Onigiri, pouch drinks, and corn dogs: there is now an Asian convenience store at Amsterdam Central

What is a convenience store again?

In essence, a convenience store is a simple little shop (for those in the know: think Doose's Market from Stars Hollow) where you can quickly get the most essential groceries.

Those things aren't necessarily spectacular – in fact, our Spar City and AH To Go stores fall under that definition too – but in recent years, convenience stores have gained a new image thanks to the way these types of small shops are stocked in Asia and the way they were discovered by Western tourists on social media.

Asian convenience stores

For whereas our mini-supermarkets are mainly filled with uninspiring basics, the Asian versions are a hundred times more interesting. The BBC, for example, described how the Japanese variant has developed into a kind of mini-department store with a certain cult status: alongside snacks and daily groceries, you can find fresh meals, onigiri, sandwiches, and desserts there, and you can also send packages, pay bills, and take care of daily matters.

For the Japanese, that is a reason to go there daily, but the appeal is also great for tourists from the rest of the world. National Geographic, for example, explains this by the combination of a familiar and a totally new experience. After all, a Japanese version of a convenience store is a treasure trove of unknown snacks, quirky drinks, and fresh to-go meals that we do not know here. The appeal lies in the contrast between an ordinary shop and a culinary journey of discovery.

All of this has been further amplified by social media; TikTok is teeming with videos where travelers share their discoveries, only reinforcing its popularity. A well-known example is the egg salad sandwich from the Japanese 7-Eleven, although this type of content has long ceased to be limited to Japan alone. Thai, Korean, and Chinese convenience stores: they have all found their way to Western foodies curious about what there is to discover there.

YATTA in Amsterdam Central

So it comes as no huge surprise that an Asian convenience store has since opened at Amsterdam Central. It is called YATTA, the name of a chain with other branches in Antwerp, Brussels, and Rotterdam.

What can you find there? Besides a DIY noodle bar, there are also corn dogs with various toppings, onigiri, Korean pouch drinks, ice cream, mochi, and frozen gyoza to take home. For enthusiasts, there is also a section with Korean skincare and a corner with Pokémon cards.

Address and opening hours YATTA!

Stationsplein 39a

1012 AB Amsterdam

YATTA! Central Station is located in the IJpassage of Amsterdam Central and is open every day from 09:00 to 21:00.