1. To make a dog head, create a rice ball with your choice of filling and wrap seaweed around it. Also create 2 smaller rice balls to make ears of the dog.
2. To make the mouth, slice a little below the middle of the rice ball without cutting all the way through the bottom. Transfer to a bento box.
3. To create white facial hair, cut a slice of cheese with a cookie cutter or a knife as shown.
4. To create a white patch of hair, carve a slice of cheese into a little rectangle. Microwave a couple of seconds to soften for applying to curved head.
5. Apply the parts from step 3 and 4 on the dog head.
6. Create a bone shape by cutting a block of extra firm tofu.
7. Place the tofu bone in the dog’s mouth.
Lay ears on the bento box filler so as to attached to the head.
8. Place a black bean to create a nose. For eyes, cut 2 round circles using a slice of cheese. Do the same with a piece of nori seaweed and place on the round cheese.
Mayumi Johnston
Author of Japanese character bento blog, “Spice Up Your Life With a Taste of Japan” funbentobox.com. She has taught character bento classes at Whole Foods Market and Tokyo Central.
@funbentobox
