Conbini Boys

Latest Episodes:

The Return of the Spicy Commentator Nov 11, 2020

Show notes

In this week's episode, we welcome back one of our favorite members of the conbini boys universe: The Spicy Commentator. We look at some chikis, share our favorites from each conbini, check out a new conbini television drama, and continue on with our look at the history of onigiri at the conbini.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/Nb4XuNHZPY8

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Unsolved Conbini Mysteries Nov 04, 2020

Show notes

In this week's episode, the chiki wars heat up with three new chikis from each of the Big 3 Conbini. We share our winners and losers from this week's new items. Mike tells a spooky tale about 7-11's Zaku Chiki from the gemba. And we head to Conbini College to talk about the history of the onigiri.

1:58 - Chiki Wars

8:15 - New Item Scoreboard

8:54 - Matt's Loser: Lawson's Mentaiko Mochi Man

11:03 - Mike's Loser: FamilyMart's Katsuobushi Gohan

13:26 - Matt's Winner: 7-11's Haagen Dazs Quattro Formaggio Ice Cream Sandwich

15:40 - Mike's Winner: 7-11's Green Salad Bowl

17:17 - 7-11 Recipes

21:39 - At the Gemba with Mike: Unsolved Mystery of the Zaku Chiki

15:28 - Conbini College: History of the Onigiri

YouTube: https://youtu.be/epruUtLSptw

Get full access to Conbini Boys Newsletter at conbiniboys.substack.com/subscribe

A Family Mart Christmas Tale Oct 28, 2020

Show notes

On this week's podcast, we round out our review of Christmas preorders at the conbini, finishing up with a look at Family Mart. We take a look at a chiki from Ministop, pick out our winners and losers of the week, share some conbini resources, and then take a look at Ministop and their game-changing "partner contracts" with conbini franchise owners.

Video version here:

https://youtu.be/dW4wQIk1JaM

Conbini Resources:

Super Salary Man (@salariedman_s)
https://supersalariedman.blogspot.com/

Konbini Watch (@mbmelodies)
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/column/konbini-watch/

Get full access to Conbini Boys Newsletter at conbiniboys.substack.com/subscribe

Highway Robbery: Conbini Christmas Cake Oct 21, 2020

Show notes

We kickoff this week's episode with more vegan innovation out of FamilyMart - meatless nuggets. Then we dive into the New Item Scoreboard , picking winners and losers out of the Big 3 Conbini. The mailbag is back with shoutouts to a few Twitter followers dropping big-time knowledge. We review Lawson's Christmas menu and nearly blow our stacks on the price and size of their Christmas cakes. Mike reviews a new poke chiki and we wrap with some news on conbini sales during the Covid-19 pandemic.

2:32 - Chiki Wars

6:58 - Scoreboard

8:40 - Mike's Winner: Kushikatsu from Lawson

11:04 - Matt's Winner: Tamagotchi's Sando from Lawson

12:28 - Mike's Loser: Caramel Popcorn Lifeguard Flavor from FamilyMart

14:23 - Matt's Loser: Spicy Cod Roe (mentaiko) Filled French Baguette from FamilyMart

15:59 - Mailbag

20:35 - Lawson's Christmas Menu

23:42 - Lawson's Christmas Cake Lineup

31:55 - At the Gemba with Mike: PokeChiki

35:11 - Conbini News

Get full access to Conbini Boys Newsletter at conbiniboys.substack.com/subscribe

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas Oct 07, 2020

Show notes

In this week's episode, we're looking at the start of the Christmas preorder season at the conbini: Christmas cakes, fried chicken, pizza - those Christmas classics, starting at 7-11. We take a look at a few new chikis, take a look at the scoreboard, and then catch up on an on-going story of conbini franchise owners challenging the corporate offices for the freedom to do business as they please.

Video version here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_J3jCh0xZE

Get full access to Conbini Boys Newsletter at conbiniboys.substack.com/subscribe

Napping at the Conbini Sep 30, 2020

Show notes

In this week's episode, Mike and Matt explore a fundamental part of Japanese culture: eating, sleeping, and watching TV alone in the confine parking lot. They also hit the scoreboard to cover new items out at the Big Three conbini. Mike shares reviews of the Black Pepper Famichiki and the Honey Maple L-Chiki. The show wraps with an exploration of conbini growth since the 60s.

Get full access to Conbini Boys Newsletter at conbiniboys.substack.com/subscribe

Burgermania Sep 23, 2020

Show notes

In this weeks episode, we're talking burgers. Yes, that elusive, staple item that the conbini has yet to perfect. Is Family Mart's new burger series the answer to our prayers? We'll have to see. While on the topic, we also look at some of our favorite fast food burgers from Japan as well. We check in with the chiki wars and look at two new chikis: a maple syrup chiki from Lawson, and a black pepper chiki from Family Mart. As always, we take a look at the scoreboard, and check up on some conbini news: this time, an unfortunate trend has extended internationally.

Video version here:

https://youtu.be/a0kx4yFlSy4

Get full access to Conbini Boys Newsletter at conbiniboys.substack.com/subscribe

Bento Box Bombshell Sep 09, 2020

Show notes

In this week's episode, we take a deep dive into a conbini staple - the bento box. What are our Top 3 bento boxes? Then we head off to the gemba for a tour of the hot box section. As usual, we take a look at the new item scoreboard and follow up on some conbini news.

Get full access to Conbini Boys Newsletter at conbiniboys.substack.com/subscribe

We Made it to Youtube! - Episode 20 Blowout Sep 02, 2020

Show notes

In this week's podcast we make our video premiere! We get accustomed to the new video format and then check out the Chiki Wars and the scoreboard for new releases at each of the conbinis. We take a focused look at the unfortunate phenomenon of the elderly crashing their cars into conbinis, Mike gives a live "At the Genba" review, and then we take a look at some news revolving around Lawson's new strategy for oden.

Video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8j5ckHKWHM

Get full access to Conbini Boys Newsletter at conbiniboys.substack.com/subscribe

The Chiki Wars Rage On Aug 26, 2020

Show notes

In this week's episode, the chiki wars are heating up with all three conbini releasing big-time chikis. Mike and Matt take a look at the new item scoreboard, which has a surprise from Lawson. The Spicy Commentator is back for another sweets review. We make a call on a couple of hauls before heading to the gemba with Mike to hear about the return of 7-11's agetori. Did it bring tears to his eyes? Finally, we follow up on the phenomenon of old people crashing into the conbini.

Get full access to Conbini Boys Newsletter at conbiniboys.substack.com/subscribe

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