Like any self-respecting visitor in Japan, the first thing I did in the country was run to 7-Eleven to stock up on mouth-watering Japanese snacks. You should know that 7-Eleven stores in Japan aren’t anything like the U.S. convenience stores. The treats here are elite and very budget-friendly.
There were so many tempting snack choices that once I finally got inside the store, I froze. Everything looked delicious but it was all in a foreign language. It was difficult to pick something when faced with so many options.
After a few weeks in the country, I was confidently zooming through the 7-Eleven stores picking up all my favorites. These are the best snacks and drinks at 7-Eleven in Japan, from desserts and chips to teas and ramen, in my humble opinion.
Table of Contents
Egg Salad Sandwich
I was hesitant when I started seeing people online heavily recommending the egg salad sandwich from Japanese 7-Eleven stores. To be frank, it didn’t even look that good to me when I finally decided to pick one up. Once I tasted it, I got the hype.
The bread is pillowy soft and the egg salad is the type that even an egg hater could appreciate. I can’t tell you how many times I grabbed one of these sandwiches for breakfast (or lunch, or dinner).
Miso Soup
I’ve been a miso soup fan since childhood. I rekindled my love for the stuff once I discovered these 7-Eleven instant miso soups.
It tastes like restaurant-quality miso soup and is insanely cheap at just ¥100 or 66 cents. This is another product that I would purchase on a near-daily basis in Japan.
Truffle & Japanese Black Beef Flambe Chips
Asia in general is home to some of the most unique chip flavors on the planet. One of my favorite varieties in Japan was the truffles and Japanese black beef flambé chips. They have an intense punch of flavor and taste like a fancy dinner in every bite.
Bite-Size Peach & Mango Ice
This refreshing, sweet dessert is a good option when you want something a little bit lighter than ice cream. The poppable dollops of ice-y goodness remind me of the sorbet version of America’s Dibs ice cream bites.
I’m also indecisive, so I loved that each pack came with two flavors inside.
Soy Sauce Chicken Dumpling Ramen
I tried my fair share of ramen flavors while I was traveling in Japan, but my favorite one was this chicken dumpling kind. The way they manage to make instant dumplings taste so homemade is nothing short of magical.
Onigiri (Especially Tuna Mayo & Pickled Ginger)
Perhaps the pickled ginger is just my personal preference, but trying the onigiri at 7-Eleven is a must in general.
There are all different onigiri flavors from tuna mayo (yum) to pickled plum (not my taste). There is bound to be one that you like even if you’re a picky eater.
Strawberry Ice Cream Sandwich
Japan’s 7-Eleven stores are heaven for travelers with a sweet tooth like me. These strawberry ice cream sandwiches are just evidence of that truth. The strawberry cookie is thick and they are extremely generous with the ice cream portion slathered in between.
Royal Milk Tea
Whenever I was sleepy but it was too late in the day for coffee, I would pop into 7-Eleven and grab a royal milk tea. This ultra-creamy tea drink is the perfect pick-me-up without pumping yourself full of caffeine.
Pineapple Pieces
I could not believe the freshness of the pre-packaged, ready-to-eat fruit at 7-Eleven stores in Japan. The pineapple pieces taste like they have just been cut.
Japanese 7-Elevens carry different types of fruits like apples, oranges, grapes, kiwis, and melons. My favorite out of them all was the juicy pineapples, though.
These little fruit packs are incredibly convenient for a mid-day snack or to grab before riding the train in Japan.
Kirin Strong Lemon (For 21+)
If you’re over the age of 21, you won’t want to miss this yummy alcoholic beverage from the 7-Eleven stores in Japan. Kirin Strong Lemon is a Japanese spiked seltzer and it is insanely delicious. It’s light, refreshing, and easy to drink.
Budget travelers in Japan love this stuff because it only costs a couple of hundred Yen. Kirin Strong also comes in a grapefruit flavor and it’s available in either 5% or 9% alcohol volumes.
Smoothies
Discovering the smoothie machines at 7-Eleven was a complete game-changer during my trip. I came across flavors like strawberry banana, mango, and greens. Every single one was good. It’s ideal for breakfast on the go in Japan.
In the freezers of the store, you’ll find cups pre-filled with various frozen fruit concoctions that blend up into a tasty smoothie. All you have to do is scan the cup on the machine after paying, pop it inside, and wait for it to prepare a thick, fruity smoothie.
Mukumi Lemon Tonic Drink
I eventually got curious about the 7-Eleven section filled with tiny bottles of healthy-looking, vitamin drinks. After doing some translating and trying a few out, I thought this Mukumi lemon tonic drink from Pokka Sapporo was the tastiest.
Although I can’t definitively say how healthy it actually is, I will say that I always felt good after chugging one of these bad boys in Japan.
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With thousands of 7-Eleven stores across Japan, it only makes sense to try out some of the iconic convenience store’s snacks.
These munchies are a starting point for your shopping list, but you have to try out new things to discover your own favorites. Don’t be shy and test out things you may not be able to find in your home country.
With that being said, these top 12 are guaranteed winners. At least in my opinion.
7-Eleven may induce a case of culture shock with how amazing the snacks are. The truth is that lots of stuff can come off as odd to foreigners in Japan. To learn more, check out my article about American taboos that are normal in Japan.
