The secret is out – Japanese convenience store food is delicious. So good in fact that it seems everyone who comes to Japan must share a reel or an Instagram story about it. When I lived in the US and traveled to Japan, I used to look forward to my first trip to the konbini (Japanese for convenience store) as soon as I stepped foot in the land of the rising sun. My mother always made sure we stopped at a konbini on our way from the airport so I could grab one of my favorites – tororo soba (chilled soba noodles with tsuyu and grated mountain yam).
What makes Japanese convenience stores so amazing are the stacked rows of delicious premade foods, all sold at a very reasonable price. The food is made daily and delivered to each store twice a day or more, depending on their location. This ensures that the food tastes fresh and allows them to sell items that have a short shelf life (such as onigiri, rice balls). Most people who live in Japan (including myself and Ben) will visit a kobini weekly, if not daily, for essentials like coffee, tea, snacks, or to buy a cheap lunch or dinner. Many konbinis also offer microwaves and a space where customers can sit and enjoy a warm meal.
I created this recipe collection for those who enjoy Japanese convenience store food as I much as I do, but who don't have access to it on a regular basis. The dishes I curated for this roundup are popular ones that can be found in most Japanese konbinis. Some are best sellers like the famous tamago sando (egg sandwich) and onigiri (rice ball). The recipes are easy to make and will take you back to Japan, bite after bite!
Hiyayakko – Chilled Tofu with Toppings (冷奴)
Hiyayakko is a traditional Japanese tofu dish made of chilled silken tofu dressed with various toppings such as soy sauce, chopped green onions, and grated ginger. It's served as a side dish or as part of a kaiseki (multi course) meal (会席料理).
Miso Soup with Tofu and Wakame (味噌汁)
This is the classic seaweed and tofu miso soup we all know and love! Easy to make with delicate nutty and savory flavors, this homemade version is so delicious that I prefer it to the majority of ones served in restaurants!
Japanese pickled vegetables (tsukemono)
Pickled vegetables, called tsukemono, are often served as part of a traditional Japanese meal, with a bowl of rice, or on its own, to enjoy as a snack. The recipe is very simple – various chopped vegetables are pickled in a solution for several hours, or in this case, covered with miso paste. The result is delicious – mildly salty and nutty, with a delicate crunch.
Salted Pickled Cabbage
This is a simple take on one of my mom's pickled cabbage recipe. Only two ingredients are needed – napa cabbage and salt, and about 1 hour of brining. Perfect as a side dish or with a bowl of white rice!
Sesame Cucumber Salad
Cucumber salads are a very popular food in Japanese conbinis. They come in different flavors, and are the perfect crunchy side to enjoy with something heavier like a bowl of ramen or a fried rice. This recipe is salty and nutty and only take 5 minutes to make!
Gomae (Japanese Spinach Salad With Sesame Sauce)
Gomae is a Japanese spinach salad dressed in a nutty, savory, and sweet sesame sauce. It's a simple a tasty side dish that only takes 15 minutes to make from start to finish!
Kani Salad – Japanese Imitation Crab Salad
Kani salad is a simple dish made of imitation crab meat and cucumber, mixed in a sweet and tangy Kewpie mayonnaise dressing. It can be served as a side dish, a snack, or as a filling for sushi rolls. It makes a wonderful side dish to any Japanese or Western meal and is also kid friendly!
Japanese Potato Salad (ポテト サラダ)
This recipe stems from my longtime love of sweet, savory, and creamy Japanese potato salad. I like to keep the texture on the chunky side and add pickled cucumbers for some tanginess and a bit of crunch.
Harusame Salad (Glass Noodle Salad)
Harusame salad is a very popular convenience store food because of its refreshing and sour properties. The glass noodle salad comes with crab sticks, cucumber, egg, and wood ear mushrooms, and is seasoned with a tangy, nutty, and smoky dressing.
Oden (Japanese One-Pot Fish Cake Stew)
Oden is a delicious Japanese winter stew made of vegetables, eggs, Japanese fishcakes, konjac, and simmered in a soy sauce and dashi broth. It's a traditional Japanese meal served in the colder months because of its comforting properties. And it's surprisingly filling and very easy to make!
Potato Salad Sandwich (ポテトサラダ)
Potesara sando, or potato salad sandwich, is a staple snack sold in convenience stores across Japan. It's creamy, sweet, and tangy, and texture-wise, similar to an egg salad sandwich. This recipe is all that and includes lots of salt brined cucumber for a nice crunch!
Japanese Egg Sandwich (Tamago Sando)
Japanese egg sandwich is a creamy, tangy, light, and tasty snack that's loved by almost everyone I know. What makes the Japanese version different is the type of mayonnaise used. Kewpie mayonnaise has a unique fruity, eggy taste, and strong umami taste that elevates the overall taste of this sandwich.
Japanese Milk Bread (Shokupan)
Japanese milk bread (食パン) is Japan's version of sandwich bread, which may just be the best white bread in the world. What makes shokupan so irresistible is the use of yudane, a starter paste (roux) made with an equal amount of flour and boiling water. The paste retains its moisture and makes the dough soft, airy, and stretchy.
Shoyu Ramen (Soy Sauce Ramen)
My homemade shoyu ramen is packed with the slurp-worthy umami of a local ramen joint. The good news is that this one only takes 25 minutes to make from start to finish, using ingredients that are easy to find!
Kitsune Udon (きつねうどん)
Kitsune udon is a traditional udon noodle soup served in a delicate, salty, and umami broth. It's topped with sweet inari age (deep fried tofu) pouches, fish cake, and freshly chopped green onions. It's delicious, comforting, and only takes 15 minutes to make from start to finish!
Zaru Soba (Cold Soba Noodles)
Chilled soba noodles are one of Japan's most loved summer dishes. The nutty taste of cold buckwheat noodles dipped in a rich umami sauce, topped with freshly chopped green onions and toasted shredded nori, is something I could eat everyday!
Hiyashi Chuka (Chilled Ramen)
Hiyashi chuka is another popular summer noodle dish made with chilled ramen noodles that are dressed in a vinegar and soy sauce base dressing. The noodles are topped with various toppings such as sliced cucumber, tomatoes, lettuce, sliced omelet, and either ham or seafood. The result is a bright and tangy dish that is as refreshing as it is delicious.
Spaghetti Napolitan (ナポリタン)
Spaghetti napolitan is a popular yoshoku (western-style food) that is loved by children all over Japan. The simple spaghetti dish comes with a ketchup based sauce and is topped with sausages, mushrooms, bell peppers, and onion.
Japanese Curry
No need to make Japanese curry from scratch! This easy Japanese curry in a hurry recipe is made using curry sauce mix and only takes 30 minutes to make from start to finish.
Chukadon (Chinese Style Donburi)
If stir fried veggies and tender shrimp, simmered in a savory gooey Chinese inspired gravy sounds like your thing, this Japanese chukadon recipe is definitely one you'll want to try! Plus, this recipe only takes 25 minutes to make from start to finish.
Omurice – オムライス
Omurice is a simple Japanese omelette stuffed with vegetable fried rice and seasoned with ketchup and soy sauce. It's a popular dish that's served at home, in family restaurants, diners, and cafes across Japan. It's a great recipe to make with leftover rice and one that's loved by both kids and adults.
Castella Cake – カステラ
Castella is a Japanese confectionary with roots from Portugal. It's a simple sponge cake made with flour, eggs, sugar and starch syrup – which is baked in a rectangular mold. Light as air and perfectly sweetened by honey, this is a must try. Seriously, I don't want to overstate the obvious, but honey lovers are in for a treat!
Mitarashi Dango (みたらし団子)
Similar to mochi, mitarashi dango are chewy and fluffy rice dumplings brushed with a sweet, earthy, and savory glaze. It's a popular Japanese snack for all seasons that everyone, from children to adults, love eating.
Japanese Coffee Jelly (コ-ヒ- ゼリ-)
Who would have thought that turning coffee into jelly would be so good! The sweetness and kick of caffeine make it the perfect wake me up afternoon snack to enjoy at home or at the office. Drizzle a little heavy cream on top to make it taste like a latte!
