Edmonton’s Biera launches new menu of Japanese-inspired bento boxes

How an Edmonton eatery is putting a local spin on the traditional bento box

Photo via Biera's Instagram feed.

When the pandemic arrived in Canada, Biera was one of the first in Alberta to pivot toward a takeout-friendly model through the Biera Market and later, Basically Biera, a concept designed to highlight the culinary team’s unique travelling experiences.

Last week, Biera unveiled a new Biera Box menu created by sous chef Ashley Brandin that will feature a variety of Japanese-themed bento boxes, kushiyaki (grilled skewers) and other street food dishes inspired by her travels to Japan. 

“Ashley's interest in Japanese flavours and techniques stems from the complex minimalism she sees in Japanese dishes. High quality ingredients are prepared with care, using techniques that allow them to shine,” Biera explained via an Instagram post last week. “It's similar to our philosophy at Biera, where we've always focused on quality ingredients, technique, and balanced layering of flavours.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Biera (@biera_yeg)

Biera’s "bento boxes" will offer a wide selection of elevated items such as chicken thigh karaage, miso oyster and maitake mushroom with fried tofu and shishito peppers, and smoked split pea miso soup, and as you might expect from the acclaimed Edmonton eatery, locally-sourced ingredients will be at the forefront.

Online orders can be placed through Basically Biera for both delivery and pickup. Proceeds from each Biera Box sold also help to provide funding for charitable endeavours such as the Centre for Autism Services Alberta.