FamilyMart is Japan’s hub for delicious snacks you won’t find anywhere else in the world. These are my top 5 must-try FamilyMart snacks!
Calbee x KFC Potato Chips
Calbee is the most loved brand of potato chips in Japan and the leader in the market. Their range of flavors extends far and wide, but there is one collaboration that really took me by surprise.
A partnership between Calbee and Kentucky Fried Chicken has led to the creation of “Colonel Crisps.” These KFC-inspired potato chips may not be a perfect replica of the iconic fried chicken restaurant, but they are definitely worth trying!
Melon Pan
Perhaps the most iconic Japanese dessert is the sweet bread known as melon pan. Despite its name, the melon pan does not actually contain any melon ingredients, but that shouldn’t stop you from trying it! The name comes from its appearance which resembles an oriental melon.
In reality, the melon pan is made with enriched dough and covered in a thin layer of crispy cookie dough. Priced at around 100 yen per piece, the melon pan comes with a soft interior and a crispy exterior for a delicious and harmonious taste.
Yakisoba Pan
When it comes to savory snacks, nothing beats the yakisoba pan as far as I’m concerned. For first-timers in Japan, this may seem like a bizarre combination. However, you’ll soon come to love the noodle sandwich known as the yakisoba pan.
Named after the yakisoba noodle filling, the yakisoba pan features succulent marinated fried noodles and pickled vegetables enclosed in a soft loaf bun. Available in Family Mart, 7-Eleven, and Lawson combinis, the yakisoba pan can be enjoyed for just a few hundred yen.
Hokkaido Milk Cake Roll
At first glance, you’d swear you’ve tried this cake roll outside of Japan. Indeed, Family Mart’s Hokkaido milk cake roll simply must be tasted to appreciate. It all comes down to the filling, and this combini classic is as milky and creamy as they come!
Hokkaido milk is known for its extra-rich flavor and creamy texture that puts it at a price tag higher than milk from other prefectures. It is believed this superiority comes as a result of Hokkaido’s ideal farming conditions. Cool climates, wide spacious lands, and fresh air create a relaxed environment for cows to do what they do best, produce milk!
Ohayo Milk Pudding
My all-time favorite Family Mart dessert has to be the Ohayo Milk Pudding series. For the same reason that Hokkaido milk cake rolls are amazing, so is this delicious milky pudding.
Available in an abundance of flavors, you can choose creme brulee, chocolate, coffee, and fruit flavors. Nothing beats the original in my opinion, and I can never go past the classic Ohayo Milk Pudding flavor.
Comprising nothing but pure white goodness, this milk pudding is the creamiest, richest, and smoothest dessert you will ever have. Ridiculous of me to say but, Ohayo Milk Pudding truly tastes more like milk than milk itself!
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!
