Love Bento – Healthy Bento Boxes by Actor & Musician Nat Ho

Love Bento set up its new “home” at Shaw Towers’ Wild Market food court last December. This healthy fuss-free bento stall is run by actor and musician Nat Ho, and his partner, Zech Wu. Zech used to be a social worker for the prison and family social services, but wanted a career switch. That’s when he took about a month’s vacation in Taiwan, and stumbled upon the country’s famous 便當 (Taiwan bento box). Inspired by the idea of having a convenient meal that’s tasty at the same time, Zech decided to return to Singapore and gain some experience in the kitchen.

Zech worked in the kitchen of one Michelin star Bacchanalia, and was introduced to Nat Ho through a mutual friend who’s working as a music producer. Being a foodie who spends lots of time at the gym, Nat hopes to offer healthy food options to the masses. After Nat met Zech, the idea of Love Bento was born.

The menu features a selection of chicken, fish, and seafood, and you can choose either the Standard Love Bento that is priced between $6 and $13 or the Premium Love Bento that is priced between $8 to $15.

Assorted Skewers Standard Love Bento set ($6.80) comes with country vegetables and plum enzyme sweet potato mash. They ran out of rice, so we were served Gimbap instead. Hence, the photo isn’t a true representation of this bento set. Thai Siracha sauce is drizzled generously over 3 different chicken skewers. Don’t underestimate the ‘power’ of the Thai Siracha sauce used here. It packs quite a punch!

Seafood Standard Love Bento set ($12.90) consists of salmon, prawns, and squid. It is also accompanied by country vegetables and plum enzyme sweet potato mash. For the sauce, we requested for Japanese sesame which enhanced the savouriness of the seafood. The salmon was tender, but it had a fishy taste that’s too strong for our liking.

Grilled Chicken Thigh Premium Love Bento set ($8.80) is served with country vegetables, an onsen egg, and plum enzyme sweet potato mash. Of the dishes we have tried, this is the best one. However, the dish would have been better if the thigh meat is more tender. The grilled chicken thigh is also drenched in spicy Thai Siracha sauce.

We learnt from Zech that minimal cooking is done at Love Bento. The foods are prepared using machines. The meats are brined before being cooked using the sous-vide method, and grilled (only for some of the meats). Unfortunately, on the night that we visited, Zech conveyed to us that the machines have broken down so what we have tried might not be up to their usual standard.

If you’re working around the area and looking for something healthy, you can consider Love Bento. Plus, they’ll be changing their menu next month, so look out for more exciting creations!

MissTamChiak.com made anonymous visit and paid its own meal at the stall featured here.

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