7-Eleven in Japan has announced a collaboration with the nationally popular TV show “Geinojin Kakuzuke Check” as a special end-of-year and New Year project. Starting December 31, 2025, two limited-edition menu items that replicate dishes made by the show’s famous host, Masatoshi Hamada, will be released sequentially. As the second installment of the highly popular collaboration from the end of 2024 which saw items sell out one after another, this event is already generating significant buzz all across Japan.
What is “Geinojin Kakuzuke Check,” a Japanese New Year’s Tradition?
For our international audience who may not be familiar, “Geinojin Kakuzuke Check” is an incredibly popular Japanese TV show that airs every year on January 1st. Top-tier celebrities form teams to test their senses by distinguishing the “correct” choice in various categories, such as high-end vs. cheap products or professional vs. amateur musical performances. The rules are simple: if they make a mistake, their rank drops. The sight of these top stars agonizing over their choices with their pride on the line brings laughter and excitement to living rooms during the New Year, making it a true Japanese New Year’s tradition.
The host of this show is Masatoshi Hamada, from Japan’s most famous comedy duo, “Downtown.” He moves the show along with his sharp wit and charisma, but sometimes there are scenes where he showcases his own cooking. These new 7-Eleven products are recreations that allow anyone to easily enjoy the taste of the “specialty dishes” Hamada has made on the show in the past. The previous collaboration’s “Shrimp Chili & Fried Rice” and “Gyoza” were so popular for their buzz and deliciousness that they became difficult to find in stores immediately after their release. Anticipation for this long-awaited second installment is extremely high.
Melt-in-Your-Mouth Deliciousness: “Hamada Beef Stew”
The beef stew featured in the “Geinoujin Kakuzuke Check! 2026 New Year’s Special,” which just aired on January 1, 2026, has been commercialized with incredible speed. It features a rich demi-glace sauce with Hatcho miso as a secret ingredient and is an authentic dish packed with Chef Hamada’s dedication, simmered for over two hours.
The price is 598 yen (645.84 yen with tax) and will be available sequentially at 7-Eleven stores across Japan starting from January 2, 2026.
Nostalgic and New! The Hamada Family’s “Classic Omelet Rice”
The first item to be released is “Omelet Rice” (Omurice), a quintessential dish of Japanese Western-style food (Yōshoku – a style of Western-influenced cooking in Japan) loved by all generations.
This dish features chicken rice carefully wrapped in a fluffy egg omelet, topped with a vibrant ketchup sauce—a truly classic style. Because of its simplicity, it’s a dish where the flavor of the ingredients and the overall balance are crucial. Many fans are looking forward to tasting how this dish, which Hamada presented with much love on the show, has been recreated. We can expect a somewhat nostalgic flavor that evokes the warmth of Japanese home cooking.
It will be released starting Wednesday, December 31, 2025. The price is 550 yen (594 yen with tax), making it attractively affordable to experience a star’s cooking. How about a heartwarming dish during the busy end-of-year season?
Makes You Want More Rice! The Irresistibly Juicy “Karaage Bento”
Then, on Thursday, January 1, 2026, coinciding with the show’s broadcast date, the “Karaage Bento” will be released. Karaage (Japanese fried chicken) is the king of side dishes in Japan, an essential item for any Japanese bento box, alongside the onigiri (rice ball).
The star of this bento, the Karaage, is characterized by its strong ginger and soy sauce flavor. With just one bite, the savory aroma of the coating and the juicy meat flavors will fill your mouth. It goes without saying that it pairs perfectly with white rice, and you won’t be able to put your chopsticks down.
It will be very interesting to see how 7-Eleven has reproduced the flavor that Hamada likely crafted with great care. The price is 648 yen (699.84 yen with tax), and it looks to be a hearty portion. It might be fun to savor this auspicious (?) “Kakuzuke Check” gourmet meal to kick off the New Year.
Sales Information and Notes
These products will be sold at 7-Eleven stores all across Japan, but please note that some stores may not carry them, and release dates may vary by region.
This collaboration was born from the fusion of two unique Japanese cultures: TV shows and konbini. This project, packed with the fun of Japanese pop culture and food culture, is sure to be an unmissable event for travelers visiting Japan. Just like last time, it is certain to be extremely popular. If you see it in a store, we recommend picking it up without hesitation.
Source (Japanese): 【予告】ABCテレビ・テレビ朝日系「芸能人格付けチェック」で浜田雅功さん渾身の料理を再現！
*2026.1.2 Added the introduction of “Hamada Beef Stew”.
Hama-chan omelette rice was delicious. It was so good while being the best and the most particular.