food

Pick your filling and choose the best Lunch Pack in Japan

7 Comments
By KK Miller

Japan loves to make lists, and everyone checks them twice to see where they rank on all the big sites. But in a country that loves food, competition is always fierce to see which area of Japan has the best local delicacy.

Yamazaki Baking Co has a set of sandwiches that are called the “Lunch Pack“. Two pieces of white bread are sandwiched together and filled with a variety of ingredients. This year, seven lucky fillings are facing off to become the most popular Lunch Pack of them all.

You see them all the time, but the fillings range from fairly normal, like peanut cream, to “should this processed meat be sitting on the shelf with no refrigeration?” In essence, they amount to Lunchables. Processed cheese and meats with crackers and some sort of sweet…something. However, just because these Lunch Packs aren’t the healthiest thing on the shelf, doesn’t mean they aren’t going to be tasty.

The new yummy Yamazaki treats are duking it out to become the most popular flavor in Japan. It’s not just tastiness on the line, it’s local pride.

From over 100 candidates, Yamazaki narrowed the field down to only seven contenders. The final seven flavors come from all over Japan ranging from East Japan, Central Japan, and the Japan Sea Side, to the Kinki Region (Osaka/Kyoto area), Shikoku and Kyushu.

Yubari Melon Cream with Whipped Cream (富良野産メロンのクリーム&ホイップ) A melon puree cream and whipped cream sandwich using the famous Yubari melon from Hokkaido.

Joshu Beef Croquette (上州牛肉入りコロッケ) A beef croquette and sauce sandwich featuring Joshu beef from Gunma Prefecture.

Matsuzaka Beef Croquette (松坂牛肉入りコロッケ) A sandwich with Matsuzaka beef from Mie Prefecture and tartar sauce.

Goro Island Gold Potato, Red Beans and Margarine (五郎島金時芋あん&マーガリン) A sandwich with Goro Island Gold Potatoes from Ishikawa Prefecture, red beans and margarine

Hamburg (ハンバーグ) A hamburger with a demi-glace sauce featuring Kobe wine.

Custard Cream and Whipped Cream (カスタードクリーム&ホイップ) A sandwich made with custard cream made from Hiruzen Jersey Milk (Okayama Prefecture) and whipped cream

Kagoshima Black Pork Fried Meat Cutlet (鹿児島県産黒豚メンチカツ) A Kagoshima black pork sandwich with a mustard/mayonnaise type dressing.

Sounds like a competition fit for our taste buds. But if we had to put our money where our mouths are, please give us the Kagoshima Black Pork Lunch Pack first. It sounds the most appetizing of all. If you are wondering which one is winning so far, rankings of the most popular Lunch Pack are shown on the Yamazaki Baking Co website. If you get the chance to try them and your flavor isn’t number one, get back out there and buy, buy, buy! It’s like an AKB48 popularity contest, but the winner/loser is your stomach. Get your fill as these special sandwiches will be sold only until the end of January.

Source: Nari Nari

Read more stories from RocketNews24. -- Japan’s Newest and Cheapest Good Luck Charm: Bread Crust -- What do Japanese People Put in Their Rice Balls? Top 22 Most Popular Onigiri Fillings -- Let’s try a Japanese Home Cooked Meal…in a Sandwich!

© RocketNews24

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7 Comments
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They forgot the Yakimo, and the crunchy peanut butter versions. My favorites!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Although I don't like fish in general, I often crave a tuna-mayo lunch pack. Good stuff. Sorry to see it wasn't on the list.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

"Two pieces of white bread are sandwiched together and filled with a variety of ingredients."

I so miss real rye bread ...

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I so miss real bread, period!

I'm eating good quality, reasonably priced wholemeal bread here before I return to Japan. These Yamazaki lunch packs are packed with sugar and devoid of fibre and nutrition.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

@pukey2

I agree.

Whole wheat, Rye, Sour dough or German bread. I stay away from the White stuff. I usually go to an awesome German baker and get my fresh "Roggen brot" everyday. I never go near the Japanese junk. I make my own sandwiches as I was used to in the states and in Germany. I like fresh condiments and am very suspicious about any sandwich wrapped up in plastic that I can buy pre-made in the supermarket or my local conbini.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Sounds delicious!! Will have to try making my own someday (cuz too much foreign sweets = tempting + unhealthy) :3

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

How is it safe not to refridgerate meat and fish? Surely they should be kept chilled? That is the main reason I have never tried one, that and onigiri are so much more appealing.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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