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ekiben

ekiben

1 9.9
A boxed meal sold at train stations in Japan and eaten on trains
  • noun
  • /ˈɛkɪbɛn/
: ekiben
  • At the station, I bought an ekiben filled with rice, fish, and pickled vegetables for my journey.
  • ekiben purchased
  • ekiben are sold
  • feature of ekiben

Examples

  • Western fast foods are associated with the automobile, while ekiben are connected with train travel.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Hence, each train station is famous for its regional specialty of ekiben, which is expected to be made from local ingredients.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Like many things in Japanese daily life, ekiben are ordinary; therefore, they are also important.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Each can contains various ekiben from the region through which the train is passing.

    Academic text (1994)
  • In Japan, there is a strong sense of place, so many books on ekiben discuss them by geographical region.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Still, passengers wanted their ekiben purchased from vendors who sold them at the train windows from the station platform.

    Academic text (1994)
  • With the privatization of the Japanese National Railways, ekiben entered a new phase.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Many novelty ekiben are quickly recognized by the shape of their containers.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Television also contributes to popular images of station box lunches, particularly as ekiben often appear in documentaries about train travel.

    Academic text (1994)
  • The popularity of ekiben is boosted when famous celebrities endorse their favorites.

    Academic text (1994)

Synonyms

bento
vsekiben
2 5.3

A Japanese boxed meal with rice, meat or fish and vegetables

is sold at train stations to eat while traveling
obento
vsekiben
9.3

A Japanese box lunch with different foods arranged neatly like rice and fish

is sold at train stations for eating during a journey

How Portable

ekiben
1 9.9
takeaway
  • UK
5 1.5
sandwich
872 1.0
leftovers
82 1.0

Surface Forms

ekiben singular
ekibens plural

Etymology

Ekiben comes from Japanese parts eki meaning 'station' and ben short for bento meaning 'boxed meal'. It began as a simple lunch sold at train stations in Japan, so an ekiben is still a boxed meal you buy to eat on a train.