Japanese Curry Takes Center Stage in the TenGoku x Gaijin Bento & Co. Box

TenGoku Aburiya gears up to launch the next edition of its Bento & Co. lunchtime guest chef series. This time, two West Loop Japanese culinary concepts come together for a midday pick-me-up, with Executive Chef/Owner Paul Virant of Gaijin bringing his passion for pickling and preserving to match TenGoku’s izakaya flair.

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For two weeks only, Chef Paul is teaming up with TenGoku’s Chef Danny Rodriguez to serve up a Japanese Chicken Curry bento. The box highlights the duo’s shared love of Japanese flavors, featuring chicken curry with Four-Star mushrooms served over rice and topped with furikake; curry-pickled daikon with marinated tomatoes and pea shoots; and kombu-marinated vegetables. On the side, TenGoku adds shrimp shumai dumplings, ajitama and veggie miso soup.

All for just $20, the collaboration runs during weekday lunch hours (11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.) from Tuesday, March 17, through Friday, March 27. As always, a portion of proceeds from each Bento & Co. box sold will benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository, aiding in the fight against food insecurity and providing meals to those in need.