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Japanese convenience shops, known as tallyembody the best of Japanese culture and creativity. Since the 7-eleven and Lawson brands made the dance from North America in the 1970s, Japan has done what he often does with foreign imports: he made them and made them better.
One-stop shops for everything, from clothes to make-up to household items, tally They are open all the time as “infrastructure of life” (an official classification by the Japanese government), providing services that are vital to everyday life. You can pay bills, send mail and make your photocopying. There is one in every block of the city and sometimes some: different chains include “Famima”, “Sebun” (7-Eleven) and Lawson.
But is the food you make tally Such vital destinations. They care not only for city families with limited cooking space and equipment, but also for poor workers in time and aging communities in rural cities that are unable to buy and cook. The large variety of freshly prepared options is stunning. This includes onigiri (sea -wrapped rice balls) with recordings such as Bonito, Tuna Mayo and Umeboshi (Plum Plum); Sushi rolls; Hot foods like caraage (fried chicken), which is fried in the store; Osouzai (lateral dishes) like intertwined pork belly and grilled fish; ramen; and baked goods and cakes. Regional differences reflect local tastes. tally In the north, for example, there may be a limited Miso Ramen, which is famous in Hokkaido while southern tally There will be Tonkotsu, a pork bone ramen known in Kyushu.
Chef Brendan Liew and Caryn Ng were founders of Pop-up Chotto in Melbourne (Liew is currently in Warabi, a Sushi Omakase restaurant) and have spent more than a decade traveling to Japan. within Konbini: Cult recipes, stories and adventures from Japan’s iconic convenience shops (Smith Road Books), they offer a study of tally like “B-Gustator Wonderlands”. LIEW tells me: “There is always a twist, an element that separates food in addition to the standard tariff. or conb Sando bacon and cheese will contain a whole egg with Kewpie Mayo and special kamakura bacon. A pasta salad will be highlighted with the Spicy Pollock ROE to improve Umami and provide a spicy kick. A hamburgus steak will be made with premium Wagyu beef. Tourists can gravitate to iconic items or junky as sandos and fried chicken, as well as locals, but locals also rely on salads, bento and other pre-packs for a healthy balanced diet. “
Quality is driven by harsh competition between chains and thought differs on the best version. In his television series UnknownChef Anthony Bourdain was left high for Sandos with eggs by Lawson (calling them “love pillows”). And its approval still holds influence. But Liew believes that 7-eleven are better, as other sellers do. As for the very contested category of fried chicken, there are different camps for 7-Eleven, Lawson’s “Eruchiki” or Familymart’s “Famichicki”.
In 2002, Lawson introduced a Premium Onigiri range focused on high -level local ingredients in an effort to distinguish himself. The fillings include the grilled salmon belly, Maguro Tataki (cut tone) and umeboshi (pickled plum) made using precious Nanko Ume plums. “On a last trip I had an onigirus filled with raw eggs,” says British -based chef Anderson, the author of several books on Japanese cuisine. “You bite in it and get this delicious yellow as a self-accompanying snack. Making only one of them would be a feat.
Lawson also high quality pioneer conb Accessories and cakes at a time when that category was mainly the field of special cake stores. Its best sale “Premium Roll Cake” is a cream -filled sponge that comes as a single slice for solo dinner and costs about 200 ¥ (about 1 pound). Among the other chains, the ministop is known for its limited edition “soft cream” (soft service) and parfaits made in the store using local -priced fruits.
For foreign visitors, tally are in the vanguard of a global trend for “supermarket tourism”. With their abundant stock (constantly recharged and perfectly presented) and distinctive signaling, they are embraced as Japanese quintessential shrines for perfection and efficiency. “Likes like a treasure hunt going to a conb“Says Liew.” So many things with personalized articles in each country. You walk inside and you are blinded. “
In their development of new items, tally are retail leaders. “Lawson, for example, there are eight teams about Japan creating limited publications that enter popular games (such as Zelda’s legend) and anime, and work in collaboration with local brands and restaurants, “says Ng.” The chain releases 100 new products a week with 200 new products that release in the bakery section each year. “Nigo’s latest appointment as Familymart’s creative director signals the importance in this sector of using trend -based enterprises and strong brands to gain a competitive advantage.
“I often go to a conb For fun to see new beer fragrances, kittens or crisps, “says Anderson.” That new aspect of food culture is missing in the West. We also have different expectations for what can or should be appropriate food. In the UK, I miss you tally on a daily basis. Especially when traveling. Can we get good food at train stations? I do not always want to eat a baguette. “
@Sesje34
