Authentic Japanese bento in a small shop that is geared for takeout. Everything is made with care and, from what I can tell, with a Japanese palate in mind. The flavors are subtle and complex vs. in your face and the selection of items is fantastic. There is always a rotating menu of appetizers, sides, and desserts to try (and try I do). I was a frequent diner at Furusato in Livonia and often picked up bento at Koyoma Shoten and the food here gives me the same natsukashi feeling. I wholeheartedly recommend Bento 39 and have even catered several office lunches from here. I often get the salmon teriyaki or mackerel, and my son swears by the curry rice. Take a tiny trip to Japan for lunch or dinner and you'll be glad that you did. read more

This spot is a very relaxing place to enjoy some delicious japanese cuisine. The workers there are super nice and soft spoken. It seemed like many regulars came and were always excited to talk about new things. We ordered the chicken karaage and katsu stew. Both were phenomenal. They also have a complimentary small selection of hot tea to enjoy with your meal. I really wish I lived closer as this would be a regular place to eat at! read more

Bento39 - Katsu stew - Japanese Near Me - Novi, Michigan

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I am in town for work so I was searching up some places to eat. Found this place and decided to go today and got the katsudon and their chicken and egg drop soup. Both were yummy. Picked up their hamburger bento box to go for dinner. Owner was so nice and friendly. read more

Bento39 - Katsudon and chicken and egg drop soup - Japanese Near Me - Novi, Michigan

We started going here after our local restaurant re t closed down. It is good. Simple menu, but good food. read more

Bento39 - Menu as of 2/3/26 - Japanese Near Me - Novi, Michigan

Authentic Japanese bento! It is a small operation with a few tables and plenty of counter space. Yukari is the best owner/chef. She knows her craft! Will I return? Yes! read more

Bento39 - Lunch special: $12 - Japanese Near Me - Novi, Michigan

I love the bentos here. A lil pricey imho but the flavor is really good so I personally don't mind it. I saw that the chefs in the back were Japanese women and they smiled whenever they popped their head out from back so from then I had the impression that the food would be made with care & love lol. All jokes aside, it was very authentic tasting. Lived in Asia for a few years and visited Japan often while overseas and this place serves food that tastes like it is made in Japan! We usually change up our orders whenever we visit but my toddler loves the teriyaki beef bento & my husband loves their katsu don. I really like the teriyaki beef taste & I am trying to replicate it at home to little avail haha. But yeah, great place, no complaints, the workers all seem friendly and the food comes out timely & pretty:) read more

Bento39 - Beef Teriyaki bento, my 3 year old's fave menu item:) - Japanese Near Me - Novi, Michigan

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You can rely on them to provide great quality Japanese bentos every time you visit. Highly recommended.

Bento39 is an amazing bento restaurant. It's legitimately better than many bento shops in Japan - they actually cook all meals to order instead of having them pre-boxed in the morning and sitting on the counter or in the fridge for hours. You can expect all the fried items to be crisp, the rice to be moist, and the sides to be fresh. They also have rotating specials each day. I always make sure to stop by when I'm in town, which means I went two days in a row this week. Most of the meals come with a variety of sides that are probably changed out on occasion. This time they had: 1. Hijiki - a salad with seaweed, sesame, carrot, pea, white bean, lotus root, shiitake mushroom. 2. A mixed seaweed and sesame salad. 3. Lightly dressed cabbage and cucumber 4. Shredded pickled daikon 5. Mandarin orange jelly - this is extremely soft jelly, falls apart very easily 6. Japanese-style potato salad (more like mashed potato) with a grape tomato and apple chunk. 7. Perfectly cooked koshihikari rice Katsu Curry ($11) - Slight crisp on the katsu, curry is slightly sweet with chunks of carrot and potato. There are small pieces of beef in the curry. Taste is definitely a lot sweeter than, say, S&B Golden Curry. A little spicy too. Traditional fukujinzuke on the side to refresh the palate. Saba-Shio ($11) - The mackerel is fatty with a scorched salty skin, tender meat inside. Just beware of bones while eating this! It came with a a small amount of sweet stewed white beans. Quite sweet and the beans are pretty al dente. Chicken Nanban ($11) - This dish is quite rare to find in the US and Bento39 has a fantastic rendition. Egg battered chicken thigh, almost feels like a fatty skin on the chicken. Comes doused in a sweet and tangy sauce with creamy tartar sauce. Highly recommended. Friday/Saturday special. Spicy Pork Karaage ($11) - Totally different from chicken karaage. Seems to be juicy pork loin, fried without much breading, if any, and dusted with dried seaweed. Not spicy, despite the name. Thursday/Friday Special. Menchi Katsu ($11) - Very interesting, pretty different from the menchi katsu I've had in the past. The meat here isn't as finely grounded, instead is quite coarse and mixed with pickled napa cabbage perhaps. Comes with tonkatsu sauce and a small bit of mustard to dip in. Thursday/Friday Special. Curry Croquettes ($6) - It's a normal mashed potato croquette with curry powder mixed in. Slight crisp, well seasoned, with a side of tonkatsu sauce, and cabbage. They also have complimentary sencha, hojicha, and candies to have with and after your meal. I see some other reviews complaining about portion size - these bentos are Japanese portion sized, not American! If you just want to stuff your face and eat until you are bursting, Bento39 is not the place to go. But if you want delicious authentic Japanese cuisine, look no further. If I lived nearby, I would go to Bento39 all the time... read more

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Awesome, authentic, and great owners. Sometimes slow on pickup, but that's due to the huge demand!

I love this place so much. They are so nice and kind and the food is amazing! This is my go to place for amazing Japanese food. The place is small but it feels so big and warm. The prices are so affordable for the amount of food. read more

Bento39 - Pork bowl - Japanese Near Me - Novi, Michigan

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The cashier was very friendly and helpful when we had questions about menu items. Overall good experience when ordering and the food itself was really good and tasted very fresh. The only thing I would say is that I just wish the portions were just a smidge bigger but it was still a great deal for the amount of food ! I would definitely come and try other menu items given the chance. read more

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A small and casual bento restaurant with friendly staff. A large variety of main dishes, soups, appetizers, and desserts. Complimentary Japanese tea and candy are an added plus. The taste is mediocre. Fine for a quick takeout meal, but I prefer One World Market for larger bentos, better taste, and lower price than Bento 39. That being said, Bento 39 is closer to downtown Northville and is an acceptable option when one is not near the One World Market neighborhood. I eat here around 1-2 times a year, but it isn't good enough for me to crave it often. read more

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My husband found this place while I was away on a business trip. He loved the food's authenticity, and so he brought me there. The food is fantastic, and when I showed pictures of the menu to my colleagues in Japan, they were excited that I found an authentic "Yoshoku" style Japanese restaurant near my home. And having had Yoshoku style food in Japan I can say Bento 39 is authentic. The restaurant has a few tables plus a counter so that you can eat in if you wish. It's not fancy, but it's comfortable. The only drawback is if you sit on a certain side of the counter you will face the dance studio next door, where you either keep your eyes on your plate or you stare at a bunch of pre-pubescent girls in leotards doing their stretching exercises. Neither is a very comfortable option. But that is minor and not anyone's fault. The service is great. There is self-serve green tea available and your orders are taken and served with a smile. Bento 39 has definitely become my new comfort food. Going there after a tough day at work - or on any day - is always a pleasure! read more

I stumbled across this gem after getting a massage in the same plaza, and I'm so glad I did! They offer several types of bento, different proteins, different veg, different sauces, as well as onigiri and other Japansse specialties. On my first visit, I had Katsu curry and dashi marinated eggplant and both were excellent! Flavorful and exactly what you'd imagine it would be. I really appreciated that they had large pictures and descriptions of each dish, so rookie eaters cam know exactly what they are ordering! The gentleman working the register was great, and gave me several other restaurant recommendations as I'm new to the area. 10/10 will be back! read more

Bento39 - Katsu curry and dashi marinated eggplant- delicious! - Japanese Near Me - Novi, Michigan

Japanese fast food right in your own backyard. Been coming here for years. Nothing about this place ever changes - other than the prices and maybe a menu item or two. It's amazing for what it is. Cheap bento and a few other offerings with matching quality. The steak here is super fatty. Like, almost half of it is just fat. Not sure if that's a particular way of serving it or just awful quality. You could try the whole menu in a month and find out what you liked best. The worst thing about this place is the requirement to either ask about "daily" and other specials or walk in and see what they have that day. No online ordering. The man who handles the front and phone is great, but this outdated practice limits the appeal and how much I spend. ALWAYS order ahead. When this place gets busy it gets very busy. Nice area with a quaint and tiny building that has enough seating if you do want to eat in. Very authentic, including the very narrow hours which cripple your ability come here. Complimentary tea. Far superior than a trip to McDonald's and about on par with prepared food from a grocery store. Location: 4* Convenience: 2* Service: 4* Product/quality: 3* Aesthetics: 4* read more

A nice new little bento place in Novi. It's a very chill place to just eat by yourself or with some friends. The chicken bento I got was good, but if you aren't used to a softer chicken skin texture , then I don't recommend it (my friend didn't like it). There are many bento options and I definitely want to try some more! The owner was kind and you can buy some snacks there as well. read more

Bento39 - Japanese Near Me - Novi, Michigan

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My friend and I were trying to find a new restaurant to try and they suggested this takeout spot. My friend called to make sure we could dine in and was told that they did offer a few tables that we could eat at. When we arrived we were immediately greeted and I was happy to see pictures of every menu item with English descriptions as well as Japanese. Before we got our food I notice the steady flow of customers so I already knew it would be good. And it was! The soup was perfect. I tried the fried shrimp and fried oysters. It all tasted very fresh and was very filling. Will definitely try it again. read more

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My friends and I went to Bento39 in Novi and was pleasantly surprised. The people were very friendly. Credit cards accepted. I got the Katsu Curry, Teriyaki Salmon and Spicy Pork bentos and they were delicious. The curry was thick and savory and the katsu was juicy. My friends liked their bentos as well. My friend said the sweet and spicy pork was very sweet, not so spicy, and very tender. Prices were reasonable for Japanese cuisine. There is a small place to eat, but would not recommend coming here with a large party. Will definitely go back! read more

Bento39 - Japanese Near Me - Novi, Michigan

Delicious authentic Japanese food! The rotating specials add even more diversity to an already great menu. The service and food was excellent. We dined in and enjoyed looking at all the cute Japanese decor. We will be back! read more

Bento39 - From bottom up: Chicken Karaage Bento, Dango, Curry Croquette, and Fried Shrimp Bento - Japanese Near Me - Novi, Michigan

This is one of my favorite places to get lunch in Novi! They are currently doing a special on oden for the winter, which I was very excited about since I haven't seen oden available at a lot of places. Walking in the place is fairly simple with some tables set up for people who want to dine in. The customer service is amazing, and I always feel like I'm eating a home cooked meal when I come here. The oden was light and very tasty, with daikon, chicken, potato, and fish cakes. I also highly recommend the curry rice (some of the best in Novi). read more

Bento39 - Oden - Japanese Near Me - Novi, Michigan

I don't like leaving bad reviews, but this place isn't great. My wife and I planned to visit K Bunsik but they were temporarily closed. We quickly looked for something else on Yelp, a lower priced asian alternative and found Bento39. The gentleman greeted us in Japanese right away (I'm not Japanese so I don't know what he said) but then quickly turned back to his iPhone. We read the menus and had some questions, but he didn't seem too interested or helpful. He wasn't rude, just a bit distracted. I ordered the beef bento box and she got the chicken. The quality of everything seems like something you might get on an airplane or maybe in a convenience store. The little dumplings were hard on the bottom. The meat was ok-ish. The rice was very sticky. The potato salad was ok, just kinda mushy. Overall the food was below average. The place itself was pretty small inside but cute. I think they probably do more carry out than dining in. Overall I can't really recommend going here unfortunately. read more

Bento39 is a solid spot for Japanese takeout! They make the ordering process very easy and streamlined. The ordering process is simple, and because the restaurant is geared for takeout, it's a smooth process once you arrive as well. They'll provide you with a time they have slated for pickup so there's no doubt about when your food will be ready! Quality of the food is also quite good, if a touch on the mild side. I was expecting a slightly spicier dish, but really no complaints! Both the Katsudon and Katsu Curry are great options (and they are some of the most popular dishes for good reason!). I'd recommend trying a few dishes out and seeing what you like since the value for your money is solid here -- it's a ton of food for ~$10 per dish! read more

Bento39 - Katsudon - Japanese Near Me - Novi, Michigan

A Take out only place that is absolutely knock your socks off in a box good. Ordered 2 bento boxes today for lunch, and we enjoyed the experience. Our order was taken promptly over the phone, and was waiting for us when we arrived 5 minutes early. "Just tied the bag" Ginger Chicken and Tonkatsu bento were exceptionally tasty, fresh, hot, and superbly prepared. The portion size was perfect! I will be back... maybe tomorrow. read more

Great authentic Japanese bento box dinners! The Chef & crew are Japanese, but the manager is Canadian. He is a great resource to provide detailed info on the menu items. read more

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This is a gem of a place with a great wide and husband team serving up authentic Japanese bento.

We are so lucky to have such a delicious, Japanese bento place so close to home! Whenever I'm craving something tasty, healthy, and homemade, I always go to bento39! Pros: affordable lunch, healthy, good variety, friendly employee, quick service Cons: I wish they had an online order service! It would just make the pick-up that much faster! read more

Bento39 - Croquette and karaage bento - Japanese Near Me - Novi, Michigan

I can't recommend this bento place enough! Perfect place for authentic-tasting Japanese food takeout! They are uniquely suited to the pandemic, as they are already experts in takeout. Their process is extremely streamlined with rapid turnaround and freshly made food. They have pictures of all their options which is really helpful, and they have a impressive variety of bento options. They all appear to come with rice, three different small salads with beans, mashed potatoes, edamame, a cherry tomato, and an orange gelatin dessert. Overall, it's clear that each bento was made carefully and thoughtfully - I loved every single piece of it. Each new compartment was a delight to explore and eat. Each part of the bento was clearly made with love and care for the customer. The flavors are also perfect. Nothing fancy, but very flavor was simple and simply perfect. I picked up a random mushroom salad/appetizer on a whim as well, and it was great! Felt like being in Asia again. We also had the ohagi (sweet sticky rice with warm red bean filling) which was perfect. Overall, highly recommended. Large portions at a surprisingly affordable price, and very high quality attention to detail. It seems most suitable as a pit stop to pick up a perfect lunch, but it makes for a nice, simple dinner as well. read more

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This place has been around for awhile but the current owners have only owned the place for a few years. We ordered take-out: takoyaki, katsu curry, and the fish and croquette bento special. Service was great and the food was prepared quickly. The bento box is filled with a variety of goodies! Everything was delicious! Great price and portions. Will be back! read more

Bento39 - Japanese Near Me - Novi, Michigan

Oh my gosh. I'd been craving good, authentic Japanese and found this through Yelp! Gave it a shot when I was in the area after getting a tattoo. The man behind the counter was super friendly and helpful. There were so many options that sounded good I bought way more food than I needed, but I don't regret a thing. I got the ginger pork bento, veggie croquettes, mochi, and nori and soy onigiri. Really fair prices. Everything was fresh and delicious. Packaged really well. Ooh it's dangerous now that I know this isn't that far of a drive for me. read more

Excellent bento boxes. I love the Chicken NanBan special that only is available on Friday and Saturday. Eric is super at taking both phone and F2F orders. read more

Authentic, excellent Japanese cuisine. Fresh, flavorful and satisfying. Great food at reasonable prices. Friendly, responsive service. I unhesitatingly recommend this place. Always Oishi! read more

I love this place. Price is good , portion size is perfect for me. Whenever I don't feel like making anything , I order bento from them. They have variety of side dish in bento and always look very nutritious. My kids love their bento too. Customer service is always good. read more

Super authentic Japanese food. It blows me away! Regret I did not try it earlier! The customer service is like five star and they did not expect you to tip. The price is very reasonable. read more

Wonderful food which was not expected at this small nondescript place in a strip mall. Love the curry rice and quick and friendly service.

What a gem. I don't know how I found this place, but I'm happy I did. We had the hamburger bento and oden. Both were fantastic and comforting. We went on a chilly, rainy day and the hot oden broth really hit the spot. Everything in the bento was delicious and the hamburger was tender and so easy to eat with chopsticks. The owner is so inviting and friendly, and the place is bright and spotless. I make it a point to go whenever I'm visiting the area. Great selection of food. It can get pretty busy at lunch time. read more

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Wow, this is a perfect place to grab a quick and delicious lunch in the area. This local Japanese carry-out has a variety of bento box items and the delicate preparation of each one is amazing. The Chicken Karaage was perfectly marinated and fried. Pork Katsu with the curry was amazing- not too oily but crispy and juicy. The curry texture was perfect to dip each piece of pork katsu. The sides (potato salad, mushroom salad, greens, and even black bean dessert) satisfied my taste buds. Def coming back to try their other lunch specials- like the Mackerel and Salmon. There were a lot of locals that would place to-go orders or sit in for a lunch. The complimentary hot tea is convenient for when you wait for your orders. I appreciate how clean, minimalist, and tidy they keep this place. Staff is super friendly and welcoming. Public parking available. read more

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Perfect place if you want some good Japanese bentos! They offer a variety of bentos and small orders to pick from. I always go for the chicken karaage bento, which comes with rice, salad, a few small sides, and something sweet to finish off the meal. The chicken is soft, warm, and slightly salty to give it some taste. For those who aren't aware, there isn't any sauce that comes with it, but it tastes great without any. Just pure soft fried chicken. My friend ordered the tonkatsu bento, which I tasted a bit of. It was also good. We ordered takoyaki to share, which was good and what you expect it to taste like As an extra note, the restaurant itself only has a few places to sit if you want to eat in. Always clean. There's also a variety of hot teas on the side that you get. read more

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Good stuff: All their food Bad stuff: Location is not closer to me! I've visited this place a couple times and I really enjoy their food. Their bento boxes are great. I love their chicken karaage and their curry katsu. Wish I lived closer to Novi so I could eat here more often. Would recommend to a friend that likes Japanese food. read more

I haven't been back here in a long time because it's a little far from my house. But I thought the bento box is very good and adorable. I will definitely be back more often. The staffs are also friendly. read more

Bento39 - Takoyaki - Japanese Near Me - Novi, Michigan

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Wow I didn't think it was possible, but they've improved a lot since taking over the old bento39. They're a 5 star restaurant now, and my biggest advice is to eat from their side menu. I will often skip the bentos and just get several sides because they are THAT good. Don't be scared of the side menu that have weird sounding items to Americans like the chicken skin, tendon, cartilage, etc., because they are amazing if you're into that texture. read more