Seriously fast foods: the world’s amazing vending machines
Unusual food on the go
Remember the days when all you could grab from a vending machine was your favorite snack or maybe a Coca-Cola? Well, you won’t believe the incredible things you can buy from food and drink vending machines today…
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Farm goods
Dotted throughout Germany are ‘regiomats’, vending machines selling farm-fresh food. You can get everything from meat and eggs to vegetables, cheese and preserves. Not only are they a great way to try local produce, but they can come in very handy if you’re in a more rural region where they may be one of the only places open on a Sunday or holiday.
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Mustard
French mustard company La Moutarderie Edmond Fallot has a museum in Beaune and a boutique in Dijon, both of which have mustard-filled vending machines. There are several varieties on offer so stock up on the mini jars for picnics or souvenirs.
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Vegan meals
Vegans want quick, convenient food too, so with the number of those following a plant-based lifestyle rising every year, it’s no surprise that vending machines devoted to animal-free snacks are popping up worldwide. There’s one in Melbourne, Australia (pictured), another in Whistler, Canada, one in Bristol, UK and one in Manchester, UK. Keep an eye out for a vending machine in a city near you soon.
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Wine
Vending machines are usually used for a quick, cheap snack but the ones at Vagabond Wines in London couldn’t be more different. A pre-paid card will allow you to use the wine dispensing machines lining the room. Choose from hand-picked, independent wines from Vagabond’s ever-changing selection. This is truly wine tasting for the 21st century.
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Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Ramen
Yo-Kai Express in San Francisco has made a ramen vending machine a reality and it’s packed with gourmet treats. From several locations across the city, you can get your fix of classic tonkotsu and miso broths, and toppings like pork belly.
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Caviar
Yes, one of the world’s most expensive ingredients has been dispensed from a vending machine. An LA-based luxury machine charged up to $500 for an ounce of caviar. It also offered customers truffles, gourmet salts and mother of pearl spoons.
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Ice cream
Forget chasing the ice cream van or standing in a line in-store to buy a frozen treat, this vending machine is for ice cream lovers on the go. Ben and Jerry’s has been known to put up a vending machine or two, but this one is from Japan.
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Champagne
Created by design group K6, this Moët and Chandon vending machine was installed in the luxury department store Selfridges in London in 2013. For just $23 a pop, you could get a mini, Swarovski crystal-adorned bottle of fizz, chilled and ready to enjoy.
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Beer
Beer is one of Japan’s most popular drinks and if you’re craving a beverage on the go, there’s a vending machine for that. Some machines offer sake and Chuhai (a fruity mixed drink based on shochu or vodka) too.
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Burritos
This burrito kiosk will serve a freshly prepared snack in 60 seconds. Choose from chicken, steak and vegan burrito fillings, or you could pick between two types of breakfast burritos to start your morning off right. All that’s left to do is garnish with sour cream, guacamole or salsa and you have yourself a vending machine burrito. The first Burrito Box was opened in California, but we’re sure there will be more to follow.
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Bread in a can
Need something filling on the go? In Japan, some vending machines sell bread in a can. Each carby treat costs around $4 and flavors include chocolate chip, coffee and fruit.
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Cupcakes
Do you ever need a sugar fix? One that can only be put right by a cupcake? Fear no more, Sprinkles’ cupcake ATM is at your service. The 24-hour cupcake vending machine offers you the chance to buy your favorite iced cupcake, cupcake batter to bake at home or sweet treats for your pooch. The US machine has 760 cupcakes available at any one time and, with 20 varieties for you to choose from, there’s something for everyone.
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Crabs
Have you ever expected to get a live crustacean from a vending machine? Well, it’s a possibility in China – though it’s not the most humane way to buy your seafood. The little critters are stored in plastic containers at 41⁰F (5⁰C) and sold individually.
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Burgers
Not every McDonald’s will be open to cater for your burger needs at 4am. The solution? A Febo burger dispenser in the Netherlands that will satisfy your burger craving at any time of day or night.
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Pecan pie
This vending machine at Berdoll Pecan Farm in Cedar Creek, Texas is kept fully stocked for all of your pecan pie needs. Whatever the time of day or night, you can purchase a whole baked pecan pie. Give it a try, the Texans love it.
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Fresh milk
You can buy farm-fresh unpasteurized milk from machines all over Europe for around $1.30 a liter. The vending machine dispenses empty containers on the right and you’ll get your fresh milk on the left.
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Eggs
To use these machines in Japan, shoppers insert cash and hand-select their eggs by opening one of the compartment doors. Unfortunately, with this kind of purchase, you only get one chance to pick the eggs you’d like. What do you do if they’re all broken?
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Kosher food
Kosher Cafe Hot Nosh 24/6 machines in America have come to the rescue for those in need of kosher food while out and about. You could grab a hot knish, onions rings or fries. There are also hot dogs available, but not from the same machine of course, as that wouldn’t be kosher.
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Bananas
These nifty little machines are found mostly in subway stations in East Asia (this one’s in South Korea). They usually dispense single bananas but some also offer whole bunches for the hungry commuter. It would of course be cheaper to buy the bananas from a store (each one costs around $1.50 from the machine), but who can resist the novelty? Dole has even provided special bins so that you never cause a comical banana peel accident again.
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Dashi
If you’re in Japan and feeling thirsty, maybe double-check what you’re buying. The bottles in this vending machine, which you could easily mistake for refreshing tea, are actually dashi – fish stock. Delicious as miso soup, but less so when you’re expecting cool oolong tea…
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Warm bread
A typical Dutch ‘automatiek’ machine offers warm bread, among many other things, 24/7. Automatieks are very popular around the Netherlands so when visiting, do as the Dutch do.
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Mashed potato
For the days you want mashed potatoes in a hurry, there’s Singapore’s instant mashed potato vending machine. The 7-11 mashed potato machines also give you a chance to top your mash with lots of rich gravy. Even better, it’s all for one dollar.
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Coca-Cola
Buying a Coke from a vending machine is hardly unusual, but buying one for a nickel certainly is. At the Biedenharn Museum in Louisiana, you can see all kinds of Coca-Cola memorabilia, including some still-working vending machines from a few decades back. They still dispense the iconic glass bottles and they still cost just five cents.
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French fries
You can find these French fry machines worldwide, especially in Europe, America and Australia. Inside the machine are frozen potatoes (or pre-cut fries) which are then cooked at a high temperature to deliver your food to you in a matter of minutes. And you don’t have to pass on the sauce either.
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Insects
First spotted in late 2018, this unusual vending machine in Kumamoto (southern Japan) has been drawing plenty of curious customers. In a country so full of vending machines, what could possibly be attracting all this attention? Well, the snacks it serves all contain insects – perfect for when you need a matcha cricket protein bar or have a craving for chocolate-coated scorpion.
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Udon
Like all regions in Japan, Tokushima has its own specialty food – in this area’s case, it’s udon noodles. And there’s no reason for visitors not to try the local delicacy with vending machines serving warming bowls of hot, fresh udon. Better than a lukewarm soda and a chocolate bar, for sure.
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Pizza
Pizza vending machines have been around in Europe for a while (like the one pictured), but in 2016, Xavier University installed the first-ever pizza machine in North America. Each 12-inch pizza only costs $9 and students can choose from a few options like pepperoni and cheese. It can only store 70 pizzas inside so if you want a pie after a crazy night out in Cincinnati, you better get there fast.
