Wednesday 10 April 2013

Japan: convenience store takeaway food

Tokyo is a bit like New York, in that the cost of land is sky-high, but the cost of eating out can be incredibly cheap.

There are hundreds of small eateries, many not much more than a hole-in-the-wall, offering sit-down "sets" - including a coffee or bowl of soup, and the main, possibly plus a salad - for $8 give or take a buck or two. Most locals do eat sitting down, even if it's only a quickly scarfed-down lunch.

However, supermarkets offer an impressive range of pre-prepared meals, such as these photographed at a nearby "Family Mart' convenience store.

Detail from above image - these meals are Y398, around $4
The adjacent cabinet (there were four in a row this size)
If you want something hot, you can pick it from the bain marie.
The menu/price list with photos is above - most items are around $1
You can buy a beer or soft drink to go with your meal. (Liquor is not separated out in supermarkets either.)
Soft drinks on the left; alcohol on the right (albeit with yellow-tag warnings, presumably against underage drinkers)
And if you want a soft-serve ice cream to follow, why you can buy that too.

Better than the tired egg-and-lettuce sandwiches and meat pies you get in our neck of the woods!

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