Unboxing delicious flavours at Bento Cafe

Along Rotterdam’s busy Weena, you’ll find Bento Cafe, quietly nestled between a row of hair salons. It’s an unassuming food spot with a relaxed atmosphere—minimalist décor, lounge meets hip hop music playing in the background, and a focus on delicious and honest food. The wide open kitchen draws you in, with its promise of a good meal.

When I visited Bento Cafe the first time, I noticed a chef preparing a dish with high flames flickering in his pan. I later learned that he was Chris Zhan, the chef and owner of Bento Cafe and the brains behind this little food spot that's becoming increasingly becoming popular for lunch-seekers in Rotterdam.

Meeting Chef Chris Zhan

Chris Zhan has an interesting background that has shaped what Bento Cafe is today. Born in Paris, raised in the Netherlands, and with family roots in Wenzhou, China, Chef Zhan grew up in the restaurant and food services industry thanks to his parents. Over the years, he’s worked in various kitchens from casual dining to Michelin-starred establishments.

Despite having worked in high-end restaurants, Zhan felt there was something missing—a place where you can find high-quality, well-prepared food without it being overly expensive or complicated. That’s what led him to Bento Cafe. “It’s about making high-quality food accessible,” he explained, emphasising that he wanted to serve everyday comfort food to everyone.

His passion and drive comes through in the dishes he serves at Bento Cafe. I was very much impressed by the care and attention he puts into every dish.

A peek at the menu

At Bento Cafe, rice is the star of the show, and the menu offers a modest but delicious range of bento boxes. From “Gyu Kimchi” (thinly sliced ribeye beef and kimchi) to “ Karaage Teriyaki” (crispy fried chicken, glazed with teriyaki sauce), it’s clear that each ingredient for the bento boxes is carefully selected to create the perfect balance between flavour and texture.

In addition to bento boxes, Bento Cafe also serves Japanese-style sandos (sandwiches) and onigiri (rice balls) if you’re looking for a lighter meal or an in-between snack. But don't miss out on their Japanese desserts and sodas. If you love matcha or mocha ice cream, this is definitely the place to be!

Crunchy, juicy, salty, sweet

I visited Bento Cafe twice in the past few months. On each occasion I tried a different bento box: the ebi wakame and karaage teriyaki.

The chicken karaage teriyaki stood out—it was crisp on the outside and juicy and tender on the inside. The salty and sweet from the teriyaki flavour profile was well-balanced with the shredded cabbage, roasted sesame and seaweed adding texture to each bite. Chef Zhan shared that he uses a double-frying technique to achieve the super crispy crunch, and it’s clear he’s taken the time to get it just right!

The ebi wakame (fried prawns) bento was also delicious, with a satisfying crunch that paired well with the sides— corn, wakame, baby corn and pickled vegetables.

I couldn’t resist trying one of the onigiri rice balls that were so colourfully displayed on the counter. I fell in love with the yuzu karaage onigiri, because of the bright, citrusy yuzu flavour that was infused so deeply into the crispy, golden karaage fried chicken.

For dessert, I tried their off-menu miso banana bread, served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It’s a subtle dish—not too sweet, with a hint of citrus that makes it feel lighter than it looks.

Future plans for Bento Cafe

Chef Zhan has plans to update Bento Cafe in the near future, including adding a kitchen bar for more interaction with guests. It’s clear that he sees food as more than just something to eat—it’s also a way to connect with people.

Everything at this food spot is made with passion— from the sauces that are made from scratch to the tableware, a personal touch, designed by friend Phe, who runs Clay To Plate.

Bento Cafe is the kind of place that sticks with you. The food is made with care, the setting is welcoming, and it’s the kind of spot where you feel comfortable coming back to again and again.

Bento Cafe
Weena-Zuid 146,
3012 NC Rotterdam
Open for lunch daily, except Mondays.