Hello, this is Kimura. Winter has arrived in Tokyo, and it’s getting chilly.

At Japanese convenience stores, there’s an area with hot snacks—a tempting zone that’s dangerous for anyone trying to stick to a diet! This is where warm foods like American corn dogs, frankfurters, pork buns, and sweet red bean buns are lined up.

(Though, I wonder if “American dog” makes sense to non-Japanese readers?)

Many people living in Tokyo use trains to get around and walk from the station to their homes. Picking up a warm snack on a cold day’s walk home is one of those small joys of daily life in Japan.

Convenience stores offer a variety of hot snacks, but classics like pork buns, sweet red bean buns, and pizza buns are staples you can find at almost any convenience store.

However, the “Bistroman” I found this time had a slightly different vibe. What is this? I had to try it.

It’s made with a bun on the outside and filled with beef stew in the center, sealed with a layer of cheese. The aroma is amazing!

When you split it open, you’ll find a generous amount of beef stew inside. The combination of rich demi-glace sauce and melty cheese leaves a lingering, delicious taste that warms you up.

For travelers in Japan, exploring convenience stores can be a lot of fun. This particular item was 240 yen. (By the way, pizza buns are also delicious!)

Thank you for reading all the way to the end!