Best Japanese convenience store food
For Singaporeans travelling to Japan, going to a Japanese convenience store, AKA konbini, is a rite of passage. Places including 7-Eleven, Family Mart, or Lawson are packed with affordable snacks, ready-to-eat meals, and even cafe-quality desserts that cater to every craving, any time of day. And yes, in case you’re wondering, you can eat your way through Tokyo on a budget, thanks to the sheer variety and quality of konbini food.
From buttery corn and tamago sando to premium ramen bowls and mochi-filled desserts, we’ve rounded up some of the best konbini food you can find in Tokyo, sorted by store. Add these to your must-try list the next time you’re in Japan.
Table of Contents
Family Mart
1. Buttered Corn
Image adapted from: Dig Dig Japan via YouTube
Here’s a snack that’ll hit you right in the nostalgia feels: Buttered Corn. Though corn is used in many Japanese dishes, finding a simple buttered corn snack isn’t easy in Japan, making this gem at Family Mart even more of a hidden find.
Priced at ¥267, this frozen packet of sweet corn comes pre-seasoned and topped with a sprinkle of parsley. Preparation is fuss-free: just peel the lid slightly and microwave it for two minutes. What you get is a warm, buttery-salty-sweet cup of goodness, flavoured with a comforting butter soy sauce that perfectly complements the natural sweetness of the corn. It’s the perfect snack for when you want something savoury but not too heavy.
2. Onigiri
Image credit: @jenniferjulien
A popular snack in Tokyo is the onigiri, which can be found in practically any convenience store. They’re a great choice for a quick bite that’s nutritious and inexpensive. Family Mart seems to have a wide variety of flavours, with mainstays such as grilled salmon, salted salmon, chicken mayo, and tuna mayo.
They’ve recently partnered with Onigiri Bongo, one of Tokyo’s most popular rice ball eateries. Try out one of the two special onigiri flavours: Ground Meat with Egg Yolk and Takana Greens With Spicy Mentaiko Cod Roe Mayonnaise. They cost just ¥198 each.
3. Egg Sandwiches
Image adapted from: @shokuclub
Another konbini fave is the tamago sando, or egg sandwiches. The ones in Japan use soft and milky shokupan as well as Japanese mayonnaise, which elevates the taste of this classic snack even more. When we asked friends and family, it seems like Family Mart seems to be the most popular because of the generous portion of egg salad. And at ¥198 per sandwich, it’s the cheapest out of the three convenience stores.
You can’t go wrong with flavours such as Ebikatsu and Egg Mayonnaise. Psst, we’ve even heard of a hack where you sandwich pieces of Famichiki (fried chicken from Family Mart) in between these tamago sandos for added protein and a more satisfying bite.
4. FamiChiki
Image credit: @the.secret.foodie
That brings us to FamiChiki (from ¥240). This boneless fried chicken is a cult favourite known for its tender, juicy meat. There’s also a subtle hint of spice, but just enough for people of all spice tolerance levels to enjoy. It’s so addictive, you might just want to chow down more.
Unlike most of the other food on this list, you won’t find it in the ready-to-eat section. Instead, you can order a FamiChiki served warm at the front counter. And if you’re lucky, you might even find limited-edition flavours. Past flavours include Habanero Hot Crispy Chicken, which uses habanero for batter, as well as Cheese-Filled Crispy Chicken.
5. Biang Biang Noodles
Image credit: @familymart.japan
If all you want is to chill at your Airbnb or hotel after a long day of sightseeing, Family Mart’s frozen noodle selection has got you covered. One crowd favourite that keeps flying off the shelves is their Biang Biang Noodles, a must-try for spice hounds.
These wide, chewy noodles come coated in a flavour-packed sauce that combines the heat of chilli peppers and five-spice powder with a tangy-sweet hit of black vinegar. You can also dial up the numbing sensation by drizzling on the included Sichuan pepper oil packet for that signature mala kick.
What really stands out is how authentic the seasoning tastes. It goes way beyond what you’d expect from frozen noodles. Even better, it’s super easy to prepare: simply microwave the sachet with the thick frozen noodles, along with all the goodies such as chilli oil, minced meat, and vegetables. At around ¥100, it’s a total steal for such a satisfying and fiery meal.
7-Eleven
6. Oden
Image credit: @seven_eleven_japan_global
Visiting Japan in the winter? Don’t miss out on some Oden. This classic Japanese comfort food is a hearty, warming dish made up of ingredients like fish cakes, tofu, vegetables, and konjac, all slowly simmered in a light dashi broth.
At 7-Eleven, you’ll usually spot the simmering tray of oden right next to the cashier. Just grab a bowl, scoop up your favourite ingredients, ladle in some broth, and pay before digging in. Some must-tries include daikon, shirataki noodles, tamago, and konjac for that chewy texture.
While fresh oden trays used to be a more common sight, they’re a little harder to find nowadays, so if you see one, don’t hesitate to grab a bowl. Nothing beats standing outside with a warm bowl of oden on a chilly Tokyo night.
7. Ice cream
Image credit: @joe.watc
7-Eleven’s konbini ice cream selection is elite. No matter the season, there’s always a reason to grab a frozen treat. Start with the Choco Monaka, a cult-favourite featuring a crispy wafer shell, chocolate coating, and smooth vanilla ice cream. It’s nostalgic and satisfying, perfect for a quick fix.
Another staple is the Super Cup Vanilla by Lotte. It may look basic, but this best-selling ice cream is beloved across Japan for its creamy, rich vanilla flavour that hits the spot every single time. And if you prefer your ice cream drinkable, try Coolish, a vanilla soft-serve-style ice cream that comes in a handy pouch. All you have to do is squeeze and slurp.
For something a little more premium, go for the 7-Eleven Premium Gold Vanilla Ice Cream. It’s smooth, ultra-creamy, and rivals what you’d get in a cafe. And of course, we can’t forget about the variety of kakigori desserts that are always available in fruity, refreshing flavours. They make great palate cleansers after a hearty yakitori meal.
8. Premium Gold Instant Noodles
Image credit: @prutazan
Here’s a little trivia: instant ramen was invented in Japan by Momofuku Ando, the founder of Nissin Foods. So it’s no surprise that Japan takes its instant noodle game seriously. One shining example is 7-Eleven’s Premium Gold Instant Noodles (¥200 to ¥300). These often feature collaborations with prestigious ramen shops across Japan, offering a premium instant noodle experience that comes surprisingly close to what you’d get at a proper ramen-ya.
Take the version inspired by Ida Shulton, a top-rated shop near Tokyo. Inside, you’ll find dehydrated chashu, seaweed, a rich shoyu soup base, and a sachet of fragrant chicken oil to bring the broth to life.Other standout bowls include the Ippudo instant ramen, based on Hakata-style tonkotsu with a creamy pork bone broth and tender pork belly, and Nakiryu’s spicy dan dan noodles, which layer on peppercorn heat and savoury ground pork.
Lawson
9. Nikuman
Image credit: Ben Dean-Titterrell
For something warm and comforting, Lawson’s Nikuman are a solid pick. They are Japan’s take on Chinese-style steamed buns. These fluffy buns are freshly steamed and stocked daily, with the best time to grab one being around 5pm, when they’re typically just replenished.
Lawson’s lineup goes beyond the classic. Sure, there’s the OG Nikuman, filled with a juicy, savoury pork centre, but what really sets Lawson apart is its ever-changing selection of “wildcard” flavours. Think Chinese-style minced chicken, sweet potato, and even chocolate mousse buns.
Factor in the consistently fluffy dough, and you have a fuss-free way to experience a warm bite of Japanese fusion comfort food.
10. Mitarashi Dango
Image credit: @moxiefoodie
Lawson’s Mitarashi Dango is a Japanese classic. This sweet treat features five soft, chewy mochi balls on a skewer, lightly grilled and coated in a glossy sweet-savoury glaze made from soy sauce, sugar, and mirin.
What makes it stand out is the use of a super-specialised soy sauce that varies across Lawson stores in Japan. If you’re in the Tokyo region, you’ll get a version with a richer, more robust soy flavour.
At just ¥130 and around 198 kcal, it’s an affordable way to satisfy your cravings without overloading.
11. MACHI Café
Image credit: @starlightjj
While Tokyo is full of cool cafes and speciality coffee joints, don’t sleep on konbini coffee. Specifically, Lawson’s MACHI Café. Often considered to have the best convenience store coffee in Japan, this humble counter at the front of Lawson stores brews up surprisingly legit cups using freshly ground beans and high-tech coffee machines.
Launched in 2011, MACHI Café is run in partnership with Sarutahiko Coffee, a Japanese coffee brand known for its sustainable sourcing. The beans used are 100% Arabica, sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms, and roasted using a post-roast blending process that brings out the best in each bean. The result is a well-balanced cup with smooth acidity, light bitterness, and a rich aroma.
A cup of joe here is also affordable compared to coffee shop chains, starting from ¥198 for a hot latte.
12. Uchi Cafe’s desserts
Image credit: @akiko_lawson
No konbini dessert list is complete without mentioning Lawson’s Uchi Café line—and the standout star here is the Premium Roll Cake (¥205). Launched in 2009, this fluffy cake with a rich Hokkaido cream centre is so iconic it’s said to have kicked off the convenience store dessert boom in Japan.
The texture is soft, pillowy, and just the right level of indulgent, great paired with a cup of MACHI Café coffee. In recent years, the Mochi Texture Roll Cake, also made with Hokkaido fresh cream, has been a hit with tourists thanks to its chewy, mochi-like exterior, and pre-sliced portions that are great for sharing.
Lawson’s Uchi Café range has also teamed up with premium dessert brands like Godiva and Pablo, so keep an eye out for special editions.
What to eat at Japanese convenience stores in Tokyo
The next time you’re in Japan and want to save some moolah for shopping, head straight to the konbinis. With so many tasty options, we’d bet you can eat your way through all the convenience stores in Tokyo and still won’t run out of food items to eat. If you do need a break from konbini food, check out our Tokyo food guide.
Tokyo Food Guide: 15 Eateries You Can’t Miss In This Bustling Japanese City
Written by Dewi Nurjuwita.
Featured image adapted from @the.secret.foodie, @seven_eleven_japan_global, @joe.watc, @moxiefoodie.
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