All you have to do is head down the street to get these delectable treats!
In Japan, fall is also nicknamed “Appetite Autumn.” As the air chills, your body uses more energy to keep itself warm, which means you’re hungry more often and need to chow down more. Japan has an enticing and hearty variety of fall foods, ranging from sweet potato, to mushrooms, to hot and steamy oden, and nabe hot pots.
There are also a huge selection of sweets available at convenience stores around Japan to put a perfect end to your meal. Between 7-Eleven, Family Mart, Lawson, and Seiko Mart, the choices can be a little overwhelming, to say the least. Luckily, our team at RocketNews24 has made the rounds. We’re here to recommend our 12 tastiest and totally addictive convenience store sweets for fall!
P.K. Sanjun recommends: Family Mart’s Cream Taiyaki (140yen [US$1.28])
Your standard taiyaki will come with an anko red bean filling, or with a custard cream filling. This one is of the custard variety. Its chewy casing pairs well with its creamy filling. Since it’s light, not greasy, and fairly cheap, it’s a good snack to munch on whenever you get that after-ramen sweet tooth.
Masanuki Sunakoma recommends: Seven Eleven’s Black Gateau Chocolat (180yen [US$1.64])
This chocolate triangle is popular at times other than fall, but after the summer heat wears off, it’s especially enticing. It’s rich and a little bitter in flavor, making you feel like you’ve just ordered off the dessert menu at an expensive restaurant.
This dessert is so popular that they tend to sell out before the end of the day in many Seven Eleven stores around Japan. If you see one, you’d better give in to the chocolate cake monster inside of you, or risk missing out until another day.
Meg Sawai recommends: Family Mart/Circle K Sunkus’ Rich Baked Cheese Tart (158yen [USD$1.44])
Here’s a result of the business merger between Family Mart and Circle K Sunkus. As Sunkus’ red signboards begin to turn Family Mart Green, more Sunkus snacks have been popping up in Family Mart stores. “Oh no!” our team thought. “Our Circle K ice cream and mapo tofu and cheese tarts will be gone soon!” they despaired.
Fear not; this cheese tart is one of the lucky survivors that made it over to the Family Mart side.
Butter and cheese meld together in a moist, rich harmony. You might not believe you can get something this good from a convenience store, but you’re wrong.
Seiji Nakazawa recommends: Lawson’s Tops Kanshuu Chocolate Choux (160yen [$1.46])
Did somebody say…chocolate? Lawson did. Chocolate lovers absolutely must not miss out on this chocolate cream puff crammed with chocolate cream. Oh, and it’s topped with even more chocolate. We heard you like chocolate with your chocolate, so we put some chocolate on your chocolate.
Yuuichiro Wasai recommends: 7-Eleven’s Fuwatoro Cream Warabi (100yen [$0.91])
If you’re in the mood for a more traditional Japanese sweet, 7-Eleven has just the thing. This cream warabi (jelly-like confection) is made with a super soft kinako (roasted soybean flour) mochi base and filled with sweet cream. It’s popular with kids, adults, and those on a tight budget!
Hidenori Sato recommends: Lawson’s Shittori Rich Chocolate Cake (140yen [$1.28])
Are you noticing a pattern here? Here’s a hint: we really like chocolate. Lawson’s Moist, Rich Chocolate Cake is no exception. This delectable dessert, part of Lawson’s Uchi Cafe line, uses chocolate straight from France. It almost tastes like you got it at an actual patisserie!
Ahiro Neko recommends: 7-Eleven’s Rich Cream Raisin Sandwiches (354yen [$3.23])
For those of you who don’t go straight for the chocolate, 7-Eleven has an option that might seem a little off the beaten path. This snack comes in a pack of three, with dollops of cream and raisins nestled between two cookies.
K. Nagahashi recommends: Seiko Mart’s Shittori Baked Donuts (108yen [$0.98])
If you’re unfamiliar with Seiko Mart, it may be because it’s mainly popular in northern areas in Japan, like Hokkaido. Should you come across one during your travels, we recommend you pop in to try some of these donuts. Perhaps plastic packaging doesn’t scream “gourmet” to you, but your taste buds will tell you otherwise. They’re pretty much bakery quality.
K. Masami recommends: 7-Eleven’s Waffle Cone (183yen [$1.67])
If you’re anything like us, you can eat ice cream no matter how cold it is outside. 7-Eleven’s Waffle Cone will hit the spot. Browse the freezer section to find this perfectly shaped treat. Sometimes simplicity is best.
Ryou recommends: Lawson’s Mochipuyo with Hokkaido Milk Cream (100yen [$0.98])
This classic Japanese treat has a soft, springy texture that writer Ryou says is like “the soft, fair skin of a beautiful woman.” If that doesn’t sound appetizing, maybe its creamy filling (using Hokkaido milk!) will appeal to you more. If the former does sound good to you, though, we won’t judge.
Yoshio recommends: Tohato’s Dekkai! Matcha-flavored Caramel Corn
We spotted this gem on a trip to Yamanashi prefecture. This special caramel corn is flavored with sweet condensed milk and matcha straight from Shizuoka. Once you start munching, you won’t be able to stop. It might take a little longer than the average bag of Tohato Caramel Corn, though, since this particular type contains a whopping five times more popcorn than normal.
GO Hatori recommends: 7-Eleven’s Sappari Milk Kanten (180yen [$1.64yen])
This fruity and milky jelly is a refreshing way to end your lunch break. The addition of tangerines adds a bit of a seasonal touch, too.
So, there you have it. 12 delectable snacks that you don’t have to break the bank for. And the best part is, they’re not that hard to find! Get out there and treat yourself.
What are some of your favorite conbini finds?
Images: RocketNews24
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