10MTN

And get your mind out of the gutter.

The late Anthony Bourdain famously called Japanese Tamago Sando, or egg sandwiches, “pillows of love” due to their creamy texture, soft-as-a-cloud Shokupan bread, that all-important swipe of Kewpie mayo, and—most importantly—zero crusts. Sign us up!

Where do you get these heavenly bites? Japan. But these highly sought-after sandos are no further than the local konbini (convenience store). We’re talking 7-Eleven. (Check the YouTube stats if you don’t believe us). They are so popular that 7-Eleven has officially started rolling them out in the U.S. and Canada. But let’s be real: nothing beats the OG. Save your cha-ching and plan the trip.

This is just a morsel of a tasty phenomenon taking social media by storm: Grocery Store Tourism. Personally, I love this trend and totally get the appeal. Food is universal, right? We all have to eat.

Most countries have local markets, and the items in those aisles tell a story about a culture more than a museum ever could. Think of the vast array of artisan butter types in a French Monoprix, or the endless rows of spicy, lime-dusted snacks in a Mexican OXXO. Travelers are now opting for hard-to-find Cup of Noodle flavors from Singapore or local spices to bring home to loved ones rather than the tired old t-shirt or keychain trinket.

10MTN is ALWAYS looking out for your belly so here’s an “obsess-worthy” snack list from 5 countries.

• Japan: Tamago Sando (The OG). I can’t write this article without including the 7-Eleven egg sandwich. It is the gold standard of convenience food: creamy, crustless, and life-changing.

• South Korea: Honey Butter Chips. These chips famously caused a national frenzy. They are the perfect “swicy” (sweet and spicy) balance, tasting like a decadent, salty shortbread in potato chip form.

• United Kingdom: Marks & Spencer’s Percy Pigs. These grape-and-raspberry gummy pigs have a cult following so strong they have their own merchandise. They are the ultimate “posh” British road trip snack.

• Italy: Pocket Coffee. Made by Ferrero, these are bite-sized dark chocolates filled with a shot of actual liquid espresso. It’s the ultimate afternoon pick-me-up for a traveler on the go.

• Thailand: Lay’s “Hot Chili Squid” Chips. Thailand’s chip game is elite. The seafood-inspired flavors sound wild to Western palates, but one bag of these umami-bombs and you’ll never want plain BBQ again.

As a side benny, you’re saving huge travel dollars by grabbing bites from markets or convenience stores. It turns out, the best way to understand a destination isn’t by looking at it through a velvet rope—it’s by pushing a cart through Aisle 4. So, next time you’re abroad, skip the souvenir shop. Grab a basket, find the snack aisle, and get to know the neighbors. Your taste buds and wallet will thank you.

Would you go on a Grocery Store Tour? What is your favorite snack when traveling abroad? Comment below and please send us some! Just kidding. Not really.

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