Get the Monbento if you want a grown-up lunchbox

The Monbento MB Original is the best bento lunch box for adult meal prep, and it easily fits in a standard tote bag.

It’s two stacked tiers, each about the size of a big paperback, so it slides into a tote without turning it into a bulging mess. Both tiers are leakproof, which matters if you pack saucy curries or dressings. It also comes with a little sauce container and a fork/spoon tray, so you don’t need to rummage for cutlery at work.

For meal prep, it’s great: you can portion out a grain, a protein, and a veg in separate compartments, and it’s both microwave and dishwasher safe. Prep on Sunday, grab and go all week. The build quality is solid — mine has survived years of being tossed around a shoulder bag.

If you want something cheaper, the Sistema Bento To Go works, but it feels flimsy and looks more like a kids’ lunchbox. Spend the extra few bucks on the Monbento. Your desk lunch will look like it belongs at a café, not a kindergarten.