Convenience stores are a convenient place to get almost anything you want. However, people may have different opinions about whether to buy nigiri sushi at convenience stores. I was one of those who could not afford it.

But they (nigiri-zushi) are always there, aren't they? So there is a demand for them, right? So I decided to compare nigirizushi from Lawson and FamilyMart. (7-ELEVEN does not sell nigiri-zushi.)

Comparison of Lawson and FamilyMart nigirizushi

I bought these two products.

Lawson "8 pieces of nigiri-zushi" 598 yen (tax included)
FamilyMart: "Nigiri sushi assortment (10 pieces)" 598 yen (tax included)


The prices are the same, but Lawson has 8 pieces and FamilyMart has 10 pieces, so the FamilyMart one is a bit more economical.

Let's take a look at the ingredients of each.

Lawson: 8 pieces of nigiri sushi

Conger eel
Salmon roe gunkan
squid
Salmon
Grilled Salmon Harasu
shrimp
vinegared mackerel
egg

FamilyMart "Nigiri Sushi Assortment (10 pieces)

Salmon
vinegared mackerel
shrimp
squid
Egg
Sardine
octopus
Salmon Harasu
Minced tuna
Crab Cakes


At a glance, Lawson's lineup with salmon roe is a little more glamorous. It's more tempting to eat. Both come with gari, soy sauce, and wasabi.

Comparing the two

First of all, I have to say that both Lawson's sushi and Famima's sushi are really good! It may not be as good as the sushi you can get at a sushi restaurant, but for about 60 to 75 yen per piece, I think it's worth it.


The best sushi from Lawson was the salmon roe gunkan. The sour and rich taste of the salmon roe melted into your mouth as it popped.


The best sushi at Famima was the vinegared mackerel. It was a large, thick fillet, and the fat content was more robust than at Lawson. Plenty of umami and sweetness, and no smell!


On the other hand, I was a little disappointed with the Lawson's conger eel. The sauce and the sweetness of the meat were delicious, but as it was pre-made sushi, it was not very satisfying to eat. Famima, on the other hand, had sardines. It had grated ginger on top, but there was a slight smell peculiar to shiny fish.

In addition, I compared the ingredients common to the two companies.

Squid
Lawson's squid was sticky and crunchy, with a sweetness that spread slowly. Famima's squid was easy to bite off and not cling to the skin.

Salmon Harasu
Lawson's grilled salmon harasu has the sweetness of fat that is typical of harasu that unfolds in your mouth. Famima's salmon harasu has soft flesh that melts and is full of sweetness and richness of fat. The taste is so good that it sinks into the roots of your tongue!

Shrimp
Both shrimps are plump, crispy and crunchy. The aroma of the sea spreads through the air.

Eggs
Lawson's egg is larger, almost covering the rice. They are soft and sweet. On the other hand, Famima's is a little smaller. The richness of the egg and the flavor of the soup stock are made the most of. The sweetness is moderate.

Personally, I like Famima.

After comparing the nigiri-zushi of the two companies, I personally liked the taste of the ingredients of FamilyMart better. However, the rice from Lawson was fluffier and more pleasant to the palate.

Also, there were a couple of items at FamilyMart that I thought "I don't need this...". (personal opinion), so it would be better if the number of pieces could be reduced to about 8 and the price lowered a little. Lawson's lineup was well-balanced and packed with all the standard items.


Compared to conveyor-belt sushi chains, which charge 100 yen per plate, it's undeniably expensive, but it's good enough to pick up on a weekday lunchtime when you're in the mood for sushi. If you've been curious about sushi but haven't been able to get your hands on it, there's no harm in giving it a try! Please be careful when handling raw food, especially on hot days.