Need a quick bite to eat? Pick up one of these tasty konbini sandwiches to keep your stomach satisfied
You can’t go wrong with sandwiches (or sandos for short in Japan). After all, just about anything tastes good between two slices of bread. Whether on-the-go, for breakfast, lunch, dinner or even dessert, konbini in Tokyo serve up some of the tastiest (and cheapest) sandwiches in town. Here’s a quick rundown of some of our favourite finds for when hunger strikes…
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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 mix of strawberry, kiwi, pineapple and peach comes from 7-Eleven (¥367).
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 (¥334) 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 tamagoyaki (Japanese omelette) and hard-boiled eggs to scrambled varieties. However, you can't go wrong with the classic egg salad sando (¥248) from 7-Eleven which sees eggs mixed with Japanese mayo for a creamy and satisfying sandwich.
Another hearty option is a good ol’ lettuce sandwich – the signature one here from 7-Eleven is called the ‘shaki shaki’ (¥267). Usually accompanied by thin slices of ham and cheese, the highlight of this sando is the thick layer of crisp lettuce as the main filling. Other than adding to your daily serving of vegetables, it's a delicious option that pretty much hits all the essential food groups.
Keep an eye out for these special sandwiches as they come and go as the seasons change. Particularly at 7-Eleven, you can find tasty offerings like this protein-packed speciality (¥367) featuring roasted chicken, hard boiled eggs, vegetables, and a spicy chili sauce made with chickpeas.
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