Being a mom, a full-time content creator, and director of [EDO BEAUTY LAB], I depend on meal prep services and delivery kits to cook weeknight dinners. So, when I found out that HelloFresh had finally arrived in Japan, I just had to see what all the fuss was about! This post, Tokyo Mom Life Made Easy With HelloFresh Japan, covers all you need to know about HelloFresh Japan.
This post contains a referral link for HelloFresh Japan. By using my link, you help support The Wagamama Diaries at no additional cost to you!
2023.1.2 UPDATE: It appears that HelloFresh Japan is no longer accepting applications and will cease operations.
Tokyo Mom Life Made Easy With HelloFresh Japan
What Is HelloFresh?
Before I get into my review of HelloFresh Japan, I’ll start off with how their service works. For starters, HelloFresh is the largest meal-kit provider/delivery service in the United States. They have more than 10 years experience taking global cuisines and transforming them into easy recipes.
You can customize your weekly HelloFresh meal plans according to your food preferences, the number of people you’re cooking for, and frequency of delivery.
Each HelloFresh delivery comes in one box, with fresh ingredients and clear instructions to make cooking quick and easy. You will have to do light prep work like cutting, mixing, chopping etc, but each meal can be prepared in under 30 minutes. (Trust me on this! I
used a timer just to be sure!)
Unboxing HelloFresh Japan
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HelloFresh Japan is the latest addition to the global HelloFresh family. It launched in April 2022, and currently provides service across Japan. (Unfortunately, delivery is currently unavailable to Hokkaido, Kyushu, Okinawa, and other remote islands.)
As I mentioned in the beginning of this post, I’m no stranger to Japanese meal prep services. I’ve been using them since I returned to work after maternity leave. (So about 4-ish years). With that said, what makes HelloFresh Japan stand out is the simplicity and ease of ordering meal kits.
Whereas other services have an endless amount of choices, HelloFresh keeps it refreshingly simple, and here’s how:
Meal prep kits are supposed to be about the convenience of not having to physically go to a supermarket after work or on the weekends with a child (or children) in tow.
Now, I think this “convenience” should also include time spent planning a weekly menu, meal prep time, and cooking time.
With HelloFresh Japan, you choose from 10 meals each week. 10 may not seem like a lot at first, but compared to other meal services, 10 is an absolute game changer for me! There’s no need to get overwhelmed with or distracted by endless options.
Plus, each meal takes no more than 30 minutes to prepare, from start to finish.
What I also found appealing about HelloFresh Japan is its sustainable packaging. With meal-prep kits, it’s nearly impossible to avoid excessive packaging, but with HelloFresh Japan everything came packaged in brown paper bags!
All ingredients inside the paper bags were thoughtfully packaged without excessive waste.
However, there were some ingredients that came in single-serve plastic wrapping:
Meat and fish arrived in a large cooling pouch and a water-based ice pack – I later found out that the cooling pouch is made of recycled paper!
The recipe card itself is a glossy A4 sized piece of paper that prominently displays (1)) the name of the dish, (2) a large photo, and (3) a list of HelloFresh ingredients.
The opposite side of the recipe card features step-by-step photos of the instructions, which are very easy to understand even with a basic level of Japanese.
HelloFresh Japan – How To Order
If you guessed it, then, surprise, surprise – HelloFresh Japan’s homepage is all in Japanese. BUT fear not! A quick run through Google translate will sort you out.
Here’s what you need to know:
The top section of the next page asks you to customize your preferences:
Choose from:
- CLASSIC (定番 // teiban) // basic) New to the world of HelloFresh? Start here!
- FAMILY (ファミリー // famiri-) Lots of Kid-Friendly options!
- LOW CALORIE (低カロリー // tei karori-) Great if you’re looking for healthier options!
It’s time to fill out the next section: (人数を選ぶ // ninzuu wo erabu)
Select the number of people/servings (人数 // ninzuu) and how many meals you’d like per week (レシピ数 // resipi suu)
You can always skip a week or change these numbers weekly to fit your lifestyle!
Once that’s out of the way, the subtotal for your first HelloFresh Japan appears:
The next page will prompt you to use an existing social media account or register for HelloFresh Japan using your email address.
After completing your billing and shipping details, select your meals.
Here’s an idea of what to expect:
That’s it! All you need to do next is wait for your first delivery from HelloFresh Japan!
HelloFresh Japan – The Final Verdict
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Most meal kit services in Japan primarily feature washoku or Japanese cuisine. On the other hand, the HelloFresh Japan menu has many globally inspired items. Its eco-friendly and sustainable packaging also makes it easy to adhere to your local municipality’s trash sorting system!
Overall, HelloFresh Japan is a solid choice for anyone looking for a simple yet flexible meal prep service to lighten their load in the kitchen.
It’s best if you have some experience in the kitchen, but basic cooking skills will get you through from start to finish. Most meals take no more than 30 minutes, and there are even meals that only take 15-20 to prepare from start to finish!
Ready to try HelloFresh Japan?
Curious about other meal prep kits and awesome subscription services in Japan? Check out this post:
Must-Try Subscription Services in Japan
Tokyo Mom Life Made Easy With HelloFresh Japan
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