[Latest version] Easy and delicious! Here's a summary of how to choose meal kits without making a mistake and a list of eight popular companies!

A thorough explanation of the appeal of meal kits and recommended services

In this article, we'll take a closer look at meal kits, which have been gaining attention in recent years. Introducing meal kits significantly reduces the burden of cooking, allowing you to easily enjoy delicious meals even on busy days. In the second half of the article, we'll also summarize the recipe and historical background of pot-au-feu, a stew dish introduced from overseas. Understanding not only the recipe but also its origins and history will make your dining table even more enjoyable. Please read to the end

What is a meal kit?

A meal kit is a service that delivers all the ingredients and seasonings needed for cooking in one go . Because the vegetables, meat, and fish are pre-cut and prepared, and special sauces are included, it significantly reduces the time and effort required for the traditional process of planning a menu, shopping for ingredients, and preparing the food.

Meal kits are often used in the following ways:

• Regular delivery : Delivered to your home at a set time, such as once a week or every day
• Order when you need it : Select the menu you want to purchase in advance on the website or app

Why more people are using meal kits

• Reduces the time it takes to go shopping
• Easy prep and quick cooking
• Low risk of cooking failure
• It's hard to have leftover ingredients

This convenience is a major reason why it is popular among busy families and people living alone

8 recommended meal kit services

Here we introduce eight noteworthy meal kit services from among the many available. We hope this information helps you choose the meal kit that's right for you by taking into account their price range, shipping costs, delivery method, and other features

Recommended selection method

• Price-conscious : Coop Deli, Yoshikei, Pal System, Seikatsu Club
• Minimize cooking effort : Wanmairu, GREEN SPOON
• Committed to safety : Oisix, Radish Boya

Oisix: Safe and delicious meal kits

Oisix (Kit Oisix) is an attractive service for those who are particular about the safety of their ingredients, offering vegetables grown with minimal pesticides and chemical fertilizers, and livestock and seafood that show where and how they were grown.
Original seasonings are included, and there are also collaboration menus with famous chefs and restaurants. While some preparation, such as cutting vegetables, is required, it's perfect for those who want to "retain the fun of cooking while avoiding mistakes with the seasoning."

• Estimated price per meal : from about 700 yen
• Shipping fee : 0 yen to 1,800 yen (varies depending on region and order amount)
• Trial set : 1,980 yen (free shipping)

Coop Deli: For those who want quick cooking and convenience with refrigerated food

Coop Deli is popular for its refrigerated meal kits, which are delivered once a week (or 3-5 times a week).
Since the vegetables and meat are already pre-cut and pre-prepared, you don't need a knife or cutting board, and a main dish can be prepared in about 10 minutes. Since they deliver the food themselves, shipping costs are low at a maximum of 198 yen, and they also offer delivery to your door. Since you can receive the meal kits at any time, they're convenient for busy people and families with children.

• Estimated price per meal : from about 400 yen
• Shipping fee : 0 yen to 198 yen (in-house delivery)
• Special feature : Choose from about 40 different menu items, including main dish only or with side dishes

Yoshikei: 5-day trial available for 300 yen per meal

Yoshikei's first trial plan is very comprehensive.
You can experience almost the same content as a full contract for the exceptional price of 300 yen per meal for five consecutive days (starting at 3,000 yen for two servings). What's more, it delivers every day, so there's no need to buy in bulk, and cooking only requires minimal effort. The appeal is the well-balanced menus designed by nutritionists, making it recommended for those who want to combine cost-effectiveness and quality.

• Estimated price per meal : from about 500 yen
• Shipping fee : Free (in-house delivery)
• Trial plan : 5 days x 300 yen per meal

Pal System: A wide variety of menu items with over 500 varieties

Pal System offers a wide range of cuisine, focusing on locally sourced vegetables and domestically produced meat and fish.
With weekly deliveries, customers can choose from over 500 dishes, including Japanese, Western, Chinese, and ethnic cuisines. The large number of menu items means customers won't get bored, making it easy to continue using the service. For just 780 yen, you can try a frozen set of two days' worth of dinner, so you can feel at ease by checking the seasonings and portions before proceeding with the contract.

• Estimated price per meal : Main dish only from about 300 yen
• Shipping fee : 0 yen to 298 yen (varies depending on region and order amount)
• Trial set : 2 days worth of frozen dinner set for 780 yen

Wanmairu: Easy to prepare, just defrost in hot water or running water

Wanmairu is a frozen meal kit made with 100% domestically produced ingredients.
Each meal is regulated to contain less than 400 calories, 30g of carbohydrates, and 3.5g of salt, making it popular with those who are conscious of their diet. Simply defrost the pouch in hot water or running water, eliminating the need for knives or frying pans and minimizing the amount of dishes you have to wash. No synthetic preservatives are used, and the recipes are flash-frozen under chef supervision, allowing you to fully enjoy the flavors of the ingredients.

• Estimated price per meal : 1,056 yen
• Shipping fee : from 935 yen (varies by region)
• Special feature : 500 yen discount for first time customers

GREEN SPOON: Stylish menu with plenty of vegetables

GREEN SPOON delivers frozen original recipes using colorful vegetables and superfoods.
They offer a wide variety of dishes, from stews and soups to salads, and pasta dishes that are just as colorful as what you'd eat at a restaurant. All you have to do is open the bag, transfer the ingredients to a serving dish, and heat it in the microwave, so it's perfect for people who want to lower the hurdle of cooking. They're also great for office lunches and late-night snacks, and there's a first-time discount, so it's easy to get started.

• Estimated price per meal : from 751 yen
• Shipping fee : from 990 yen
• Delivery frequency : Once every 2-4 weeks

Radish Boya: 10-minute kit, no knife needed

Radish Boya's "10-Minute Kit" is a service that delivers carefully selected vegetables and pre-seasoned meats via refrigerated delivery.
The vegetables are thoroughly checked for quality, starting with the soil preparation, and are designed to retain a crisp texture even when pre-cut. Regular users can receive up to 10% off, making the pricing structure relatively easy to continue even when ordering for the whole family. Nationwide delivery is also available, but in some areas, delivery is handled as a courier service, so it may not be possible to leave the item at the address if you are not at home.

• Estimated price per meal : from about 750 yen
• Shipping fee : 0 yen to 900 yen (depending on region and order amount)
• Special feature : Focus on freshness and flavor of vegetables

Seikatsu Club: 1 set for 2 people, frozen or refrigerated

Seikatsu Club delivers meal kits, each serving two people, once a week. The
frozen versions have a long shelf life and a wide variety of seafood dishes, making it easy to try fish dishes that can be time-consuming to prepare at home. Even for small households or people living alone, the advantage of frozen versions is that you can stock up and use only when needed. Incidentally, the refrigerated versions also offer a variety of menus that can be prepared in as little as 10 minutes, with over 20 items to choose from each week.

• Estimated price per meal : from about 400 yen
• Shipping fee : 110 yen to 275 yen (depending on region)
• Features : Frozen food has a shelf life of 91 days, making it convenient for long-term storage.

How to Choose a Meal Kit Wisely

Take advantage of trial plans and first-time discounts

If you want to check the actual amount and seasoning, it's a good idea to choose a meal kit that offers a trial plan

• Oisix: Popular meal kit + seasonal vegetables set for 1,980 yen
• Yoshikei: Try it for 5 days for 300 yen per meal
• Pal System: 2 days' worth of dinner for 780 yen

If you can try it out at a trial price, you can check in advance the cooking time and whether the food suits your family's taste

Check shipping fees and delivery methods

Since meal kits are often ordered at least once a week, it's important to understand the impact that delivery fees will have on your household budget

• In-house delivery: Shipping fees tend to be free or around 200 yen
• If using a courier service: Shipping costs may be around 1,000 yen

It is also important to consider whether or not the delivery service is available if you are not at home. Co-op Deli, Yoshikei, Pal System, Seikatsu Club, and other companies offer delivery services that leave the parcel at the door, reducing the hassle of receiving the parcel

Save time by using pre-cut or pre-processed ingredients

If you want to reduce cooking time and washing up, it's convenient to choose a meal kit with pre-cut vegetables and meat

• Refrigerated type: Simply heat in a frying pan or pot
• Frozen type: Simply heat in a hot water bath or microwave

This kit doesn't require knives or cutting boards, so it reduces food waste and makes cleanup quicker

Food safety and quality standards

There are also services that focus on safety and quality standards, such as using domestically produced and organic ingredients and no artificial seasonings

• Oisix: Vegetables that are grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers as much as possible
• Pal System: Direct from the farm products where you can see the faces of the producers
• Wanmairu: 100% domestically produced and free of synthetic preservatives
• Radish Boya: Commitment to soil cultivation

If you check not only the price but also the standards used to source ingredients, you will feel more satisfied and it will be easier to continue

Variations and specializations

When choosing a meal kit, it's important to consider the variety of flavors and types available

• Oisix: Collaborative menus with famous restaurants and culinary experts
• Coop Deli: Over 40 standard menu items every week
• Pal System: Over 500 different genres
• Wanmairu: Healthy meals that can be enjoyed by thawing in hot water
• GREEN SPOON: Stylish vegetable-focused menu

If there are many menu items that suit your and your family's tastes, you won't get bored and will be able to continue eating them

The benefits of meal kits

1. Save time on shopping and meal planning

Meal kits deliver the necessary ingredients in a set, eliminating the need to go to the supermarket and wondering, "What should I make tonight?"
Reducing the time spent thinking about menus can significantly reduce the stress of everyday life, especially at work and with the housework.

2. Food is less likely to go to waste

Because the products are delivered in single-use sizes, there is little risk of leftover fresh food going to waste. This is
especially true for those living alone, as it helps prevent waste, such as buying a whole cabbage or a large amount of meat and then throwing it away before the expiration date.

3. No need to buy seasonings

Many meal kits come with pre-made sauces and dressings, reducing the hassle of having to season your meals yourself. This means you
don't have to buy seasonings that you don't normally use, such as Korean or other ethnic cuisine.

4. Easily achieve a balanced diet

All meal kits feature menus that have been carefully calculated to include the right amount of meat, fish, and vegetables . When cooking at home, if you're not careful, you can end up eating a lot of carbohydrates, but with meal kits, the main dish and side dishes are naturally included, making it easier to maintain a balanced diet.

Disadvantages and points to note about meal kits

1. It may be more expensive than cooking at home

Meal kits can seem expensive for people who can buy ingredients cheaply in bulk or who can use up an entire head of vegetables,
but when you consider the time saved on shopping, planning, cooking, and cleaning, and the reduced risk of failure, many people believe they are worth the price.

2. Delivery services may result in bulky trash

packaging materials such as cardboard boxes and pouches tend to increase . If you use your own delivery service, you can expect some container collection and simple packaging, but if you use a nationwide refrigerated delivery service, you are more likely to have to re-deliver if you are not at home, and there will be more waste.

3. It may not be enough for people who like to season their food themselves

While meal kits come with seasonings, making it less likely to go wrong, those who want to enjoy free-flowing arrangements may find them restrictive.
If you want to fine-tune your meal to your own tastes, you'll need to be creative and choose a kit that isn't pre-seasoned.

Summary: Save time and enjoy a variety of dishes with meal kits

Meal kits are extremely convenient for busy modern people. By choosing the right service for you, you can enjoy the following benefits:

• Save time on shopping and planning meals
• Reduce food waste and save money
• You can easily try out cuisine from various countries and regions
• It's simple but hard to fail

In particular, a meal kit that delivers pre-prepared ingredients and seasoning sauces all at once , you can quickly prepare a stew like "pot-au-feu." Why not enjoy a freshly cooked, hot meal with family and friends while thinking about the history of this dish, which was introduced from overseas?

If you want to try a new meal kit, the best way to do so is to take advantage of trial plans and first-time discounts to experience the feel, taste, and quantity for yourself. Find a meal kit that suits your lifestyle and taste preferences and enrich your daily meals