I‘m new in Japan and will be staying at a hotel for a while before moving into my new address. That means no stove, no microwave, no mixer, no nothing.
I’ve ate konbini food for every meal for the last 3 days and not only are all the sandwiches, riceballs and noodles a little stale by now I still feel a little awkward popping into the konbini 3 times a day picking up sandwiches. Especially when it’s the same store clerk. (They must be thinking oh nah it’s the gaijin again comin for our sandwiches xD)
Of course every now and again you could pop in some restaurant but I’m not too big on money at the moment.
Is there anywhere else I could get finished food in Japan? Any ideas?
14 comments
Supermarkets. Bento shops.
Nearby restaurant. Like most of them serve lunch menu, or dinner menu.
Depending on weather, you might go for Ramen, or yakiniku, or simple pocket restaurant like saizeria, or food chain like sukiya, matuya.
The gyudon chains are basically the same price as convenience store bentos and you can have a tiny cabbage salad and miso soup!
Most supermarkets often have a great selection of reasonably priced pre-prepared stuff. Go closer to closing time for time sale (but less options)
Check out the supermarket after 8pm for discounted bentos. Family restaurants like Saizeriya or the gyudon shops are affordable too.
I would also check if your hotel really doesn’t have a microwave. Even the shittiest ones typically have one. It’s shared and you may not want to use it, which I would understand. But they probably have one.
I don’t know what kind of place you’ll be moving into but you might want to consider buying a microwave already for your room now. If that makes sense.
Also, the clerks at the conbini aren’t paid enough to sit in judgement over you. They are driven by the whip of the modern pentathlon: manning the register, cleaning the place, ordering stuff, stocking the shelves, helping ojisan with the copy machine – they don’t have time to judge you, either. Also no. 2, there is a conbini every 100 feet – try a different one!
Supermarkets are better and cheaper than the conbinis. After 5-6pm they also start discounting their bentos. You could also just get some bread and ham or whatever to fix your own sandwiches. You could even add some healthy stuff in them;) If you need makeshift plates and cutlery look for the nearest 100-Yen-store, Daiso is a giant among them, for that and even stuff to do the dishes.
If you are trying to save money don’t go to conbini. They’re far more expensive than supermarkets for worse food.
Department store basement level (departo). Has the best fresh food.
Also cheap fast meals at train stations are great.
Saizeriya is cheaper than combini. I saw a karaoke shop the other day with 100 yen curry. Can’t remember where it was now, but just keep your eyes peeled. Supermarkets in the evenings and you can pick up discounted packs of various prepared foods or bento.
Definitely explore around your hotel and find the closest grocery store or two. Bigger ones will have cheaper food and better sales. Conbini ready to eat food is more expensive than Delica in big chain stores like AEON or Ito Yokado. Even rice balls and sandwiches will be cheaper in grocery stores. The biggest ripoff items in conbini are soft drinks and beer. If you can carry big shopping bags, buy all drinks at grocery stores. In the evenings, grocery stores put many ready to eat items on sale. Invest some time in observing the pattern. In my local YAOKO store they start with 10% discount in late afternoon, then 20%, then 30% and finally 50% discount around 8 pm. There are slight changes sometimes, and people snatch up popular items, so it is kinda waiting game. But sales are happening. There will be serious price hike on food products from October 1, so, be ready.
+1 for supermarket bento after 7:30pm or 8:00. You can get bento for 30% to 50% off! Like 200yen for a full bento lol.
I would make a point to go around at lunch time to the little places around where you are and try bentos from different spots. Try to avoid the chains. It’s a good way to put back on all the initial weight you’ll lose.
if you want to save money why tf are you going to konbini ? Just go to a supermarket and get the evening discount or something