Konbini, short for konbiniensu sutoru, or “convenience store”, is a bucket-list item for many international tourists in Japan. Besides offering a variety of readily-available and ready-to-eat Japanese snacks and meals, shopping at konbini is a great trick for travelers looking to eat on a budget while in Japan. If you plan to visit Japan soon, check out what you should buy at konbini and other budget-friendly meal tips in this article!
● Onigiri. Onigiri (お握り) or “rice ball” is a Japanese rice snack shaped into a triangle and wrapped with laver. Available in various flavors and fillings, onigiri can be found in all konbini chains across Japan. You can buy onigiri in the morning as a breakfast option before exploring Japan to save on breakfast costs. Additionally, this hand-sized snack is practical to carry for a quick bite to combat hunger during your travel.
● Bento or obento. In Japanese, bento or obento refers to a packed lunch designed to be eaten while on the go or away from home. So, you can buy a bento at the nearest konbini from your accommodation and bring it as a lunch option before or after visiting a tourist spot on your bucket list. A classic bento typically consists of white rice (sometimes onigiri), a piece of grilled fish, pickled vegetables, tamagoyaki (rolled omelette), and karaage (deep-fried chicken) or meatballs.
● Sushi. While there are many Japanese sushi chain restaurants in Indonesia, your trip to Japan would not be complete without tasting this fresh seafood dish in its home country, would it? If you want to try sushi on a budget, konbini is the place to go! Don’t let the relatively low prices fool you into thinking the quality is also low. The variety of sushi at konbini in Japan has a taste and quality not much different from chain restaurants. Don’t worry about the freshness of the fish, as sushi ingredients in Japan have a very rapid turnover.
● Oden. According to Fun Japan Communications, oden is a traditional Japanese broth dish consisting of various processed foods, such as grilled tofu, fish cakes, fish balls, fish tofu, chikuwa (a tube-shaped fish cake), konnyaku (konjac root), radish, and boiled eggs. These ingredients are simmered in a broth made of kelp and bonito fish for a long time and served hot. That is why oden is popular in the winter and especially delicious for you to eat during that season in Japan.
● Gyudon. Gyudon literally means “a bowl of beef”. Despite the name, this dish, widely available at konbini in Japan, consists of a bowl of white rice topped with seasoned beef and onions. Although some Japanese chain restaurants in Indonesia also offer this in their menu, it is still worth trying gyudon directly in Japan—especially at konbini where the prices are relatively low. This dish is best enjoyed hot while dining in after being heated in the konbini’s microwave.
In addition to trying the recommended konbini snacks mentioned above, you can also save money while traveling in Japan by buying nutritious food (such as fruits) at supermarkets, fast-food restaurants, family restaurants, and eateries located in business districts and train stations.
Most importantly, make sure to protect yourself with Travel Insurance from MSIG Indonesia before you travel to Japan. This way, your journey from your home country to Japan, throughout Japan, and back to Indonesia will be protected the entire way.
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