What's in a bento box, and what it costs

A main, sides and rice arranged in compartments, plus cutlery — composed as a complete meal for one person rather than a share of a larger spread.

Because the per-pax price covers preparing and packing every box individually, and a kitchen only reaches the lowest rates at volume. So the tiers run backwards from what people expect: $20 from 12 pax, $12 from 20, $9 from 25, $7 from 35. A group of fifteen cannot order the $7 menu at any price — the cheapest rate open at that headcount is $20.

Delivery is free on mini buffet and bento orders of $225 or more before GST. Below that it is $30, and a 10 pax order always carries the fee whatever the order comes to. On the entry-level mini buffet menus $225 is reached at 15 pax. A buffet with setup instead carries a $90 setup fee, charged once per order, which covers delivery, laying out the buffet line and collecting the equipment afterwards. Remote postal codes, deliveries at 9.59am or earlier or 7.31pm or later, and venues without lift access can add a surcharge on top; every one is published and appears in your quotation before you confirm.

They are packed and closed rather than held on a warmer, so they hold their own heat for a reasonable window after delivery. For food that has to stay hot for hours, a buffet with chafing stands is the format that does that.

Yes. Halal bento menus come from Muslim-owned stalls, and halal-certified menus are available through our partnering vendors on request. Select halal in the menu planner and only halal menus are shown to you.

No. Boxes and cutlery are disposable and there is no serving equipment, so nothing is collected.

The latest we can take an order is one day before your event. We recommend booking earlier than that: popular dates such as Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, Christmas and the year-end party season are taken weeks ahead, and ordering early secures your slot and the dishes you want. For large events, the earlier the better.

Delivery is free on mini buffet and bento orders of $225 or more before GST. Below that it is $30, and a 10 pax order always carries the fee whatever the order comes to. On the entry-level mini buffet menus $225 is reached at 15 pax. A buffet with setup instead carries a $90 setup fee, charged once per order, which covers delivery, laying out the buffet line and collecting the equipment afterwards. Remote postal codes, deliveries at 9.59am or earlier or 7.31pm or later, and venues without lift access can add a surcharge on top; every one is published and appears in your quotation before you confirm.

Mini buffet orders are drop and go: the food arrives in insulated warmer bags that are yours to keep, with serving gear, cutlery, plates, bowls, a disposable table cloth and a trash bag, so you can bag everything up and bin it after your event. Bento meals come individually boxed with cutlery. Buffet with setup includes a skirted table and cloth, warmers, serving gear, disposable plates, cutlery and napkins, and our team returns to collect the equipment.

Yes, with more than 24 hours' notice before your event, subject to availability. Within 24 hours the food and manpower are already committed, so changes and cancellations are normally not accepted and a fee of 50% to 100% of the order may apply.