There are three major convenience store (konbini) chains in Japan; 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson. In each of them, you will find a variety of unique foods. They have everything from full meals to sweet treats, and it’s all delicious!

1. Hot Foods

The hot food is usually located near the register in convenience stores. You can ask the staff to package the items you want to buy. Hot food is made fresh daily and mainly consists of fried or grilled goodies! Also, during the winter, you can find oden, Japanese hotpot.

You can’t go wrong with karaage (friend chicken) or nikuman (steamed pork buns)!

2. Onigiri

Rice balls with seaweed and a filling, simple and delicious! Onigiri is an excellent addition to a meal or the perfect snack on the go. Convenience stores offer onigiri with a wide variety of fillings options.

I am, first and foremost, a salmon lover, so my go-to is the salmon onigiri. However, I recently tried the beloved tuna mayo, and it truly lived up to the hype.

3. Sandwiches

Japanese convenience store sandwiches (sando) are soft, fluffy, and tasty! Like onigiri, they come in many varieties. There is a sandwich option for everyone. They are also crustless!

My go to is the egg salad sandwich, there is a reason it is so loved by tourists. Don’t skip out on trying a fruit sandwich though!

4. Bento

The variety of bento (boxed lunches) available across the convenience store chains is fantastic. Moreover, they are delivered fresh every morning and are often discounted in the evening. You can find almost any Japanese dish in the form of a bento.

You really can’t go wrong with a classic gyudon bento.

TIP: You can ask the convenience store staff to heat up food for you, “atatamete kudasai.”

5. Pastries

Some convenience stores will have a fresh pastry section, but don’t pass up the packaged bread and pastry options. They are a good choice for a sweet treat or even an accompaniment to your morning coffee. You can’t go wrong with either the sweet or savory options!

My go to are melon pan or a fluffy pancake sandwich.

TIP: If you are feeling extra daring and want to try something fun, pick up a karaage from the hot food section and a pancake sandwich and make a pancake fried chicken sandwich.

Honorable Mention

Instant Noodles

There are so many varieties of instant noodles sold in convenience stores. If you are interested in trying different styles of noodles, stop in and grab a few! Additionally, convenience stores often have an area with hot water or a microwave for you to heat your noodles.

There are so many fantastic food items that you can pick up at Japanese convenience stores. This list is a small taste of the items available; get out there and find your favorites!

Read More: 5 Foods You Should Try in Japan

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