Lunchtime is often the highlight of the school day, especially when opening Indian tiffin boxes filled with comforting meals like aloo parathas and rajma chawal. Recently, a viral video showcased Japanese school lunches, revealing a meticulous preparation process in a Saitama middle school. Students enjoy nutritious meals such as vegetable chicken meatball soup, made entirely from scratch, with every detail attended to, including cleanliness and hygiene. Food preparation follows strict guidelines, featuring hand-cut vegetables and freshly shaped meatballs. This level of care has left many viewers envious, wishing they could experience such delightful and wholesome school lunches themselves.
Lunchtime—arguably the most enjoyable part of the school day. There’s nothing quite like the thrill of the lunch bell ringing, signaling the much-needed break when we finally get to open our tiffin boxes. Indian lunchboxes were always a delightful surprise, featuring fluffy aloo parathas with achar, aromatic lemon rice, grilled sandwiches, or the unbeatable rajma chawal. Some fortunate students even found a sneaky samosa or a sweet treat hidden inside by a caring parent. That first bite? Sheer bliss! But have you ever considered what students in other countries have for lunch? Well, look no further! A video creator recently offered us a glimpse into Japanese school lunches, and let’s just say we’re officially envious.
At a public middle school in Saitama, Japan, lunchtime is more than just a break; it’s an experience. In the now-viral video on Instagram, we get an inside look at the entire lunch preparation process in a Japanese school. The star dish in the clip was vegetable chicken meatball soup, and everything—yes, everything—was made from scratch! The vegetables were washed, meticulously hand-cut, and cooked fresh. The meatballs? Carefully shaped by hand. Even the broth was prepared the traditional way, simmered with chicken bones and vegetable scraps to extract deep, rich flavors. No shortcuts, no pre-packaged meals—just wholesome, home-cooked goodness right in the school kitchen. And let’s not forget about hygiene—the preparation adheres to strict sanitary guidelines, ensuring every meal is not only nutritious but also impeccably clean. Everyone involved in the cooking wore clean kitchen gowns, aprons, chef hats, and gloves.
Watch it here:
The attention to detail is extraordinary. The creator even noted that they had to take a specimen test and receive official permission from the National School Lunch Organisation just to film inside. That’s how much care and thought goes into feeding students in Japan. Unsurprisingly, the internet had plenty to say and a whole lot of envy to share.
“I would have loved to attend a Japanese school; the love for their students is incredible!” one user commented. “Maybe in another life, I’ll be born as a Japanese guy,” wrote someone else. “I wish my school offered this. I hope college students get similar treatment,” read another comment.
Just imagine looking forward to lunch every day, knowing it’s going to be fresh, warm, and delicious. Watching this has officially made us crave a Japanese school lunch—where do we sign up for one of those bento boxes?
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