[2026] Top 5 Recommended Ekiben (Train Station Bento Boxes) You Can Buy at JR Okayama Station | Local Writer's Tasting Review

This time, we'll introduce five recommended ekiben (train station bento boxes) selected by a local writer who actually tasted them.

• Table of Contents
• 1. Enjoy a luxurious taste of Okayama's traditional cuisine! "Premium Matsurizushi "
• 2. Enjoy Okayama's brand beef, "Bizen Kurogyu"! "Nikumeshi Bento "
• 3. Enjoy Okayama's famous seafood sushi all at once! "Tabi no Kobako "
• 4. Savor Okayama's two major local delicacies! "Okayama Specialties: Ebimeshi & Demi-Katsudon"
• 5. A collection of Okayama's famous dishes! "Okayama Specialty Foods Galore"
• Summary | Where to buy ekiben (train station bento boxes) at JR Okayama Station

1. Enjoy a luxurious taste of Okayama's traditional cuisine! "Premium Matsurizushi "

Miyoshino Honten that began selling ekiben (station bento boxes) at Okayama Station when it opened in 1891. The first item we'll introduce is the " Premium Matsurizushi ," which was revived to commemorate the 135th anniversary of Okayama Station bentos. Matsurizushi is a traditional local dish from Okayama, made by combining seafood and vegetables with vinegared rice, and is also known as Okayama Barazushi.

While regular "Matsurizushi" comes in a cute peach-shaped container, "Premium Matsurizushi " uses a square container reminiscent of a traditional Japanese tiered bento box. The ingredients include shrimp with heads on, thick shiitake mushrooms, mantis shrimp, baby octopus, as well as Spanish mackerel, small fish called Mamakari (Vinegared Fish) , clams, and conger eel, all essential to Okayama 's food culture. Only "Asahi Rice" from Okayama Prefecture is used, and each batch is carefully cooked individually. The vinegar used is from " Mannen Su ," a long-established company in Setouchi City , Okayama Prefecture Prefecture, resulting in traditional vinegared rice. Although it is more luxurious than regular " Matsurizushi," when I actually tasted it, I was impressed by its refreshing and elegant flavor. In particular, the well-seasoned clams were my favorite. Please enjoy the traditional taste of Okayama.

Miyoshino Honten"Premium Matsurizushi" Official Website

2. Enjoy Okayama's brand beef, "Bizen Kurogyu"! "Nikumeshi Bento "

Next, we'll introduce the " Nikumeshi Bento" and "Bizen Kuroushi Croquette " from " Meat Hashiguchi, " a butcher shop that operates in Okayama Prefecture.

If you're looking for a delicious bento box featuring beef, this is highly recommended. It uses Bizen Kurogyu, a brand of beef from Okayama Prefecture . This bento box is substantial and allows you to fully enjoy the deliciousness of the beef. The simple seasoning allows you to taste the natural flavor of the meat, which is my favorite point. The pickled ginger served as a side dish also adds a nice accent to the flavor. If you want to eat a little more, I also recommend the Bizen Kuroushi Croquette. A croquette is a popular Japanese dish made by coating ingredients such as potatoes in batter and deep-frying them. It's perfect for when you're feeling a little hungry, and this is another delicious item that allows you to fully enjoy the flavor of the beef.

Meat Hashiguchi Official Website

3. Enjoy Okayama's famous seafood sushi all at once! "Tabi no Kobako "

Next up is a sushi bento box featuring seafood. It's a product from "Azuma Sushi," a shop located in " Sun Station Terrace Okayama, " a commercial facility directly connected to Okayama Station. While they sell a variety of sushi, this time we chose the " Tabi no Kobako ," which allows you to enjoy the unique flavors of Okayama all at once. This bento box contains nigiri sushi made with Okayama's specialty vegetables, Yellow Chives (Okayama Specialty)(yellow chives grown under shade), Spanish mackerel, and Mamakari (Vinegared Fish), as well as Okayama Barazushi , a local dish.

This luxurious combination allows you to enjoy both nigiri sushi and chirashi sushi made by a sushi specialty shop at the same time. It's visually appealing, has an elegant taste, and you can really taste the freshness of the seafood. The sushi toppings are thick and satisfying. Plus, it's a nice touch that it includes Kibi Dango , a soft mochi confectionary that is a specialty of Okayama , as a dessert. Since this product contains seafood, please follow the storage instructions and expiration date indicated on the package and enjoy it as soon as possible after purchase.

Azuma Sushi Official Website

4. Savor Okayama's two major local delicacies! "Okayama Specialties: Ebimeshi & Demi-Katsudon"

For those who want a hearty meal, we recommend Miyoshino Honten's "Okayama Specialties: Ebimeshi & Demi-Katsudon." This ekiben (train station bento box) lets you enjoy two popular local dishes from Okayama all at once.

"Ebimeshi (Shrimp Rice)" is a local Okayama dish made by stir-frying rice with a special sauce made from caramel sauce, ketchup, and curry powder, and adding ingredients such as shrimp. It is characterized by its dark brown rice and is usually topped with thinly sliced ​​omelet called "kinshi tamago". On the other hand, "Demi-katsudon (pork cutlet rice bowl with demi-glace sauce)" is a popular Okayama dish where pork cutlet called "tonkatsu" is placed on top of rice and covered with demi-glace sauce. Both are rice dishes, so they are very filling. The seasoning is also robust and satisfying. Personally, I found the balance between the sweetness of Ebimeshi (Shrimp Rice) and the saltiness of Demi-katsudon (pork cutlet rice bowl with demi-glace sauce) to be exquisite, and I enjoyed it without getting tired of it until the very last bite. If you want to try two of Okayama's representative local dishes at once, be sure to give them a try.

5. A collection of Okayama's famous dishes! "Okayama Specialty Foods Galore"

For those who want to sample a variety of Okayama's specialty dishes, we recommend "Okayama Specialty Collection." As the name suggests, this bento box allows you to enjoy a variety of Okayama's unique cuisine all at once.

This bento box was developed through a collaboration between the long-established Miyoshino Honten, Okayama Prefectural Okayama High School, and the Chugoku-Shikoku Regional Agricultural Administration Office of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. It is packed with dishes associated with Okayama, such as fried chicken, demi-glace pork cutlet, Ebimeshi (Shrimp Rice) , Kibi Dango rice, Matsurizushi , sticky rice, grilled Okayama mackerel with white soy sauce sauce, and kibi dango (millet dumplings). With just this one box, you can enjoy a variety of Okayama's famous dishes. It is also recommended if you are unsure what to buy. You can enjoy a variety of flavors, from meat dishes and fish dishes to rich and light flavors, making it fun to eat. Since the dishes are individually packaged, it is also good to share and enjoy them little by little with your companions. It is a fun bento box that will be a memorable part of your trip to Okayama.

Summary | Where to buy ekiben (train station bento boxes) at JR Okayama Station

This time, we introduced five recommended ekiben (train station bento boxes) from JR Okayama Station that allow you to enjoy ingredients and local cuisine typical of Okayama .

On the second floor of the South Building of " Sun Station Terrace Okayama ," a commercial facility directly connected to JR Okayama Station, you'll find " Tabibento Ekiben Nigiwai," a specialty bento shop (open 7:00-20:30). They sell not only Okayama bento but also bento from all over Japan, so be sure to find your favorite. There is also another bento shop, "Okayama Ekiben," inside the Shinkansen ticket gates (open 6:50-20:30). It's located diagonally to the left after entering the Shinkansen ticket gates. Both shops carry a wide variety of bento, making them ideal for those who want to compare products before choosing. There are also shops on the Shinkansen platforms heading towards Shin- Osaka and Tokyo. Please note that product availability and business hours may change.

Ekiben (train station bento boxes) offer a variety of flavors, including beef, seafood, and local Okayama specialties. The appeal lies in being able to experience Okayama's food culture even while traveling on the Shinkansen or other trains. Find your favorite ekiben and enjoy your trip with the flavors of Okayama!