Known as ‘konbini’ in Japanese, convenience stores are a part of day-to-day life in Japan, but they’re not just one-stop-shops for ATMs, ticket purchases and mail pick up. They’re also a go-to for those who are feeling peckish, so much so that konbini food has become its own subculture. There are more than 56,000 convenience stores in Japan and each brand has its own following and range of foods and goods that make each a must-visit in its own right. So if you like good food and even better prices then put a trip to konbini straight to the top of your things-to-do-in-Japan list. Here are the best convenience stores in Japan and what foods to buy from each.

Karaage Kun from Lawson

Lawson, Japan. Source: Supplied

If it’s good enough for Anthony Bourdain then it’s good enough for us. Before konbini entered the zeitgeist none other than Anthony Bourdain shared his love for Lawson and konbini in his CNN travel series ‘Parts Unknown with Anthony Bourdain’. While Anthony declared his love for the addictive egg sandwich, his wife was obsessed with the karaage kun (chicken nuggets). Probably the most popular item sold at Lawson the chicken nuggets come in regular and red flavours, with the later being the spicy version. Honourable mentions go to Lawson’s onigiri with minced meat and egg yolk, which is a flavour exclusive to convenience store chain, and the cream cake roll, which is like a giant jam roll where the jam is substituted with fresh whipped cream.

Tamago Sando from 7-Eleven

If your only exposure to 7-Eleven are the lacklustre stores in Australia, forget everything you know. In Japan 7-Eleven’s are packed with fresh and delicious foods. Yes, you’ll find your pre-packaged treats in the aisles and freezers, but the sushi, onigiri and sandwiches make it worth the pitstop. There are two sandwiches that reign supreme here: Tamago sando and furutsu sando. The first is your humble egg sandwich. Boiled eggs mashed with a generous serving of kewpie mayo with a little salty and pepper are sandwiched between two slices of fluffy white bread. Now picture the same thing, but swap the egg for whipped cream and fresh fruit (usually strawberries) and you have a furutsu sando (fruit sandwich).

Parfait from Ministop

Ministop, Japan. Source: Supplied

Do you have a sweet tooth? Then a visit to Ministop is a must. The convenience store’s signature product is its parfait. What makes it so delicious? The soft-serve ice cream. It is made from raw milk produced in Hokkaido. There is a rotation of limited-edition parfait flavours that are seasonal and usually revolve around fruit.

Famichiki from FamilyMart

FamilyMart, Japan. Source: Supplied

Ask any local what the one thing is that you have to try from FamilyMart and they will answer: Famichiki. Simply put, famichiki is a big, juicy piece of boneless fried chicken. Bigger than a nugget but not as big as a schnitzel, this deliciously crunchy piece of meat is a go-to for those looking to fill their stomach without draining their wallet. Why not make a mea out of the trip to FamilyMart? Follow your famichiki up with a melt-in-your-mouth Cheese Souffle Pudding. A cup of whipped cream, caramel sauce and sponge cake is topped with a rich, but fluffy, cheese souffle.