Conbini Boys

Latest Episodes:

7-11 Strikes Back Apr 14, 2021

Show notes

In this week's episode, we follow up on the legendary battle between 7-11 and disgruntled franchise owners, Mr. Matsumoto. The Chiki Wars are finally heating up. Then we head off to the scoreboard where Mike and I share our winners and losers amongst this week's new items.

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/eKvZ9cbMuLs

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

Time Flies When You're Eating Chiki Mar 31, 2021

Show notes

This week marks our one year anniversary since starting the podcast, and so we take a look back at some of the memorable items, news, and segments from the past year.

We take a look at some interesting items, including an innovative rice ball, some strange flavored chips, a classic hot dog, and a horrifying monster of a wrap.

Finally, Matt shares a pizza, while Mike shares his experience of rehydrating during a stomach flu.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaSPvGGbEW7VKQ8Y4MTPBoQ

Join the conversation on Twitter: https://twitter.com/conbiniboys

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

Eating Korean at the Kanbini Mar 24, 2021

Show notes

In this week's episode, we celebrate the arrival of the Kanbini - a convenience store that features Korean snacks, prepared food, and beverages. The Chiki Wars finally heat up with four new chikis. We take a look at the Scoreboard and finally see MiniStop serve up a couple of losers this week. Matt shares a review of Shake Shack's new Korean Fried Chicken sandwich. And Mike gives us the lay of the land when it comes to conbini at his new home.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/WTMAEjQlSXM

Twitter: https://twitter.com/conbiniboys

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

Countdown to Full Bloom Mar 10, 2021

Show notes

This week, we’re looking ahead to the cherry blossom season. We look at some of the cherry blossom themed items being released at the conbini, and debate what exactly is the flavor of sakura?

We welcome NewDays to the scoreboard, share our winners and losers, and then preview a new segment where Matt will be reviewing fast food items from the states.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaSPvGGbEW7VKQ8Y4MTPBoQ

Join the conversation on Twitter: https://twitter.com/conbiniboys

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

Our Firsts Guests: Casey and Joe from Ishikawa Summit to Sea Mar 03, 2021

Show notes

In this week's episode, we're joined by our first guests, Casey and Joe from the Ishikawa Summit to Sea podcast. They're conbini veterans living in Ishikawa Prefecture. Highlights from the episode include:

Casey describing his local Lawson, which he can reach without encountering a single traffic light

Joe disclosing his clandestine conbini hauls that he hides from his wife

Casey and Joe making a call on a haul

And now, links!

Ishikawa Summit to Sea Podcast - listen to Casey and Joe each walk talk about life in Ishikawa and their hometowns, Cape Cod and Newscastle

Ishikawa Summit to Sea Twitter

The Beanpod Podcast - Casey's solo podcast about life in rural Ishikawa

The Beanpod Twitter

Conbini Boys YouTube Channel

Conbini Boys Twitter

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

NewDays: Your Conbini Base at the Train Station Feb 24, 2021

Show notes

This week, we’re finishing our tour of B-tier conbinis, and to close it out we’re taking a look at NewDays, the train station convenience store chain.

We take a look at the scoreboard, pick our winners and losers where there’s a little bit of controversy, and then talk about another controversial item that keeps popping up, family mart’s Poki Chiki.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaSPvGGbEW7VKQ8Y4MTPBoQ

Join the conversation on Twitter: https://twitter.com/conbiniboys

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

Pounding Rice at Poplar Feb 17, 2021

Show notes

In this week's episode, we continue our exploration of B-Tier conbini and head over to Poplar, a popular conbini in and around Hiroshima. We take a look back at their history and share what makes them special, notably the option to order a pound of rice in your bento. As always, we run down the new item scoreboard, share our winners and losers, and then head to gemba for another look at the the tare chiki from FamilyMart.

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/F57i7TIKa2w

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

Seicomart Is No Joke Feb 10, 2021

Show notes

This week, we’re continuing our theme of taking a look at some of the smaller convenience stores around Japan. So just just like with Ministop and Daily Yamazaki, this week we’re taking a deep dive into Hokkaido’s pride, Seicomart.

The Chiki wars take an unexpected turn when Matt and Mike discover the existence of a mysterious association. We take a look at the scoreboard and pick out our winners and losers, where both newcomers Ministop and Daily Yamazaki make an appearance.

Finally, Mike reports from the genba with a review of an item that just might have to do with the conbini champion himself - Famichiki.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaSPvGGbEW7VKQ8Y4MTPBoQ

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Getting Baked at Daily Yamazaki Feb 03, 2021

Show notes

In this week's episode we continue our deep dive into B-tier conbini and head to Daily Yamazaki, a minor conbini known for its baked goods. We check out the chiki wars and the scoreboard, where Mike takes a shot at Ministop. Then we hit the Gemba where Mike reviews the tarutaru chiki.

Check out all the action on YouTube: https://youtu.be/C-gIUUCkEro

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

Beyond the Big 3: Ministop Jan 27, 2021

Show notes

It’s a new year, and we decided to do something new… For the next couple of weeks, we’re going to be looking beyond the Big 3, to some of the other smaller conbinis in Japan. This week, we’re starting with Ministop.

We check in with the Chiki wars, where we look at 4 new chikis. We take a look at the scoreboard, pick out our winners and losers, and then check in with Mike for some items from the genba.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaSPvGGbEW7VKQ8Y4MTPBoQ

Join the conversation on Twitter: https://twitter.com/conbiniboys

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