Top 5 Essential Japanese Snacks that EVERYONE Needs To Try
CRITERIA:
Snacks that most people haven't tried yet, and can be eaten by everyone. I did not
include the Onigiri (Rice Ball) in this list, as some cultures can't eat some of the Onigiri flavours.
#5 NORI / SEAWEED
Light on the palette, but distinct on the taste, there is an abundance of Nori in Japanese
culture – from fine cuisine to everyday snacks. The versatility of Nori is evident in popular
Japanese dishes like: Ramen, Don (Rice Bowls), and Sushi. As a snack, Nori can also come in
multiple shapes and forms. It can be through Nori infused Potato Chips, and more commonly as a standard Nori sheet (with varying flavour twists, etc.) From it's versatility alone, the Nori is worthy of being tried.
Photo: livestrong.com
#4 SEMBEI / RICE CRACKERS
Most commonly seen in anime, the Sembei is (from it's name) is a form of biscuit / cracker
made out of rice. It's a light snack that has perfect balance of sweetness, and saltiness in it's taste.It's one of those snacks that you won't be able to stop eating once you've started. Luckily it's cheap, therefore you can always hoard and binge eat Sembei just like how anime characters do it.
Photo: Japao E Foco
#3 KAMEDA CRISPS & NUTS
Kameda Crisps is the smaller brother of the aforementioned Sembei, as Kameda Crisps are
also made out of rice. Though it's structurally different, and consists of more distinct, often times spicy flavours, mixed with different nuts. This snack comes in small packets, making it an easy go-to snack, paired with liquor or any light drink.
#2 TAIYAKI
The Taiyaki is an iconic Japanese snack that is similar to western waffles. Though it comes
in a more distinct flavour(s) and appearance, it is typically presented in a shape of a fish, generously filled with Azuki (Red Bean) paste. The Taiyaki is a versatile snack that can also come in different flavours like the familiar chocolate, custard, cheese, and even ice cream. The presentation alone makes the Taiyaki an enticing snack.
Photo: justonecookbook.com
#1 DAIFUKU MOCHI
The most distinct and unique snack in this list belongs to none other than the Japanese
Daifuku Mochi. It's a sweet confection made from rice (apparently, as you can see from this list, the Japanese love their rice) moulded into cute little balls that are easy to eat, yet full of flavour.
Flavours can range from the aforementioned Matcha, Azuki, and Ichigo, to my personal favourite
which is the Banana (aptly branded Tokyo Banana.) If you're reading this list, chances are you've
probably never tried this before... and you're definitely missing out. While it's hard to find stores
that sell these in Singapore, most dedicated Japanese stores have them, and it's definitely worth
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
HELLO PANDA
Not much needs to be said for the most well known Japanese snack in the world. Even if
you're not familiar with Japanese culture, you've probably tried this before. It's light, sweet snack that comes in multiple flavours, all featuring the same familiar panda shaped head, printed with different images of the panda mascot, in it's pieces. The popular Hello Panda is a staple snack in any culture now.
Photo: kawaiipanda.com
POCKY
Also popular in anime, the Pocky is another staple snack in all of asian culture. The iconic
pretzel stick dipped in different flavours appeals to everyone who has a sweet tooth, from kids to older people. While the Pocky that is typically found in Singapore comes from Thailand, the ones from Japan are leagues better, featuring unique flavours such as Matcha (Green Tea), Melon, and Banana. So if you manage to find a store that sells Japanese Pocky, be sure to try it.
Photo: AROIMAKMAK.COM
KITKAT
The Kitkat was originally a chocolate covered wafer snack that came from the U.K. It is
now globally known, but the Japanese put a unique twist in their versions. Japanese Kitkat features flavours like Matcha (Green Tea), Azuki (Red Bean), Ichigo (Strawberry), and many more. If you love the normal Kitkat, you'll love Japanese Kitkat even more.
Photo: AROIMAKMAK.COM
