How to Buy Extremely Cheap Bento Boxes in Seattle, Washington

Japanese Bento is a great and cost effective way to eat meals at work and school. Bento is served cold and usually comes in a plastic container with an assortment of rice, vegetables, meat and side dishes. For example, a tonkatsu bento includes breaded pork cutlet, Japanese-style spaghetti, vegetable medley, rice and half a boiled egg. There are a few Japanese grocery stores that carry bento boxes in the city of Seattle. However, the main Asian grocery store - Uwajimaya - is kind of expensive for people on a budget, and there is another alternative for those who do not like to spend all of their money at Uwajimaya. Bento boxes make a great lunch, as well as a cost effective dinner. If you are a on an extreme budget, there's a way to even get a cheaper bento box meal.

One of the best kept secrets in Seattle is the Maruta Shoten, which is a Japanese grocery store located in Georgetown. Maruta has an amazing deli that is always stocked with tempura, hamburger steak, fried cod and garlic chicken wings. They also have a cold deli that serves kimchi, macaroni salad, soba, cold spaghetti and other vegetable dishes. On any given day around 5:00 pm, you will see hoards of people come to Maruta and may wonder what the mad rush is all about. Here's the secret, after 5:00, Maruta discounts all of their bento boxes and sushi items up to 50% off. This means that a large bento that was $8 is now priced at $4. Most bento boxes are priced around $5.50 and a 50% discount will reduce the price to $2.75. $2.75 for an entire meal is ridiculously cheap! Many people say that there is a correlation between the taste and the cost of a product. However, do not fear as the bento boxes are extremely delicious, large and cheap.

Keep in mind that many people come here to get the cheap bento boxes and that many of the items will be picked over if you get there around 5:30. There is a limit of 5 items per person. Maruta is located in Georgetown on the corner of Carleton Ave. and Bailey St. It is advisable to get there right at 5:00 pm to get the best selection of 50% bento and sushi selections.

Sources(s)

Yelp Editor. "Maruta Shoten - Georgetown - Seattle, WA." yelp.com