Konbini SF: Onigiri and Asian Snacks on Harrison

Konbini SF opened earlier this year at Harrison and 24th, in the space that used to be Humphry Slocombe. The concept is Japanese convenience store — onigiri, weekend bento boxes, Asian snacks, and drinks.

Konbini SF storefront on Harrison Street, people queuing at the door and seated at a sidewalk table

Owner Emily Tung ran the place as a pop-up before going brick-and-mortar. Her background is in microbiology, not hospitality — she started making her own onigiri after her previous business (Unicorn Meat, a plant-based meat brand) closed. The shop fills a real gap. Good onigiri isn’t easy to find in SF without going to Japantown.

On weekends, Konbini hosts guest vendors for the bento slot. When we visited, it was Kitiya Thai Eats running a $28 Thai bento: grilled green curry chicken with Thai basil and jasmine rice, a fish sauce onsen egg, nam jim macaroni salad, grilled corn som tum salad, and a blue butterfly pea coconut jello for dessert. My wife and I split one and it was plenty of food.

Kitiya Thai Eats bento box with green curry chicken, jasmine rice, fish sauce onsen egg, macaroni salad, corn som tum, and coconut jello

The shelves stock a mix of Asian specialty products — Mama Tem’s Hot Garlic, HEYDOH soy sauce, sambal, furikake granola, Szechuan peppercorn jam. It’s curated without being precious about it.

Jars of Mama Tem's Hot Garlic arranged on the counter at Konbini SF

Konbini SF shelves stocked with Asian specialty snacks and pantry products

We brought our son and he was fine there — the space is small, but the visit is quick. There are a few tables outside on the sidewalk if you want to sit and eat.

Hours are limited: Tuesday through Thursday 10am to 2pm, Friday and Saturday 10am to 4pm. Closed Sunday and Monday. The weekend bento vendor changes, so check @konbinisf before you go. The Mission District guide has more on what’s nearby.