Famima!!

They are shutting down this Wednesday, Oct. 26 2011. R.I.P Famima you were the best. :(

I love Famima so this is just a sad note letting you know that…
***THIS FAMIMA IS CLOSING LATER THIS WEEK (October 27)******
I found this out when I stopped by earlier today :(
The last posted day is Wednesday, but the clerk told me it will most likely be Thursday. Some of their items are 50% off right now, but the store is pretty bare. The coffee’s still fresh and yummy though, as are the red bean sticky buns :) Famima, we’ll miss you.

Behind CPK, plenty of parking, friendly staff, good selection of ramen, japanese soft drinks, snacks, Tate’s cookies are whatever (hard and crunchy) and…
I LOVE THE ASIAN BUNS HERE!!! OMG OMG OMG! BEST IN TOWN!

I remember always going to a Famima! 4 years ago while i was in culinary school. it was my spot to go to for a quick, cheap, delicious snack. i always went to the one in Pasadena.
4 years later, i’m living in Palms, LA and conveniently close to a Famima! hah and food has slightly changed but they are still fresh, great with the FIFO and all taste so great. my favorite part about this place is their wall of drinks. i never leav this place without getting something to drink, and there’s so many to choose from! sheeesh!
i’ll be a regular here for sure!.. for damn sure!

As others describe, it’s an Asian convenience store. As soon as I saw the steamed buns, I made a beeline over to that. Ended up getting the spicy pork, bbq pork, red bean, and chicken buns. All were excellent, though next time I’d be fine with 3 for a meal. I had the extra spicy tuna roll and both ends of the roll were just crappy lettuce, no fish at all. Quality of the roll was ok, maybe on par with Whole Foods, definitely better than TJ’s. They seem to have decent prices on drinks and got my Calpico fix. They have Poky, which most people don’t realize they can get in a regular supermarket, but hey, when in Rome…
Anyway, the steamed buns alone are worth coming back for, and being open 24hrs I’m sure I will be soon.

I’d visited the Famima! in Torrance (which is now closed) once and just thought it was okay. This one has been about a mile from my apartment for a few years now and I’d never stopped in.
I got a couple of the pre-​made meals (one was a collection of dim sum items and the other was inari filled with either brown rice or soba noodles). Both were fairly cheap (about $ 5) and both were pretty good. The dim sum didn’t taste fresh (heated in the microwave, what can you expect), but better than I would have thought. I ate the inari cold and it was REALLY good (and somewhat healthy).
The parking lot here can be a pain (they have the security guards directing traffic, which can be annoying), but not the worst.
Overall, a good value and the girl working the register was very friendly.

Famima! is an Asian 7 – 11, as everyone calls it. Although it doesn’t really seem like an Asian establishment, when you get inside, you’ll see all kinds of Asian food items!
Everything from egg rolls, noodles, rice balls, and steamed buns — Famima! packs a whole lot of variety and flavor into its stores. I especially love the SPICY TUNA rice balls, as well as the SALMON rice balls. They’re not even really balls considering they’re in the shape of triangles but I guess it’s considered a «ball» because the rice is smushed together and stays in place. They go for around $ 1.89 a pop.
The spicy tuna rice ball is quite spicy indeed but don’t expect actual tuna like you’ll find at a sushi bar. Think canned tuna with a bit of a kick. It’s pretty much the same for the salmon one as well. I have yet to try any of the other rice balls so I can’t say much for those.
Don’t get the salmon plate with the four salmon sushi and the little salmon rolls. It’s $ 7.99 but not worth it because the pieces of salmon are thin and they taste a bit funny.
They also sell Kona coffee! But don’t expect a variety of Asian drinks because you won’t find them here. In that regard, it’s just like a 7 – 11 because they have your run-​of-​the-​mill sodas and teas.
Overall, I love the location because there is plenty of parking, and it’s in lovely Culver City. The very plaza it’s in also has an ASAP CPK, Bally’s Fitness, Starbucks, as well as other wonderful establishments. I strongly advise you to get your bum to this Famima! location because it truly is a convenient place to get some yummy treats! ;)

It’s the yuppies answer to 7 – 11. You get what you pay for, but you actually get it.
Amazing.

I stopped in here one day when I was absolutely starving, but was not in the mood to cook or microwave anything. All I wanted to do was unwrap and enjoy.
Friends have sung the praises of the various Famima!!‘s located in DTLA, but despite being across the street from one, I had never walked the two blocks to find out for myself.
Though the sign outside boats «convenience store», that’s not quite what I was expected. I was expecting a little boutique type of convenience store. You know, the type that only sold exotic packaged food when all you really want is a Red Bull and a pack of cigarettes. But luckily Famima! did not disappoint. It is an honest to goodness store-​of-​convenience, with a great selection of ready-​to-​eat items.
My night there, I decided to try a spicy tuna rice ball, and two steamed buns, one BBQ pork and one red bean. The spicy tuna was too salty for my taste, and I didn’t finish eating it. The BBQ pork bun was adequate and the red bean bun was fantastic. Famima!!, like all lessons to be learned from convenience store food, is about learning what you like, and finding the food stuff worth eating. Considering my level of hunger, and the ease of my shopping experience, there is no reason for me to complain about this place.
The store is clean, the man behind the counter pleasant, and I had an all around positive experience. And this is a fantastic way for me to satisfy those random craving of something involving red beans. And cigarettes.

Been to other Famima’s (usually the one on 3^rd street promenade) and this one is definitely lacking. The corndog I got from the hot case was hard. They don’t have the chocolate shake machine thing at this one. There are signs plastered all over the place outside that say smoking is prohibited, yet the proprietors did nothing when two big dudes sat outside puffing away.
The worst offense was that they changed the rice balls. Now instead of normal (raw) spicy tuna they use canned tuna. Yuck. The rice was crunchy/​not cooked all the way through and the nori was soggy. PLEASE change the recipe back!!! I’d trade less rice for better quality any day!!!
PS. why is it called «famima» in the states and «family mart» in Japan?

Wait, Famima! is open 24 hours? Shut the front door!
Seriously, Where would I be without Famima? Probably starving…
Since moving out of Pasadena I truly missed having one of these little shops within walking distance of my apartment. I’m just so glad I can drive to this location which isn’t that far of a trek.
It’s the perfect combination of Asian snacks and American crap. They have tastier (and possibly healthier) treats than most grab-​and-​go shops and the people who work there tend to be nicer than most.
I’m not sure if it’s the fluorescent lighting or what, but every time I step inside of here I feel rejuvenated and refreshed and most importantly… ready to shop.
My last excursion to Famima! was a mission of desperation. I had just come from a long night of studying and writing that preceded an 8 hour work day. I was hungry and in no mood to cook. So after deciding where I would go to satisfy my hunger monster I found my way to Famima.
I decided upon a ready made container of Pad Thai and a Steamed Bun filled with red bean.
This was the best (guilt-​free) late night dinner ever. It totally hit the spot and didn’t break the bank either. The Pad Thai was so flavorful and the steamy bun was scalding hot… and I like my buns hot— **Lol!
I’ve been back maybe 3x’s since that night.
Dang it Famima, why must you be so convenient and delicious!?!

For a 7-​Eleven-​ish fast foody place, Famima has more than a leg up on the competition!
I stopped by on the way to a client’s house today — starving and with only about 15 minutes to spare. I initially figured I’d get some crappy sushi and eat it in the car, but them I spied a yummy sammich in the (cold) prepared food area and remembered that they will toast your sammiches for you!
So I was able to sit at one of the tables outside, eat a hot pressed sammich and a couple of Isabella’s Cookies (THE BEST!) and be happily on my way — totally within my time constraints.
This is what made me happy today:
Tuna Melt with Cheddar ($ 4.99) — this large sammich on crusty, warm raisin nut bread (thanks to Famima’s toasting) had chunky tuna salad, a slice of melty cheddar cheese, and warm caramelized onions. The tuna salad wasn’t that overly mayo’d crap, it was really good — and a nice quantity of protein. I’d fully expect to get a sammich like this at a sandwich place, so the fact that I can get this here — in like 5 minutes — is awesome!
Isabella’s Cookies ($ 5.99) — a 14 oz bag of one of my fave flavors (10 – 11 soft cookies) — The Shortcake! Chewy dried strawberries covered in milk chocolate in a big chewy buttery cookie. OMG what’s NOT to love?! I have to restrain myself from eating more than one at a time!
I’ll have to remember this yummy tuna melt! I actually like their melt better than others I’ve had at sammich places — because sometimes it’s just overly cheesy and the bread is covered in butter or oil. But they pressed it with no added oil or butter, which in my book is a plus!
Lets do lunch again, Famima!

This place is great. It’s clean, there are a wide variety of different Japanese/​Asian and American goods, and the people working their are super friendly.
I usually go there for all the small food item which can serve as great midday snacks or late night meals. Its a good stop if you are on your way to Big Foot West or Saint’s and Sinners which are just down the street. My favorite foods are the rice balls with assorted fillings and the buns with assorted fillings. Because of the wide selection you can usually find something to eat when you just have a vague craving for something.
I don’t know if he still works there, but one of the coolest guys was named Simon. Regardless of how long you had worked in a day, He was probably working longer, as he was often coming out of some a super long shift at another Famima. He was usually super chipper and happy as well, despite his schedule.

I didn’t even know this was a convenience store lol!
I ended up here around midnight, somewhat drunk and with a case of the munchies. I got a steamy bun Teri chicken ($ 1.89) which wasn’t bad at all. A few more and they would’ve filled me up but unfortunately that was the last teri chicken bun.
The clerk was chill & laidback.
Place is open 24hrs!

Fa ma ma mama mia!
I was born in a small town
Had myself a ball in a small town… This was my first visit to Famima! and I had a BALL!!! I can not believe I have been missing out on this place all this time.
So a few nights back I was having some major sweets withdrawals and I wanted nothing but Isabella’s Cookies to scratch my itch. With all this happening a little after 11pm I was pretty much SOL. So I called Lucy Y. just to be «an only child» and whine out loud and she told me to get my whiny butt up and go to Famima! Turns out there is not one in my neck of the woods (this location is the closest to my South Bayness) so by the time we figured this out I was officially SOL.
So after our din at Boneyard Bistro, Lucy and Steve were so kind to take me to Famima! Like I mentioned before, I have never been so had no clue what to expect. I heard about all their prepackaged foods and how they have steamed buns and that they will panini press your sammy for you. But I did not expect all that Famima! had to offer. I had so much fun walking up and down every aisle (lol there was only like 4). I was snapping pictures left and right and chatting with John (Famima! worker) who was ever so helpful when the toy machine jipped me and then ripped me off. John said «three times is a charm» so he gave me another round of quarters and sure enough it was as I got the toy I was wishing for. (:
This little town of a store has it all! Candles to set the mood with that special someone, Isabella’s Cookies for that late night cookie craving, Laker gear to support the Lakeshow, sushi, sammies and lots of other food eats and treats. They also have every bottled beverage known to man (beer and wine too) and Lucy pointed out in the coffee section they have «additional» espresso shots for your coffee at no charge! So cool. They also have what I like to call my Tara C. candies aka Botan Rice Candy and these packs come in a bag so you can cheat and pick your funny sticker prize. q:
Famima! I love you and and you have a fan in me for life!

When I worked in the Culver Center, I used to frequent this joint alllll the time. Yesterday, I stopped by for a quick breakfast, two Rice Balls (Tuna Mayo and Salmon Cream Cheese).
I’ve always loved these things, and yesterday, I continued to love them. Famima always has friendly staff, and the entire place is always neat and organized.
Some people would consider it the «Japanese 7-​Eleven…» I beg to differ. 7-​Elevens are conventionally very dirty, with very unpleasant staff.
Famima is leaps and bounds better than any 7-​Eleven you put up against it.

7-​Eleven meets Japanese grocery market. I had been to a few of these previously, but this was my first visit to this one in Culver City. The parking lot was packed (Famima! shares the lot with many popular places).
There is a mix of American/​Western groceries with Japanese groceries. You will find that to some degree in convenience stores in Japan (though the Japanese groceries for outweigh the American groceries; at Famima!!, it is kind of ⁵⁰⁄₅₀).
In terms of the Japanese groceries, you will find a selection of ready to go meals – sushi (I’ve never been a fan of sushi from a convenience store) and those Japanese-​style sandwiches served on light white bread with the crust cut off. You will also find a few salty snacks as well as several instant noodle bowls (single serving).
Finally, there is the standard Pocky selection (you can get that everywhere now, even at Ralphs). But there is one notable entry – Bourbon chocolate wafers (individually packaged in a big bag). These are thin, crispy, and delicate wafers covered with with a light coating of milk chocolate. They are reminiscent of the accompaniments to a serving of ice cream in a fancy restaurant. These can be hard to find – even in Japanese grocery markets, but they sell them here at Famima! Reason enough to come back every now and again. Finally, prices were pretty okay for imported groceries.
If you live in the area, this would be a great place to visit for a late night craving.

This place is like stepping right into Japan. Everything is so overly convenient and looks way too adorable to be eaten. I think I was omg and cooing at every turn of my head. Aka: I was being ultra asian and ultra girly. I’m sure my brother appreciated it.
Unfortunately most of the prices are straight from Japan too. The food is average from I remember too. Go for the novelty, but go elsewhere for normal pricing.

Famima! is a chain of small upscale convenience stores based on and owned by FamilyMart stores of Japan. The stores bring the Japanese model of premium convenience stores targeting the middle and upper level income group. You can find chilled regiments of bottled Japanese teas and imported canned coffee, purified water from every part of the world, Pocky and seaweed-​flavored snacks. Refrigerated cases hold displays of fresh seaweed salad and steamed edamame, salads with yuzu dressing and tofu puffs stuffed with rice. They even have sleek stationery and gel pens. Right about where a 7 – 11 might keep the Slim Jims is a display of European shampoos, high-​end cleansing products and discreetly packaged condoms (I just pictured Beavis & Butt-​Head when I said «condoms…huh huh huhhh huh…»).
The concept unravels with most of the food itself, or at least in the food that inhabits the deli cases, which is strictly hit-​and-​miss. No to anything fried under the heat lamp/​box, no to the Vietnamese vegetable rolls, a maybe to the cold udon with their sauce of scallions and soy.
The imported treats and gourmet snack and beverages are unique (I like the sake selection). The guy’s who work there are usually nice and helpful but let’s be real my fellow Unilocalers, this is an overpriced 7 – 11.
The concept is cool but this is NOT a «Recession Friendly» store. LR H below me said it best” …why would you pay for insane markups when there is both a Ralph’s and Rite Aid literally in the same parking lot?”

For one reason for another, the bf and I have been «eating» here every night for the last 2 weeks. Our schedules are both equally wack, and we don’t get out from work (him) and school (me) until well after 9 – 10 on most evenings. We’d exhausted most healthy-​ish late night options on the westside, so have relegated to picking up some quick eats at Famima before packing it in for our nightly Melrose Place sessions (thank you, Youtube, you my dogg).
So yeah, it’s pretty convenient all right, but garish and obscenely overpriced. I’m sure we’ll tire of it eventually. Lately, we’ve been stocking up on Nancy’s non-​fat yogurt with pureed fruit toppings, bananas, their Vietnamese «spring rolls», and steamed buns. Our faves are the chicken/​mushroom and «an» (red bean). They also carry Mild Seven cigarettes, but charge a whopping $ 5.85 (or something like that) for each pack.