Obento-ya

Obento-ya may be small — tiny, in fact — but the little Japanese storefront at 15th and Como Ave. S.E. offers the biggest selection of bento box meals I’ve seen locally. The 18 different varieties range from tempura shrimp to grilled mackerel, served in a lacquered box with accompaniments of white rice, green salad, Japanese potato salad and miso soup. Nearly all are $6.95-$8.95, but if you want to splurge, try the sushi deluxe bento which includes five pieces of nigiri sushi (fish on top); a six-piece California roll, and all the above accompaniments, plus spicy burdock root sautee and Japanese omelet. 1510 Como Ave. S.E., Minneapolis, 612-331-1432. www.obento-ya.com.

The menu also features a la carte sushi, udon and soba noodle soups, and a big selection of robata , little grilled skewers threaded with anything from shrimp or octopus to morsels of chicken breast or Japanese pumpkin (most $1.50-$3). No wine or beer yet.
(A tip of the hat to Linda Lincoln of The Bridge community newspaper, for finding it first.)