Japanese bento box meals are going global, with their first stop a Swiss railway station
Travellers using Zurich Central Station will get a chance to try ekiben, or bento box meals, as their Japanese makers eye global expansion
Japanese companies have joined forces to bring Japan’s ekiben – bento box meals sold at railway stations – to the world, with Switzerland their first stop.
A consortium formed by bento box specialists Hanazen, Maneki Foods and Matsuura Shoten will launch six different packaged meals at Zurich Central Station for three weeks in February 2025.
Hanazen president Shuichi Yagihashi, who serves as the consortium’s chairman, said the major European rail hub was chosen as its highly organised system means that almost all transfers are completed within 30 minutes.
“Takeaway has become incredibly popular since transfers happen so quickly, and people don’t spend much time at restaurants any more,” said Yagihashi, adding that the pop-up will increase understanding of local preferences.
In Japan, ekiben boxes are typically sold at kiosks, with passengers often eating them on intercity bullet train journeys.
