Mike and Matt dive into their passion - Japan’s convenience stores, known as conbini. From canned coffee to fried chicken to seasonal one-offs, we’ll be hitting you with the biggest news across the conbini landscape.
Listeners of Conbini Boys that love the show mention: world, conbini.
The Conbini Boys podcast is an absolute delight for anyone interested in Japanese culture, particularly the world of conbinis (convenience stores). As a long-time expat in Japan, I can confidently say that these guys nail it and their humor is spot-on. The podcast offers unparalleled insight into the world of conbinis, and as a fan, I would love to be a correspondent for the Tarumi Station conbini scene - with four stores in one station, there's sure to be plenty of interesting content!
One of the best aspects of The Conbini Boys podcast is the humor. The hosts, Matt and Mike, have a fantastic rapport and their banter is hilarious. Their conversations are unrehearsed and unedited, which adds a sense of authenticity to the show. It's impressive how they manage to pull this off considering they are on opposite sides of the world. You can tell that they are close friends who are both completely obsessed with the conbini world. Their love and passion for conbinis shine through in every episode.
Another great aspect of this podcast is the wealth of knowledge and expertise shared by Matt and Mike. They provide insights into various aspects of Japanese culture related to conbinis, including products, promotions, and even some language lessons. Their enthusiasm is infectious, making each episode informative and entertaining at the same time.
While there aren't many negative aspects to mention about The Conbini Boys podcast, one small downside could be that some listeners may find it difficult to keep up with all the references if they are not familiar with Japanese culture or language. However, Matt and Mike do a good job of explaining things along the way, so this shouldn't deter anyone from enjoying the show.
In conclusion, The Conbini Boys podcast is an international sensation that combines knowledge, expertise, and humor into one hilarious rendition of Japan's conbini culture. It's hard to believe that this verbal sitcom is created by two friends from opposite sides of the world. Whether you're a conbini enthusiast or simply curious about Japanese culture, this podcast is a must-listen. I eagerly look forward to each new episode and highly recommend it to others.
Back after a long break! In this week's episode we discuss:
In this week's episode we discuss:
This week, we decided to let AI to do our work for us. We asked ChatGPT to generate a script for an episode, and were really impressed with it came up with. Follow us on Twitter Check out the Newsletter Watch us on YouTube
After a long break we're back talking conbini. We review Mother's Day catalogs, celebrate 20 years of cheese Karaage-kun at Lawson, and look at a stale hot dog at FamilyMart. Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/conbiniboys Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaSPvGGbEW7VKQ8Y4MTPBoQ Subscribe to our newsletter: https://conbiniboys.substack.com
This week, we take a look at a lost episode. We recorded this one a month or two ago, but couldn't get it out until now. Who knows what we talked about? Something about 4 billion Karaage-kun sold? Sour cream and onion Famichiki? No one knows, but I'm sure it was pretty cool. Follow us on Twitter Check out the Newsletter Watch us on YouTube
In this week's episode we take a look at a bonanza of seasoning and dorodoro ramen at Lawson. Mike issues a warning about spread of the Sugoonigiri and reviews the entire Juicy Asia lineup at McDonald's. Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/conbiniboys Watch us on YouTube: Read our newsletter: https://conbiniboys.substack.com
This week, we take a look at an exciting campaign out of Family Mart featuring nazo – that is – mysterious fried chicken. Each region of Japan will have its contender, and the champion will see a nationwide release. We talk about some other mysterious items such as bonjiiri yakitori, Sugo-Oni, and drinkable slime, and then Matt and Mike try to decide if smoked sausage is an acceptable flavor for chicken. Follow us on Twitter Check out the Newsletter Watch us on YouTube
In this week's episode, we celebrate the ConbinI World Cup champion and review some of the tournament's surprising outcomes. We take a look at 3 new chikis, pull back the curtain on a dirty diaper from 7-11, and Mike has a hot take on the Yuzu Kosho Famichiki. Join dumb conversations on Twitter: https://twitter.com/conbiniboys Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@conbiniboys3092/featured
This week we check in on the first round of the Conbini World Cup. We pick up a couple of matches that stood out to us, including a few shockers that left us both speechless. Then, Matt introduces us to an amazing roast beef sandwich chain. Follow us on Twitter Check out the Newsletter Watch us on YouTube
This week, we celebrate our 100th episode by taking a walk down memory lane and looking back on some of our favorite episodes throughout the years. Then, Matt has a big announcement concerning the return of the much loved conbini tournament. Follow us on Twitter Check out the Newsletter Watch us on YouTube
In this week's episode we preview Christmas lineups from the Big Three Conbini. We announce the start of bone season. Mike promotes Mabo tofu and Matt finds one of the strangest conbini items to date. Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/conbiniboys Subscribe to our newsletter: https://conbiniboys.substack.com
This week, we're taking a look at a cheese campaign coming out of Lawson. Will it live up to the legendary Nice Cheese Grand Prix of yore? We'll have to see. We talk soups and burgers, and on the topic of burgers, Matt relays his experience with an amazing new burger out of Shake Shack. Watch us on YouTube Check out the Newsletter See dumb stuff on Twitter Buy us a Chiki
In this week's episode, we offer more love advice by sharing how to spot THE ONE based on conbini hauls. We take a look at pizza karagekun, Matt questions Monster energy drink rehab-flavor, and Mike hunts for the curry L-Chiki. Subscribe to the Conbini Boys newsletter: https://conbiniboys.substack.com See dumb stuff like this on Twitter
In this week's episode we offer dating advice to Zoomers, evaluate 192 new items from 7-11, and Mike takes a trip to 7-11's headquarters. See dumb stuff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/conbiniboys Subscribe to our newsletter: https://conbiniboys.substack.com
This week, we're catching up on the latest installment of a story that we've been following for a while – robots at the conbini. This time around, it seems like there's been some progress, and Matt and Mike talk about what we can hope to expect with autonomous conbini machines. We talk Korean chikis, weird salad chickens, an amazing pudding selection from lawson, and a big development for Mike at the genba. Watch us on YouTube Check out the Newsletter See dumb stuff on Twitter Buy us a Chiki
In this week's episode, we discuss two huge curry campaigns out of 7-11 and Ministop. We roast a five cheese tortilla. And Mike takes a deep dive into Lawson's Machi Kado. Join the dumb convo on Twitter: https://twitter.com/conbiniboys Read our awesome newsletter: https://conbiniboys.substack.com Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/JQXOjrERYWA
This week, we're bringing you a public service announcement about how to stay cool at the conbini. Last year, we recommended a number of items, but this year we walk you through each of our own strategies for keeping cool. The chiki wars are still in high gear, and in a heated segment, Matt and Mike talk about the merits of craft beer. Last year's "Keeping Cool at the Conbini" Watch us on YouTube Check out the Newsletter See dumb stuff on Twitter Buy us a Chiki
In this week's episode, we take two trips to Hokkaido with 7-11 and Lawson. We review FOUR new chikis. Mike tries a Sugoonigiri from New Days. And Matt pumps Tim Horton's. Follow us on Twitter Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Watch us on YouTube
This week, we take a look at some replies to a tweet that asked you to choose your go-to main dish, beverage, and snack from the conbini. In the winners and losers, we both take aim at the question of “what is a good summer item?” Finally, we investigate Family Mart's new style of store, otherwise known at the Famima concept. Watch us on YouTube Check out the Newsletter See dumb stuff on Twitter Buy us a Chiki
In this week's episode Mike and Matt take a trip to Hawaii with 7-11. Mike wonders whether it's safe to eat shelled shrimp. And Matt reviews his local Dunkin Donuts following its renovation. Join the conversation on Twitter: https://twitter.com/conbiniboys Subscribe to the newsletter: https://conbiniboys.substack.com/ Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/EpP7cWDPLKw Buy us a chiki: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/conbiniboys
This week, we're looking at father's day, and trying to unravel a mystery about why there are so few father themed items at the conbini. We check out a bizarre cheese and Chiki release, revisit a spicy chicken sandwich, and take a look at a truly incredible collaboration between pizza chips, fish and cheese. Watch us on YouTube Check out the Newsletter See dumb stuff on Twitter Buy us a Chiki
This week we take a look at two interesting campaigns, one featuring matcha flavored sweets, and the other featuring all the varieties of cold noodle dishes Japan has to offer. In the winners and losers segment, Matt picks up probably the worst sandwich we've ever seen, and Mike picks up a mystery item that the two try to solve. Finally, in "At the Gemba", we at long last take a look at some items outside of the categories of chiki and chuhai. Watch us on YouTube See dumb stuff on Twitter Check out the Newsletter Buy us a Chiki
In this week's episode, we discuss 7-11's Trattoria Open campaign — a celebration of Italian cuisine. The chiki wars heat back up with smoked fried chicken. We stare down a spam sandwich from Lawson and Mike reviews the Super Chuhai from FamilyMart. Listen to the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conbini-boys/id1506381271 Join the convo on Twitter: https://twitter.com/conbiniboys Subscribe to our newsletter: https://conbiniboys.substack.com
This week, we're happy to introduce our brand new Conbini Newsletter. We fill you in on the good news, and then discuss a recent experiment where certain conbinis have opened their bathrooms up to the public. We check out an Okinawan themed karaagekun, talk burgers, curry ramen, and American dogs, and finally Mike catches us up on Family Mart's attempt at the egg McMuffin. Watch us on YouTube See dumb stuff on Twitter Check out the Newsletter Buy us a Chiki
In this week's episode, we discuss an Okinawa-themed campaign at 7-11, check out a tartar sauce karaage-kun, mourn the struggles of Daily Yamazaki, and meditate on ice cream. Join the conversation on Twitter: https://twitter.com/conbiniboys Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/5KDYMm5IMaU
This week we take a look at the Famichiki Frappe, an imaginary item that Family Mart introduced as an April fools joke. And so of course, we take some time to imagine some of our own wacky April Fool's style items, and come up with some pretty interesting things. To round out the show, we visit Matt's Munchies, where Matt walks us through a number of incredible pairings of snacks and another feel good item. Watch us on YouTube See dumb stuff on Twitter
In this week's episode we take a look at a Children's Day Kabuto cake, dive into an Okinawa-themed campaign, question skid marks on a 7-11 gratin, and review FamilyMart's crispy chicken. Join the dumb conversation on Twitter: https://twitter.com/conbiniboys Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_NaYAFruWTg
This week we take a look at two exciting campaigns coming out of 7-11, with the “choi happy” sweets campaign, and another focused on the cuisine of Kyushu. Matt and Mike collide during the winners and losers segment, opening up a debate over the strength of Japanese paper, and “At the Genba” Mike introduces the greatest melon pan that the two have ever seen. Watch us on YouTube See dumb stuff on Twitter
In this week's episode, we take a look at the long-awaited emergence of new 5% chuhais, sippable Godiva chocolate pudding, and Mike tries a Famichiki sandwiched between a maple syrup nikuman. Join a dumb conversation on Twitter: https://twitter.com/conbiniboys Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rKYZ3E-MGic
It's a jam packed weak at the conbini. With Valentine's Day coming to a close, we look ahead to White Day, and also 7-11's Asian Gurume Fair. Matt reviews a new chicken sandwich from a fast-food place in the states, and to close it out, we read a story about how Famichiki grease is being used to power public buses. Watch us on YouTube See dumb stuff on Twitter
In this week's episode, Mike describes an apocalyptic scene at his local conbini. We talk pig ears, yakiniku-sauced karaagekun, choux cream stuffed with brownie, and Donald-Trump-styled beer foam. Join the dumb conversation on Twitter: https://twitter.com/conbiniboys Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RINalS5yE7M
Happy New Year everyone! We're back after a very long break. We talk about what we were doing while we were off, and then jump right back into the conbini, where we look at Ehomaki and Valentines day. Watch us on YouTube See dumb stuff on Twitter
In this week's episode, Mike and Matt record together for the first time in the United States. They step away from Japan and discuss some of America's icons like Royal Farms and Costco, they celebrate the Au Jus summit, and they encourage everyone to buy a new TV. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/I3j7-fy1AAA Read dumb stuff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/conbiniboys
This week, we're talking about the Conbini Boys America Tour… that's right, Mike's back in the states, and looking forward to meeting up with Matt. They discuss their agenda, with exciting things like eating Prime Rib, going to Sheetz, and checking out the TVs at Best Buy on the docket. In conbini related news, it's a crazy week in the Chiki wars, where we see maybe the highest number of new chikis that we've ever seen. Watch us on YouTube See dumb stuff on Twitter
In this week's episode we look at a Nikuman campaign out of Daily Yamazaki and a Creamy Milk campaign out of Lawson. We celebrate the arrival of more bones in the Hot Box. And we mourn the arrival of more rice burgers. Watch us on YouTube See dumb stuff on Twitter
This week, we take a look at the Extreme Cheese Festival from Family Mart, which promises lots of new items with lots of cheese. Matt picks up an amazing, sweet potato themed winner, and Mike finds a loser that shows that there are somethings that even the conbini doesn't do well. Watch us on YouTube See dumb stuff on Twitter
In this week's episode, we take a look at the Christmas menu lineup from FamilyMart, Lawson, and 7-11. Mike reviews the PariPari chicken. And we fall in love with a pie cake hybrid from 7-11. Christmas Lineups FamilyMart Lawson 7-11 Matt's Featured Item #1 Matt's Featured Item #2 Mike's Featured Item #1 Mike's Featured Item #2 Chiki Wars Garlic Butter Karaage-kun Crunky Hot Chili Chicken Cheese-in Chicken and Crisps Winners and Losers Mike's Winner Matt's Winner Mike's Loser Matt's Loser Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/i-2aVKkz3ts Read dumb tweets: https://twitter.com/conbiniboys
This week, we check in on Mike, and see if he was able to hold his lead in the Famichiki tournament to become the king of his conbini. In the Chiki wars, Lawson's Parichiki makes it's debut, and in the scoreboard, Family Mart makes a strong comeback. Matt picks up a surprising winner, and Mike's winner has both Matt and Mike excited for the future of Nikuman. Watch us on YouTube See dumb stuff on Twitter
This week, we take a look at Lawson's Parichiki, which claims to be an extra crispy Chiki coming out this week. We get an update from Mike about the Famichiki competition, and see if he's still hanging in at the top of his local store. Finally, Lawson takes some hits in the winners and losers, where Matt picks up perhaps the saddest bento we've ever seen. Watch us on YouTube See dumb stuff on Twitter
In this week's episode we check in on Mike's position in the Famichiki Tournament. Lawson launches a nationwide celebration of ramen. The scoreboard heats up with Kimetsu no Yaiba items. And we look at a cake sandwich from 7-11. Famichiki Contest Lawson Ramen Festival Overview Matt's #1 Pick Matt's whacko pick Mike's #1 pick Mike's local pick Chiki Wars Kimetsu no Yaiba Mentai Mayo Karaage-kun Winners and Losers Mike's loser Matt's loser Mike's winner Matt's winner YouTube and Twitter Read dumb tweets Watch dumb videos
This week, we're checking in on the Famichiki competition, where competitors battle it out over a month by eating as many Famichikis as they can. The prize: more Famichikis. Matt picks up a bizarre water, and Uchi Cafe continues to be the talk of the town. Watch us on YouTube See dumb stuff on Twitter
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
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 FamilyMart's nostalgia campaign Chicken Tempura (Toriten) - Family Mart Rich Cheese and Bacon Karaagekun - Lawson Chili Sauce Karaage - Seicomart Final Fantasy VIX Karaagekun Matt's loser Matt's winner Mike's loser Mike's winner
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
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