Did you know that Japan was obsessed with vending machine food?
They are everywhere, and everyone consumes form them!
You find collections of vending machines everywhere in Tokyo – and you NEVER walk around with the food – you consume it right there and recycle the can or bottle there – here is my friend Alex Sim-Wise perusing her selection on the streets of Tokyo when we were filming there…
We all bought lots of food and drink from these machines, including from an “intuitive” vending machine that tells you what you want!!
When the G4 team was in Tokyo, we checked out this machine – you put in your money and the machine “looks” at you – then recommends what you need – like water, or vitamin water, or medical care…seriously, it told me to get a vitamin water…instead I got COFFEE JELLY!
YES, COFFEE JELLY!
Imagine a jello-like consistency for your iced coffee – that’s what this is – it was pretty good too!
You will find vending machines EVERYWHERE in Japan…but now Singapore is getting into the action!
Singapore’s Mashed Potato Vending Machine!
Taking a walk and suddenly you get the urge for some mashed potatoes? Worry no more! Here are the easy directions:
1. Place the cup under the nozzle.
2. Press the “Mashed Potatoes” button once.
3. Chicken gravy will be dispensed after 2 seconds.
4. Enjoy your mashed potatoes.
Enjoy! Singapore and Tokyo aren’t the only Asian cities getting in on the vending machine craze…
Who Wants A “Hairy Crab?”
That’s right! “Fork in the Road” Beijing correspondent Lillian Chou once wrote about a new Chinese vending machine that dispensed hairy crabs – I guess it beats going to a supermarket…me, I like my vending machine food HOT and crunchy!
A French Fry Vending Machine!
I mean, how convenient is this? Fresh hot French fries whenever you need them!
You can never go wrong with a quick fix of french fries…or perhaps a beverage?
Yes, it seems since the beginning of time, we’ve found a way to stock a machine full of the stuff we covet!
Got A Quarter? Get A Meal!
I love vending machines. I MISS vending machines in the US. There was a day when you could get a pack of smokes anywhere you were!
And if you needed a cold piece of fruit? Done!
Want That With Pepperoni?
Or maybe you just need a hot pizza – NOW!
Yes, you can buy pizzas from vending machines too!
Is anything off limits?
Well, this may answer that question for you:
Creamy Hot Corn Chowder In A Can!
You know what? That sounds pretty delicious and who wouldn’t want to have hot corn chowder any time of day!
And what about this?
“Bistrone Select Eatable Corn Potage (Bistrone Select Taberu Corn Potage)” from Coca-Cola!
Here’s how this is described by the great website SoraNews24:
“This soup is made from American-grown sweet corn and is part of Coca-Cola’s premium “Bistrone Select” line of canned soups, which is specifically cooked using select “in-season” vegetables.”
Well, if Coca Cola makes it, it’s got to be good! And what of this?
“Hot Baked Apple (Hot Yaki Ringo)” from Pokka Sapporo
And how about this drinkable baked apple! Yes, buy a warm baked apple drink, available in a 275ml (9.3oz) plastic bottle for 120 yen ($1.03). The sweet dessert drink even contains a bit of honey for added flavor!
And there are many more as well!
Would you buy clams from a vending machine?
Well you can – check this out here:
For you highbrow eaters, how about a vending machine that dispenses Wagyu Beef?
How could you knot put your yen into this machine and see what comes out?
SoraNews24 had the taste test and you can see it here:
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Categories: Alcohol And Bars, Bite Eat Swallow, Bite! Eat! Repeat!, Eat This!, Food, Food Pictures, Food Travel, Travel, Wacky Food, World's Wildest Food
Bite! Eat! Repeat! 
WOW! I have no words other than WOW!!!
We used to have more vending machines but they seem to have disappeared over the years.
The last thing I ever bought from a vending machine was a packet of cigarettes, so that shows you how long ago it was. Sadly, they were often vandalised in London, and mostly disappeared. I think the live crab vending machine is unspeakable, and should not be allowed. But the Chinese kill pet dogs in the streets, so I doubt they worry about crabs.
Best wishes, Pete.
Pete, Understand your point about the crabs
I remember the first time we bought coffee in a can from a vending machine in Tokyo. It turned out to be hot! Brilliant!
I love those vending machines! The stuff we all expect and then so much unique stuff as well! Thanks for commenting, great to hear from you!
i love vending machines would love to see what the intuitive one would give me. also mashed potato machine!