How convenient

Yes, you can't go to Japan without having a convenience store breakfast.

Went to the Family Mart near Roppongi Station. This is the branch where Mark and I usually go, so it's but right that this is where I'm going.

Their Tamago Sando never fails.

Pinoy Twist-ed

Okay. So it's good to put a local twist to international delicacies, but I'm kinda on the fence about this one.

It's common knowledge how I'm bonkers over onigiri. It's something that I always eat when I'm in Tokyo, Seoul and even Singapore. Plus, I'm experimental when it comes to onigiri. Heck, I even liked their pickled plum incarnations.

But bagoong inside onigiri? Hmmm... The curiosity level is high about how this will taste like. Thai bagoong rice, perhaps? Or just plain bagoong stuffed inside rice.

Question is: are my mind and taste buds twisted enough to try it?

We'll never know until we try.

OMG!

Onigiri! My Goodness!

Yes, we finally have the legit, 3-step Onigiri in Manila! It’s available at the biggest Family Mart branch in Makati, and they have it in 8 variants!

Take my money, please!

P.S. I ate 4 of these in 1 day!

Walnuts about you!

There's been a lot written about the chocolate walnut cookies at Family Mart. As much as my curiosity has been piqued, they usually don't have it in the Family Mart stores around the office.

Then I found this at one of their branches nearby!

Yup, it lives up to the hype!

Proceed with Cosio

The first time I tried Cocio was when I was in Europe sometime in 2004. It was quite a common sight in supermarkets, and it was so rich and creamy that I got hooked.

Eventually, some specialty supermarkets started carrying it here in Manila. But it was quite difficult to find, and its supermarket appearances were few and far between.

That's why it's a thrill to finally see it distributed more extensively here. I've seen it in most supermarkets, and I even found it in Family Mart!

Now I've got a new chocolate drink in rotation.

Here's to convenience!

Since our office building is surrounded by convenience stores - three 7-11 stores, two Mini-stops and a Family Mart within a short distance - I'm spoilt for choice when it comes to snackers. What's even better is that each of these 3 stores are constantly updating their food offerings to satisfy serial snackers such as myself.

Here are two of my current favorite food items from the convenience store.

First is the Turkey Ham with Raspberry cream cheese sandwich from Family Mart.

The combination of flavors and textures from this sandwich is just divine! It starts off with wheat bread with raisin, then, the sweet and creamy flavor of the raspberry cream cheese, then the savory bite of the turkey ham. It's a flavor explosion with every bite.

Second is the Chicken Teriyaki Onigiri from 7-11.

Ha! I think 7-11 is trying to out-Japanese Family Mart and started offering their own version of onigiri. Being an onigiri-connoiseur, I'd say that the 7-11 version is okay, but not stellar. The rice isn't that sticky and the nori wrap is only a fraction, not to mention soggy. The chicken teriyaki filling is good, though.

I remember the girl was asking me if I wanted the onigiri microwaved. What?! You don't microwave an onigiri!

Aside from these 2, there were a lot of new snacks available on the shelves. And that's good - and convenient - enough reason to go back to 7-11, Mini-stop and Family Mart soon.

Berry nice!

Now there are two reasons to go back to Family Mart.

Green Tea AND Raspberry! Two of my favorite flavors, now in one!

Get ready Family Mart! Here I come!

Something's UP(town)

Thanks to my AVP shoot in Katipunan, I was able to swing by UP Diliman, and found out that part of the former UPIS grounds is now a mall!

The fact that there's a Family Mart there - and they sell the soft serve Green Tea ice cream - is enough for me to go. But with the myriad of new restaurants opening there, it looks like I'll find more reasons to keep on coming back to my alma mater's new town center.