Categories: Gastro-Tourism

Unusual Vending Machines Around the World

← Back to ‘Gastro Tourism: The Best Countries to Eat & Drink Around the World’

It’s no surprise vending machines have been popular for quite some time. The experience is easy (and dare we admit, a little exciting?), from choosing what you’re going to order, followed by the suspense of seeing whether it actually drops down and doesn’t get stuck, plus not having to interact with anyone — hurrah! While vending machines are typically stocked with crips, candy, and canned drinks, there are certainly some vending machines offering stranger options. Here are the most unusual vending machines in the world:

By Syda Productions

1. Live Crab Vending Machine, China

In Nanjing, China, you can find a vending machine that sells live “fresh” crabs. The vending machine is easily one of the most unusual, and it maintains an internal temperature of 41F to keep the crabs alive and hibernating, without killing them. It’s stocked between August and October with crabs and means you can skip the queue in a supermarket. Fancy a quick crab soup, anyone?

By The Atlantic

2. Pizza Vending Machine, Europe

Ever wanted a pizza but feel too lazy to go to a restaurant and wait to be served? That’s why the Let’s Pizza vending machine was invented. The machine, which first appeared in Italy and can be found in several locations in Europe, serves “fresh” pizza 24-hours-a-day, at a cost of $6 for 10.5-inch pie. The smart-machine actually kneads the dough and adds sauce and fresh toppings to the pizza. You can choose from options such as margherita, pepperoni, ham or plain cheese. There’s a cool window to watch your pizza cooking if you’re curious as to how it works.

By Holland America

3. Eggs, Japan

Eggs are one of those essential ingredients, whether you eat them for breakfast or add them into baking or cooking. If you’re from Nagoya, Japan, you’re in luck as there is a vending machine stocked with fresh eggs every morning and customers can buy 10-12 eggs for a few dollars. Generally speaking, vending machine culture is really big in Japan — locals are also able to get a wide variety of products from batteries to noodles to glasses…just in case you lose them.

By YouTube

4. Fresh Baguettes, Paris

There is nothing quite like a fresh, French baguette, and at this vending machine in Paris, you can get your hands on one 24-hours-a-day. The idea was thought up by a French baker who was tired of customers knocking on his door asking for fresh bread constantly. When the machine was invented it was €1 euro for a crisp and steaming baguette. The bread is partially cooked before being put into the vending machine and baked upon order, for that extra crispy freshness.

By biorambler

5. Condom Vending Machine, Spain

Perhaps one of the most useful machines in our roundup is the condom vending machine located on a busy street in Barcelona. It’s part of an initiative to promote safe-sex and condoms are available 24-7, meaning there’s no excuse not to be prepared.

By CODIC BCN

6. Pet Food, Istanbul

There are hundreds of thousands of stray dogs in Istanbul and company Pugedon decided to do something about it. The company has made a recycling machine that dispenses a cup of dog food into a tray beneath when a water bottle is recycled — meaning the dog food is paid for by the recycled bottles

By www.govtech.com

7. Whiskey Pouches, UK

If you’re in need of some dutch-courage and want a quick whiskey shot, the whiskey-pouch vending machine is just the thing for you. The machine, which is located in London, will be dispensing little pouches of single whiskey malt until December 2018. Cheers!

By Evening Standard

8. Vending Machine Restaurant, Netherlands

Taking things one step further is the vending machine restaurant chain in the Netherlands, known as FEBO. The restaurants are stocked with vending machines and the idea is that they are fast-food walk-up restaurants where you select one of the dishes (such as krokets, hamburgers or kaassouffles) and your dinner is dispensed vending-machine-style.

By Tomostyle

9. Socks, South Korea

The ‘I Hate Monday’ brand started offers socks in vending machines in Seoul, South Korea, and the trend has followed suit. It’s easy to forget your socks when you’re running out of the door, or maybe the pair you’re wearing is particularly stinky and you need to change them before your date — whatever the reason, your toes can unclench with this vending machine option. The socks often come in cool, fun patterns, and plain black or white socks are available too. Check out these 20 unusual things to do in South Korea if you’re curious to find out more about the weird and wonderful!

By Slow Vegan Travel Blog

10. Sprinkles Cupcake, United States

Want to buy a quick cupcake en route to your friend’s house? Or are you awake at 2 am with the munchies and craving something sweet? Sprinkles Cupcake ATMs can be found in Beverly Hills, Chicago, Dallas, and NYC. The vending machines, or ‘ATMS’, are open 24 hours, meaning you can satisfy your sweet tooth at any time. They are restocked frequently and can hold up to 600 cupcakes at a time. They also have a doggy cupcake option, so your pooch doesn’t feel left out.

By AZCentral

And if you’re interested in all-things-unusual, check out these strange cultural differences around the world.

5.0
01
Share this post now:
Carmela Rodriguez

Carmela is a journalist from London. She's traveled from Asia to South America, where she got (temporarily) lost in the Peruvian Amazon. She quit the rainy UK and moved to Medellín, Colombia, where she has lived for two years

Share
Published by
Carmela Rodriguez

Recent Posts

How to Plan a Family Vacation

The following is a sponsored post. You have been working hard and finally saved up enough for a nice vacation…

4 years ago

Glamping in Ontario Canada

Ontario may be thought of as the province with Toronto in it, but the 6-god metropolis sitting in the south…

4 years ago

Best Places for a Luxury Couples Getaway

Destination plays a very big role in your romantic getaway. With the right setting, it’s easy to enjoy your partner’s…

4 years ago

The Best Salsa Dancing Cities in the US

Maybe you’ve recently visited a Latino country and have the salsa-bug, or you might have started learning salsa and Latin-style…

5 years ago

Home From Home: The Vacation Home Landscape in Boulder

Boulder lies at the base of the Rocky Mountains and is known as one of the best places to stay…

5 years ago

Vacation Rentals Without Fees: How to Rent Directly From the Owner

Are you looking to rent a vacation home but want to avoid fees from some of the world’s top platforms?…

5 years ago