Eating out is often expensive and unhealthy. If you’re like me and sick of those expensive CBD lunches, you should get an electric lunch box! All you need to do is throw in your ingredients, add water, and by lunchtime, you’ll have a freshly cooked meal. If you don’t know how to cook, fret not, as these easy electric lunch box recipes will have you chef-ing it up in no time!
How to use the Bear Electric Lunch Box
Among all the electric lunch boxes on the market, I recommend the Bear electric lunch box. This electric lunch box has a 1.3L capacity, and it comes with two metal bowl layers for your food, a detachable plug, a pressure seal cover (to keep the steam stored within the lid and the bowls) and an 80ml measuring cup.
One of my favourite parts of the Bear electric lunch box is its intuitive one-button design. Simply add water to the base of the lunch box, add your food in the metal trays, push the button and ta-da! Your food will start steaming immediately. Steaming halts when the electric lunch box runs out of water, where a good gauge is that one cup (80ml) equates to around 15 – 20 minutes of steaming. Acting as both a steamer and a rice cooker, this electric lunch box is perfect for various one-pot recipes. If you’re wondering what you can cook in an electric lunch box, read on for my compilation of easy electric lunch box recipes that anyone can prepare!
Easy electric lunch box recipes for work
1. Japanese Curry & Rice
This Japanese dish is actually incredibly easy to prepare, thanks to this electric lunch box! The best part about meal prepping your office lunches is that you can tailor them to suit your taste by adding ingredients you like. I like my Japanese curry with a sprinkle of mozzarella, for that extra creaminess!
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 30 – 40 minutes
Servings: 1
Recipe Ingredients:
- 1 block Japanese curry stock
- 2 cups rice
- 1 potato (chopped)
- 1 carrot (chopped)
- 1-2 pieces of chicken breast tenders (diced)
- Mozzarella cheese (optional)
Recipe Instructions:
To prepare the night before
1. First, wash two cups of rice and store them in the upper layer
2. Break off one block of Japanese curry and place it in the lower layer
3. Throw in chopped diced chicken breast, chopped potatoes and chopped carrots
Just before lunchtime
4. Add two cups of water into the rice
5. Add one and a half cups of water into the Japanese curry mix in the lower layer
6. Put on the pressure seal cover
7. Pour two cups of water into the base of the electric lunch box
8. Stack the layers into the electric lunch box, throw on the lid and secure the latch
9. Lastly, plug in the lunch box and press the start button. This easy lunch box idea for adults should cook within 30 – 40 minutes
Once the button light turns off, your lunch is ready! Take a spoon and stir the curry to make sure everything is evenly distributed. If you’re up for it, sprinkle on some mozzarella cheese!
2. Haidilao inspired Tomato Base Soup with Beef Sukiyaki & Rice
Instead of draining your wallet at the restaurant, why not prepare a delicious Haidilao-inspired office lunch with this easy electric lunch box recipe? I also included an easy dipping sauce inspired by the sesame oil sauce from Haidilao to replicate the full restaurant experience!
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 30 – 40 minutes
Servings: 1
Recipe Ingredients:
- 100g tomato hot pot soup base
- 30-50g beef strips
- 1 cup rice
- 2 pieces fishcake
- ½ cube beef soup stock
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsps sesame oil
- A pinch of salt
Recipe Instructions:
To prepare the night before
1. Wash one cup of rice and store it in the upper layer
2. Then, add in beef strips, tomato hot pot soup base, fishcakes and beef soup stock into the lower layer
3. Next, mince three cloves of garlic with a garlic press
4. Add sesame oil and salt to the garlic. You can adjust the measurements according to your preference
5. Set aside the sesame oil mixture in a small food container
Just before lunchtime
6. Add one cup of water into the rice
7. Add three cups of water into the tomato hot pot soup base
8. Place on the pressure seal cover
9. Pour two cups of water into the base of the electric lunch box
10. Stack the layers into the electric lunch box, throw on the lid and secure the latches
11. Finally, plug in the lunch box, press the start button. It should cook within 30 – 40 minutes
This electric lunch box recipe uses a tomato soup hot pot base, but you can use other Haidilao soup pastes, such as mala or even plain chicken stock!
3. Korean Rice Cakes (Tteokbokki)
Not all lunch box recipes for adults need to be healthy; we’re allowed some cheat days too! If you’re in the mood for something chewy and sweet, turn to some spicy and easy Korean recipes. Korean rice cakes or Tteokbokki are my go-to electric lunch box recipe for lazier days, as it’s one of the simplest one-pot recipes with minimal preparation involved.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 30 – 40 minutes
Servings: 1
Recipe Ingredients:
- ½ ikan bilis soup stock cube
- 150g instant tteokbokki/rice cakes
- 1-1 ½ tbsp gochujang
- 2-3 pieces fishcake
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp soya sauce
Recipe Instructions:
To prepare the night before
1. Add all the ingredients into the metal pot
Just before lunchtime
2. Add three cups of water to the mix of ingredients
3. Then, stir it so that the gochujang is evenly distributed
4. Next, put on the pressure seal cover
5. Pour two cups of water into the base of the electric lunch box
6. Stack the pot into the electric lunch box, throw on the lid and secure the latches
7. Lastly, plug in the lunch box, press the start button. It should cook within 30 – 40 minutes
The best thing about this Korean rice cake recipe is that you can pretty much add anything you want into the mix. For days when I feel like treating myself, I throw in a ramen egg after it’s done cooking!
4. Korean Seaweed Soup with Gyoza & Rice
Korean seaweed soup, otherwise known as miyeok guk, hits different on a rainy day. It’s comforting, warm, and an easy lunch to prep for work. To really elevate this dish, use garlic powder and sesame oil in this electric lunch box recipe!
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 30 – 40 minutes
Servings: 1
Recipe Ingredients:
- 3 pieces frozen gyoza
- 1 cup rice
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- ½ beef stock cube
- ¼-½ tsp salt
- 1-3 dashes of pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp soya sauce
- 2 tbsp dried wakame seaweed
Recipe Instructions:
To prepare the night before
1. Wash one cup of rice and place it in the upper layer
2. Add dried wakame seaweed, frozen gyoza, sesame oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder and beef soup stock into the lower layer
Just before lunchtime
3. Add one cup of water to the rice
4. Next, add four cups of water to the seaweed soup mixture in the lower layer
5. Then, put on the pressure seal cover
6. After that, pour two cups of water into the base of the electric lunch box
7. Then, stack the layers into the electric lunch box, throw on the lid and secure the latches
8. Finally, plug in the lunch box, press the start button. It should cook within 30 – 40 minutes
I recommend bringing along your own sachet of salt along with you to adjust the taste of your seaweed soup. You can also consider packing a dipping sauce for your gyoza too!
5. Bibimbap
Want a healthy packed lunch for work that’s delicious and full of nutrients? Look no further than this Bibimbap lunchbox recipe! It’s one of my favourite go-to healthy meals that I can meal prep before work due to how easy it is to assemble.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Servings: 1
Recipe Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 cucumber (sliced)
- 1 carrot (sliced)
- 1 tbsp sliced mushrooms
- 50g beef
- 30g kimchi
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp bulgogi sauce
- 1 tsp gochujang
- 1-2 tsp sesame oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Recipe Instructions:
To prepare the night before
1. Slice carrots, cucumber and mushroom into thin slices
2. Season the carrots and cucumbers with salt
3. Cut beef into thin strips and marinate with bulgogi sauce
4. Add 1 cup of cooked rice in the lower layer
5. Arrange kimchi, carrots, cucumbers, mushrooms and beef in a circle above the rice
6. Add 1 tbsp of gochujang in the centre of all the ingredients
Just before lunchtime
7. Pour one and a half cups of water into the base of the electric lunch box
8. Then, stack the layers into the electric lunch box, throw on the lid and secure the latches. Plug it in and set a timer for 10 minutes
9. At the ten-minute mark, open the lid and crack the egg into the centre
10. Cover again and continue cooking for another 5 – 8 minutes
11. When the food is ready, stir well and mix the ingredients together
The best thing about this electric lunch box recipe is that you can add or replace any of the ingredients with whatever you prefer. Sometimes, I prepare this dish multiple times a week but with different vegetables or sauce marinades to keep things fresh!
6. Chicken Congee
For something healthy and easy on the stomach, I always turn to this chicken congee dish as my detox meal for the week. Fair warning, this electric lunch box recipe takes a little more effort to prepare than the rest as it requires the use of an immersion blender. But, you’ll be rewarded with a hearty office lunch in just 30 minutes!
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20 – 30 minutes
Servings: 1
Recipe Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked rice
- ½ cube chicken stock cube
- 1 tsp chopped spring onion
- 1 chicken fillet (diced)
- 1-2 tsp sesame oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Recipe Instructions:
To prepare the night before
1. Add 1 cup of cooked rice in the lower layer
2. Add 3 cups of water
3. Using an immersion blender, blend the cooked rice in the water until fine
4. Then, add the chicken stock cube, half a teaspoon of salt and a dash of pepper
5. After that, rub the chicken fillet with salt and pepper
6. Then, place the chicken fillet in the upper layer, drizzle with sesame oil and sprinkle the chopped spring onions
Just before lunchtime
7. Pour one and a half cups of water into the base of the electric lunch box
8. Then, stack the layers into the electric lunch box, throw on the lid and secure the latches
9. Lastly, plug in the lunch box, press the start button. It should cook within 20 – 30 minutes
I also like to add some fried shallots to my congee for a bit of crunch. You could also switch up the protein in this recipe to minced meat to enjoy a different congee flavour!
7. Chicken Rice
Want to skip the queues at the hawker centre for a plate of chicken rice? This electric lunch box recipe will prove to be an easy and healthier substitute!
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 30 – 40 minutes
Servings: 1
Recipe Ingredients:
- 1 cup rice
- ½ cube chicken stock
- 1 tsp chopped spring onions
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 1 piece chicken breast/fillet (sliced)
- 1 tsp ginger (sliced)
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Recipe Instructions:
To prepare the night before
1. Wash one cup of rice and place in the upper layer
2. Pour the chicken stock cube on top of the rice
3. Rub the chicken slices with salt and pepper
4. Place the chicken slices into the lower layer
5. Add minced garlic and ginger slices onto the chicken
6. Drizzle sesame oil over the chicken
7. Sprinkle the chopped spring onions
Just before lunchtime
8. Add one cup of water into the rice and chicken stock cube
9. Put on the pressure seal cover
10. Then, pour two cups of water into the base of the electric lunch box
11. Stack the layers of the electric lunch box, throw on the lid and secure the latches
12. Lastly, plug in the lunch box, press the start button. It should cook within 30 – 40 minutes
Pack along with garlic chilli sauce for some added heat to the dish. For something sweeter, you can always drizzle some dark soya sauce over the rice too!
8. Shrimp Aglio Olio
Using an electric lunch box doesn’t mean that you’re limited to rice dishes. This shrimp aglio olio dish is another packed lunch idea for the foodies who want to enjoy pasta dishes while keeping to their fitness goals. With just a few ingredients needed, this electric lunch box recipe will wow you with its flavour and simplicity!
Pro tip: Use the Bear Portable Electric Heating Lunch Box instead, as the separate compartments in the steam trays will come in handy for this electric lunch box recipe.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
Servings: 1
Recipe Ingredients:
- 70g spaghetti
- 3 cloves of garlic (sliced)
- 1 thai red chili (sliced)
- ¼ cup of olive oil
- 100g of shrimp
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Salt
Recipe Instructions:
To prepare the night before
1. Place the spaghetti into the bottom layer of the electric lunch box and sprinkle 1 tsp of salt over it
2. Use aluminium foil to line one of the compartments in the second layer of the electric lunch box
3. Add the sliced garlic, thai red chili and olive oil into the aluminium-lined compartment and wrap it up securely
4. Line another compartment in the second layer of the electric lunch box with baking paper.
5. Marinate the peeled shrimp with black pepper, garlic powder and salt
6. Add the shrimp into the baking paper compartment and wrap it up securely
Just before lunchtime
7. Add one cup of water to the base of the electric lunch box
8. Add one cup of water into the bottom tray of the electric lunch box and stir it such that the pasta does not stick together
9. Remove the shrimp from the second layer of the electric lunch box and store it in the fridge
10. Stack the two tray layers in the electric lunchbox. Attach the lid and secure the handles. Plug in the lunchbox and press start
11. After 30 minutes, place the shrimp back into a compartment in the second layer of the electric lunch box
12. Cook for another 10 minutes
13. Afterwards, remove the tray of cooked pasta and drain away the hot water
14. Pour the garlic-infused oil wrapped in the aluminium foil onto the pasta and mix well
15. Place the cooked shrimp on top of the pasta and enjoy!
When I first tried this electric lunch box recipe, I was wowed by how fragrant the dish was with such minimal preparation. It’s a great packed lunch idea for work if you’re looking for something tasty yet super simple!
9. Kimchi chicken, mushroom in oyster sauce and steamed egg
This appetising and savoury dish will appeal to everyone! Kimchi chicken, mushrooms and steamed egg is a healthy packed lunch idea for work that’ll have you loving your electric lunchbox. Don’t get turned off by the longer prep time, though. The mushrooms need to be soaked for an hour, so essentially you’re looking at about 20 minutes of prep time.
Prep time: ~ 1hr 20 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Servings: 1
Recipe Ingredients:
- 6 mushrooms
- 1 tsp cornflour
- 100g chicken breast
- 75g kimchi (cut into small pieces)
- 1/2 carrot (cut into thin slices)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp oyster sauce
- 1 egg
Recipe Instructions:
To prepare the night before
1. Place the mushrooms in the steel bowl of the electric lunch box. Wash the mushrooms under running water
2. Add some cornflour and rub them into the mushrooms to clean any dirt
3. Wash the cornflour from the mushrooms
4. Pour hot water onto the mushrooms and let them soak for an hour till they turn soft
5. Cut the chicken breast meat and kimchi into smaller pieces
6. Add sugar to the chicken meat and mix with the kimchi
7. Transfer the mixture into the steaming tray
8. Cut the stalks off the mushroom
9. Add them into a separate bowl with the cut carrots
10. Add half teaspoon sugar, half teaspoon sesame oil, half teaspoon cornflour and one teaspoon oyster sauce into the mushrooms and carrots
11. Mix them together and transfer the mixture to the steaming tray
Just before lunchtime
12. Crack the egg and using the egg shell as a measurement, add one and a half shell of water to it
13. Mix it and remove any air bubbles from the surface. This is to ensure it’ll steam evenly.
14. Add two cups water to the base of the electric lunch box
15. Place the kimchi and chicken tray first. Then put on the pressure seal cover.
16. Stack on the tray with the mushroom and egg before attaching the lid and securing the latches
17. Lastly, plug in the lunch box and press the start button. This yummy electric lunch box recipe should cook within 30 minutes
This simple, comforting meal never fails to rejuvenate me on days when I feel overwhelmed with work. It’s a great packed lunch that’s both balanced and tasty – definitely worth the extra prep time!
10. Creamy Chicken Pasta
This pasta dish is one of our favourite electric lunch box recipes for the office!. All you have to do is put a bit of time aside to prep this meal the night before, and you’ll have yourself a restaurant-grade creamy pasta for lunch the next day!
Prep time: ~ 15 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
Servings: 1
Recipe Ingredients:
- Butter
- 1 bowl pasta (choose your type of pasta)
- Half bowl of chicken broth (replaceable with chicken bouillon)
- Half bowl of milk or cooking cream
- Rotisserie chicken (shredded)
*You can use them frozen too - Red and green capsicums (chopped)
- Parmesan cheese
- Garlic (chopped) *optional
Recipe Instructions:
To prepare the night before
1. Cut red and green capsicums into thin slices. You can choose to use celery, broccoli or carrots too. However, ensure that these are thinly sliced so they’ll cook thoroughly
2. Shred the rotisserie chicken. You can pack the shredded pieces and place them in the freezer overnight
3. Pack the pasta, milk, chicken broth and cheese into air-tight containers to bring into work with you the next day
Just before lunchtime
4. Plug in the electric lunch box, switch it on and add some water to the base of the electric lunch box. After which, place the large steamer pot on top
5. Using a fork or spoon, spread some butter into the steamer pot, making sure to coat the sides evenly
6. Add the fusilli pasta into the pot
7. Add some chopped garlic if you wish to and mix it in lightly
8. Pour in the chicken broth (or chicken bullion) and milk into the steamer pot
9. Stir the mixture. Ensure that the liquid covers the pasta for it to cook evenly
10. Add the shredded rotisserie chicken and peppers into the mixture. Do not mix them together with the pasta
11. Top it off with some parmesan cheese to make it extra rich and creamy
12. Attach the lid of the electric lunch box and let it cook for about 30 minutes. Dig into this delicious electric lunch box recipe after that!
This one-pot recipe is one of those “low effort, high reward” kind of dishes that’ll be sure to make your day!
11. Fried Rice
What can you make with leftover rice, a few vegetables and meat? Fried rice of course! Fried rice is still one of the best packed lunch ideas for work, as it can be assembled using virtually any leftover ingredients taking up space in your fridge. It’s definitely one of my favourite electric lunch box recipes to whip up, especially at the end of the week!
Prep time: ~ 15 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Servings: 1
Recipe Ingredients:
- 1 egg
- A handful of green peas
- A handful of carrots (diced)
- Luncheon meat
- A few drops of sesame oil
- 1 tsp of light soy sauce
- Leftover rice
Recipe Instructions:
To prepare the night before
1. Cut the carrots and luncheon meat into small cubes so they’ll be able to steam easily in the electric lunch box
2. Place the leftover rice in one layer of the electric lunch box
3. Arrange all your cut ingredients in the other layer of the electric lunch box
Just before lunchtime
4. Crack the egg and beat it. Add 1 teaspoon of soy sauce and a few drops of sesame oil into the mixture
5. Pour the beaten egg into the leftover rice and mix the rice, making sure that all the rice is coated with the egg
6. Scoop the luncheon meat, green peas and carrots on top of the rice. All the ingredients will now be in one steaming bowl
7. Pour one cup of water into the base of the electric lunch box
8. Attach the lid of the electric lunch box and let it cook for 30 minutes!
This fried rice dish tastes just like a healthier version of takeout, but with less oil and less salt! With so many different ingredients I can use for this recipe, this dish is one of those packed lunches that I never get tired of!
Meal prep for office lunches with this list of electric lunch box recipes!
With the Bear electric lunch box, meal prepping and packing lunches for work have never been easier! These delicious one-pot meals are sure to help you save money and unnecessary calories to maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet. If you’re looking for other quick and healthy recipes, check out the Korean sauna-style egg recipe featured in these easy rice cooker recipes. As for days when you just don’t feel like cooking, order from some of the best tingkat delivery places in Singapore!
This article was updated on 7 October 2025. Additional research done by Lee Xing Tian.
