When you think of Japanese food, you probably don’t think of sandwiches first. But did you know that some common, easy foods in Japan are sandwiches from convenience stores? Called “konbini” for short, Japanese convenience stores offer a lot of tasty, pre-made food that is great for a snack on the go, lunch for work, or an easy dinner at home. One of the most common foods you can grab cheaply are individual sandwiches and they are a bit different than the sandwiches you regularly find at convenience stores in other places. Costing less than $5USD each, these sandwiches are ready to eat, don’t need warming up, and taste good, too!
Just because you may not be in Japan or can’t get out to your local konbini doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy these unique and delicious sandwiches at home! Today we are going to show you how to make three of the most popular sandwiches using just a few easy, affordable ingredients so you can enjoy a Japanese konbini-style lunch right in your own kitchen.
Strawberries and Cream Sandwich (Difficulty: ★)
What you need:
- 2 slices of bread
- 5 medium strawberries
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp confectioners’ sugar
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
How to make:
- Add the heavy cream, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl. Use a hand mixer on medium speed for 3-4 minutes until you get a light, whipped consistency. This can also be done with a whisk by hand, but it will take longer. (You can also use ready-made whipped cream!)
- Spread the whipped cream onto both slices of the bread evenly.
- Remove the tops from the strawberries and wash them thoroughly. Slice them in half longways and place them flat side-down on one slice of bread.
- Put the other slice of bread on top and cut diagonally for a true konbini-style sandwich. Enjoy a sweet treat!
Egg Salad Sandwich (Difficulty: ★★)
What you need:
- 2 slices of bread
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp chopped green onions
- 1/2 tsp yellow mustard
Optional: Salt, pepper, paprika
How to make:
- Put eggs in a pot of water and bring it to a boil. When the water begins to boil, immediately remove it from the heat and allow the eggs to sit 10-12 minutes in the hot water. After this, remove the eggs from the water, peel them, and chop them into small chunks..
- Place the eggs in a mixing bowl. Add the mayonnaise, mustard, and onion and stir everything together. Feel free to add salt, pepper, and paprika to taste!
- Spread the egg mixture onto both slices of bread (for lots of flavour!). Close the sandwich and cut diagonally. Enjoy your simple, protein-packed sandwich!
Tonkatsu (fried pork cutlet) Sandwich (Difficulty: ★★★)
What you need:
- 2 slices of bread
- 1 thin, boneless pork chop
- 1 egg
- 1/2 tbsp oil
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs (you can substitute regular breadcrumbs, crushed crackers, crushed corn flakes, etc. if panko crumbs aren’t available)
- 2 tbsp flour
- Tonkatsu sauce
If you do not have any, you can make it very easily! Whisk together 1 tbsp ketchup, 2 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 1/2 tsp oyster sauce, and 1 1/8 tsp sugar
How to make:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the egg and 1/2 tsp oil. In a separate bowl, cover the pork chop in flour on all sides. Dip the flour-covered pork chop in the egg mix, then cover with breadcrumbs. Be sure to press the breadcrumbs gently onto the meat to help them stick.
- Heat oil in a wok until approximately 350F (180C). Carefully lower the pork chop into the oil, frying on both sides for 1 minute each. Remove the pork chop from the oil and allow it to rest on a wire rack or paper towel for four minutes.
- Place cooled pork chop onto bread and add however much tonkatsu sauce as you like. Cut horizontally and enjoy a really hearty lunch!
Final Thoughts
Are you hungry now? Lucky for you, these sandwiches can be made by anyone with any level of skill. So even if you’re not a master chef, and even if you’re on a budget, you can enjoy a Japanese konbini sandwich today! They’re fun, easy, affordable - and most importantly, really tasty. So whatever you’re in the mood for, we hope you can enjoy a delicious sandwich. And don’t let us stop you from experimenting and creating your own kinds of sandwiches, too!
Are you going to try to make one of these sandwiches yourself? Have you ever had a Japanese konbini sandwich? What kinds of other toppings would you love to have on a sandwich like this? Are there any other Japanese foods you would like to learn how to make? We would love to hear from you in the comments!
Author: Jet Nebula
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