Well Bento

I can hear the sarcasm already, "Yeah, yeah, the dreadlocked hippy likes a vegetarian plate lunch. Big surprise... it's a walking stereotype."

That couldn't be further from the truth. Frankly, I don't like most vegetarian food despite how I may look. I'm all for eating healthy, but not at the sacrifice of taste. Animal or vegetable, food should taste good! Too many joints prioritize the healthiness of their food above it's actual edibility and end up something that may be macrobiotic, organic and local but has all the fun of chewing on a phone book. I'm happy to say that Well Bento is better than that, balancing healthy fare with great preparations in a style they call "macrobiotic fusion."

Located on the second floor of an aging, converted apartment building near the corner of University and Beretania, Well Bento is the kind of hole-in-the-wall you could drive by for months and never notice. But notice you should. Inside the tiny room they cook up a brisk parade of tasty bentos for the lunch and dinner crowd.

The menu is divided into two major categories, each with just a few options. The vegetarian section offers a "zen macrobiotic" plate ($8) for the devoted among us, tempeh scaloppini and grilled tempeh in Cajun, BBQ or tamari varieties.

Today I ordered Grilled Tempeh, Louisiana Style ($8.55, also available as Tofu or Seitan). The tempeh was grilled then seasoned with a mild blend of cajun spices, laid across a bed of brown rice and tahini. On the side were coleslaw, miscellaneous vegetables and a few tablespoons of mac salad. The coleslaw and veggies were both delicious, full of flavor yet very light. The mac salad... meh. I'm glad it was a small portion because it lacked personality--turns out mayo is more important than you might think. Overall, the meal was the perfect size and delicious.

For those of you who prefer steak to saiten, Well Bento also offers chicken ($9), salmon ($9.30) and steak ($10.50) plate lunches in their "transitional" category. Nearly as healthy, but without denying your carnivore urges.

Well Bento is take-out only and made to order. Your best bet is to phone ahead to avoid standing around for 10-15 minutes while they prep your meal, or plan to kill time in the Indian grocery downstairs. Either way, try it. The food is tasty and you'll feel healthier just from eating it.

Well Bento
http://www.wellbento.com/
2570 S. Beretania #204
Honolulu, HI 96826
808-941-5261
Open daily 10:30am - 9pm

Other reviews of Well Bento:
→ ʻOnokinegrindz reviewed the transitional half of the menu
→ A Passion for Food visited Well Bento back before moving to NYC
→ Dave Choo, possibly the most entertaining food writer in the islands, feels good about Well Bento