We Tried 11 Savoury and Sweet Authentic Japanese Snacks - Directly From Japan!
Remember the times when we would purchase numerous boxes of Tokyo Banana, 白い恋人, or Pocky Melon Flavour in Deluxe Tall sticks at the airports in Japan?
But we all know that there are a wide array of Japanese snacks, and by wide array, i literally mean WIDE. Convenience stores and supermarkets in Japan have large spaces catered to just the snacks section alone. You will be spoilt with endless choices and varieties, and can probably spend a whole day just on shopping in a Japanese supermarket.
In this article, we specifically picked out 11 snacks from the extensive selection on Commerce Media Japan on Shopee, and we review the best and most popular Japanese snacks (apart from snacks like Tokyo Banana that you may already know) to cart out the next time you go snack shopping!
Hailing all my fellow Shopee-holics, stay tuned to the end for a special code!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Price: $6.90
This is an extremely popular candy in Japan.
I’m personally a sweet tooth person but on the contradiction, i don’t really fancy candies. However, the Morinaga Salted Caramel Candy has made it to one of the top on my limited list of favourite candies.
You know sometimes when candies are too sweet, your throat can get very dry and uncomfortable? This made the cut because the sweetness isn’t too overpowering. Not only that, the candy is of a rich and creamy texture, making it melt relatively slowly in your mouth.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Price: $6.77
This is also another extremely popular candy among the locals in Japan.
This mini Hi-Chew comes in 4 flavours - Lemon, Grapefruit, Kiwi, and Grape.
When I first bit into it, I wasn’t particularly impressed though it is exceptionally chewy, with a crunchy texture on the outside. But as I start popping and chewing more of them, I found myself reaching for more!
Also, is it just me or candies from Japan are honestly chewier and fruitier than candies from other countries? The Grape flavour from this Morinaga Hi-Chew Mini Sweet is my personal favourite! Just to warn you, they are super addictive!
Rating: 3 out of 5
Price: $7.26
This used to be popular in Japan, but it’s not that popular now.
The packaging of this gummy advertises itself as being TOUGH, and indeed it is. I would say that Singaporeans are not exposed often to such consistency, hence this will either be a hit or miss to the audience.
Comes in 3 very interesting flavours - Cola, Energy Drink, and Soda.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Price: $6.45
This product has been in Japan for a long time and is still one of the most popular biscuits among the Japanese.
Have you tried the YOKU MOKU’s Cigare Cookies before? (PS: this is one of my all-time favourite and must-buy souvenir from Japan). These Bourbon Louvera Sweet Biscuits are very much that. While not as impressionable or well-known as YOKU MOKU’s, this is still an equally good and more affordable alternative.
Each bite you take, you will be treated to this creamy vanilla and buttery taste. You will easily finish the whole packet in a day without realising, as you will crave for more each time you finish one stick.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Price: $6.45
Do you remember the love letters every Chinese family would have in their homes during the Chinese New Year? At first bite, this biscuit tastes somewhat similar to that.
The appearance of this biscuit can seem very unappealing, but it will definitely surprise you as it did for me. Of light and crispy texture, the mild cocoa cream coated on the outside further complimented the whole taste.
I finally understood why this product is a long-standing famous biscuit among the Japanese.
This is my favourite out of all the 11 snacks I tried in this article. Highly recommend it to all of you - I would buy this anytime!
Rating: 3 out of 5
Price: $10.70
This is a product designed for tourists, so it's not so popular with the Japanese.
I expected the Kit Kat to be coated in a strong Sakura Mochi flavour, but it tastes like a creamy strawberry biscuit. It did disappoint to a certain extent because of the high amount of anticipation I had when I saw the packaging.
This was definitely made to suit everyone’s taste buds. I do like this better than the original Kit Kat, but not something I would specially cart out.
(Note: This product is currently sold out and out of stock)
If you aren’t a fan of Mochi, you can always reach out for the other, and many Kit Kat flavours by Nestle! You will be able to find all sorts of flavours such as Autumn Chestnut, Citrus Mint, or even the Sweet Potato flavour!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Price: $5.97
This is a popular product in Japan these days.
For each bite you take, you will be treated to a strong buttery and garlicky taste. The crinkle-cut style also further enhanced the chips’ crispiness. Upon further crunching, there will be a light beef aftertaste.
The overall taste is exactly how it looks like on the packaging. I was so satisfied with each bite - tasted like a sizzling hotplate of medium-rare wagyu beef I will always have at Ikinari Steak in Japan (Tokyo’s famous steakhouse serving delicious and affordable steaks).
I would, without a doubt, buy this every time I go snack shopping online/offline. If you are thinking “really?” - the only answer, is to try it for yourself.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Price: $5.97
Another increasingly popular chips in Japan these days.
Koikeya chips always taste like they are right out from the pan or oven.
This Seafood Grill chips taste like a grilled buttery lobster right out from the pan. Not only that, but you can also taste the slight scallop and clams taste. What I fancy even more? It is not salty at all, which some chips do, making you feel this guilty pleasure after you finish a pack.
Its savoury and flavourful profile will definitely make this a crowd favourite.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Price: $6.16
Calbee is an extremely popular snack brand in Singapore and this Pizza Potato Chips has been around in Japan for a long time yet is still one of the most popular snacks among the Japanese.
This is a super strong cheesy flavoured chip with a little hint of (Hawaiian) Pizza taste. The cheese taste can be quite pungent and overpowering. If you love your chips extremely cheesy, this would be what you will love. But I personally would have preferred it to be less strong.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Price: $5.58
Picked this to try because this is one of the most popular snacks among the Japanese for a really long time.
Do you remember the Jack 'n Jill Roller Coaster Rings childhood snack? Tohato Tyrant Habanero Snack is very much that, but they are quite spicy. The spiciness will only kick in after a while. Also, the rings are thinly sliced making them super crispy, spicy, and incredibly addictive.
Rating: 2 out of 5
Price: $14.13
I am a HUGE FAN of Matcha - the authentic matcha tea leaves, or the matcha infused desserts. Anything Matcha is to die for.
This matcha tea is popular with both the Japanese and foreigners, but sadly speaking, it was a slight let down.
The instructions at the back state - pour 3 heaped teaspoons of powder into a cup and add 140ml of water. I misread it at first and added only 3 teaspoons.
At first sip, it tasted just like a cup of hot water. Proceeded to add 2 more teaspoons of powder to make up for the heaped amount I missed previously. To be honest, I expected this tea to be extremely sweet since it was matcha and milk combined. But it was a very bland cup of drink. It tasted just like non-sweetened milk with a very slight tinge of matcha taste.
I might have missed the correct proportions to get the right taste, or you might want to consider adding some sugar on your own. But I personally would have preferred if this came in just as an authentic matcha tea, with separate milk powder to suit your own preference.
Chanced upon this individually packed Matcha Latte also from Tsujiri since I figured the previous was not to my liking. If you have tried this, let me know your reviews in the comments down below!
About Commerce Media Japan
Commerce Media Japan is currently only on Shopee, making your shopping experience for authentic Japanese products so much easier. From daily necessities, snacks, beauty to baby products, you can find a vast amount of items without having to fly to Japan personally!
PS: You know what’s even better? Commerce Media Japan not only sells authentic Japanese snacks on Shopee, any kinds of Japanese products from beauty range to daily necessities - you can find all of them there!
GIVEAWAY 🥳
You are probably already salivating at the 11 snacks covered above. Good News, Commerce Media Japan has actually prepared an EXACT SAME box of snacks (worth over SGD$50) for 1 lucky reader to enjoy!
How to stand a chance to win:
Like our Instagram post about this giveaway
As a huge Japanese snack lover, tell us one snack you would like to try from the above!
Bonus entry:
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EXCLUSIVE (& LIMITED) PROMOTION
Commerce Media Japan have further extended their kindness to (only) 100 lucky customers!
From 21st September to 30th November 2020,
quote “COMMNANI”
at your checkout page on Shopee, and enjoy 20% off your total purchase (minimum spending of $20)!