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The seemingly ubiquitous presence of vending machines in Japan can be a bit surprising for first time visitors, but even more surprising is probably just how much more than simple drinks and snacks can be purchased from them. High quality dashi, spicy mapo soup, and pizza are just a few of the more unusual vending machines found in Japan.
Japanese Twitter user Shin (@shinru72824) may have just discovered one of the most surprising yet. Shin recently caused quite a crowd to race over to Kyoto when he shared photos of a vending machine that offers classic French cuisine!
He shared the photos with the caption "Near the Kyoto Imperial Palace, there's an authentic French cuisine vending machine!"
The unusual vending machine is stocked with sets of French cuisine meals, and appears to also have salad dressing as well. Here's some of the mouthwatering dishes we were able to spot on display.
15: Seared Tamba Highland pork, Marinated Salad and Carrots, Grated Apple in Japanese Sauce
17: Smoked fish and Chef's whimsical Hors d'oeuvre Salad
25: Homemade tender chicken breast, Grilled vegetables, Plum marinade
27: Country style pate. Pate de Campagne
23: Braised beef cheek croquette, Potato based & braised beef cheeks
33: Braised beef cheeks in red wine with mashed Naruto Kintoki sweet potatoes
35: Seared chicken thigh Porcini cream stew
Shin, of course, couldn't resist the urge to find out what French cuisine from a vending machine tastes like, so he purchased what appears to be the braised beef cheeks in red wine with mashed Naruto Kintoki sweet potatoes. He shared a photo of the meal, saying it was very satisfying, easy to serve, affordable (most meals in the machine appear to be under 1,000 yen) and beyond his imagination. He also adds that had he been able to properly plate it, it would be just like eating at a restaurant.
After sharing his discovery on Twitter, the gourmet vending machine attracted a lot of attention and popularity (as well as others chiming in to say how delicious the meals are) to the point of it currently being out of stock (as of September 22). Once it gets a fresh new batch, we might have to take a trip to Kyoto.
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Boring? I think you underestimate the worldwide fascination with Japanese vending machines. Plus it’s run out of stock already.
I would love to try the cuisine in this vending machine. I like the uniqueness of it, but the real test is in the quality and taste of the food.
I think you underestimate the worldwide fascination with Japanese vending machines
I doubt it's a worldwide fascination. Have never met anyone back home or anywhere I lived before Japan that asked about Japanese vending machines.
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