Japanese Convenience Store Fried Chicken Guide: 7-Eleven, Lawson & FamilyMart Compared

About 3 min read

Convenience stores offer a wide variety of hot snacks, and fried chicken is one of the most popular items, loved for its authentic flavor at an affordable price. Each chain differs in the cuts of chicken they use, seasoning, and level of juiciness, making it fun to discover your personal favorite. This time, we compared fried chicken from the three major convenience store chains in Japan: 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart!

Table of Contents

1 7-Eleven
2 Lawson
3 FamilyMart
4 Reheating Tips

7-Eleven

7-Eleven offers a wide lineup, including the classic “Nana-Chiki,” peppery “Spice Chicken,” chili- and garlic-flavored “Spice Chicken Red,” “Age-dori,” and “Young Chicken Karaage.” All use plump, juicy thigh meat. Because the cut of thigh and seasoning vary by product, you’ll be tempted to try several different options.

Nana-Chiki

Juiciness ★★★★★
Crispiness ★★☆☆☆
Addictiveness ★★★★★
Value ★★★★☆

Nana-Chiki is made by deep-frying a firm “drum (thigh)” and seasoning it with 11 spices. It’s a flavor you’ll get hooked on after just one bite. The highlight is its thick cut and juiciness, with savory juices bursting out the more you chew. With a light presence of batter, it’s recommended for those who want to enjoy the chicken’s natural flavor directly.

Age-dori

Juiciness ★★★☆☆
Crispiness ★★★★★
Addictiveness ★★★☆☆
Value ★★★★☆

Age-dori looks similar to Nana-Chiki but uses the tender “sai (upper thigh)” and is seasoned only with salt. Its thin, crispy batter and simple flavor make it a lighter-tasting option among fried chicken.

Lawson

Lawson is best known for “Karaage-kun,” but its fried chicken “L-Chiki” is just as popular. Other highlights include the aromatic charcoal-grilled “Charcoal-Grilled Chicken (Boneless)” and limited-time items like “Umadare Black Pepper,” coated with a sweet-and-savory sauce and black pepper.

L-Chiki (Regular)

Juiciness ★★★☆☆
Crispiness ★★★★★
Addictiveness ★★★☆☆
Value ★★★★☆

L-Chiki has a substantial coating and thick chicken, giving it plenty of volume. It looks indulgent, but the taste is surprisingly light. That’s because rice flour is used in the batter, creating a crunchy texture that doesn’t absorb too much oil.

L-Chiki (Red)

Juiciness ★★★☆☆
Crispiness ★★★★★
Addictiveness ★★★★☆
Value ★★★★☆

L-Chiki Red is coated in vivid red chili spices, but the heat is relatively mild. Those seeking intense spiciness may find it a bit lacking, but it’s great for enjoying the aroma and flavor of chili peppers.

FamilyMart

FamilyMart’s “Famichiki” sparked the convenience-store chicken boom. You’ll recognize it by its yellow-and-white striped packaging. Launched in 2006 as a fast-food item, it was the first boneless fried chicken sold by a convenience store. It was created to be easy to eat for women, older customers, and children who found bone-in chicken difficult.

Famichiki (Boneless)

Juiciness ★★★★★
Crispiness ★★★★☆
Addictiveness ★★★★★
Value ★★★★★

Famichiki uses the “sai” portion of chicken thigh, delivering rich, juicy flavor. Its bold seasoning stimulates the appetite, while the crispy batter provides satisfying crunch. With its classic look and taste, it’s the very model of fried chicken. Limited flavors like curry and yuzu pepper have appeared, but the original flavor remains overwhelmingly popular.

Famichiki (Red)

Juiciness ★★★★★
Crispiness ★★★★☆
Addictiveness ★★★★☆
Value ★★★★★

Released in June 2025, “Famichiki Red” quickly surpassed 3 million servings sold in a short time. Blending multiple chili peppers, it delivers a slow-building heat that spice lovers will adore. Those who dislike spicy food or young children should take caution.

Reheating Tips

When eating the chicken at home, it’s best to reheat it in a microwave or toaster oven. For a microwave, heat at 500W for about 1 minute. For a toaster oven, wrap the chicken in aluminum foil and heat at 180°C for about 5–8 minutes.
When using a microwave, check the instructions on the packaging, as some bags are microwave-safe while others are not.