Self Heating Bento
I've heard of these self heating foodstuffs like instant noodles and cans of tea but have still yet to see one I think. Wormgear has some details of one he played with the other day.
Original text from wormgear below.
Yesterday I was riding the Tohoku Shinkansen from Sendai to Tokyo. I got hungry so I decided to have ekiben (Eki Bento - Eki = Station, Bento = lunchbox). This particular ekiben was totally incredible! Inside the box were tender and delicious slices of beef tongue on top of a bowl of fluffy rice with some pickles on the side. It was very good! What made this bento so amazing, though, is the fact that it heated itself up!!! As you can see from the instructions, you just pull the string from the bottom of the box and it starts working. Within about 3 seconds, there was steam shooting out the corners of the box-- it got so hot that a little bit of the price tag started to turn black (you can see that in the lower corner there). After letting the bento sit for about 5 minutes, there's a nice, hot lunch ready to eat!! I have never seen anything like it-- it's amazing.
Check out my blog to see more! There is a close-up of the instructions there.
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Dirty Gentleman
http://cantstanzya.wordpress.com/
Have you checked if you glow in the dark after eating?
browsing the nets
http://otakuposts.blogspot.com/
lol. awesome reply. you're on a roll today i see.
Pokemon master
http://thecococafe.wordpress.com/
Oooh! I want one!
Student, part-time slave
http://yakuri.wordpress.com/
Most epic bento EVAR.
Part time student, part time worker, full-time geek.
Reminds me of the instant heating ramen in the Cowboy Bebop movie a few years back. ^_^ Pretty cool this stuff is starting to get made.
Web Engineer
That certainly rings a bell, those poor bounty hunters had to depend on this technology... Not very environmentally friendly though.....
Its all about living in the future now.
Sure as hell beats beer and cereal.
Computer Science Student
http://gnuoykun.bebo.com
I'd love to have some of those ^^
No more NEET, enineering student now...g
http://saiseki.blogsome.com/
Cool! Would love to try it someday^^;; seems kind of dangerous though
大学生
http://justaskeikaku.net23.net
Doesnt seem too bad for 1100 yen!
Student
http://noviceotaku.wordpress.com
Wow, that's interesting, any idea how it works?
student
http://zephi-san.deviantart.com/
Some exothermic chemical reaction. Pull the string which separates a barrier between the 2 or more chemicals. When mixed produces heat.
university film student | ecchikid | the Archivist
http://www.vimeo.com/longhim
Yup, sounds right. Makes me wonder what chemicals they use, though. It'd be something stable, since it's food ans has to be safe. Wonder how long the shelf life for one of these is. Can't be too long if the meat tastes tender and relatively fresh.
Programmer
http://www.nowloading.co.uk
Usually sodium chloride solution and something like sodium nitrate, ammonium iodide, ammonium sulfamate, etc. Relatively harmless stuff (but you still wouldn't want to ingest it). I used to buy cans of self heating Nescafe and they had the reactants on the side of the can.
Pre-U Student
http://wakuwakusuru.zeroclipse.net
Something like hot packs I think.
Software Quality Engineer
http://brotherwormgear.blogspot.com/
I believe that to be correct!
University's Slave
That's my guess too, though I don't know enough chemistry to guess exactly what chemicals. Something relatively non-toxic, I would hope!
Underdog Artist, Outcast to the Society, Tetsuya Nomura art fan
yeah you're right about that. It could be dangerous if the manufacturing had a mistake on those bentos.
Student, Bioresearch Assistant, WAVE VP Communications
http://gndynames.wordpress.com
The actual heating part won't be a problem. I'd be more worried if the food as contaminated or soemthing.
Space Pirate
This is one of the things you'll see on the news soon.
Exploding bento's.
Underdog Artist, Outcast to the Society, Tetsuya Nomura art fan
I'm afraid it might be used as a new bombing technique for terrorists.
Ninja / Engineer / Sensei / 魔法少女 (What!?! I can't be, I'm a guy...)
I was thinking something alone those lines too. You could even use it to hurt people in rare occasions.
"On today's news, local man assaults another man with self-heating bento. The victim suffered burns and is currently in the hospital."
University's Slave
LOL. I just had this mental image of this guy on a train, popping his bento open, and it goes POP. He's covered in warm liquid and food, and everyone looks up for a moment like, "Huh? Oh, it's just an exploding bento."
Delivery Driver | Semi-student
http://www.soulfringe.com/
" The victim, when interviewed, had this to say"
"Gochisou-sama"
Engineer
@soulfringe: lol at the victim
大学生
Won't you need some violent chemicals to produce that much energy to make it steam in 3 secs?
浦の引き篭り
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/3219/haruhimemew.gif
As long as they're not noxious, it would be ok for me :p
Designer / Visual Editor
http://www.youtube.com/user/ImperialPimp
Yup, used to get the self-heating coffees in a can all the time...
Student
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kmyk88
ooooooo that sounds really cool, thanks for sharing :)
Hikikomori in the making
http://supermariabros.deviantart.com/
Wow... No need for hot boiled water LOL
Nekophilia
It turned the price tag black.. Sounds a bit dangerous to me.
Student, part-time Haruhi wannabe (that bit about godhood etc)
http://www.aprilius20.com
lol... sounded a little like walking around with a time bomb set to 5 minutes, eh?
Underdog Artist, Outcast to the Society, Tetsuya Nomura art fan
Wow! Simple, sleek and ready to eat! X3
Pseudo-Graphic Designer, 触手 wrangler, H-Man
http://lightningsabre.blogspot.com/
Mmm... beef tongue! Sounds yummeh! That's a very futuristic product. Hope they'll replicate it more often :)
Student
http://anime.scripts.mit.edu/miteiru/
That is so neat! Wow i'm amazed :'O!
US Navy Sailor
http://punynari.wordpress.com/
Dang, that is wild. I'll have to try that next time I take the Shinkansen.
Number Cruncher
http://anarmyofzakus.blogspot.com/
it should be safe. i think i've used something similar (the heating reaction) while camping.
Student
http://andreijournal.blogspot.com
Whoa. I would like to try one of that.
Polytechnic Junior, Bronze Lifesaving Trainee, Mech Designer In-training.
http://thehangerbay.wordpress.com/
They should pack these for soldiers in the field. XD
流浪人
The heating technology is used in current U.S. MRE (Meals Ready to Eat)... ^^
Mechanical Engineering student
http://sabekujikaneda.multiply.com/
Nice! Alas, the AFP doesn't have those I think. According to my dad, our soldiers do it the old fashion way XD
Student/Part-time Philosopher/Building a blog
http://otakucy.wordpress.com
When going out in the field you are given rations for 48hours that do not require heating. After that you'd prolly need to warm up something xD
Polytechnic Junior, Bronze Lifesaving Trainee, Mech Designer In-training.
http://thehangerbay.wordpress.com/
So... do they taste good after heating? XD
流浪人
Depends on which one you get... ^^;
http://pantsukudasai.deviantart.com/
Aaah, the MREs. I've had a taste of the recent versions personally. Spagetti, Vanilla shake-thing, Crackers, Tabasco Sauce, Condiments, and Bread.
--
The earlier versions of these were AKA 3 Lies in a Bag.
It's not a Meal (Although 2000 Calories per pack, it's not a whole lot of food.)
It's not Ready (Have to heat it up, mix it, etc.)
It's not Edible (Early versions of MREs tasted horrible, apparently.)
--
Interesting fact:
You can make weapons out of these MREs =)
Albeit small and not very effective weapons, it's better than nothing if you're unarmed and this is all you got. I won't go into how to make'em but you should a general idea.
BioResearch Assistant
Earlier MRE's weren't bad actually. They usually contained liquid-paste meals that you just tear and pour onto a big cracker or eat straight from the packet. It wasn't bad.
A couple of my uncles were in the Air Force and would send us boxes full of MRE's. They were great for quick camping trips. And we never ran out of those very tiny bottles of Tabasco sauce either...
http://pantsukudasai.deviantart.com/
Liquid-paste meals... that doesn't sound very appetizing. I think I more understand the "Not a Meal" part now.
As for taste, to each their own I suppose. But from what I've heard, the majority don't agree.
The spagetti I've had tasted like cheap school cafeteria food. Which wasn't bad what so ever, but it wasn't anything to go crazy over.
http://quentinlau.blogspot.com
Hahah you beat me to it ^^
I'm slightly surprised that it's available to civillians already. I wonder how they are like though.
Civil Engineer, 토목 기사
In the Infantry we just learn to eat the MRE's cold.
The heating element, a 1 liter bottle and some duct tape are a better use of this technology. ;P
流浪人
We did that during field exercises with the officer trainees. Scared the heck out of them... ^^
Student
Kind of waste for our army since the field rations sucks even after they r cook. Someone in my batch once commented that it was the idea competitor against pedigree
Polytechnic Junior, Bronze Lifesaving Trainee, Mech Designer In-training.
http://thehangerbay.wordpress.com/
Got to taste some of 'em recently. I think the only good ration was some o' that mutton my dad brought back more than a decade ago. XD
Student/ Everyday Otaku
http://bazango.deviantart.com/
That's pretty neat. Around this time last year, I had a can of hot chocolate that worked somewhat like this. You had to peel this tab, and then shake the can and within a few seconds you'd have hot chocolate at your fingertips.
product design prop maker
yum yum. just like the MRE that is use to have but better taste.
former Emperor of Britannia
http://reflectiarx.wordpress.com/
Hot bento and self-heating!
Genius! if only we could get our hands on those things =D
Dropping computers, starting all over again at Journalism
http://xspblog.com
I heard about this, but never saw anything that actually used it.
Chemical reactions ain't it? Same stuff that goes on those pocket heaters...
In my trip to japan, those pocket heaters really helped on colder days...
Catgirl Trainer.
http://www.phenie.com
That seems pretty useful... although it looks a bit small for that price?
It's around double the bentou price I'm used to...
College Student, Fansubber, Freelance Web Forum Admin
http://myanimelist.net/profile/Piroko
That is awesome! I hope they'll get imported state-side. I wouldn't hesitate to try them out!
Student
http://www.myspace.com/alexwatkiss1991
Wow its amazing what we have used science for .... although i doubt this is any good for the enviroment in all honest.
Electrical Engineering Fresh Graduate
do they use chalk powder? just pour water in chalk and it will smoke some hot steam...
saw those in anime titled "born to cook" when i was a kid ^^
ダメ人間, ひきこもり
but 1100 is kinda expensive >.<
vendor
http://www.friendster.com
Nice and easy to eat some heated bento, I looks no chemical reaction inside and how do that food do produce some heat by pulling a string?
http://yuuwaku.wordpress.com
that's...awwwwwesome! I really want to see one in action now lol.
Wasn't there a self-heating cup ramen in Cowboy Bebop or something like that? Or I'm pretty sure I saw it in *some* anime, just can't remember exactly which one lol.
Lurker, and part time super-villian.
http://burfordus.wordpress.com
Tis witchcraft I tells ya, witchcraft!
Mechanical Engineering student
http://sabekujikaneda.multiply.com/
LOL I'll buy several of these just to keep myself entertained! XD
Moe Hunter
http://moehunter.wordpress.com/
Sounds awesome, but now I'm really hungry. Food when travelling is usually rubbish, looks like you had a nice surprise.
大学生
Would be cool if there were an endothermic version of this. Make our desserts / drinks cold on the spot!
student
http://zephi-san.deviantart.com/
They do have it. Here's some info on instant drink cooler.
http://www.doubleagent.com/article/the-instant-cool-can
大学生
Wow. That's cool. 16.7C drop in 3 mins. That company would make it big if they get a working patent out there.
Reminds me of the cybotic limbs from Cyberdyne. Damn I want one!
student
wow thats awesome!!!!
College Student
That is a pretty cool idea to have a self heating lunch box, wonder how it works, anyone know? The idea of chemicals heating up sounds off putting haha. Anyway not sure about prices in other countries but ¥1100 for some station food is pretty expensive, not like a restuarant meal or anything, even at today's converstion rate it is about £6.90! Would you pay for that?
student
http://www.the economy destroyed it.no joke.
wish e had stuff like that in america,
it'd sell like crazy in the high school cafeteria!
i am JEALOUS..
Fashion design studient
http://martini-cat.blogspot.com/
thats yummy? xD
宅男军人/otaku soldier
http://otakurean.com
this kind of stuff have been going around for many years already just that the idea never took off.
Programmer Trainee
http://jointsareokay.blogspot.com
Haha if it's healthy then I'd love to try that!
Physical Therapist
http://www.flyingpussyfoot.com
Sounds like pretty cool thing to have when your on tour and need something warm fast.Id be concerned about the chemicals used in the process tough.Its probably cheaper and safer to do it oldschool
http://nopybot.com
It only uses water and limestone to heat the food, neither of which are harmful.
http://nopybot.com
correction: limestone that has been calcined to remove carbon and oxygen (CaO)
Physical Therapist
http://www.flyingpussyfoot.com
Thanks for the Info! ^_^
Pilot
anyone noticed the "AUSSIE" logo at the bottom right hand corner? Does it have anything to do with Australia? hmmm =/
Pilot
eh i meant bottom left hand corner XD
staying up late is taking its toll
IT Related / Self-claimed Otaku / SOS Brigade
http://www.youtube.com/ultimaweaponxx
1100yen is way too expensive for a bento, i think
medicine student & otaku
WOOOOOAAAA ONLY IN JAPAN MAN!!!! that's weird 1st thing that crossed my mind while reading it was THAT'S AWESOME........HOW DOES IT WORK?? XDD anyway, YES! best answer would be MIXED CHEMICALS unless it carries a device that turn water into steam NOOO i don't think so.
ANYWAY THAT'S REALLY COOL I'M SOOO AMAZED! O.O
medicine student & otaku
heyy i found a videoo!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OdMtr9UlKc
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
http://puppy52art.com/
Wow!!!! That's so cool :P I want a bento nao ^^;;;;; (even a regular one would be nice ^^;)
Artist in training
http://hiddenryuu.blogspot.com/
I think it's not chemical reaction. Most likely it's like the theory on instant rice (Just add cold water to get hot rice).
I believe it has to do with the package being compressed in high pressure, so when you open it to balance the huge pressure inside a lot of the energy becomes heat and heats up the meal.
http://akari-nyan.deviantart.com/
Oooh gotta' try this one day...=w=''
grade grubber
http://gordanham.wordpress.com/
that's cool but wierd
I wonder how it works
Engineering and Sales
It's cool but, for 1100 yen I would not make it a daily occurrence.
Student
I've tried similar Self Heating Bento before, its chemical reactions that produce heat lol, nowadays theres microwave at home or at the office, i don't see the point, usually these self heating food taste horrible lol, rather MickeyDs than self heating food xD
Student
i should say my impression on self heating food sucks because it was frozen xD
http://nopybot.com
I just looked up the patent info for that. It's so amazingly simple that I wish I had thought of it. The patent was also only filed a few years ago :(
Grocery Store Clerk
proably like those military ready eat meals with a heating pack in it.
I had one before it was alright.
24/7 Otaku / 100% Haruhiist
http://www.zeroaquaduct.com
Sounds cool to try, but I probably won't buy it long-term, unless I don't have access to a microwave or something. There are microwaves at work, at home, and even at the campus cafeteria, so it's more of a "want" than a "need."
Limousine Driver
We have this self heating hot chocolet in Philadelphia. Works well and the drink tastes good but you can't put the self heating container on a flamable surface during heating or it may burn.
Software Quality Engineer
http://brotherwormgear.blogspot.com/
Hmmmm.... Let me try and respond to some of the questions/comments.
First-- I'm honoured you decided to hijack this post, Danny! I certainly enjoyed sharing this with everyone.
Yes-- The food inside of the bento was extremely fresh and delicious. There were no noxious or chemical qualities to the food at all. I imagine they must be packed and sold relatively quickly; it certainly wasn't highly preserved food like in those MREs.
I, too, think it was a little expensive, but after the train-vendor explained what it was, I could not resist it! I certainly wouldn't buy these for routine consumption, but when you're a gadget-loving person who's at the start of a 2-hour train ride and you're hungry, this really hits the spot! I would certainly buy another one sometime. ^^
Next time, I'll make a video so you can see it in action.
Kawaii Pink Stuffs FanGirl, Cat Lover, Otaku, MP3 Hunter, Matcha & Afternoon Milk Tea Addict.
http://lethiachan.blogspot.com
I want to try that !!! XD its seems an interesting meal & i'd love to try beef tongue with rice, must be yuummy !!
but cant really buy this all the time though, cuz quite ex for a take-away bento ^^;
Otari Vader, Sith Lord for Hire, will fillet Makoto Itou for free
http://coffeebugg.blogspot.com/
Now that would work well as K-Rations for the army. I'm going to get me some of those on my trip to Japan.
Daigakusei [Consular and Diplomatic Affairs]
http://dixinfernal.wordpress.com
all i can say is WOW!
Trendspotter Busybody Mercenaries
http://spectreoutreach.blogspot.com
MUST TRY IT SOMEDAY!
???Confused???
nice...hot meal that can be prepared anywhere anytime...
student
http://www.gunpla-inochi.com
That is freakin' awesome... though I bet I'll never see that here in the US.
Student
http://musou-enrai.deviantart.com/
Oh, man! I'm starting to drool and I'm hungry! Let's just put the beef tongue away.
Passerby
http://jitokun.wordpress.com/
Reminds me of an old cooking anime called 'Mr Ajikko' which I watched last time. One of the episodes talked about self heating bento. If I didn't remember wrongly, their method is using a sharp-pointed stick to pierce into a bag of liquid inside the bento to reheat it.
Very handy. I guess the food is already pre-cooked. The self heating just heat it up.
死神 (Part-time)
Only in Japan.
The Japanese will own the world soon with their technology.
I could use a self-heating Nissin Pork-Bone-Flavored cup noodle right about now. Mmmmm.
Student
http://konadora.wordpress.com
Actually there's alot of those in Korea too.
Graphic Design student | Receptionist | Otaku
http://sukidesho.blogspot.com/
Oh~ It remeinds me of a 'self-heating' hot chocolate I bought on camp a few years back. You shake the cup and it heats! I wish it was still available ;_;
Physics Student
The American military force first adopted this food technology a few years back too.They have such self heating instant food for soldiers at war so they don't have to cook and waste time on it.I watched it in Discovery Channel...
Student
http://konadora.wordpress.com
Yea, and I remembered there was one type that you just had to pee on it and it'll be ready to eat.
Wow, would love to try this kind of bento..
Future civil engineer, amateur artist and animator
Japanese's technology is just too amazing. No other country is compatible to Japan when it comes to technology.
IT-Technician, sole proprietor
http://www.chrizu.se/blog
Haha okay, I know what I'm gonna get for the long trainrides this summer. :P
iCafe Manager
It's like Japan is 3 technology generations ahead of us.
Grocery Store Clerk
Sounds like some military ready eat meal with the heating packs.