If you’ve spent time on social media, you may have stumbled across a shopping haul from a Japanese convenience store, or konbini, and found yourself mesmerized. Instead of the usual items you’d find in an American convenience store — hot dogs, donuts, and 7-Eleven’s seasonal pumpkin spice lattes — these videos often showcase shoppers picking up a variety of appetizing pre-made entrees, snacks, and candy.
So, what exactly sets a konbini apart from the American version of 7-Eleven or staples like Circle K? Dr. Jae Choi, executive chef and owner of Yakitori Jinbei, says it all comes down to the types of food they sell. “Japanese locations have many different [ready-to-heat] or instant items that are Japanese-influenced[,] such as udon, fried rice[,] and even pasta in cream sauce,” he says.
According to Choi, onigiri — “a rice ball usually shaped in a triangle and wrapped with seaweed” — is among the most popular items at Japanese convenience stores. Typical onigiri fillings include shrimp and mayo, tuna and mayo, grilled salmon, cod roe, and umeboshi (a pickled plum that’s salty and sour). “It is usually delivered fresh daily to the convenience stores and is delicious,” says Choi.
Japanese convenience stores also sell sushi, instant ramen that can be prepared in-store, and bento boxes — Japanese packaged lunches that include portions of rice, proteins, and pickled vegetables. They also offer fried chicken patties made fresh throughout the day, “which are tasty and quick to enjoy,” says Choi. However, that barely scratches the surface of the many food options available.
Other unique items at Japanese convenience stores
When it comes to sweet treats and baked goods, American convenience stores generally feature the same options year-round, such as cookies, danishes, muffins, and packaged pastries like Twinkies. In contrast, Japanese konbini emphasize seasonality and freshness, with dessert selections changing throughout the year. Along with seasonal pastries, konbini also serve a variety of parfaits and mochi. Some locations even carry specialty desserts, like dewy cakes that resemble raindrops.
This focus on seasonality extends to savory dishes as well. Unlike in the United States, where hot dogs seem to rotate endlessly on heated rollers, in Japan, certain dishes, such as oden — a brothy hot pot featuring daikon radish and proteins like fish cake and fried tofu — are only available during the colder months. Instead of savory sandwiches like roast beef or a turkey club, Japan favors “fruit sandos” — soft Japanese bread filled with sweet whipped cream and fresh seasonal fruit. Another popular option is the tamago sando, a Japanese egg salad sandwich.
Whereas American convenience stores focus on soft drinks, coffee, and sweet slushy drinks, green tea dominates in Japan. At a konbini, you’ll find a wide selection of hot and cold bottled teas and Japanese soft drinks and energy drinks. You can also buy beer, wine, and sake. Hot coffee and cold canned coffee are available as well.
Finally, it’s not just the food selection that sets Japanese and American convenience stores apart — it’s also how the food is enjoyed. Unlike American convenience stores, where the goal is to get in and out as quickly as possible, most konbini “will have seating so you can enjoy the food right then and there,” says Dr. Jae Choi.
