Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsNaung Mai Thai KitchenMento Bento Recipe

Mento Bento Recipe

Time2h
Serves4

Kalbi, fried chicken, ahi poke, SPAM, uzumaki, takan & um

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Ingredients

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Kalbi

Uzumaki

Method

Kalbi

  1. 1

    Marinate the Kalbi

    In a large bowl, mix soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, sesame oil, and black pepper. Add short ribs and coat well. Cover and let marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.

  2. 2

    Cook the Kalbi

    Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill the marinated short ribs for about 4-5 minutes on each side until well charred and cooked through. Garnish with chopped green onions before serving.

Fried Chicken

  1. 3

    Prepare the Chicken

    In a bowl, soak chicken thighs in buttermilk for at least 1 hour. This helps tenderize the meat.

  2. 4

    Coat the Chicken

    In another bowl, mix flour, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Remove chicken from buttermilk and coat in the flour mixture.

  3. 5

    Fry the Chicken

    Heat oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the coated chicken thighs for about 8-10 minutes on each side or until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on paper towels before serving.

Ahi Poke

  1. 6

    Mix the Ahi Poke

    In a bowl, combine cubed ahi tuna, soy sauce, sesame oil, and sliced green onions. Gently mix until well combined.

  2. 7

    Serve the Ahi Poke

    Sprinkle shredded seaweed and sesame seeds on top of the poke mixture before serving.

SPAM

  1. 8

    Cook the SPAM

    In a skillet over medium heat, fry the sliced SPAM until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.

  2. 9

    Season the SPAM

    Drizzle with soy sauce and sprinkle black pepper and chopped green onions over the cooked SPAM before serving.

Uzumaki

  1. 10

    Cook the Sushi Rice

    Rinse sushi rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Combine rice and water in a rice cooker and cook according to the manufacturer's instructions.

  2. 11

    Season the Rice

    Once cooked, transfer rice to a large bowl and mix with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. Allow to cool slightly.

  3. 12

    Roll the Uzumaki

    Place a nori sheet on a bamboo sushi mat. Spread a thin layer of sushi rice over the nori, leaving a small border at the edges. Add julienned cucumber and carrots, then roll tightly using the mat. Slice into bite-sized pieces before serving.

Takan

  1. 13

    Prepare the Tofu

    Press the tofu to remove excess moisture, then cut into cubes.

  2. 14

    Cook the Tofu

    In a skillet, heat soy sauce over medium heat and add the tofu cubes, cooking until they're slightly golden and heated through, about 5-7 minutes.

  3. 15

    Serve the Tofu

    Garnish the cooked tofu with sliced green onions and sesame seeds before serving.

Um

  1. 16

    Prepare the Condiments

    Place pickled ginger and wasabi in small serving dishes for guests to use as condiments.

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