This is a tricky one! On Oak street, behind Bank of Italy - Cocktail Trust, you will see a sign and a door on the sidewalk. This is pick up only, no dining in whatsoever. You order through the QR code and they only have one option which is the Bento Box for $16. You can however choose from 7 different options, 4 of which are additional pricing between +$2-$3 (spicy tuna, crab, scallop, or seafood trio - which is all of above). The bento box consists of seasoned rice, braised kombu, marinated egg, cucumber sunomono, scallion, togarashi, pickled ginger, and one choice of protein (salmon flakes, chashu pork belly, roasted "unagi" eggplant for the non-additional cost). You pick up by walking inside the opening and down a small hall where Strange Beast's kitchen is (right after the restrooms) to pick up. The food itself was fresh! Loved the protein from the seafood trio and the seasoned rice. Egg was soft but downside was it was cold. The only thing I didn't like was the cucumber and picked ginger taking up half of the box. Loved the meal overall and would definitely come back again. read more

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Backdoor Bento is exactly what the name suggests. Look for the A-frame on the sidewalk outside the door on Oak Street behind Cocktail Trust. Head inside, walk down the hallway, and you'll end up right outside their kitchen. It's low-key, no-frills, and very much an if-you-know-you-know spot. This is the same kitchen behind Cocktail Trust and Strange Beast, so expectations are already high and they absolutely deliver. They're open daily from 12 to 4 pm and specialize in grab-and-go Japanese-style lunch boxes that are naturally gluten free and made to order. Each bento comes with rice, cucumber sunomono, marinated egg, braised kombu, and your choice of protein. Options include chashu pork belly, salmon flakes, roasted eggplant "unagi" (vegan), spicy tuna, crab, scallop, or the seafood trio. I'm obsessed with the seafood trio. Fresh, flavorful, and always hits. They also offer sake, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks, which feels like a nice bonus for a quick lunch stop. You can order directly on their website for pickup or delivery, which makes it super convenient. Parking is easy for downtown. There's usually green zone parking right outside the door, along with paid street parking and a free public lot just a short walk up the street. Portions are satisfying without being heavy, and everything feels thoughtfully balanced. It's fast, consistent, and one of those hidden-gem lunch spots you're glad you know about, especially if you work or spend time downtown. read more

Backdoor Bento - signage - Pop-Up Restaurants Near Me - Ventura, California

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I finally got a chance to check out Back Door Bento, and I think I just found a new lunchtime spot! It's so perfect for a quick lunch especially if your lunchtime is short and you need delicious food fast! You can only order online and the pickup area is located on Oak St by Findings Market. By the time I ordered and left the office, my food was ready upon arrival. The total time between ordering and pickup was about 12 min. I got the pork chashu bento box and the first bite already told me that I would be back here again. The combination of rice, pork, cucumbers, and egg just danced in my mouth. I was happy dancing in the car...it was so GOOD. Also I loved the packaging! Even though it's not a traditional bento box, the container was super cute and practical. This place is definitely going into my lunch rotation! read more

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I ordered a spicy tuna and a scallop bento box for myself and my husband to eat while we relaxed at the beach last Sunday and I'm doing it again today! These boxes are FANTASTIC! Mine was enough to fill me up for lunch and have a little snack later. My husband devoured the whole thing in one sitting. The egg is so creamy and salty and delicious and everything is just so full of umami flavor. Try it. You'll be hooked. Cheers!! read more

Backdoor Bento - Spicy tuna! - Pop-Up Restaurants Near Me - Ventura, California

Def a hidden gem! A little hole in the wall, literally 1 door to a bar. My husband has had this many times as it's near his job and one of his faves and I had it for the first time and can see why!! The actual small bento box it is in is so cute and don't let size fool you bc this was a big portion and fills you up!! The braised kombu was sooo good didn't realize I'd really enjoy it! The white rice with the fish and a perfectly cooked egg with enough runny yolk is the best combo plus the kombu, refreshing cucumber and ginger is sooo good!! Spicy tuna was good not as flavorful as I'd expect but never the less so good!! The salmon was my fave, excited to try the pork belly next. Definitely a NEED to try! read more

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Very easy order online & pickup! Both my boyfriend and I got the chashu pork & it was so good. We took it to the park to enjoy, I think this is the perfect picnic meal. The only recommendation I'd say is to go easier on the kombu next time. read more

Backdoor Bento is everything I wanted it to be and more. I loved the concept instantly of a speakeasy type vibe meets bento box takeout. Sometimes we don't need or want a full sit down restaurant vibe and just want a quick meal on the go. If you are an introvert this spot is 100% for you. Order online, pickup, and go. Couldn't be any more seamless. The website was very easy to navigate. The menu is small but mighty, the options are customizing your own bento box and grabbing a soda/tea, that's it. Not much to it. The website was super clear on the address/location and time to pickup your order. Again, super easy and I loved that you really can customize your bento in anyway you would like. I opted for all of the regular bento box fixings, no tweaking the menu there. I added the $2 scallop and also $1 for eel sauce. This was the perfect combo in my opinion. When it came time for me to pickup my bento it was super easy. Again, the website was very clear on the pickup instructions, this isn't a brick and mortar storefront - you are going through a literal back door and into a kitchen to pickup your order. While it's unconventional to our usual takeout experience I want to give them credit, the online explanation was on point for the address AND they have a large floor sign outside of the "backdoor" to the kitchen that literally reads Backdoor Bento. So all of this to say, if you can't find it and come on here to complain, you might not be very good at reading directions lol. Be fair when reviewing people, because I'm directionally challenged and found it easily. No issues, it was easy. Staff in the kitchen were super nice when I walked up. He gave me a friendly greeting and pointed to my bag labeled with my name right at the entrance on a shelf. Next time I'll know where to look. I appreciated that my food was ready at pickup time noted and nicely packaged. Extra A+ for everything being in the bag that I wouldn't have thought to ask for. There were chopsticks, napkins/wipes, and soy sauce. Plus of course the beautiful bento box was sitting there in all its glory plus my additional add one sauce. Appreciate their attention to detail. At first I was worrisome that the $20 price point might be slightly steep for a small bento but I was pleasantly surprised how delicious it was. And most importantly for me with the price point, filling! I was absolutely full after eating my bento but not stuffed to the point of regret lol. For the $18-$21 price point (depending what you get) I actually think it's worth it because it was super tasty and filling. The rice was cooked perfectly and I loved the cucumbers. The scallop was creamy and fresh, no fishy taste. They make a mean seasoned egg here and I'm happy I purchased the eel sauce bc it did need that little extra flavor bomb. All in all this spot is definitely 5 stars for a wonderful takeout style meal. I'm already craving another bento and plan to be back soon. Love the idea that I can take this to go and eat it in downtown Ventura with a coffee or cocktail at one of their street side tables. Very easy and tasty on the good meals, do not sleep on this place. read more

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I have family visiting from Tokyo and they took a bite and said, "Tastes like home!" I thought it was a decent price point for what you got. Fresh and very tasty. read more

Backdoor Bento - Pop-Up Restaurants Near Me - Ventura, California

I had seen this place advertised on Instagram and happen to be near it so I thought I'd try it. Oh my! The food was awesome! I ordered the box with pork. Plenty of food and the meat was tender. I would for sure order again! Esther was a sweetheart too! read more

Backdoor Bento - The Be Bento Box with pork. - Pop-Up Restaurants Near Me - Ventura, California

I got the crab protein and my girlfriend got the pork, both of us felt sick after one bite and could not finish one thing, id recommend trying it when they open because the food might be sitting out less read more

Ran across this place super hungry and looked too good to not try. You won't regret trying it! Every flavor goes together perfectly. I would agree with the other review that says maybe a little bit later on the kombu, but it's not a huge deal. The lady working was so so so sweet as well! read more

Backdoor Bento - Bento w salmon flake. - Pop-Up Restaurants Near Me - Ventura, California

Delicious food options they are fast always have the food ready no long waits , very friendly service

Taking speak easy vibes and turning it into a unique lunch experience. I order only and picked the pork belly for protein. Picked the time of pick up and got a confirmation that my order was received. You enter through the side of the building( bank of Italy) pass the bathrooms, and the kitchen door is open and chef hands you yours order, that simple. The food was delicious, great for lunch, I didn't not feel bloated and was satisfied. Will definitely be back to try a new protein! read more

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Wow, first time getting takeout from here (that's all they do, plus delivery) and the lady working in the kitchen was extremely nice and informative about the main chef who worked in Japan for 13 years and how it's food inspired from when he was there. The bento box was absolutely to die for! I got the Chashu pork and every single thing was beyond delicious! I cannot wait to eat more from this place. Don't skip out on this place, you won't be disappointed. read more

Very good, I like what they're doing. Great tip on Yelp about going around the corner there, if you're standing in front of Strange Beast so that you can go in the "back door". read more

Ordered this for delivery. The flavor is outstanding and is very filling. Don't let the small box deceive you! I got the spicy tuna and it had a perfect amount of spice. The marinated egg was also perfection. read more

Backdoor Bento - Spicy tuna Bento Box - Pop-Up Restaurants Near Me - Ventura, California

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A little of a hidden gem right in the middle of downtown ventura, this place was a pleasant surprise. I ordered a chasiu pork box for $20 on GrubHub just to try and was expecting it to be good for the money. It definitely hit the mark! Pork was well seasoned and melted in my mouth. The rest of the Toppings including cucumber and seaweed, seasoned egg were so flavorful and they combined together perfectly. Nothing was too much or too little It is pricy but definitely worth a try! read more

We discovered Backdoor Bento/Strange Beast and gave it a try. The food was delicious and satisfying.

Delicious little boxes of fun. Would be perfect for a picnic (or taking to a wine bar that doesn't serve food, in our case). Packaging was so neat that we were tempted to keep & reuse them again. Tried the seafood trio & eggplant boxes which were both good. I'm not usually a fan of seaweed but this was well seasoned & it all disappeared. The best part is the jammy hard boiled egg. read more

Delicious! I was walking down the street on my way to lunch, but saw their sign on the sidewalk so I took a chance and ordered online. After wandering around Main Street for roughly 20 minutes, the food was waiting in a bag and I was all set. I ordered the salmon bento box. It was delicate, tasty and filling. One the best Japanese food places in Ventura. read more

My daughter wondered around for an hour looking for "Backdoor Bento" according to your website! Then come to find out it was called Stange Beast! Your website is sooo confusing and you should do something about it. read more

Amazing spectacular delicious 10/10 recommend for lunch. The pork was bomb.com. The customer service is great and everyone is so friendly.

This was great. They have a QR on Main Street and you pick your entree and additional items. I picked the pork belly and loved it

So delicious and I love that it's gluten-free!!! I wish I could eat this for lunch every day