Lunch on the Run: 5 Easy Recipes for Asian Meals in Jars

For this satisfying lunch jar, layer a mason jar or plastic screwtop container with juicy teriyaki chicken, cucumber strips, red cabbage, corn kernels and seaweed salad, then top with cooled sushi rice, pickled ginger and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. What an easy recipe! Pack with chopsticks or a fork so you can dig through the layers.

Take-away tip: Pack with a frozen bottle of water to ensure the chicken stays cool until lunchtime.

If you can’t guarantee your sushi bowl will stay icy-cool until lunchtime, or you’re trying to cut back on meat, then make this easy, delicious vegetarian version instead. Create a rainbow of wholesome ingredients, starting with a base of sushi rice, omelette, protein-packed edamame beans, carrot, cabbage, cucumber and seaweed.

Take-away tip: Make sure the sushi rice is cooled before placing in the jar.

This vibrant salad looks fantastic layered in a glass jar (be sure to put your name on it, or you may find it nabbed from the office fridge!). For kids’ lunches, place everything in a well-sealed plastic lunchbox—it will toss itself on the way to school.

Take-away tip: For a midweek shortcut, use a store-bought barbecue chicken.

Forget those about floury instant soup sachets. For a nutritious meal in minutes, make yourself a mug of miso soup to go. Add a dollop of miso paste, cubes of tofu and sliced spring onion, along with vegetables that will wilt when you pour boiling water over them, such as thinly sliced snow peas and shiitake and enoki mushrooms.

Take-away tip: Other suitable vegetables include grated carrot and sliced bok choy.

You’ll also require boiling water for these homemade instant noodles, so they’re not suitable for school lunches, but as far as office lunches go, they’re hard to beat. Be sure to choose soft noodles and a selection of vegetables that wilt easily, such as shredded carrot, finely chopped broccoli and thinly sliced shiitakes. So delicious, and such an easy recipe!

Take-away tip: For added protein, add chopped roast chicken, diced tofu or peeled cooked prawns.