Kawaii!! Kyaraben –  Koinobori Bento

Koinobori are Japanese colorful carp windsocks.The carp is a symbol of strength and success in Japan.

The Japanese hang these windsocks outside for Children’s Day (May 5^th) to bring good luck for their kid’s health and success.

One set of windsocks usually comes with 3 sizes.
The big one symbolize father, the medium one mother and the small one child.

1. Make a Japanese omelet or use a store-bought one.

2. Make 3 different sizes of oblong shapes by slicing a cucumber, omelet and red pepper.  Also cut the right side end as shown to create tails for the fish.

3. Make 3 small rice balls in sizes that match up well with the fish pieces.  

4. Make long thin strips with a sheet of nori seaweed as shown.

6. Create round eyes by poking a slice of cheese with a straw and other parts by cutting from a piece of nori seaweed with a seaweed puncher or scissors.

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