Travel and food vlogger Raphael Gomes had no idea what he was eating, but he enjoyed almost every bite!

If you’ve been with us for a while, then you probably know that 7-Eleven in Japan has some of the best variety when it comes to quick eats. Since they offer everything from fusion cuisine to luxury desserts, from traditional breakfasts to fresh-made dinner bowls, you could easily eat breakfast, lunch and dinner at 7-Eleven in Japan for a whole week and not be tired of it.

Those who aren’t in the know, however, may be slightly overwhelmed by the choices offered at 7-Eleven, like food and travel YouTuber Raphael Gomes was. When he visited Tokyo in March, he was so surprised by the plethora of options that he decided to make a video where he tried all of the food offered at 7-Eleven.

Okay, so he didn’t try everything from 7-Eleven; if he did it all in one sitting, he’d get full after just trying a fraction of them all! But he did seem to buy one of everything on display at the counter, which includes oden, the fried foods, and the steamed buns. He also picked up a few pastries and some mochi form the aisles for dessert.

The fun part is that Raphael doesn’t speak or read Japanese and has no idea what he was ordering! Nevertheless, he bravely picks out a bunch of items on display, and the older attendant at the counter, who doesn’t seem to speak English, very cheerfully assists him.

After he pays a little more than 3,000 yen (about US$30) for his food, he brings it all back to his Airbnb to try. First he starts with the oden, a favorite winter delicacy consisting of different ingredients stewed in a light broth. He has no idea what’s in it, but he seems to love it all.

▼ Multiple “Oh my god“s were uttered in the making of this video.

We’re in the know, though: the first thing he tries is tsukune, or Japanese chicken meatballs, on a stick; and then his obvious favorite, a cabbage roll filled with ground pork. After that he tries the daikon, a Japanese radish and a staple oden ingredient, which the 7-Eleven store clerk would not let him get away without buying; shirataki, which are noodles made out of a plant root; and the oden broth, which Raphael says “is everything”.

Next up is a plate full of fried food, because who wouldn’t?! As he soon learns, Japanese 7-Eleven has some pretty quality fried foods, even if they’ve been sitting under a heat lamp for a good part of the day. He tries the french fries first, which are admittedly unremarkable; then karaage, or Japanese fried chicken, which is delicious; a harumaki, which Raphael correctly names as a spring roll; torori cheese no imo mochi, a kind of deep-fried potato mochi with cheese inside; sakutto menchi, crispy deep-fried ground beef; and four kinds of 7-eleven chicken, each one its own specialty.

▼ Raphael says that everything on his plate was delicious (except maybe the super spicy chicken).

As his last savory 7-Eleven course, Raphael tackles the snacks on sticks and the steamed buns. The corn dog (which is called an “American dog” in Japan, for obvious reasons) was first; it’s a bit sweet for Raphael, but he’s never had a corn dog before. (We, on the other hand, have, and can verify that 7-Eleven’s are up to par with American corn dogs.)

Next he tries the crispy karaage (fried chicken) skewer, the hot dog, and three varieties of steamed buns, one of which is filled with sesame and red beans, and which he finds to be a little different from what he’s used to, but not in a bad way.

Finally, Raphael takes a taste of his dessert plate, which contains kusa mochi, which is mochi mixed with mugwort with red beans inside; sakura (cherry blossom) mochi; mushipan, a steamed egg cake; and a chocolate croissant. What does he think of these unique desserts? You’ll have to watch to find out!

Spoiler alert: everything is delicious! It’s a testament to 7-Eleven’s quality, and Raphael didn’t even try any of the fresh, ready-made meals available in the refrigerated section. But take his experience as a good example, and the next time you find yourself in a Japanese 7-Eleven, don’t hesitate to try anything you see, even if you don’t know what it is!

Source, Images: YouTube/Raphael Gomes
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