What’s the best way to ring in the New Year? Participate in a nation-wide food ranking competition, of course! Japan loves to make lists, and everyone checks them twice to see where they rank on all the big sites. But in a country that loves food, competition is always fierce to see which area of Japan has the best local delicacy.
Yamazaki Baking Co. has a set of sandwiches that are called the “Lunch Pack“. Two pieces of white bread are sandwiched together and filled with a variety of ingredients. This year, seven lucky fillings are facing off to become the most popular Lunch Pack of them all! Find out how you can participate and what exciting flavors hope to be eaten after the jump.
Lunch Pack in Japan is probably not the most popular item in a convenience store. You see them all the time, but the fillings range from fairly normal, like peanut cream, to “should this processed meat be sitting on the shelf with no refrigeration?” In essence, they amount to Lunchables. Processed cheese and meats with crackers and some sort of sweet…something. However, just because these Lunch Packs aren’t the healthiest thing on the shelf, doesn’t mean they aren’t going to be tasty.
Image: Hankyu Hanshin
The new yummy Yamazaki treats are duking it out to become the most popular flavor in Japan. It’s not just tastiness on the line, it’s local pride!
From over 100 candidates, Yamazaki Baking Co. narrowed the field down to only seven contenders. The final seven flavors come from all over Japan ranging from East Japan, Central Japan, and the Japan Sea Side, to the Kinki Region (Osaka/Kyoto area), Shikoku and Kyushu.
Are you ready to learn which local delicacy you will soon be stuffing your face with?
Image: Yamazaki Pan
Yubari Melon Cream with Whipped Cream (富良野産メロンのクリーム＆ホイップ)
A melon puree cream and whipped cream sandwich using the famous Yubari melon from Hokkaido.
Joshu Beef Croquette (上州牛肉入りコロッケ)
A beef croquette and sauce sandwich featuring Joshu beef from Gunma Prefecture.
Matsuzaka Beef Croquette (松坂牛肉入りコロッケ)
A sandwich with Matsuzaka beef from Mie Prefecture and tartar sauce.
Goro Island Gold Potato, Red Beans and Margarine (五郎島金時芋あん＆マーガリン)
A sandwich with Goro Island Gold Potatoes from Ishikawa Prefecture, red beans and margarine
Hamburg (ハンバーグ)
A hamburg with a demi-glace sauce featuring Kobe wine.
Custard Cream and Whipped Cream (カスタードクリーム＆ホイップ)
A sandwich made with custard cream made from Hiruzen Jersey Milk (Okayama Prefecture) and whipped cream
Kagoshima Black Pork Fried Meat Cutlet (鹿児島県産黒豚メンチカツ)
A Kagoshima black pork sandwich with a mustard/mayonnaise type dressing.
Image: Lococom
Sounds like a competition fit for our taste buds. But if we had to put our money where our mouths are, please give us the Kagoshima Black Pork Lunch Pack first. It sounds the most appetizing of all. If you are wondering which one is winning so far, rankings of the most popular Lunch Pack are shown on the Yamazaki Baking Co. website starting on December 26. If you get the chance to try them and your flavor isn’t number one, get back out there and buy, buy, buy! It’s like an AKB48 popularity contest, but the winner/loser is your stomach. Get your fill as these special sandwiches will be sold only until the end of January.
Tasting the Top 5 Lunch Packs in Japan at Yamazaki Plaza in Chiba Prefecture
Pizza Hut sandwiches? Japanese lunch packs will never be the same again
Baskin Robbins sandwiches are going on sale in Japan
Daily Yamazaki is your one-stop lunch senbero stop! 【Japan’s Best Home Senbero】
Japan’s favorite sandwich pockets now come with sakura filling, but how do they taste?[Taste test]
What’s up with the “mosquito buzz” noise at Shibuya Station?
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
What are the worst things about living in the Japanese countryside?[Survey]
Why Japanese doesn’t need swear words
Pokémon fan chef’s Psyduck sweets are so cute they’re making our head hurt【Photos/Video】
Sanrio amusement park in Tokyo to host Psycho Game horror event this summer[Video]
Hokkaido has an Ice Festival that’s less famous than the Snow one, but beautiful in its own way
How to do an overnight bus trip to Hirosaki from Tokyo – Part 2【Photos】
Totoro sequel anime short inspires cuddly T-shirt, adorable plushies at Ghibli Museum shop【Pics】
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Japanese convenience store gives away free ice cream with creative ad at Shinjuku Station
Japan is so hungry for workers it used up its five-year visa quota in record time
Tsujihan sushi bowl restaurant goes viral with foreign tourists, but is it worth the hype?
7-Eleven Japan releases Uji matcha smoothies… but only at select locations
7-Eleven Japan’s cooked-in-store takoyaki is here! How does it fare against the street food king?
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s Pizza Hut Lunch Pack sandwiches are here!【Taste test】
Aomori Prefecture’s regional soul food is…English Toast lunch pack sandwiches?
Dom Dom Burger sells chicken sandwich sandwiched in two egg sandwiches
Japanese snack maker puts wrong genus of flower on package, rewards customer who noticed
Japan now has ramen sandwiches
Japan’s top train station bento boxed lunches for 2016, as picked by travelers
Major Japanese bread maker officially finds God
Ever wanted a sumo sandwich? New baked goods line gets stamp of approval from wrestlers in Japan
Brothers’ bento blooper shows the potential downside of having your mom pack your lunch in Japan
Japan’s Newest and Cheapest Good Luck Charm: Bread Crust
KFC releases a creamy fried-on-fried sensation in Japan for a limited time
The top 3 nicest Nice Sticks from Yamazaki Baking
Japanese sandwiches give foreign reporters culture shock at Tokyo Olympics
Open wide! It’s time for a showdown between McDonald’s Japan’s and Komeda gratin croquette burgers
Mr. Sato compares the new milk cream Hokkaido cheese steamed cake to the classic version