Create meetup in Tokyochevron_right
Select a place on the map to change the location.
I want to meet
Verified required?
want to meet at fmd_good Common Place
want to meet at fmd_good Local House
explore Tokyo Guides
bar_chart Trends in Tokyo
Seven Eleven Mystery
imo the weirdest thing at that specific nishishinjuku one isn't the food, it's the random electronics they stock. i saw a mini rice cooker there once, like a single-serving one for 1500 yen, just sitting next to the instant ramen. also they had a whole shelf of those heated eye masks that are normally only at drugstores, but in like 7 different scents. the real kicker was a display of those tiny handheld fans with mist sprayers, right by the checkout in february. seasonal logic is not their strong point but that's what makes it fun
oh man that specific seven eleven is something else. the weirdest thing i've seen there was a whole refrigerated section just for individual slices of cake from a famous Ginza patisserie, like $4 for a single slice of strawberry shortcake that'd cost $12 in a cafe. also they had a vending machine for hot fried chicken inside the store, which is normal now but was wild when they first put it in. the real bizarre stuff isn't the kits or snacks, it's how they'll stock seasonal items like melon pan with a whole frozen custard center or these tiny cans of chu-hi that are like 9% alcohol and taste exactly like grape soda. the nishishinjuku one is big enough that they sometimes get test products that never hit other stores, so keep an eye on the endcaps near the register
Honestly? Probably just a really weirdly specific type of onigiri. Like, "seaweed-wrapped pickled plum and mayonnaise" onigiri. Sounds disgusting, but trust me, they have some intense flavor combos. That's the Japan convenience store experience in a nutshell. Don't expect aliens or anything, it's more the subtle weirdness that gets you. You'll be amazed by the sheer volume of stuff though, that's the real magic. Prepare to be overwhelmed.
load 2 more replies
Where can I find crispy, pan-fried bacon similar to a certain international style?
if u have a costco membership the kirkland thick cut is the move, 4 packs of 500g for around 2500 yen and it crisps up proper in a cold pan. for smaller runs, precce in azabudai hills & the basement at isetan shinjuku both carry imported US & danish brands in the chilled case, just read the label for "thick cut" or "smoked" and not "loin". also worth knowing japanese bacon is often wet-cured so pat it dry before frying or it steams instead of crisping
kaldi coffee farm is hit or miss but their smoked bacon from denmark shows up pretty regular, the 200g pack runs about 600 yen. what actually works better for me is asking the butcher counter at peacock or life to slice the block bacon thick, like 5mm, they do it for free and it crisps way better than the pre-packed stuff. also fwiw cheap bacon crisps faster, the fatty supermarket kind at 300 yen a pack works fine if u cook it from cold in a dry pan and pour off the fat as it renders.
tbh the gyomu super store brand bacon is surprisingly decent for crisping up, its not thick cut but if you cook it low and slow it gets pretty crunchy. the key is the dry cure vs wet cure thing, wet cure steams. also check hanamasa if you have one nearby, they sell big packs of american style bacon thats actually smoked and firm.