Sakiyoken, best known for its shumai, has been offering limited-time Shokado bento boxes featuring various seasonal themes. The summer 2026 version is the “Shokado Bento: Conger Eel Rice.”
On top of the brown rice sits a whole, simmered conger eel—the star of the dish. The brown rice is lightly seasoned, and the sweet-and-salty simmered conger eel is so long it doesn’t quite fit in the bowl, with the ends folded back. The flesh is plump, allowing you to fully enjoy the rich, distinctive flavor of conger eel.
There was a wide variety of side dishes. The “Fried Eggplant with Beef Simmered in Sudachi and Grated Daikon” had a rich, deep appearance, but contrary to its looks, the sudachi flavor came through strongly, giving it a refreshing taste. The “Corn Tofu with Corn Sauce” features fluffy tofu that really brings out the sweetness of the corn—personally, I found it to be a refreshing new flavor.
The “Simmered Winter Melon with Edamame in a Spicy Japanese-Style Minced Meat Sauce” had a surprisingly stimulating spiciness. The refreshing braised beef, the mild-flavored corn tofu, and the winter melon stew with its zesty kick—while all sharing a thick, creamy texture, each dish had its own distinct flavor, making for a delightful meal.
Two of the classic shumai. Their deliciousness needs no introduction. The slightly sweet thick omelet, the fluffy simmered lotus root, and the simmered pumpkin and carrots—while none of these dishes are flashy, they all offer an elegant flavor that truly brings out the best in the ingredients.
The “Chicken Tsukune Skewers with Ume Bishio,” which you can enjoy while savoring the chewy texture of the cartilage, and the “Sweet Pickled Daikon with Shiso,” with its crisp texture, both have refreshing flavors. The “Setouchi Lemon Warabi Mochi,” with its refreshing lemon zest and strong lemon peel flavor, tastes just like a Western-style dessert. They’re perfect as summer desserts and provide a refreshing way to end a meal.
With a lineup that typically features many simmered dishes, it’s perhaps rare to find a bento this refreshing. The “Shokado Bento: Conger Eel Rice,” which lets you enjoy a meal even when your appetite wanes during the sweltering heat, is available for a limited time only through August 31, so if you’re interested, be sure to get it soon.
© Source travel watch