Have you ever checked the frozen food section of a Japanese convenience store (Konbini)?
Japanese Konbini are constantly evolving. Right now, in particular, a noteworthy new product is about to appear.
Starting Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 7-Eleven will begin rolling out the “7-Premium 2-Pack Onigiri Chicken & Burdock Root” and “7-Premium 2-Pack Onigiri Salmon & Okaka.”
These aren’t just any new products. Amidst rising global prices, they have achieved an astonishing price point of “under 100 yen (approx. $0.65 USD) per rice ball.”
And they aren’t just cheap. In terms of ingredient taste, nutritional balance, and convenience, they offer uncompromising “Japan Quality.”
Here is the appeal of this product that might just change the standard of what is considered “normal” on Japanese dining tables.
7-Premium 2-Pack Onigiri Chicken & Burdock Root
First up is the “Chicken & Burdock (Tori-Gobo).” The moment you open the package, a savory aroma wafts out.
- Price: 198 yen (213.84 yen incl. tax / approx. $1.40 USD)
- Release Date: Starting Tuesday, February 10
- Sales Area: Nationwide Japan
The biggest feature of this rice ball is the use of “Sticky Barley (Mochimugi).” Compared to rice balls made only of white rice, sticky barley keeps you fuller longer and offers a unique, popping texture. It is perfect for recharging your energy during a busy morning or while sightseeing.
Maximize Flavor with Skin-on Burdock
The “Burdock (Gobo)” in the product name is a root vegetable often used in Japanese home cooking. It is characterized by a unique earthy scent and a crisp texture.
7-Eleven intentionally uses the burdock “with the skin on.” This locks in the burdock’s naturally powerful aroma and Umami without letting it escape.
Don’t underestimate it just because it’s Frozen Food. The moment you put it in your mouth, a rich flavor passes through your nose. This rivals even the Takikomi Gohan (seasoned steamed rice) made in Japanese homes. It is a delicate, typically Japanese ingenuity that draws out the maximum potential of the ingredients.
Fluffy Rice Soaked in Chicken Dashi
The key to the taste is the “Chicken Dashi.” “Dashi” is the Japanese soup stock made by simmering ingredients. The rice is cooked fluffily using chicken dashi, which is characterized by a mellow richness and natural sweetness. The more you chew, the more the Umami overflows.
A delicious experience awaits, right down to the steam rising immediately after heating it in the microwave. Since the chicken Umami has soaked into every single grain of rice, you get a sufficient sense of satisfaction from this alone, even without side dishes. It is a simple yet profound flavor that you won’t get tired of.
7-Premium 2-Pack Onigiri Salmon & Okaka (Salmon & Bonito Flakes)
Next up is the “Salmon & Okaka,” where you can enjoy two flavors in one bag. This is a delightful option for travelers who want to try various tastes.
- Price: 198 yen (213.84 yen incl. tax / approx. $1.40 USD)
- Release Date: Starting Tuesday, February 10
- Sales Area: Nationwide Japan
These rice balls use “Five-Grain Rice (Gokokumai).” You can easily supplement nutrients like minerals and dietary fiber that tend to be lacking with just white rice. It is a powerful ally for those who care about their health or are worried about a lack of vegetables while traveling.
The Ultimate Tag Team of Popular Ingredients
“Salmon” and “Okaka (Bonito Flakes)” boast unwavering popularity as rice ball fillings. This set contains these two traditional Japanese flavors.
You don’t need to wonder, “Which one should I choose today?” You can enjoy both. You might eat them according to your mood, such as the refreshing “Salmon” for breakfast and the savory “Okaka” for a late-night snack. Of course, we also recommend eating both at the same time to feel fully satisfied.
Kelp x Bonito “Awase Dashi” is the Key to Flavor
There are no shortcuts in the seasoning, either. The “Salmon” rice ball uses salmon extract during cooking, wrapping the entire rice ball in the flavor of salmon.
Meanwhile, the “Okaka” rice ball uses “Awase Dashi,” a combination of Kelp (Kombu) stock and Bonito (Katsuo) stock. By combining the refined Umami of kelp, which has little astringency, with the brilliant aroma of bonito stock, a flavor with depth is achieved. Just by heating it up from the freezer, you can enjoy dashi-rich rice that tastes like it came from a specialty shop.
Don’t Miss the Frozen Onigiri Already on Sale
While attention tends to focus on new releases, the existing lineup of frozen rice balls is also high quality. If you stock up on these as well, your meals during your stay in Japan will become even richer.
7-Premium Nekase Genmai Rice Ball 2-Pack
- Price: 198 yen (213.84 yen incl. tax / approx. $1.40 USD)
- Sales Area: Nationwide Japan
- Status: On Sale
This product recreates the taste of “YUWAERU Main Store,” a shop in Kuramae, Tokyo, that attracts long lines. It features a “softness,” “chewy texture,” and “high fragrance” that are unrelated to the dryness often associated with Brown Rice (Genmai). This is a dish we definitely want those who “want to eat brown rice for health but don’t like the taste” to try.
7-Premium Grilled Rice Ball (Yaki Onigiri) 2-Pack
- Price: 188 yen (203.04 yen incl. tax / approx. $1.30 USD)
- Sales Area: Nationwide Japan
- Status: On Sale
This is a classic among classics in Japan, the “Grilled Rice Ball (Yaki Onigiri).” The savory scent of a blend of three types of Soy Sauce stimulates the appetite. It is crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Precisely because it is simple, the balance of ingredients and seasoning is tested, but 7-Eleven’s grilled rice ball does not disappoint.
Clear Space in Your Freezer Now
Delicious and healthy Japanese rice balls that are ready just by warming them up. We can’t find a reason not to buy them.
When you don’t have time to prepare a meal, when you are a little hungry, or when you want to adjust your nutritional balance. Just having these rice balls in your freezer provides a great sense of relief.
“7-Premium 2-Pack Onigiri Chicken & Burdock Root” and “Salmon & Okaka” will go on sale sequentially at 7-Eleven stores nationwide starting Tuesday, February 10. It is not rare for popular items in Japan to sell out immediately. On the release date, please visit a nearby 7-Eleven and check the quality with your own tongue.
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