🐉 Beloved Bowls and Rolls at Bento Blue in Nona
“Bento is still family-owned,” clarifies Ledy, Director of Marketing for Bento Asian Kitchen + Sushi, “a lot people think Bento is a franchised chain, but it’s not.” She mentions how the newly-opened Lake Nona location helped the Bento team achieve the goal of opening 20 stores within 2020.
The newest Central Florida location in Lake Nona is identified as the company’s first Bento Blue location in 10 years. The ambience of the restaurant has an aesthetic vibe, playing off an East Asian legend involving a koi fish who swam up a waterfall and became a dragon upon reaching the top. With the Bento logo being a dragon, the koi fish-theme decor is a nod to the legend, illustrated with arched ceilings, koi tile art, and a neon koi sign.
From O.G. Bento parties in Gainesville to opening new locations in Orlando, my love for Bento has always been fire. Take a sight of our bites!
🍛 Coconut Curry
This vegetarian option features a bowl customized with fried tofu, tossed in a medley of carrot, red bell pepper, string beans, zucchini, upon a bed of white rice. The red curry is on the thinner side, yet maintains a creamy texture. The curry-coated bites holding a subtle, sweet-savory taste.
🐲 Red Dragon
Sushi is a culinary style that normally takes a long time to prepare, though Bento is infamous for their speed in serving quick rolls. The restaurant makes sushi accessible in fast food-like fashion. The Red dragon features tuna, shrimp tempura, krab, avocado, cream cheese, masago, and spicy mayo.
🥒 Zen Garden
This vegetarian option features a veggie roll composed of avocado, shiitake mushroom, lettuce and carrot. The roll is topped with fried tofu, edamame peas, cucumber, grape tomato, and fried onions to offer an array of textures utilizing plant-based bites.
🍖 Beef Szechuan
The Beef Szechuan sauce is extremely mild, and not as spicy as its name suggests. The sauce still holds a sweet & savory kick, utilizing a garlic flavor. The bowl is topped with beef, carrot, string beans, broccoli, and scallion upon a bed of udon noodles.
Through these unprecedented times, the restaurant offers order-ahead service, with team members wearing masks upon pick-up. Visit their website or call ahead to place an order!
