Eki-ben are probably the best known form of bento box. The term bento refers to a light meal served in a portable container, usually a compartmented lacquer box. The first bentos were created by tea masters who took the multi-tray arrangement of kaiseki and condensed it into a portable form. In the process they created another fixed style of dining. They are usually used for lunches. There are many types of bento. The ekiben, in which local produce of very high quality predominates, are sold at railway stations throughout Japan.
