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Zojirushi Ms. Bento SL-NCE09 Capacity: How Much It Holds

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Short answer: Zojirushi lists three bowls for the Ms. Bento SL-NCE09: a 10 oz main bowl, an 11 oz side bowl, and a 7 oz soup bowl, 28 oz in total. The jar is 5 x 4-3/8 x 8-1/8 inches, weighs 2 lb, and is rated to keep water at 149°F after 6 hours.

How we compare: every spec in this article comes from official manufacturer specifications and manuals (starting with Zojirushi’s official product page), all listed under Sources below. We don’t run hands-on tests, and if a spec isn’t published, we say so. Last updated: October 2026.

Check price: Zojirushi SL-NCE09

I live in Japan. A stacked thermal lunch jar is a Japanese office classic. The question I hear most about the Ms. Bento is simple: is it enough food?

I haven’t tested this jar. Everything below comes from Zojirushi’s official product page, linked at the end.

Quick Spec Table

Spec Zojirushi SL-NCE09
Main bowl 10 oz
Side bowl 11 oz
Soup bowl 7 oz
Total (sum of bowls) 28 oz
Dimensions (W x D x H, excludes bag) 5 x 4-3/8 x 8-1/8 in
Weight 2 lb 0 oz (listed as 2.00 lbs.oz.)
Heat after 6 hours* 149°F
Cold after 6 hours* 50°F
Inner bowls 3, microwaveable
Included Forked spoon with cover, tote bag
Made in Thailand

*Zojirushi rates heat retention with 203°F (95°C) water in a 68°F (20°C) room, and cold retention with 40°F (4°C) water in the same room.

What the Numbers Mean

1. What 28 oz looks like

28 fl oz is about 3.5 US cups of volume. The 10 oz main bowl is about 296 mL, about 1.6 Japanese rice cups (180 mL each) of volume. That’s volume, not raw rice. Cooked rice takes up space differently; see my rice-cup explainer (how much rice a 5.5-cup cooker makes).

2. Which bowl for what

Zojirushi names a soup bowl (7 oz), so plan soup or miso there. The main and side bowls suit rice and a main dish.

3. Weight and size

At 2 lb and just over 8 inches tall it’s a real lunch box, not a pocket jar. The included tote bag also has room for a drink and snacks, according to Zojirushi.

Who It’s For

The Ms. Bento SL-NCE09 makes sense if you:

  • Want a hot multi-dish lunch without an office microwave
  • Can carry a 2 lb jar
  • Want microwaveable inner bowls

Lunch Jars in Japan

Insulated lunch jars like Ms. Bento come from a Japanese tradition of keeping rice warm until lunch. Zojirushi Japan sells a closely numbered model, the SL-NC09, with a 0.31 L rice bowl, a 0.33 L side bowl and a 0.2 L soup bowl. Zojirushi Japan puts the rice bowl at about 0.6 go of uncooked rice, about 1.5 rice bowls, and rates heat retention at 65 °C or higher after 6 hours. The SL-NC09 comes in stainless silver, and Zojirushi says it was released in 2007. Specs can differ from the US SL-NCE09, so check the US listing.

Japanese reviewers on Rakuten often say the SL-NC09 keeps soup and rice warm until lunch when preheated, though some find the rice only lukewarm; many call it right for light eaters or kids but small for big appetites. (Third-party reviews, not our own testing.)

Zojirushi Ms. Bento SL-NCE09 Capacity: Frequently Asked Questions

How many ounces does the Ms. Bento hold?

10 + 11 + 7 = 28 oz across its three bowls.

Are the bowls microwaveable?

Yes, Zojirushi lists three microwaveable inner bowls.

Is the outer container washable?

Yes, it’s a washable nonstick coated outer container.

Is it enough for an adult?

28 oz is more than either a 17 oz SW-EAE50 or an 18 oz SW-KA52 food jar.

Check current listings

Prices and colors change often, so check the current listing before buying.

Check price: Zojirushi SL-NCE09

Sources

Specs checked October 2026. Prices and availability change, so check the current listing before buying.

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