A bento is the Japanese iteration of a single-portion take-out or home-packed meal, often for lunch. Outside Japan, it is common in other East and Southeast Asian culinary styles, especially within Chinese, Korean, Singaporean, Taiwanese cuisines and more, as rice is a common staple food in the region. The term bento is derived from the Chinese term biandang, which means "convenient" or "convenience".
A typical bento bought from a grocery store
Hanami bento in the Edo period
Hinomaru bento (just one umeboshi in the center)
Shōkadō bentō
Take-out or takeout is a prepared meal or other food items, purchased at a restaurant or fast food outlet with the intent to eat elsewhere. A concept found in many ancient cultures, take-out food is common worldwide, with a number of different cuisines and dishes on offer.
Thermopolium in Herculaneum
Street food vendors in early 20th century New York City.
Customers queueing for takeaway at a fish and chip shop in England
A market stall in Thailand selling take-out food