I thought perhaps it was just me, but I asked my million miler coworker, who speaks Japanese, lived in Japan for several years and flies there monthly from HNL. He looked at me in shock: "You actually ordered the Bento!? Stick with the steak!"
Well, I hear everyone on comparing restaruant food to airline food; however, I hoped that the food would taste good, not be restaurant quality. It did not taste good. On the other hand, I'm usually pretty happy with the Filet and only once found it to be less than satisfactory.
I'm happy though, to hear that it may simply be a Hawaii thing and their caterer and other places seem to do just fine. That is weird though as we cater to primarity Japanese customers.
Or maybe it's just me!
:D Aloha!

Perhaps local HNL aberration indeed. That seems to be the pattern. I have only had them on JFK-NRT (and reverse) and possible once or twice on NRT-SFO. So basically only prepared in New York or Tokyo and they have been good.

I agree with the traveler out of HNL on the filet mignon. The one I had from HNL-NRT was far inferior to the one coming out of NRT to HNL. I am not sure, but it almost seemed like it was cooked when it was still frozen because when I got it served, it was kind of mushy. The one from NRT to HNL was just right (though a little overdone). I am not adverturous enough to try the bento boxes. I only like a few sushi items.

As no extra meals are loaded, a few pax might be served whatever dish is left. Understandably catering makes sure these are not obento meals, as most customers can be somewhat satisfied with a Western-style meal vs. the cultural-oriented obento.

It is also surprising to me that Seattle obentos are better than Tokyo obentos, because I would have expected that the Tokyo caterer would have more access to Japanese ingredients and be more experienced in preparing Japanese recipes.

We have a decent-sized Japanese population here, and excellent restaurants, so that might help.

What about op-ups?
 

Would pre-ordering the bento reduce your chances for an op-up to FC? I know that if you order a special meal it sometimes causes you to be out of the running for operational upgrades, but suppose pre-ordering a bento wouldn't matter?

The Western entrees are the same between First and Business (with First getting one more), but I do not know how UA treats the bentos. I would think they would be the same, but have no first-hand experience.

I'll have to check my "Let's Eat! - International" thread as the West Coast-Japan menu is in it, but not sure if it is just Business or Business and First.

If the menu descriptions are accurate, the obentos are C and F are identical.

Well, I pre-ordered an obento for JFK-NRT next thursday.
I'll try to remember to take pictures or something.

Some pictures are available at

http://www.unitedairlines.co.jp/jsp/...3/usa/ua_b.jsp

but this page is out of date. :(