Conbini Boys

Latest Episodes:

Lawson's Karaage-kun: The Greatest Product Platform of All Time? May 27, 2020

Show notes

The Conbini Boys continue their deep dive into hot box fried chicken at Lawson, home of the karagage-kun. These fried chicken nuggets have an astonishing number of flavors. The Spicy Commentator is back to review FamilyMart’s Zakuzaku Banana Chocolate Ice Cream Bar. The Conbini Boys dig into two new items: gatsuri ramen out of 7-11 and Kakipi (rice cracker) Famichiki at FamilyMart. After diving into the mailbag, Mike and Matt announce the winner of Lawson’s Regional Mayonnaise Onigiri Tournament. Finally, the Conbini Boys share news on the Famichiki Senpai (Famichiki big brother) and his exercise routine while in quarantine.

2:42 - Bloopers

4:28 - Lawson Fried Chicken Deep Dive

17:20 - Spicy Commentator reviews banana chocolate bar from FamilyMart

19:36 - New Item at 7-11: Gatsuri (gut buster) ramen

24:20 - New Item at FamilyMart: Kakipi Famichiki

27:20 - Mailbag

31:38 - Winner of the Lawson’s Regional Mayonnaise Onigiri Tournament

34:52 - Conbini News: Famichiki Senpai Exercise

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Traditional Japanese Cuisine: Hot Dogs and Fried Chicken May 20, 2020

Show notes

This week, the Conbini Boys take a deep dive into the fried chicken section of the hotbox. Starting with 7-11, they’ll be taking a look over the next couple of weeks at the fried chicken selection from each of the Big 3: Lawson, Family Mart, and 7-11. The spicy commentator is back with another review, this time looking at "Italian Pudding" from 7-11, and as for new items this week, they’re looking at the traditional Japanese cuisine known as “hot dogs.” Next, following up last week's Top 3 Favorite conbini items episode, Matt and Mike introduce their “honorable mentions” to the list. And finally, the Boys introduce a new segment: “Conbini Boys Story Time” with a riveting story about the development of Pocari Sweat.

0:00 - Kickoff

1:30 - Hot Box Fried Chicken Deep Dive: 7-11 (7-11’s fried chicken selection)

8:47 - Sweets Review from the Karakuchi Commentator (7-11’s “Italian Pudding”)

11:20 - New Items: Hot Dogs! (Lawson’s “GOOODOG”, 7-11’s Cheese Dog)

15:42 - Mail bag check

18:32 - Near misses to our Top 3 Conbini Items

26:28 - Conbini Boys Story Time: The history of Pocari Sweat (The History of Pocari Sweat)

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Behind the Scenes: The Anxiety of Choosing Top 3 Conbini Items May 13, 2020

Show notes

In their first Behind the Scenes bonus, Mike and Matt discuss the anxiety of choosing their top 3 favorite conbini items just before kicking off Episode 6.

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Top 3 Conbini Items May 10, 2020

Show notes

In this week’s episode, Mike and Matt share their Top 3 favorite conbini items. It’s a nearly impossible question to answer. But after a week of long walks, pacing around the house, and consulting with fellow conbini-lovers, they each managed to whittle it down to three spectacular items. As always, Mike and Matt kick it off with hot box chicken, specifically tatsuta chicken. The Karakuchi Commentator IS BACK for another sweets review where she talks Basque-style Cheesecake from Lawson’s. The Conbini Boyz follow up on Lawson’s regional mayonnaise-themed onigiri tournament sharing which two made it to the final showdown. Conbini news continues to revolve around Covid-19, celebrating a collaboration between a long-haul bus company and Lawson’s. As always, Mike and Matt round it out with two conbini memories.

0:00 - Kickoff

4:27 - Chiki Wars: Tatsu Chicken

8:24 - Sweets Review from the Karakuchi Commentator: Basque-Style Cheesecake from Lawson's

11:15 - Mike and Matt's Top 3 Conbini Items

21:10 - Lawson’s Mayonnaise Onigiri Regional Tournament Update

24:17 - Sponsor's Ad

26:58 - Conbini News

29:53 - Conbini Memory

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Lawson's Mayo Onigiri Regional Tournament May 03, 2020

Show notes

In this week's episode, Mike and Matt take a deep into the conbini's spectacular regional, seasonal, and limited edition culture. Lawson's is kicking off a two-week long mayonnaise-themed onigiri (rice ball) tournament. Who's is going to make it out on top? Strong contenders like Sendai's cow tongue and miso-mayo onigiri and Okinawa's taco meat onigiri blast off into a winner-takes-all battle.
5:19 - Correction on the History of Boneless Hotbox Chiki
7:29 - Lawson's Mayo Onigiri Regional Tournament
17:03 - Regional, Seasonal, and Limited Edition Conbini Culture
22:05 - Maimai's Karakuchi Commentator Review
25:12 - Conbini News
29:05 - Look Ahead to Next Week
Show Notes:
History of famichiki: https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20160607-familymart/
Lawson onigiri tournament voting page: https://www.lawson.co.jp/lab/campaign/onigirisensyuken_mayo/
Chocolate Bar Cookie Sandwich: https://www.family.co.jp/goods/dessert/1940404.html
Conbini cooler open solution: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgA7GXsQ0z8
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The Big Chiki Apr 28, 2020

Show notes

In this episode of Conbini Boyz, Mike and Matt talk Big Chiki. That’s right - BIG Chiki. FamilyMart has unleashed from its hot box a 1.5x sized Famichiki. Does it live up to the hype? Tune in to find out. In Conbini News, we talk Covid-19 and how 7-11 owners are braving the crisis like true samurai warriors. Then, we talk about the latest trend in conbini items - Cheese Foam Drinks. Should you have one? Probably! Finally, as always, we end with Conbini Memories.

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Foreigners' Favorite and Least Favorite Conbini Items Apr 20, 2020

Show notes

In this week's episode, Mike and Matt dive into the conbini items foreigners love and hate. Will the hotbox boneless fried chicken reach the top of the conbini food chain? And what's sitting at the bottom? Also, Mike and Matt get into Covid-19 discussing 7-11's mobile conbini serving at-risk populations. Despite the challenging environment, Mike managed to do some field work to test out the Samurai Mac burgers. As always, we start off with fried chicken and end with a couple conbini memories.
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Drinkable Cheese Tart and Gubo Apr 05, 2020

Show notes

In this week's episode, Mike and Matt dive into the latest news and products hitting the conbini:
Unmanned conbinis watched over by AI
7-11's acquisition of Speedway falls through
Gubo chunky sticks
FamilyMart debuts its first vegan item
PABLO cheese tarts in drinkable form
As always, we kickoff with something on the Chiki Wars. And end with a couple conbini memories.
Get full access to Conbini Boys Newsletter at conbiniboys.substack.com/subscribe

Conbini Boyz Kickoff Mar 29, 2020

Show notes

In their inaugural episode, Mike and Matt dive into the fried chicken wars, the latest seasonal items on conbini shelves, Covid-19, and 7-11’s war on the storeowner who refused to stay open 24 hours.
Get full access to Conbini Boys Newsletter at conbiniboys.substack.com/subscribe

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