5 best convenience store sandwiches in Japan

Fruit in a sandwich? Yes, as weird as that may sound, the Japanese have a way of making everything taste good – fruit sandwiches included. The specific fillings usually depend on the season but always include fruit layered with fresh cream and (sometimes) custard, all squeezed between two pieces of fluffy bread. You’ll probably see strawberries in spring and other fruity mixes throughout the year. This season, we found a kiwi sandwich from Lawson (¥408) and a mix of whipped cream and blueberry sauce from FamilyMart (¥278).

A classic sandwich that comes in a few different varieties, the katsu sandwich is typically a deep-fried cutlet sandwiched between two slices of bread – simple as that. You can usually find chicken, pork, ebi (shrimp) and menchi (minced meat) katsu sandwiches at most konbini. Although the fried katsu usually loses its nice crispy crunch when slapped in a sandwich, 7-Eleven's chicken katsu with cabbage and katsu sauce (¥399) avoids that trap and is always a satisfying option.

There are endless possibilities when it comes to egg sandwiches at konbini. Eggs are so versatile that you’ll see everything from egg salad and hard-boiled eggs to scrambled varieties. However, you can't go wrong with the classic tamagoyaki (Japanese omelette) sando (¥322) from Lawson, which sees a fluffy, thick baked omelette complemented with mustard, mayo and a butter sauce.

Another hearty option is the good 'ol teriyaki chicken and egg sandwich (¥324). The main filling features slices of chicken in teriyaki sauce with egg salad and some lettuce for crunch. This one is a delicious option that hits the spot for breakfast, lunch or dinner. 

Keep an eye out for these special sandwiches as they come and go as the seasons change. Particularly at 7-Eleven, you can find unique offerings like this whipped cream and milk sandwich (¥345) featuring rich whipped cream made with domestic Hokkaido milk. The Japanese name of this sandwich is very literal, translating to 'whipped cream only sandwich' – in case you couldn't tell.