It’s amazing how one gooey brown liquid can be so mouth-watering, and another not at all.
With Valentine’s Day coming up in less than a month, Japan has got chocolate on the brain. Standing by to satisfy the nation’s sweet tooth is convenience store 7-Eleven, which recently brought back its chocolate-filled, pink-colored steamed buns.
Those of you who can’t get enough of that chocolate, or that booty, may remember when we talked about these treats last year. Specifically, we pointed out that their unique shape and color had the unintended side effect of making them look like little tiny butts from certain angles. Still, they were popular enough to warrant a repeat appearance in 7-Eleven’s product lineup, so we’re sure their numerous fans are headed to their local branch for a delectable reunion.
However, there’s one little problem. When you buy the buns at 7-Eleven, the clerk takes them out of the steamer case and bags them up. At that point they’re still nice and warm, and thus at their maximum deliciousness. By the time you walk home through the chilly conditions of midwinter, though, your piping hot steamed buns may be a bit cold, and since most people don’t have a steamer in their home, you might decide to pop them in the microwave to warm them up again. As Twitter user @kenri_ discovered, though, while that may make the buns taste a little better, it also might make them look a lot worse.
https://twitter.com/kenri_/status/688685234972327936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The dejected @kenri_ described the results as “tragic,” and online commenters have been voicing their agreements.
“Shouldn’t have done that.”
“I think they’d make you blur that out if you were showing it on TV.”
“That looks so dirty…”
“Aaaaaaaaaaagh!”
@kenri_ wasn’t the only one to witness this disturbing phenomenon, either.
https://twitter.com/714ma_co/status/688703053168381952However, one person chimed in saying that he had reheated his chocolate heart bun without it suddenly cosplaying as a leaky anus. Still, if yours has gone cold, it’s probably a good idea to double-check the integrity of the outer layer of the bun before you microwave it, and maybe to disable the rotating dish so that you don’t end up with the cheeks pointing at you when it’s finished.
Unless, of course, you’re having one of these buns as dessert after a meal of a very specific type of curry.
Source: Jin, Twitter/@kenri_

7-Eleven Japan now has plant-based vegetarian steamed “meat buns”
European YouTuber tries all of the food on the counter in Japanese 7-Eleven, loves it all
7-Eleven Japan’s new microwaves know how long your bento should be warmed up, even if you don’t
We investigate 7-Eleven’s new Crunchy Chocolate Mille Crêpes Cake, shiver with decadence
To celebrate 7-Eleven Day, here are seven 7-Eleven Japan items that need more love
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
It’s illegal for yakuza to go to professional baseball games in Japan, Tokyo arrests remind us
Tokyo’s best ramen breakfast? Restaurant two minutes from Tokyo Station is a strong contender
Room 404: What happened when we stayed in an unlucky hotel room in Japan
Elderly Japan man arrested for stealing toilet, using it in his home for three months
New smartphone game turns car models into anime girls with model-worthy looks
Squat toilets’ popularity fading as parents call for them to be abolished in Japanese schools
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Downloads of 39-year-old Guns N’ Roses song increase 12,166 percent thanks to Gundam
Can you eat lunch in Tokyo for less than 500 yen?
A look back on 40 years of Japanese schools banning stuff
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
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
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Not just matcha, but Meccha Matcha! 7-Eleven Japan marks first tea harvest with new sweets lineup
Three great mint chocolate sweets to buy at 7-Eleven while the summer heat gives us an excuse
The Fuwatoro Yamaimo Teppan just might be 7-Eleven Japan’s dish of the year【Taste test】
7-Eleven Japan’s most popular product with foreign tourists is…a unique chocolate gummy
7-Eleven Japan’s sakura sweets show cherry blossom beauty can be found all over【Photos】
7-Eleven Japan releases new must-try sweets that are a hit with customers
Mint chocolate whipped cream sandwiches poised to become Japan’s latest convenience store hero