【Local Convenience Store】Experience Hokkaido in Saitama! A Local Gourmet Drive to Seicomart Machida Store

Seicomart, a local convenience store located in Hokkaido, surprisingly has a location in Saitama, so I decided to take a drive to the nearest store. I enjoyed classic items like the Hot Chef’s katsudon and melon soft serve.

I went to the Seicomart Machida store, which is just a short distance from the city center

Source: Seicomart.

The goal is the nearest Seicomart (SecoMa) located in Ageo City, Saitama Prefecture. In fact, the closest SecoMa to the city center is the Hoshino store in Yashiomachi, but it seems that there are differences in the presence of Hot Chef cooking in-store and the types of products available depending on the store, so this time I chose the Machida store, which is closest and has a Hot Chef.

I arrived at the Seicomart that stands alone in a peaceful residential area. This is the rumored SecoMa, and I'm excited to finally be at the actual store.

When we think of SecoMa, we think of melon soft serve & Hot Chef.

Although I couldn't find the main item I was looking for, I was able to purchase some representative products. It was extremely hot that day, so we decided to eat things that could be consumed right away in the air-conditioned car.

First up is the Hokkaido Melon Soft (235 yen), which has been on sale since 2006 and has become a popular item. It's a soft serve ice cream with a melon and milk flavor that tasted somewhat nostalgic.

Next is the new Chicken Nuggets (322 yen). The fact that they come with barbecue sauce adds a sense of value. Since we were in the car, I tried them as they were, and they had a nice crunch from the cartilage and a strong pepper flavor; they were really delicious. This seems like it would also be great as a snack.

When I tried the barbecue sauce, it was a genuine sauce with a flavor reminiscent of ketchup and a hint of spice that matched perfectly with the nuggets. It was the best.

Then there is the Katsudon (659 yen), a staple product from Secoma's unique brand "Hot Chef." It has been praised as delicious in various media, and I was looking forward to it the most. When I held it in the store, it was piping hot, providing a unique experience of in-store cooking.

The combination of the hearty tonkatsu and the light sauce was excellent, and there was quite a bit of rice. The restaurant also offers a large serving, so there's no doubt that you'll be full with this. I was very satisfied with the deliciousness that lived up to the reputation.

Seicomart Machida Store
Location: 1227-1 Azuma, Ageo City, Saitama Prefecture
TEL: 0487-25-2793
Business Hours: 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM

While enjoying delicious food, I took a drive around to Isanuma

I also tried the iced coffee (149 yen) which varies in characteristics from convenience store to convenience store. It has a strong coffee flavor and a satisfying taste. I plan to start my drive while sipping it.

I discovered a marsh along the way, so I decided to stop by. This is Isanuma, a natural marsh located in Kawagoe City, surrounded by rice fields, creating a very peaceful atmosphere. I didn't know there was such a place in Kawagoe.

There are roads around that cars can drive on, and it seems spacious enough to make a lap in just a few minutes. There are also walking paths, and I saw people jogging and enjoying fishing. My journey to Saitama Prefecture was prompted by Seicomart, but I believe discovering new spots like this is the true joy of driving.

I decided to take a local convenience store tour on a whim, and it turned into a very enjoyable drive with new discoveries. It seems like I could easily buy food at Seicomart and enjoy it by the shores of Lake Isa.

I think having many easy-to-enjoy activities is important in daily life, so I would like to go on drives with curiosity and leisure to discover new spots.

Interview & Text / Kazuma Tanaka

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