Tourist craze for grocery stores. TikTok promotes new "attraction"

Lines form in front of 7/11 on the streets of Tokyo and Bangkok. Tourists in Japan and Thailand can't imagine their trip without visiting this place. The green shop, which we could easily call the Asian equivalent of the Polish "Żabka," has become a cult-like spot for souvenir travel photos. Its growing popularity is primarily due to review videos on TikTok. "Viral taste tests of matcha and egg salad sandwiches have made 7/11 a must-stop for travelers, not just a place to buy snacks," we read.

These shops are a must-see on any trip to Asia

A 24-hour convenience store a must-see? In Asia, tourists never miss a 7/11 on their itinerary. Besides traditional food items, they also offer trendy snacks and drinks, with flavors inspired by a specific region. Tourists can expect dozens of flavors of mochi and matcha, as well as a wide selection of ready-made ramen, onigiri, and sandwiches with a variety of toppings. "According to Globetrender, Google searches for '7/11 Japan' have increased by 5,000 percent in the last month," reads an article in Fast Company. All it took was for TikTok users to start sharing product reviews for 7-Eleven to spread worldwide.

They can also be found in Europe

Visits to 7/11 kicked off the trend of "food tourism." Some tourists believe that supermarket shopping can tell us more about the country we're visiting than trendy restaurants or hotel buffets.

7-Eleven stores are present in nineteen countries worldwide, but most of them are located in Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and the United States. Interestingly, these stores, although with different offerings, are also available in Europe – in Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. However, the chain has not yet reached Poland.

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