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