I’m generally unimpressed with the convenience store chains in our country. Maybe it’s because, with the exception of Ministop’s Uncle John Fried Chicken and Kariman (deep-fried stuffed bread), the items are just average compared to the ones abroad. Or maybe familiarity breeds contempt.

But my view of convenience stores here has started to change when FamilyMart, a Japanese chain, opened its largest branch in the country back in November 20. Located at the Udenna Tower in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig, this branch is not your ordinary convenience store. Here’s why…

Japanese Menu

This FamilyMart offers cooked food and I don’t mean the instant or microwave types. Rather, the food are prepared upon order. The Japanese menu includes Ramen—Miso (with miso or fermented soybean), Tantanmen (the spicy kind), and Tonkotsu (pork bone broth)—and Donburi or rice bowls—Beef Gyudon (beef strips and onions simmered in mildly sweet sauce), Pork Katsudon (pork cutlet with egg), and Pork Yakiniku (grilled pork).

I tried the Tantanmen Ramen, which has a flavorful broth. It’s slightly sweet and nutty, with a hint of spiciness though I hope it’s stronger. The noodles are also chewy and there are minced pork swimming in the broth. It’s not bad for a convenience store ramen!

Tantanmen Ramen (Ala Carte: P155; With Drinks: P165)

I also tried the Beef Gyudon. Its beef strips are tender and rightly sweet, and the onions give a nice crunch. I think the rice could improve, as it’s a little dry for a Japanese rice bowl. And I hope there’s a raw egg cracked on it.

Beef Gyudon (Ala Carte: P155; With Drinks: P165) — Beef *Gyudon* (Ala Carte: P155; With Drinks: P165)

If you’re in a hurry, you can also order an onigiri, a Japanese rice ball wrapped with nori (dried seaweed) and filled or topped with other ingredients. FamilyMart offers 5 varieties: Salmon, Spam, Tinapa (smoked fish), Tori Mix, and Tuna Mayo. I tried the Spam one. The rice is nice and the nori has nice taste (I’m not a nori fan but this made an impression on me). There are bits of Spam inside; I hope it was more generous.

Co-Working Space and Meetings Rooms

Most unique to the Udenna Tower branch is the co-working space. For a minimum purchase of P250 (single receipt), customers are given a 2-hour Wifi access.

There are 2 meeting rooms as well. But I wasn’t able to check them out because it’s occupied…and one is being used as a videoke room!

A Chiller full of local and imported alcoholic beverages

And I don’t mean a refrigerator. Rather, it’s an entire room!

In other branches and convenience stores, you won’t be allowed to drink inside the store. But in this FamilyMart branch, you can buy your beer and have it in the store’s dining area or in one of the meeting rooms from 7PM onwards.

Restrooms

You don’t have to go out of the store for a toilet break:

More Items (Including UCC Coffee and Popcorn)

Being the largest FamilyMart in the country, the store will have more items than the other branches. They have:

More bento boxes and microwaveable food:

Japanese Snacks:

UCC (another Japanese brand) Coffee:

And even popcorn (not the microwaved ones):

But my biggest question is this: Where are the Japanese sandos (sandwiches)?! Where are the fruit sandos?! (FamilyMart Malaysia has items like the ones in Japan, including sandos. Check out my article here).

With the opening of FamilyMart in Udenna Tower, I’m now hoping that other convenience store chains in the country will also improve and innovate, and eventually match its international counterparts.

Have you been to FamilyMart Udenna Tower? How was your experience? Comment it below!

Address: G/F UDENNA Tower, Rizal Dr. cor. 4th Ave., Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig City | Operating Hours: Daily, 24 hours | Facebook

FamilyMart Udenna Tower (BGC): The Biggest Branch with Japanese Menu, Co-Working Space, and More!

Japanese Menu

Co-Working Space and Meetings Rooms

A Chiller full of local and imported alcoholic beverages

Restrooms

More Items (Including UCC Coffee and Popcorn)