Bentō is a Japanese word meaning "boxed lunch," or a single portion meal in a to-go container, one that's generally separated into different compartments. Bentos usually hold everything from rice and fish to meat, veggies and fruit, and they're so common in Japan that you can even find them in convenience stores.

The bento, however, has been since turned into an art-form, with tons of fans all over the world pouring energy into carefully arranging their lunch boxes into familiar characters, cute animals or even entire scenes. These artist/chefs get creative, using food to paint elaborate pictures.

Gemma Cox

​

Gemma Cox

​

Flickr user LoveBones

​

Flickr user LoveBones

​

Flickr user LoveBones

​