A sister restaurant to nearby Oishiya—a popular Murfreesboro sushi and hibachi establishment—Obento Meal Box and More opened on New Salem Highway in 2024.
While the two eateries share similar logos and some similarities in cuisine, Obento is a bit of a different concept, specializing in bento plates and boxes featuring sweet spicy chicken, gyu don beef, teriyaki salmon, and pork or chicken katsu, among other options from Japanese cuisine.
With the signature house plates, diners select one or two meats along with one or two sides, and these arrive neatly presented in a compartmentalized tray, complete with a small home for some spicy Japanese mayonnaise.
There’s teriyaki chicken or steak, with some soy, herbal and sweet flavors mingling within the sauce, while the chicken or pork katsu or curry pork katsu features a flat cut of meat, battered and fried and then sliced into strips after cooking.
The long, thinly shaved strips of seasoned beef in the gyu don beef somewhat resemble a juicy, warm and peppery beef jerky.
One diner, Brooke Yoder, says she prefers the sweet and spicy chicken to the teriyaki chicken here.
At first glance, the Obento menu appears small and streamlined, but it’s packed full of delicious options including some rather uncommon side choices.
Sides available with a plate include fried calamari, hiyayakko (tofu), squid salad and spring rolls. Seaweed salad is another side selection, good, crisp and richly deep green, along with its unique texture.
Many customers rave about the tempura crab—crab stick with cream cheese battered and fried, marrying a crispy fried crust with a rich and creamy interior.
“Some of the best food in the ’Boro! I highly recommend the teriyaki shrimp and the tempura crab,” another Obento patron, Dakota Lee, said. “Their presentation of the food is also very aesthetically pleasing.”
It makes a great place to branch out and try something unfamiliar for the first time.
“I have been here about 10 times in just two months, and I haven’t found anything bad on this menu yet,” according to another customer, Austin.
Located just off of I-24, the Obento dining room itself is compact—only seven tables and a bit of counter seating—but it feels cozy and elegant and the comfortable space has a fun Japanese theme going on, with playful cat and dog decorations, soft lighting and even a shelf of children’s books for families who bring the kids.
“The Lo-Fi music, atmosphere, style, everything was so relaxed and chill,” posted diner Mike D. after a visit.
The prices seem fair, based on how much food costs have risen over recent years.
All plates come with miso soup, salad, rice and a side selection (so by the time a table receives everything, there may be dishes all over the place).
Shortly after ordering, salads arrive—delicious gingery dressing drips from the simple lettuce salad.
“The ginger dressing is homemade and it is so good I bought an extra container to take home,” said local diner Joe LaFerriere. “The potato salad was a big surprise and so good; [Sonia, the co-owner] adds chunks of apple for a wonderful flavor profile. The steamed veggies and daikon radish were al dente and fresh, while the Harumaki rolls were fresh and crisp.
“I was very impressed with the concept and the food.”
Others have raved about the oden—a stew loaded with fish cakes, tofu, daikon (Japanese sweet radish), fish ball and scallions that can help warm the bones on a chilly day.
“The oden was so good, especially for it being cold out; and the bentos come filled to the brim so you won’t be leaving hungry,” Philana Dunseith. “I had pork katsu, and potato salad, which was super yummy. Also had the grapefruit fruit tea which was so good.”
Obento offers a selection of fruit teas, including a pineapple tea, containing large chunks of pineapple floating inside.
“My Thai tea was just right,” Precious Parham said.
Beckett, a 5-year-old first-time Obento visitor, was already getting the hang of handling chopsticks while polishing off shumai (fried shrimp balls) and slurping noodles.
Meanwhile, his 16-year-old brother, Bracken (who not so many years ago would proclaim “I hate Asian food!”) chowed down on squid, tofu, katsu and gyu don beef.
The Obento staff has received praise for its delicious recipes, friendly service, humorous social media and willingness to explain the menu items and concept to newcomers.
Between the friendly service, the homemade sauces and dressings, and the creative sides and pleasant atmosphere, Obento has converted many local diners into fans of its Asian style. So, for those looking for a Japanese experience in Murfreesboro, whether you seek a savory pork katsu or teriyaki salmon, a warm soup or just a quiet nook to sip a mango tea, give the spot a try.
“We got plenty of food for the price,” Anna Robison reported. “You have to try the crab tempura. It melts in your mouth! The pork katsu was also phenomenal.”
Obento Meal Box and More
1636 New Salem Hwy. Suite G
Mon.–Thurs.: 11 a.m.–3 p.m., 4–8:30 p.m.; Fri.–Sat.: 11 a.m.–3 p.m., 4–9 p.m.
615-962-8557
Teriyaki chicken, pork katsu or chicken katsu box with rice, salad, miso soup and vegetables: $13; Gyoza (pan-fried pork dumplings): $7; Beef or shrimp stir-fried noodles; $12; Seaweed salad: $5; Thai tea or fruit tea: $6.50; Teriyaki salmon and shrimp box with two sides: $21
obento-tn.com
