s a bit pricey for just a meal, the case—a slightly cute, stylized version of the GSE with its simple, beautiful form and bright red “Rose Vermilion” body color—is thick and sturdy, so I think it’s a perfectly acceptable souvenir for both the meal and the trip, even for adults.
© Source travel watch