Can you really get crispy grill-marked sandwiches without the grill?
It seems that everyone in the SoraNews24 editorial office is getting the bug for hot sandwiches, especially since they’re made easy just by using a microwave. This time around it’s our Japanese-language reporter Go Hatori who has got some wheaten cravings to satisfy, and so he swung by 3COINS, Japan’s affordable lifestyle brand, and picked up the Kitinto Microwave Half Hot Sand Maker for 2,750 yen (US$17.40).

The main body resembles a glasses case, and though it is made of silicone, it feels surprisingly sturdy when picked up.

Opening it up, there were metal plates inside.

Perusing the recipes in the included booklet, all of which take about three to four minutes to cook, Go skipped past offerings like the chocolate and banana sandwich. In the end, he instead opted for a simple and classic sandwich: ham and cheese.

Go opened the body, laid down a slice of bread, and placed butter, ham, and cheese on it.

He folded it over, and closed it with the latch. The instructions say that it supports Japan’s eight-sliced loaves, but the thicker six-sliced loaves also seem to work just fine.

All that was left to do was to stand it upright and place it in the microwave for three and a half minutes at 600 watts.

The body gets ridiculously hot, so Go was extra careful when taking it out of the microwave, and when opening it.

When he did open it, what appeared before him was a magnificent hot sandwich, with the cheese still bubbling furiously in the places where it was exposed.

Go’s expectations soared, and when he took a bite…

So delicious! The surface of the bread was crispy, and the insides piping hot. Go felt that if someone were not told that it was made in a microwave they never would have expected it.
Of course, it wouldn’t be SoraNews24 without a little experimentation, so Go sandwiched a croquette bought from the supermarket into some bread and put it in the microwave at the same settings.

Once again, a truly exquisite sandwich.

The croquette was piping hot and fluffy, and the bread was crispy. To think he could get a hot croquette sandwich in a little over three minutes! Go felt like he was living in a dream.

Finally, Go tried a bite-sized pork fillet cutlet, also bought from the supermarket.

Sandwiching it with some cabbage in the bread, he put it in exactly the same way, and the result was…


▼ Perfect!

Go played with making three different types of sandwiches, and they all turned into something wonderful. He found it amazing how this hot sandwich maker could create grill marks even though it uses a microwave.
Sure, the price tag is not exactly cheap, and similar microwave hot sandwich makers are sold at other places in Japan (like Nitori), but now that he has actually used it, Go doesn’t feel like he’s wasted any money at all. In fact, he couldn’t be happier that he bought it.
All you need to do is just fill it up with your favorite ingredients and put it in the microwave. A short wait time results in a crispy hot sandwich and very little mess, as washing it was a lot easier than a frying pan or conventional hot sandwich maker. This little gadget has officially secured a spot in Go’s household, and will surely end up being used for a long time to come.
Related: 3Coins online store
Photos ©SoraNews24
- Area
- Category
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.
Popular Tours & Activities
-
Daikoku Car Meet Guide: How to Visit, Best Times & Rules
-
Haneda Airport Duty-Free Shopping Guide: What to Buy, How to Save & Where to Eat Before Your Flight
by: Guest Contributor
-
28 Best Things to Do in Odaiba (2026 Updated): Tokyo's Entertainment Island
-
Ad
Do’s and Don’ts: The Complete Guide to Sento Baths! Getting the Full Experience In Ueno’s Famous Kotobuki-yu
-
ANA’s Chiikawa Jet Is Taking Off—Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Exclusive Goods, In‑Flight Fun & Travel Tips
by: Guest Contributor
-
Cracked Phone Screen in Japan? Smahospital Repair Guide: Keep Your Data, Fixed in 15 Min, Multilingual Support | Up to 10,000 Yen Off with LIVE JAPAN Coupon
Inspiration for Accommodations
-
Family-Friendly Hotels with Free Shuttle to Disneyland: Convenient Access for a Magical Stay
-
Top Ranked Hakone Hotels with Mt. Fuji View: Enjoy Stunning Scenery from Your Private Space
-
Convenient Tokyo Hotels with Airport Shuttle: Ideal for Families and Heavy Luggage
-
9 Family-Friendly Hotels with Comfortable Family Rooms in Asakusa
-
10 Open-air bath Onsen Ryokans in Hakone for Ultimate Relaxation
-
Tokyo Trip: Most Popular Discount Stores in Tokyo and Surroundings (August 2019 Ranking)
-
Shibuya Crossing: Getting the Best View from the Deck at Magnet by Shibuya109!
-
Ueno Station Area Guide: Fun Ways to Explore Tokyo's Popular Destination (Area Map & Sightseeing Tips)
-
Exploring Tokyo Station: 11 Must-Visit Spots Around the Heart of Tokyo
-
The Best Variety Stores of Harajuku and Omotesando: Fancy Up Your Life!
-
10 Best Japan Souvenirs Found at Awesome Discount Store Takeya
- #best ramen tokyo
- #what to buy in ameyoko
- #what to bring to japan
- #new years in tokyo
- #best izakaya shinjuku
- #things to do tokyo
- #japanese nail trends
- #what to do in odaiba
- #onsen tattoo friendly tokyo
- #daiso
- #best sushi ginza
- #japanese convenience store snacks
- #best yakiniku shibuya
- #japanese fashion culture
- #best japanese soft drinks













