The Best Konbini Cheap Eats for Lunch from Japanese Convenience Stores
Hey there, welcome back! I hope you jotted down a few delicious breakfast cheap eat ideas from my previous post, “The Best 5 Konbini (Convenience Store) Food for Breakfast in Japan”, those I discovered in all my years of Japan traveling,
Now, you guessed it. Let me tell you all about some of the yummiest konbini food options you have for LUNCH.
Craving something quick and heartwarming yet inexpensive, and best of all, NOT HAVING TO WAIT IN LINES in front of crowded restaurants? So that you can eat and get on with your adventures? I’ve got you covered!
When lunchtime rolls around, konbini (Japanese convenience stores) offer a wide variety of food options. From ramen and steamed buns to sandwiches and bento boxes, the below are some of the best and delicious cheap eats you can find for lunch.
1 . Ramen Noodle
Japanese convenience stores (konbini) has a huge selection of instant ramen bowls and flavors for you to choose from. Just grab one, pay for it, and use the hot water station provided in the store, and you are good to go.
However, that is not the ramen noodle I want to tell you about. The ramen noodle bowls I want to bring up are those freshly prepared, packed, transported to and restocked in konbini multiple times throughout the day.
“What?” Of course, that would be your response. Let’s go into some of it.
Variety Galore
Walk into any konbini, and you’ll be greeted by a fresh ramen aisle (or large shelf). From miso to shoyu, tantanmen to tonkotsu, the noodle choices are plentiful.
Each ramen variety has a unique taste profile : Shoyu is soy-sauce based, miso is rich and hearty, and tonkotsu is a pork broth delight. Try different ones to find your favorite ramen bowl.
Toppings
Ramen bowls come with several toppings already piled on top of the noodle. Popular toppings are meat (chicken, beef, or pork slices), boiled egg, fishcake, corn, greens, bamboo shoots, green onion, and so on.
Sounds so healthy and delicious, right?
DIY
All ramen bowls come with everything you need – fresh noodles, broth, and toppings. Very easy to prepare, so just follow the simple instructions, put them all together, microwave, and voilà – you have a steaming bowl of goodness in just a few minutes.
Cheap Eat
Monitoring your budget? Convenience store ramen is not just tasty; it’s wallet-friendly too.
From 500 to 650 yen (about 3.45 USD to 4.13 USD), you can enjoy a satisfying bowl without breaking the bank – perfect for the budget-conscious traveler.
Quick Tips for the Ramen Rookie
Most konbinis provide disposable chopsticks with your ramen, but if you’re only comfortable with forks, consider packing one yourself.
2 . Nikuman (Steamed Buns)
Imagine soft clouds filled with savory goodness – that’s nikuman. These steamed buns are pockets of joy, perfect for a quick and delightful lunch.
These aren’t just any steamed buns, though. The bun texture is light and fluffy, and are generously filled with a variety of mouthwatering fillings.
Why is nikuman (steamed bun) a perfect choice for lunch and for your schedule? Here are a few reasons :
Plenty of Choices
Picture this : a steamed bun filled with a savory goodness. Whether it’s classic pork, beef, chicken, curry, or a veggie medley, the filling is where the magic happens.
Seasoned to perfection and oh so very juicy, each bite is a burst of flavor that will leave you craving more.
For those with a sweet tooth, nikuman filled with sweet red bean paste, sweet potato, or custard are also available. The paste is sweet without being too sweet, and complements the bun perfectly, making for a delightfully quick but satisfying lunch.
On-the-Go Convenience
In a hurry and need a quick, non-messy, and portable snack? Nikuman is your beautiful solution. Whether you’re exploring the streets of Japan or sitting in a park enjoying cherry blossoms, these buns are the perfect on-the-go treat.
The convenience store staff will wrap the buns up nicely for you at the counter, with some napkins. Bam – you’re good and ready for the next adventure, with a delicious treat ready to be devoured!
Budget-Friendly
Nikuman is not just delicious; it’s also wallet-friendly. You can savor the nicely sized bun, while only spending 110-150 yen, without denting your travel budget. It doesn’t get any better than that.
Ready to Eat Right Away
You guessed it from the name “steamed buns”, these yummy buns are steaming hot and ready to eat the moment you purchase them.
They are stored in hot ovens right in front of the cash register, so just point to the one (or two) that you want, pay for it, and the staff will wrap it up nicely for you.
Nikuman Etiquette
The art of the perfect steamed bun bite? Take a small nibble to let the hot steam inside escape, then take a nice bite, chewing slowly to allow the flavors to mingle and dance on your tongue. It’s not just a snack; it’s a comforting and joyful eat.
3 . Bento Boxes
Have you ever seen those beautifully packed food and vegetables inside a Japanese lunch box? Yes, that is called a bento box.
When lunch becomes an art form, it’s a bento box affair. These culinary work of art (made out of food) showcase a symphony of flavors and textures. It’s not just a meal; it’s a visual feast as well!
These boxes often contain a well-balanced full meal with steamed rice, fish, meat or tempura, vegetables, and a small dessert.
Below are why bento boxes are a must-try in your Japan trip :
Art in a Box
Bento boxes are not just meals; they’re culinary art. Each box is a canvas where flavors, colors, and textures come together to create a feast for your eyes and taste buds.
Yummy Variety of Food Choices
Walk into any konbini or supermarket or grocery store, and you’ll be greeted by a bento box buffet. There are so many diverse options, to choose from that these bento boxes have their own shelf or display area.
From sushi to teriyaki, karaage to tempura, to grilled eel, to vegetarian – you will find you need a good few minutes just to pick one over the others.
Instagram-Worthy Wonders
Calling all social media enthusiasts (and those of you that love taking pictures of your food)! Bento boxes are the ultimate Instagram bait.
Capture the beauty before you devour it, and watch your followers drool over your Japanese culinary adventures.
Balanced Nutrition Ballet
Forget about the bland office lunches or unhealthy greasy food; bento boxes are here to get you excited about your midday meals, while takes good care of your health.
With a perfectly balanced mix of proteins, carbs, and veggies, you can enjoy your food wholeheartedly and still feel good about your health.
One Box, Many Different Flavors
The beauty of bento lies in its variety. One box, but multiple types of food. Each compartment in the bento box has a different type of food, and you get to sample many different treats without getting bored.
Hot or Cold, Your Choice
Whether you prefer a warm teriyaki chicken or a chilled sushi delight, different bento boxes offer the flexibility to choose your meal to be hot or cold. The konbini microwave is nearby for your convenience.
Bento on a Budget
Good news for your wallet – bento boxes are not just gourmet; they could also be budget-friendly. Bento boxes range from 400 yen to 2,000 yen, which is 2.76 USD to 13.78 USD, depending on where you buy them.
If you are on a tight budget, the most inexpensive bento boxes can be found from any convenience store or supermarket. Grab one that looks yummy to you, and experience a taste of Japanese culinary finesse without breaking the bank.
Bento Etiquette
Take a photo of your purchased bento box. Admire the beautiful presentation before digging in.
Japanese people believe that you eat with your eyes first. So, savor the visual feast, and then let your taste buds dance.
4 . Sandwiches (“Sando”)
Step into the magical realm of konbini sandwiches, affectionately known as “sando” in Japan, where these deliciously fluffy and crustless white bread and their awesome fillings becomes a cherished affair for both locals and globetrotters alike.
Sandwich Types
Sandwich choices include shrimp katsu, a crispy, fried shrimp filling that dances on your taste buds with a satisfying crunch and an explosion of flavor.
Venture further into the sandwich aisle, and you will also see other popular choices, such as fried pork cutlet, ham, tuna and mayo, and even fruit-and-cream fillings.
The Sandwich with a Global Cult-Like Following
And then, there’s the spotlight-stealer – the universally adored Japanese egg salad sandwich. This is not just a lunch option; it’s a legend.
Creamy egg salad nestled between soft bread slices – a humble yet profoundly satisfying choice that proves simplicity is a showstopper, and the classics endure for a reason.
All of these sandwiches have garnered a cult following worldwide, with the Japanese egg salad version taking a lead. A testament to its allure, it stands as the undisputed champion in the konbini food lineup.
Inexpensive Eat
Each of these sandwiches will run you somewhere between 270 to 400 yen, which is around 1.86 USD to 2.76 USD.
Where can you get a decent lunch for that price nowadays? If that is not a steal for such a delicious food, I don’t know what is.
Similar Food Types Offered by Different Konbini Chains
Each of the convenience store titans – 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson – have its separate take on many food items, from ramen to bento boxes to sandwiches, especially on the infamous egg salad sandwich.
Why settle for one when you can try them all and discover your favorite rendition? Many say Lawson and FamilyMart are close calls when it comes to egg salad sandwiches. I
n my opinion, the clear winner is FamilyMart in this egg salad sandwich race.
And there you have it! Take some mental notes, and go try these out when you visit Japan. These food are not only delicious, inexpensive, but also quick and convenient lunch choices to grab on the go and be enjoyed wherever your adventures take you that day.
If you have any questions or just want to share your own travel or skin care stories, I’d love to hear from you! Please feel free to reach out to me at evelyn@japanoncloudnine.com, and let’s chat. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post, and happy travels!
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