If you’re a fast food expert, you know that it can feel like the United States misses out on the best releases from our go-to chains. From a Kit Kat quesadilla at Taco Bell to fried pickles at KFC, it’s hard not to feel like other countries’ fast food offerings are more fun, creative, and well, just plain better.
And nothing makes that stark contrast more evident than Japanese convenience stores. While we may have Buc-ee’s Beaver Nuggets, Wawa hoagies, and Casey’s pizza, our national convenience store chains are generally lacking in the food department. Yes, the roller dogs and taquitos hold a special place in our hearts (especially after midnight), but they don’t hold a candle to Japanese convenience stores.
I was lucky enough to visit Japan last year, and when I say we ate at convenience stores every single day, often several times a day, it’s not an exaggeration. From freshly blended smoothies to hot onigiri (rice balls) and delicious, bakery-worthy pastries, the convenience stores, or konbini as they’re known, offer food on par if not better than some restaurants. Lawson’s and Family Mart are household names in Japan, but no konbini is more ubiquitous than 7-Eleven. And now, for the first time ever, 7-Eleven is bringing one of its most popular and beloved Japanese products to the U.S.
7-Eleven Is Finally Bringing the Japanese Egg Sandwich to the U.S.
It may only be early December, but it feels like Christmas morning—that’s how much of a gift this sandwich is. Let’s take a step back and explain why.
The Japanese-style egg salad sandwich, or Tamago Sando as it’s known in Japan, has somewhat of a cult following among Japanese residents and tourists alike. Some claim they’ve flown 6,700 miles just to get a taste of the 7-Eleven sandwich, calling it a “life-changing experience.” Anthony Bourdain once likened the konbini egg salad sandwiches to “pillows of love.” Even Allrecipes’ own Chef John was converted from an egg salad hater after trying the sandwich.
What makes it so special? The pillowy (as Bourdain put it) milk bread, and special Japanese mayo, Kewpie, which, as Chef John put it, “would taste great on a flip flop.” Even I, an egg salad hater just like Chef John, didn’t hate it. In fact, I enjoyed it so long as I didn’t think too hard what I was eating. It’s just soft all the way through, and super savory, with just a hint of sweetness and none of the sulphuric egg salad smell or taste that gives me the ick.
Allrecipes / 7-Eleven
Just as it’s made in Japan, the new 7-Eleven Japanese-Style Egg Salad Sandwich features rich and creamy egg salad made with umami-rich Kewpie mayonnaise and is delicately sandwiched between two slices of soft and fluffy milk bread.
From the first look, there appear to be a few differences between the Japanese and American 7-Eleven egg salad sandwiches. First, the American sandwich has crusts (the tamago sando has the crusts cut off). The texture of the egg salad also appears to be a little different, with more chunks than the very homogenous Japanese egg salad. So perhaps this sandwich is designed to fall somewhere between American and Japanese to cater to all tastes.
And finally, the biggest difference is the price. In Japan, an egg salad sandwich costs around 230 yen, which is equivalent to about $1.50. The prices may vary depending on location, but one early spotter found the new 7-Eleven Japanese-Style Egg Salad Sandwich for $5.49. Still, that’s not a bad price, especially if it saves me the cost of a flight to Japan to have another taste of the beloved sandwich.
“The egg salad sandwich has long been a favorite item in 7-Eleven stores across Japan, and we’re excited to introduce a version for customers in the U.S. inspired by its beloved flavor,” said Brandon Brown, Senior Vice President of Fresh Foods at 7-Eleven, Inc. in a press release.
The sandwich is rolling out to participating 7-Eleven locations—as well as Speedway and Stripes—in the U.S. now. The egg salad sandwich is just the first in a larger plan to improve American 7-Eleven stores’ fresh food options. So, 7-Eleven, if you’re reading this, please bring the onigiri here, next—I’m begging you.
AloJapan.com