Seriously, are Family Marts in Japan really that good?

Before you get on your flight to Japan, you have likely watched videos about what to expect when visiting the country. From points of interest to outstanding Japanese ramen houses. You did the research, but every time Lawson’s or 7-11 pops up, you snicker.

I get it, I understand that line of thinking. I did the same thing. Despite my son having spent time in school in Nagoya, I didn’t believe him when he said he stopped every day on his way to class.

In the United States, 7-11’s are everywhere. They are not all that. Roller food, frozen pizzas, and cases of deep fried hispanic staples highlight their offerings. It’s greasy and loaded with all the nutritionless food you can find.

That isn’t the case in Japan. Believe it or not, a Japanese company owns the U.S. 7-11s; it’s a shame they can’t rebrand them here successfully.

Japanese Family Marts live up to their billing and so much more

Walking into my first 7-11 was a little surprising. I was nervous, didn’t know what to expect, and couldn’t read Japanese. I didn’t need to. Most of the products had English on the labels as well.

The prepared meals are fresh. Most consist of rice, a protein, vegetables, and various sauces. They offer fresh Onigiri, a wrapped, stuffed rice sandwich that I’m still trying to replicate at home.

There is nothing like the chicken though. Whether you are looking for a five-piece lemon chicken nugget or a breaded chicken cutlet, you won’t be disappointed. I don’t care for nuggets, but every flavor was elite, and the cutlets? My wife wishes I would stop talking about them.

These stores sell just about everything from fresh foods to liquor and wines, beer to Japanese-style chips, bao buns, dumplings, and just about everything else you can imagine. If you crave it, they probably have it.

Prices in Japan are a lot lower than in the U.S., so you won’t be dropping $20.00 on snacks until you get back to the United States, walk into a 7-11 for the first time, and realize you miss the other one.

So, are they overrated? Not one single bit. Of all the things I miss from my two weeks in the country, those stand out as something we should have here, but sadly don’t.