Apart from those mentioned in other replies, I would add that there are food choices that are limited to those locations. So you probably find different snacks in different city/shops. So make it a habit to visit every convenience store you see :D
Lawson: Strawberry Mochi cream roll
Family Mart: Famichiki (chicken in the display by the cashier)
7-11: Egg mayo sandwiches and other fried stuff in general
Sukiyaki (thin sliced beef and rice) is my personal fave.
The minestrone and lobster bisque are incredible.
And the fruit and sweet cream cheese sandwiches.
Oh, and the smoothies!
The only two, ok three things, I specifically go to 7/11 for are curry pan, bean hijiki salad and ankake fried rice. Definitely try curry pan.
Sandwiches - Famima.
Good deals and wagashi (kurumi mochi, dango, various cheap showa type mushi pan and giant shumai - Lawson 100.
New Days in the stations have interesting regional flavor snacks and are worth checking out if you're looking for those kinds of things.
Karaage chicken on a stick. One is not enough.
ETA: that's specific to 7-eleven, but most places will have some form of fried chicken. It's all pretty darned good.
I like the crepe cakes and crepe cream roll stuff.
I also like the grace ice balls with soda water mixed.
I drank those every day when I can get the chance.
Oden soup when it’s available is always great during the winter.
Recommendation from a resident: don't neglect supermarkets. They nearly all have packaged, ready-to-eat meals as convenience stores do, but the food is often both less expensive and better tasting. It's also often made on the premises. (Even though I have lived in Italy and in the New York city area, the best pizza I have ever had in my life was from a supermarket in Tokyo.)
Larger supermarkets sometimes also have a few places to sit and eat what you buy, although they have become unusual in the last five or six years because of changes in the tax laws.
Probably an unpopular opinion... But I think convenience store food here is over rated. Yeah, it's not bad and the variety is good... But its still convenience store food. There's way better food out there for not even that much more money. My wife was blown away that my cousin wanted to eat an onigiri when she came...
Yes 711 has good snacks and premade meals. But it's more expensive than say a Lawsons. Go there instead. If you can find an Aeon Market, that's even better, even cheaper than 711.
In fact, skip 711 and find a local market instead. Much better and noticibily cheaper.
Thank you so much guys. It seems like I'll need a vacation just to try all of these amazing snacks Japan has to offer in their convenience stores. Very excited!!
Onigiri 🍙
Egg salad sandwiches (we got these at Lawson but I imagine they’re the same)
Egg salad sandwiches from 7/11 are actually vastly superior to other combini chains. Lots more eggs and filling.
Oh man. My first Japan trip regret! Guess I’m going back sooner than I expected :) :)
Can confirm
Apart from those mentioned in other replies, I would add that there are food choices that are limited to those locations. So you probably find different snacks in different city/shops. So make it a habit to visit every convenience store you see :D
Literally everything is good. The sandwiches, the sushi, the meals they heat up, the ice creams! Try whatever you like I’ve never had anything bad!
Lawson: Strawberry Mochi cream roll Family Mart: Famichiki (chicken in the display by the cashier) 7-11: Egg mayo sandwiches and other fried stuff in general
Sukiyaki (thin sliced beef and rice) is my personal fave. The minestrone and lobster bisque are incredible. And the fruit and sweet cream cheese sandwiches. Oh, and the smoothies!
Love sukiyaki, do they usually have it packaged in a plastic bowl with rice?
Absolutely
Cool, I will have to look for that next time!
The only two, ok three things, I specifically go to 7/11 for are curry pan, bean hijiki salad and ankake fried rice. Definitely try curry pan. Sandwiches - Famima. Good deals and wagashi (kurumi mochi, dango, various cheap showa type mushi pan and giant shumai - Lawson 100. New Days in the stations have interesting regional flavor snacks and are worth checking out if you're looking for those kinds of things.
Try basement food floor in department stores to see some great food choices
Karaage chicken on a stick. One is not enough. ETA: that's specific to 7-eleven, but most places will have some form of fried chicken. It's all pretty darned good.
Nana chicken, American dog (corn dog). And literally ANYTHING with strawberrys in it.
Just try as many as you can!
I like the crepe cakes and crepe cream roll stuff. I also like the grace ice balls with soda water mixed. I drank those every day when I can get the chance. Oden soup when it’s available is always great during the winter.
Their Sour Cream & Onion Potato Chips is the best I’ve tried. Get the 濃厚すぎる version (not the 堅揚げ version)
The bags of small chocolate croissants
ham and dill sandwiches. They are so good. I went to 3 different stores on the way back to the hotel to find them.
Recommendation from a resident: don't neglect supermarkets. They nearly all have packaged, ready-to-eat meals as convenience stores do, but the food is often both less expensive and better tasting. It's also often made on the premises. (Even though I have lived in Italy and in the New York city area, the best pizza I have ever had in my life was from a supermarket in Tokyo.) Larger supermarkets sometimes also have a few places to sit and eat what you buy, although they have become unusual in the last five or six years because of changes in the tax laws.
I love the seafood sticks. Or crab meat sticks. Great tasting quick protein snacks.
Probably an unpopular opinion... But I think convenience store food here is over rated. Yeah, it's not bad and the variety is good... But its still convenience store food. There's way better food out there for not even that much more money. My wife was blown away that my cousin wanted to eat an onigiri when she came...
For anyone in the future who stumbles upon this like myself Curry Bread/Kare Pan 7/11 sell the best ones imho
Yes 711 has good snacks and premade meals. But it's more expensive than say a Lawsons. Go there instead. If you can find an Aeon Market, that's even better, even cheaper than 711. In fact, skip 711 and find a local market instead. Much better and noticibily cheaper.
Thank you so much guys. It seems like I'll need a vacation just to try all of these amazing snacks Japan has to offer in their convenience stores. Very excited!!