Conbini Boys

This week we take a look at the Famichiki Competition, where competitors try to eat as many Famichikis as they can to hopefully win a years worth of Famichikis. Matt sings the praises of Uchi Cafe, Mike introduces a Toyama themed instant ramen, and then we check in on the Tsukimi Burger, the legendary McDonalds burger that is out now. Watch us on YouTube See dumb stuff on Twitter Get full access t...

In this week's episode we talk about a FamilyMart campaign that brings back some old favorites from long-lost conbini like Circle K, Sunkus, and ampm. We look at a Lawson-Godiva collaboration. And Mike gives a shocking review of the highly anticipated Final Fantasy XIV Karaagekun. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/6yWr0YjfxuM Read dumb Tweets: https://twitter.com/conbiniboys Items Discussed Famil...

This week, we’re taking a look at a very special section of the conbini, and that is the instant noodle zone. And what better way to start, than to introduce the king of instant noodles themselves, Cup Noodle. Mike continues to try to track down the Final Fantasy Karaage-kun, and Matt picks up an amazing man that neither of us have experienced before. Watch us on YouTube See dumb stuff on Twitter...

In this week's episode, we welcome the coming of fall with the arrival of nikuman. Their blessed colors - yellow, orange, and white - paint the hot box like foliage blankets a New England landscape. We check out Takoyaki ice cream and Mike reviews the Razor Red Ghost Pepper L-Chiki.   Item we cover: Ministop's nikuman lineup Family Mart's nikuman lineup Salt and Lemon Pokechiki Matt's Loser Mike's...

This week, the chiki wars are taking over, with multiple chikis coming out across the conbini landscape. Family mart commemorates its 40th anniversary with 40% larger versions of a number of its items. Matt and Mike clash on the topic of vegetable sticks, and try to track down the illusive Final Fantasy 14 Karaage-kun. Other ways to enjoy and support the conbini Watch us on YouTube Follow us on Tw...

It's August, which means it's hot as all hell in Japan. Mike and Matt share some tips on how to keep cool at the conbini covering everything from body wipes to cold noodles. The Chiki Wars cool off with just one new boneless fried chicken product out. And the new item scoreboard shows record low numbers. The Big Three product development teams may be giving in to the heat. Items to keep cool Gatsb...

This week, in the spirit of the Olympics, we continue our Conbini games, where Matt and Mike offer each other scenarios and try to choose their gold, silver, and bronze conbini items for various situations. The Chiki wars are still hot, and we see the introduction of a Taiwanese chiki into the mix. In the winners and losers section, Daily Yamazaki and 7-11 continue to take hits, while sweets conti...

In this week's episode, Mike and I compete in the Conbini Olympics to celebrate the start of the Tokyo Olympics. We take a close look at a Miso Katsu donburi and Mike reviews the Cheese-in Curry Famichiki. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/hubsXIbMp4U Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/conbiniboys Conbini Items featured:  Hot Chili Nuggets - Seicomart Ketchup & Mustard Karaagekun - Law...

It’s getting hot out there, but our old friend the Gooodog is here to save the day, with Lawson proclaiming that this summer will be the “Summer of Hot Dogs.” The Chiki Wars are alive and well with a ton of new offerings, including a curry-infused Famichiki and a Final Fantasy themed Karaage-kun. Finally, in the winners and losers section, we see some winners sure to keep you cool, and some losers...

In this week's episode, we do a lightening round of conbini news. We take a look at the scoreboard and share our winners and losers, including an entire bento box packed into an onigiri. Then Mike heads to Gemba to talk McDonald's 50th anniversary. See all the goodies on YouTube Follow us on Twitter Get full access to Conbini Boys Newsletter at conbiniboys.substack.com/subscribe

In this week's episode, Mike and Matt go Conbini adjacent and look at the Jimoto Frappuccino campaign at Starbucks featuring unique Frappuccinos from all 47 prefectures. We take a look at the new item scoreboard and share are winners and losers for the week, where Mike continues his assault on the 1/2 day vegetable claims. Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Follow us on Twitter: Get full access to...

This week we’re talking ice cream. It’s getting hot, summer’s about to start, and so we thought it would be a good time to introduce the ice cream zone at the conbini. We walk you through the lay of the land, talk about the different ice boxes you’ll find, and then introduce some of the legends of the conbini ice cream world. Matt picks up one of the most shocking losers we’ve seen in a while, and...

Last week, we looked at our top overrated items at the conbini, and this week we're continuing that trend by offering up our 3 most underrated items. If you've been listening to the show for a while, you can probably guess a couple of them, but some of them might surprise you. We make a big announcement during the scoreboard segment, then Matt reveals an amazingly appetizing loser,  followed by on...

In this week's episode, Mike and Matt share their top 3 most overrated items. Mike goes off on products claiming to contain a half-day's worth of vegetables. Lawson comes out with a dessert haul for the ages. And Mike celebrates the new cheese-in famichiki Our Overrated Items Mike 1 Mike 2 Mike 3 Matt 1 Matt 2 Matt 3 Winners and Losers Ramen Salad Half-Day Vegetable Kimchi Soup Matcha Desser Haul...

Breaking news here in the world of the conbini today. The Conbini Boys that we know and love are in a courtroom battle after Matt’s sudden declaration that “Melon Pan is bad.” Mike steps in to defend Melon Pan, but Matt stays on the offensive. Is Melon Pan good or bad? Will the Conbini Boys be able to resolve their differences without it ripping the show apart. Those are the questions we’re hoping...

This week, we’re joined by a true conbini legend, Patrick St. Michel, the longtime writer of the legendary Konbini Watch column at The Japan Times. We learn about Patrick’s journey to becoming a journalist covering Japanese music and pop culture, and how that combined with his love for the conbini to lead him to Konbini Watch. After that, Patrick sticks around to hang out for the normal show, and...

In this week's episode, Mike and Matt give an update on the righteous battle between Mr. Matsumoto and 7-11. We discuss an amazing new beer can from Asahi that somehow replicates the draft beer experience. The Chiki Wars remain hot with two new chikis. We check on our winners and losers amongst this week's new items, which include a hot number from Go! Go! Curry. Mike wraps with a review of the Mo...

This week, we’re taking a look at the Yamitsu-kitchen campaign from Ministop, which features a love triangle, some amazing items, and some questionable giveaways. We take a look at the scoreboard, where the numbers are a little bit low, and then pick out our winners and losers, where Seicomart makes a strong showing. Finally, Mike goes on a rampage at the genba, and sets a new personal record for...

In this week's episode, Mike and I imagine the conbini of the future. How will the conbini continue its pursuit of perfect ten or twenty years from today? The Chiki Wars heat back up with 4 Conbini releasing new chiki products. Then it's off to the scoreboard where we share a spectacular new product out of Lawson. Get full access to Conbini Boys Newsletter at conbiniboys.substack.com/subscribe

This week, the conbinis open up for preorder for mothers and fathers day gifts, and so Matt and Mike pick out some potential gifts for their parents. We take a look at the scoreboard, where Ministop makes some big gains and Lawson takes a few losses. Finally, Mike reviews three chikis from the genba. Also, a quick heads up, the audio this week might be a little messed up. Sorry about that, we’ll t...

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 Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/conbiniboys Get full access to Con...

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 rehydr...

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...

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.y...

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...