Looking for tasty food at FamilyMart in Japan? I’ve got you covered!
Here are 10 delicious foods you shouldn’t miss, including juicy fried chicken, creamy smoothies, fluffy cakes, and tasty sushi sets.
They’re affordable, easy to grab, and perfect for your trip. Let me show you what to pick on your next convenience store visit in Japan! 😊
1. Moist Cake (Chocolate)
- What It Is: A moist chocolate cake from FamilyMart, baked fresh and sold in individual packs.
- Cake Base: The cake is soft, moist, and buttery, similar to a sponge cake.
- Chocolate Pieces: Small chocolate chunks on top add sweetness and a slight crunch.
- Easy to Eat: Comes individually wrapped, perfect for enjoying on-the-go or with a drink.
- Price: About ¥145 (tax included), roughly $1.
2. Fami-Chiki
- What It Is: Fami-Chiki is boneless fried chicken, a popular snack sold at FamilyMart convenience stores across Japan.
- Original Flavor: The outside is crispy and the inside is juicy and tender. It’s lightly seasoned and easy to eat while you’re on the move.
- Flavor Choices: FamilyMart regularly introduces special versions, like cheese-filled chicken and tartar sauce flavor.
- Quick and Tasty: Perfect as a quick snack or small meal. You can even buy a separate bun to make it into a chicken sandwich.
- Price: One-piece costs about ¥240, roughly $1.70.
3. Strawberry Milk
- What It Is: Strawberry milk sold at FamilyMart in Japan, made with milk and real strawberry pieces.
- Real Strawberry Pieces: Includes real strawberry chunks, giving you tasty bits of fruit in every sip.
- Smooth and Creamy: The drink is creamy and smooth, thicker than regular milk, similar to a yogurt smoothie.
- Other Flavors Available: You can also find melon milk (sweet with melon chunks) and berry milk (mixed berries with a mildly tart flavor).
- Dessert-Like Experience: Drinking this strawberry milk feels like enjoying a dessert because of the fruit chunks and creamy texture.
- Easy and Convenient: Comes in a clear 300 ml bottle in the refrigerated section. Shake before drinking directly from the wide opening. No straw needed.
- Price: About ¥278 (tax included), roughly $1.90.
4. Yakitori
- Chicken Thigh (Soy Sauce): Soft, juicy chicken thigh coated in sweet and salty sauce, grilled lightly for a smoky flavor.
- Chicken Skin (Soy Sauce): Crispy and chewy chicken skin with tasty soy sauce coating, rich and savory.
- Chicken Thigh (Salt): Simple, juicy grilled chicken thigh seasoned only with salt, highlighting the chicken’s natural taste.
- Chicken Skin (Salt): Crispier, less oily chicken skin seasoned with salt for a light, tasty bite.
- Chicken & Leek (Soy Sauce): Juicy chicken pieces combined with grilled leek slices, coated in soy sauce for a balanced, flavorful taste.
- Quick and Warm: Ready to eat immediately, making it a great snack option anytime.
- Simple Ordering: Easy for visitors to order; just point or say “yakitori” with your choice of “tare” (soy sauce) or “shio” (salt).
- Prices: About ¥150–¥158 per skewer (tax included), roughly $1.
5. Pizza Bun
- What It Is: A steamed bun at FamilyMart filled with pizza ingredients like tomato sauce and melted cheese.
- Soft Dough: The bun is fluffy and easy to bite into, with a slightly chewy texture.
- Pizza Flavor: Tastes like a mini pizza, filled with flavorful tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese.
- Preferred Taste: Often considered tastier than similar buns at other convenience stores due to its balanced flavors and appealing texture.
- Price: About ¥168 (tax included), roughly $1.20.
6. Custard Cream Taiyaki
- What It Is: A fish-shaped snack from FamilyMart, filled with tasty custard cream.
- Outer Dough: Soft, chewy texture, similar to a pancake, with a mild sweetness.
- Custard Filling: Creamy and smooth with a gentle vanilla flavor, not too sweet.
- How to Eat: Usually eaten cold from the fridge, but you can warm it slightly if you like it warmer.
- Convenient: Ready to eat immediately, making it perfect for a quick snack while traveling.
- Popular Pick: A favorite choice among locals, meaning you’re tasting something genuinely enjoyed in Japan.
- Price: About ¥178 (tax included), roughly $1.20.
7. Ippeichan Yakisoba Noodles
- What It Is: A large-sized cup of instant yakisoba noodles, served with a tasty sauce and spicy mustard mayo.
- Flavor: Noodles are covered in a rich sauce that tastes savory with a hint of sweetness.
- Mustard Mayo: Comes with a tangy and slightly spicy mayo. You add this yourself, so you control how much spice you want.
- Noodles and Toppings: Noodles are chewy and mixed with small pieces of cabbage and pork. It includes a seasoning packet with crunchy seaweed flakes and ginger bits for extra taste.
- Popular Choice: Ippeichan Yakisoba is a favorite instant noodle brand among locals in Japan.
- Easy Preparation: It’s simple to make. Just add hot water, drain after three minutes, mix in the sauce, sprinkle toppings, and drizzle mayo.
- Good Experience: Trying Ippeichan is a tasty way to experience Japanese convenience store food, especially if you’re new to instant yakisoba noodles.
- Price: About ¥292 (tax included), roughly $2.
8. Kagome Smoothie
- What It Is: Kagome Smoothies are fruit and vegetable drinks in handy bottles, sold at FamilyMart in Japan. They have no added sugar and come in several tasty flavors.
- Green Smoothie: Made from 15 different fruits and veggies, including kiwi, banana, spinach, and kale. It has a sweet, fruity taste and a smooth, thick texture.
- Berry & Pomegranate Smoothie: A sweet and slightly sour smoothie with berry, pomegranate, and acai flavors. Creamy and smooth like yogurt but without dairy.
- Vitamin Smoothie: Mildly sweet and refreshing with carrot and orange flavors. Smooth, juicy texture that’s easy and enjoyable to drink.
- Banana Smoothie: Creamy and naturally sweet banana flavor with a smooth, satisfying texture.
- Good for You: Each bottle has around 175 grams of veggies, giving you fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It’s a tasty and easy way to stay healthy during your travels.
- Easy to Carry: Comes in a convenient 330 ml bottle with a resealable cap, great for drinking while on the go.
- Price: About ¥192 (tax included), roughly $1.30.
9. Pucchin Purin
- What It Is: A popular Japanese custard pudding dessert called Pucchin Purin, sold at FamilyMart stores.
- Flavor: Sweet and creamy pudding with a tasty caramel sauce.
- Texture: Soft, smooth, and wobbly. It feels jelly-like and gently melts in your mouth.
- Fun to Eat: You can flip it onto a plate easily using a tab on the cup. It pops out in one smooth piece.
- Price: About ¥178 (tax included), roughly $1.20.
10. Egg Sandwich & Fruit Sandwich
a. Egg Sandwich
- What It Is: Soft white bread sandwich filled with creamy egg salad (made from boiled eggs mixed with mayo).
- Taste: Mildly sweet and savory, rich egg flavor.
- Texture: Soft, fluffy bread with smooth, creamy egg filling.
- Price: About ¥286 (tax included), roughly $2.
b. 3-Fruit Mix Sandwich
- What It Is: Sandwich filled with mascarpone whipped cream and fruit pieces including yellow peach, pineapple, and mandarin orange.
- Taste: Sweet and refreshing, lightly creamy with a hint of cheesecake flavor from the mascarpone.
- Texture: Bread is soft and moist; fruit pieces are juicy; cream is smooth and fluffy.
- Price: About ¥375 (tax included), roughly $2.60.
Good Pick #1: Onigiri
- What It Is: Onigiri is a Japanese rice ball snack made from rice formed into a triangle or oval shape, usually wrapped in seaweed and filled with tasty ingredients.
- Soft Rice: The rice is fluffy, lightly salted, and slightly sticky. Each bite is soft, tasty, and satisfying.
- Popular Fillings: Common fillings include Tuna Mayonnaise, Grilled Salmon, Salmon Mayo, and Teriyaki Chicken. Each has its own tasty appeal.
- Grilled Onigiri: These rice balls have a toasted outer layer brushed with soy sauce, giving a slightly firm texture and smoky flavor.
- Local Favorite: Eating FamilyMart onigiri lets you try a snack loved by locals. It’s common, authentic, and gives you a real taste of everyday Japanese food culture.
- My Experience: I tried the Tuna Mayonnaise Onigiri priced at ¥158 (around $1.10). It had a tasty blend of creamy tuna mayo filling and soft rice, wrapped partly with flavorful seaweed. It’s a perfect choice if you’re unsure what to try first.
- Prices: About ¥138–¥199 (tax included), roughly $1.00-$1.40.
Good Pick #2: Dorayaki
- What It Is: A chewy Japanese pancake (Dorayaki) filled with sweet red bean paste and whipped cream, sold at FamilyMart.
- Chewy Pancake: The pancake has a soft and springy texture, like mochi, different from regular pancakes.
- Filling: Includes chunky red bean paste (tsubuan) and smooth whipped cream, giving it a mildly sweet and creamy taste.
- Unique Taste: A delicious way to try traditional Japanese flavors in a simple and tasty snack.
- Price: About ¥190(tax included), roughly $1.30.
Good Pick #3: Pork Cutlet Curry Rice
- What It Is: A ready-to-eat meal from FamilyMart featuring slices of pork cutlet served with Japanese curry sauce and rice.
- Pork Cutlet: The pork is tender and juicy inside, with a lightly crispy coating that stays good even after reheating.
- Texture Mix: Smooth, thick curry sauce matches well with soft rice and juicy pork, giving you a nice mix in each bite.
- Spice Level: Medium spice, noticeable but not overwhelming, suitable even if you’re not used to spicy foods.
- Cultural Experience: Trying this curry is a simple way to enjoy tasty local food and experience Japan’s convenience store food culture.
- Easy to Eat: Staff can heat it up for you, or you can microwave it yourself. Heat it for either 1 minute 20 seconds (1600W) or 4 minutes (500W).
- Price: About ¥598 (tax included), roughly $4.10.
Good Pick #4: Sushi Sets
- What It Is: Convenient, ready-to-eat sushi sets at FamilyMart featuring popular options like seafood rolls, salmon, tuna, shrimp, egg, and more.
- Taste and Texture: Fresh and tasty, including creamy tuna rolls, buttery salmon, and tender shrimp. Each set has a mix of soft, smooth, crunchy, and chewy textures.
- What I Tried: I tried the Tuna & Salmon Sushi Set (pictured) at 528 yen (about $3.70). It has salmon sushi, grilled salmon, creamy tuna rolls, and small sushi rolls. Fresh, tasty, and great for a quick snack or meal.
- Why It’s a Must-Try: Great for travelers needing quick, tasty meals. Freshly prepared daily, easily available in FamilyMart stores throughout Japan.
- Prices: Affordable, ranging from about ¥168 to ¥698 yen (around $1.20 to $4.80), including tax. Ideal for trying various sushi without overspending.
Good Pick #5: Bento Sets
- What It Is: Bento boxes are convenient meals that include rice with different sides like meat, fish, veggies, and egg dishes.
- Variety of Textures: You’ll find crispy fried items, tender grilled fish, juicy meats, fluffy eggs, and chewy vegetable fritters, all in one box.
- Something for Everyone: Choices range from savory grilled fish and mild spicy cod roe to juicy hamburger steaks, so everyone can find something they like.
- Taste Local Favorites: Easily sample popular Japanese dishes without spending a lot.
- What I Tried: You can also try the FamilyMart bento box (as pictured) at 459 yen (about $3.20), featuring a tasty assortment of rice, fried fish, grilled mackerel, omelet, fried chicken patty, and vegetable tempura. It’s a convenient and satisfying meal.
- Prices: Bento prices typically range from ¥459 to ¥646 (including tax), about $3.20 to $4.50, offering great value.
Good Pick #6: Nissin Curry Meshi
- What It Is: Instant curry rice in a cup. Just add hot water, and it’s ready to eat in 5 minutes.
- Flavor: Mild, savory European-style curry taste with beef, onions, and a slight buttery flavor. The spices give it warmth without being very spicy.
- Texture: Soft, creamy, and stew-like. The rice absorbs the thick curry sauce after adding hot water, making it easy and satisfying to eat.
- Convenience: Fast and simple meal ready in just 5 minutes. Add hot water at FamilyMart or your hotel; great for a quick bite or easy lunch.
- Nutrition: Offers balanced nutrition with 33 essential nutrients, including protein, vitamins, and fiber. It’s healthier than many instant meals.
- Real Curry Taste: Delicious and satisfying, tastes like a freshly made Japanese curry in a convenient form.
- Price: About ¥429 (tax included), roughly $3.
