nikuman
Hidden gem in Ikebukuro sells unique flavours of nikuman you’d never find in a convenience store.
This steaming hot showdown between Family Mart, Lawson and 7-Eleven produces a very surprising result.
Family Mart? 7-Eleven? Or a dark horse contender? Join us on this steaming hot konbini odyssey.
We visit Japan’s big three combini, plus one dark horse contender, on our search for nikuman bliss.
A popular snack for the trip home from Kansai is an Osaka-specialty pork bun, but some commuters think they should be banned.
Chinese style steamed dumplings are a staple of convenience stores all over Japan. Known as nikuman in Japan (or other name ending in “–man” depending on the fillings) their round shape allows for a lot of cross marketing creativity. In the past we’ve seen Spiderman, Monsters Inc., the Dragon Quest Slime, Hatsune Miku, and random cute animals all rendered in dumpling form.
What better way for the hard rocking and hard merchandising titans of Kiss to commemorate their Japan tour in the latter half of this month than with the Kiss Super-Spicy Chili Tomatoman? But can a steamed dumpling capture the rock and roll spirit of Kiss? Mr. Sato went on the day of their release to find out.
Pixar’s highly anticipated Monsters University finally opened in Japan on July 6, and to celebrate FamilyMart have launched an edible collaboration of delicious pork buns. We rushed out to buy a few and put them to the taste test, all for the benefit of our dear readers, of course!
Japan has a healthy habit of adopting food from other cultures and making it fit for a Japanese palate. We see it with their sweet-brand curry, rice filled omelets, and corn and mayo topped pizzas. Think too of Japan’s many adorably decorated coffees and character-shaped steamed buns.
Four-rue is an authentic-style Chinese food stall that’s often found on the basement floor of Japan’s large department stores. In a move to appeal to Japan’s cute-conscious consumer base, they’ve created a series of animal-shaped steamed buns that far surpass the quality of those mass produced and sold in convenience stores. These cute little critters are handmade with loving care to capture the soft edges and utter adorableness of a stuffed toy. We sent one of our animal-loving RocketNews24 staffers to four-rue to purchase a set of these delectable creatures and give us her thoughts.
MOST POPULAR
Now
The Purple Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is an extra-large waste of money
Private booths are coming to Japan’s Shinkansen bullet trains even sooner than we’d thought【Video】
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
Japanese government considering raising foreign resident visa renewal fees by 400 percent or more
Rakuten randomly offers 58 New Year’s osechi feasts in Japan, but did we get a star or a dud?
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
Should you dip your cake in sake? One Japanese brewer says no, but actually yes【 Taste test】
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
We try a viral Chinese TikTok recipe for spicy ramen using Sprite soda in the broth【SoraKitchen】
New Japanese menstrual product seeks to help women spot unidentified iron deficiencies
Weekly
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Cup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026- We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
That time Seiji called JASRAC to ask why he didn’t get paid royalties for his song being on TV
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
Pizza Hut Japan’s hot lucky bags are perfect for a New Year’s pizza party
Monthly
- Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Yearly
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
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
RECOMMENDED STORIES
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
Should you dip your cake in sake? One Japanese brewer says no, but actually yes【 Taste test】
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
We try a viral Chinese TikTok recipe for spicy ramen using Sprite soda in the broth【SoraKitchen】
New Japanese menstrual product seeks to help women spot unidentified iron deficiencies
New Kit Helps You Get Lint Out of Your Belly Button More Safely Than the Fork You Usually Use
Japan now has potato chip-covered chocolate, and it’s amazing!【Taste test】
Japanese osechi New Year’s meal lucky bag gives us way more than we bargained for
11 things Japanese women want men to know about their breasts
10 great autumn Japan travel spots for fall colors and retro atmosphere【Survey】
Dragon Quest Burgers and Slime drinks are coming to McDonald’s Japan【Video】
What’s the real reason for the ‘floating’ 3-D signs at Haneda Airport?
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
7-Eleven Japan now sells…matcha burritos?!?
-
