I live near the old Yono area in Saitama City, where OK (オーケー) and Trial (トライアル) are duking it out just 950 meters apart. Decided to do a proper comparison across three categories. Photos attached.
Round 1: Pork Cutlet Bowl (ロースかつ重)
- Trial: ¥277 (tax excl.)
- OK: ¥330 (tax excl.)
Trial is cheaper by ¥53, but OK labels "Canadian Berkshire-cross pork" right on the package. Trial sells 15 million of these a year though, so they must be doing something right. I'd call this one a draw.
Round 2: Strawberries
- OK: ¥387 — "Koi-Minori" variety, Nagasaki Prefecture, Brix 9°
- Trial: ¥499 — Strawberry Fair, multiple varieties
OK wins by ¥112. They also list variety, origin, and sugar level on the label. That level of transparency is impressive for a discount store.
Round 3: Beef — This is the wild one.
- OK: A5 Wagyu thigh steak cut, ¥524/100g
- Trial: Domestic beef sirloin, ¥790
Read that again. OK is selling A5 Wagyu — the highest grade of Japanese beef — for less than Trial's regular domestic beef. They buy whole cattle to make this work. Absolutely insane value.
Result: OK wins 2-0-1
Trial has its own strengths though. Their PB bread (6 slices for ¥88!) and their signature egg sandwich (¥185) are genuinely great and something OK doesn't offer.
Both stores being walkable from each other means residents here get the best of both worlds. If you're in the area, worth checking out both.
Prices as of 2026/3/20.
by DaisukeAdachi