In a push to promote Japanese tourism and culture, the bustling Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan began hosting Japan Week on Tuesday, with food, drinks and nine kinds of "ekiben," or boxed lunches sold at train stations.
The meals, whose name is shorthand for "eki" (station) and "bento" (boxed lunches), made by nine New York restaurants, highlight Japanese regional cuisine, including Kobe beef and Hiroshima-style grilled eel over rice, among other foods.
"Americans don't know about ekiben. I'd like for them to be able to try regional foods," said Akiko Takahashi from Sobakoh restaurant.