The food at 7-Eleven locations in Japan is in a completely different league compared to stores in the United States. The U.S. stores mainly offer soda, chips, and mediocre slices of pizza — and it’s hardly a compelling enough reason for a 14-hour flight — while the 7-Elevens in Japan have become known as destination-worthy spots for a variety of delicious Japanese snacks, from famous sandwiches to onigiri, instant ramen, sweet drinks, and much more.
Since opening its stores in Japan in the 1970s, the konbini (convenience) chain has expanded rapidly. Now, there are more than 21,000 7-Eleven stores in Japan. Unlike their American counterparts, these locations are known for their high-quality snacks and a much larger selection of ready-to-eat foods.
Locals and tourists alike often share their favorite foods from Japanese 7-Eleven stores online, featuring items perfect for late-night snack hauls, road trip fuel, or quick lunches. Although they’re far from the only foods that fans recommend at these convenience stores, all eight of these items are frequently recommended, and they might just convince you to plan a trip to Japan.
Tamagosando (Egg Salad Sandwich)
Nestled between fluffy Japanese milk bread, this 7-Eleven sandwich’s star is its rich egg salad, crafted with hard-boiled eggs, Kewpie mayo, a touch of sugar, salt, and pepper. The Crunch Bros, a father-son team, highlight that the egg filling is creamy, while “the bread is super soft.”
This sandwich is arguably one of the most popular items at 7-Eleven in Japan, so it’s a must-try if you’re there. But until you can make a trip, we happen to have the recipe for the Japanese 7-Eleven Egg Salad Sandwich.
Warabimochi
Social media influencer Patricia O’Connor (@whatthepato) grew up in Central Tokyo and has several 7-Eleven favorites she highly recommends, starting with the warabimochi. This jelly-like treat is made from bracken starch, which gives it its signature texture.
As O’Connor explains, these sweet bites are coated in kinako, a roasted soybean flour with a nutty flavor. The treat is “fluffy, chewy, and has a little bit of brown sugar in the center, which is genius.”
Onigiri With Grilled, Aged Cod Roe
These slightly sticky, tender rice balls come with a variety of filling options like egg yolk, tuna-mayo, and pickled plum. According to O’Connor, the 7-Eleven Onigiri filled with grilled, aged cod roe is a must-try. “Cod roe is one of those underrated dishes that usually foreign tourists don’t really try, but I think everybody should,” she says.
Kare Pan (Curry Bread)
Osaka-based creator Saki (@saki.pan) proclaims that the Kare Pan (or curry bread) is the “most underrated bread in Japan.” These crispy balls of dough are fried on-site, and you’ll find them sold next to the cash register. You can choose to have them warmed — which Saki recommends — and the savory treats are filled with Japanese curry.
Dorayaki (Pancakes)
One of the most popular pancake sandwiches from 7-Eleven is filled with maple syrup and margarine, but Saki is a big fan of the version with red bean paste and whipped cream between the two pancakes. She finds that the spongy pancakes have a “nice level of [sweetness]” and include a generous amount of red bean filling.
Nanachiki (Fried Chicken)
Dubbed Nanachiki, 7-Eleven Japan’s version of fried chicken features thigh meat and is served hot in a paper pocket, making it perfect for on-the-go eating. While some locals might prefer fried chicken from other popular konbini competitors, this is among the most popular choices and is known for its hint of peppery spice.
Ohayo Brûlée Ice Cream
The Ohayo Brûlée Ice Cream captures the textures and flavors of a dessert you probably already know and love: crème brûlée. Instead of a custard base, this dessert features vanilla ice cream topped with a crisp layer of caramelized sugar. The Ohayo Brûlée strikes the perfect textural balance between creamy and crunchy once you crack the top layer and mix it into the soft ice cream below.
Furūtsu Sando (Fruit Sandwich)
These stunning fruit sandwiches are airy and delicate, filled with whipped cream, vanilla custard, and fresh fruit inside soft Japanese milk bread for a simple, subtly sweet bite. You can opt for a sandwich with just strawberries and cream or one with a mix of fresh fruits like peach, mandarin orange, and pineapple.
Dining and Cooking