A wheat straw bento box is a light, plant-fiber lunch box that keeps rice and ulam apart on the commute. Our 850ml 2-layer box is ₱145 with a spoon and chopsticks stored inside. For lunches you reheat in the office microwave, the ₱145 1100ml polypropylene bento is listed as microwave safe.
Bringing baon saves money and lets you control what you eat, but only if the food arrives in one piece. This guide covers how to pack a bento for work or school, which of our lunch boxes suits which meal, and what wheat straw boxes can and cannot do.
What is a wheat straw lunch box?
It is made from wheat straw fiber, a by-product of wheat farming, mixed with plastic to form a rigid box. It is lighter than stainless steel and uses less plastic than an all-plastic container, but it is not insulated.
That last point matters. A wheat straw box will not keep food hot or cold by itself. If your lunch sits for hours before you eat, put the box in an insulated bag, such as our ₱59 insulated lunch bag.
Can I microwave a wheat straw bento?
Check the product page first. Our 850ml wheat straw box does not list microwave use, so heat food in a plate or a box listed as microwavable, such as the ₱145 1100ml polypropylene bento. Always remove the lid before heating.
Never microwave stainless steel or any lid with metal parts. Let food cool a little before closing the lid again, so steam does not build up and weaken the seal.
How do I pack a bento so it does not leak?
Put rice in one layer and ulam in the other, drain extra sauce, and close every clip. Carry the box upright in your bag. Soupy dishes like sinigang travel better in a separate sealed container than in a bento layer.
- Let hot food cool for a few minutes before sealing the lid.
- Keep fried food apart from saucy food so it stays crisp.
- Store the spoon and chopsticks in the box's cutlery compartment, not loose in your bag.
Which lunch box should I choose?
| Lunch box | Material | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 850ml wheat straw 2-layer | Wheat straw fiber | Rice and ulam apart, cutlery inside | ₱145 |
| 1100ml 2-compartment | Food-grade PP | Reheating in the office microwave | ₱145 |
| 1000ml wheat straw | Wheat straw | Lowest price, spoon and fork | ₱110 |
| 1200ml 2-layer | Plastic | Bigger appetites | ₱155 to ₱269 |
| 650ml stainless steel | 304 stainless | Food eaten cold or at room temperature | ₱255 to ₱269 |
Prices as of November 2026. See every model in our lunch box collection.
How do I clean a wheat straw lunch box?
Wash it by hand with mild soap and warm water soon after eating, so adobo or curry does not stain it. Wash the seal separately if it comes out, and let everything dry fully before closing the box.
A box stored damp with the lid on can smell musty by morning. Leave it open on the dish rack overnight.
Meal prep tips for the week
- Cook rice and two ulam on Sunday, portion them into boxes, and refrigerate. Eat refrigerated meals within a few days.
- Keep dressings, sawsawan and soup in small separate containers.
- Store dry snacks and coffee for the office in an airtight container; see our guide to airtight food containers for humid kitchens.
Mga madalas itanong (Tagalog FAQ)
Puwede bang i-microwave ang wheat straw na baunan?
Tingnan muna ang product page. Para sa pag-init sa opisina, mas mainam ang ₱145 na 1100ml PP bento, na nakalistang microwave safe.
Mainit pa ba ang pagkain pagdating ng tanghalian?
Hindi ito insulated. Ilagay ang baunan sa ₱59 na insulated lunch bag para mas matagal manatiling mainit o malamig ang pagkain.
Where can you buy a bento lunch box in the Philippines?
Wheat straw, plastic and stainless steel bento boxes from ₱110 and insulated lunch bags from ₱59 are in stock at VMI Direct with nationwide shipping. Check each listing for microwave use before heating.
