Japan’s convenience stores – also known as konbini – are elite. They surpass any other country’s convenience stores with their mind-blowing selection of food and drink. Japanese often have long working hours with short break times so a konbini is designed to cater for busy people on-the-go. Japan’s three main brands are 7-Eleven, Family Mart and Lawson, each stocking similar, but also unique, products – all of which are good quality. Here are eleven of the tastiest convenience store snacks in Japan.
Savoury
1. Onigiri
The classic onigiri is one of the most popular konbini snacks. Rice is flavoured or encases a tasty filling, with a seaweed ‘wrapper’ to hold it together. The Japanese really have thought of everything, even designing smart packaging that keeps the seaweed separate from the rice until you open it to keep it from going soggy. Perfect at any time of day, tick as many flavours off as possible – from tempura prawn to ume (pickled plum) to tuna mayonnaise.
2. Hot meals
If you’re after something more substantial, peruse your local convenience store’s hot meal options. Stores are fitted out with hot water and microwaves so you can heat and eat right there and then. Donburi (meals on rice) and bento boxes are delicious, as are pots of instant noodles. If you opt for the latter, don’t miss the fridges that stock tasty additions like soft boiled eggs and bamboo shoots.
3. Sandwiches
Served on the plushest white bread you may ever have, a Japanese sandwich (or sando) is a gamechanger. Anthony Bourdain is even quoted as describing the classic egg mayo sandwich as ‘unnatural, inexplicable and delicious’. There are also sweet sandwiches to choose from! You must try a fruit and cream sando – sweet and refreshing all in one bite.
4. Fried chicken
Don’t miss a konbini store’s front counter hot cabinet, especially for the fried chicken. Each store adds its own flair, so you have an ‘excuse’ to try them all! Family Mart’s famichiki comes as one palm-sized piece of crunchy goodness in original, spicy, salt lemon or umashio (tasty salt); while Lawson’s sells bite-sized pieces in a handy takeaway box in original, spicy red or cheese.
5. Fried squid cracker
Ending our savoury section with a very unique snack, a fried squid cracker hits all those umami notes just right. Whether you choose the original or spicy flavour, we enjoy the fact that the cracker is shaped like a squid, too!
Sweet
6. Pocky
Named for the snapping sound once bitten, Pocky are synonymous with Japan convenience store snacks. So much so that November 11th is National Pocky Day in Japan! Who would have thought that coating thin biscuit sticks with chocolate could end up a beloved treat? Depending on when you’re in Japan, keep an eye out for special seasonal flavours. In the past, there has been butter caramel in winter, cherry blossom in spring, lemon in summer, and sweet potato in autumn.
7. Melon pan
Despite its name, melon pan (bread) doesn’t actually feature any melon. Instead, it’s a nod to the cross-hatched patterned top which resembles the fruit. This bread roll balances a soft, fluffy bread with a crunchy, thin layer of cookie dough on top.
8. Pure Gummy
You’ll find a plethora of lollies at every convenience store, however we’re quite partial to a bag of Pure Gummy’s. These lollies have the perfect chew and are made with real fruit juice for a flavour hit.
Drinks
9. Coffee
You can find coffee readily available in Japanese convenience stores. Most have a small coffee machine that produces freshly brewed cups of steaming coffee, or if it’s a hot summer’s day, they also sell pre-packaged cups of ice to make a DIY iced version. Coffee in a can is also popular in Japan. This was invented by Ueshima Coffee Co in the 1960’s to be sold in vending machines, hot or cold, and has expanded to now be stocked in konbinis.
10. Chuhai
Did you know that Japanese convenience stores sell alcoholic drinks? A crowd-favourite is chuhai, a refreshing mix of vodka and fruity sparkling water.
11. Pocari Sweat
If you’ve been clocking up your steps, a bottle of Pocari Sweat is ideal to replenish yourself. As Japan’s answer to Gatorade, Pocari Sweat is an electrolyte-filled water with a tangy lick of grapefruit thrown in.
If this has piqued your interest, book a Globus or Cosmos tour to Japan to try as many of these convenience store snacks as possible.
