Breaking Down The Chocolate Bar: 18 Japanese KitKat Flavours You Need To Try
Calling fellow fans of Japanese sweets and snacks, you must not be new to Japanese KitKat, famous for its wide variety of unique and innovative flavours. Did you know that KitKat has a special place in Japanese culture? "KitKat" sounds similar to the phrase "kitto katsu," which means "you will surely win" in Japanese. This association has made it a popular gift for students during exam seasons, symbolising good luck.
The diverse KitKat flavour profiles often reflect local tastes and seasonal ingredients such as Hokkaido Milk KitKat and Okinawa Sweet Potato KitKat. Among the staggering 300++ Japanese KitKat flavours, we handpicked 18 must-try flavours including regular flavours such as Matcha and Strawberry, seasonal specials such as Spring: Sakura and Fall: Mont Blanc, alcoholic KitKats such as Umeshu Sake and Sakura Sake, and many more.
Read on to discover how Japan has given this beloved chocolate and wafer combo various unique and quirky twists.
Regular Flavours
(1) Matcha (Green Tea)
(2) Whole Wheat Biscuit
Otona no Amasa (Sweetness for Adults) - less sweet compared to regular flavours
(3) Strawberry
(4) Dark Chocolate
Seasonal & Limited Edition Flavours
(5) Holiday Santa
(6) Spring: Sakura Mochi/Sakura Sake/Sakura Kinako/Sakura Matcha
(7) Summer: Salt Lychee
(8) Summer: Mint
(9) Fall: Mont Blanc
(10) Fall: Apple Pie
(11) Fall: Pistachio
(12) Winter: Strawberry Gateau Chocolate
Gotochi KitKat
(13) Hokkaido: Azuki & Strawberry
(14) Yokohama: Strawberry Cheesecake
(15) Hiroshima: Takatsudo Original Momiji Manju
(16) Okinawa: Purple Sweet Potato
Regular Flavours
(1) Matcha (Green Tea)
Matcha KitKat
Matcha KitKat is one of the most popular and beloved flavours in Japan. You need to try this distinct, earthy taste of matcha coupled with chocolate- a unique balance of sweetness and bitterness. Matcha enthusiasts should get the Otona no Amasa Rich Matcha which is an “adult version” that emphasises a more intense matcha flavour and aroma.
(2) Whole Wheat Biscuit
Whole Wheat Biscuit
This is an innovative variation that combines the classic KitKat chocolate with whole wheat biscuits, adding a savoury and nutty flavour. Enjoy the satisfying crunch with each bite.
Otona no Amasa (Sweetness for Adults)
This is a refined version of the classic KitKat, crafted to appeal to adult palates. It offers a more sophisticated and less sugary taste compared to the regular KitKat series.
(3) Strawberry
Otona no Amasa Strawberry
This adult-oriented version of Strawberry KitKat has a sweet strawberry aroma and refreshing acidity. A delightful treat for fruit lovers!
(4) Dark Chocolate
Otona no Amasa Dark Chocolate
This dark chocolate KitKat features cocoa biscuits kneaded into the chocolate, balancing sweetness with a hint of bitterness and extra crunch.
Seasonal & Limited Edition Flavours
Discover the unique flavours of seasonal and limited KitKat. They usually come in beautiful packaging, making them great souvenirs.
(5) Holiday Santa
Holiday Santa
Christmas is the season of gifting and this adorable Santa KitKat will bring smiles to your friends and families.
Now available at FairPrice stores.
(6) Spring: Sakura Mochi/Sakura Sake/Sakura Kinako/Sakura Matcha
Sakura Mochi
Every spring season, Nestle Japan rolls out several renditions of sakura flavoured KitKat in celebration of the cherry blossom season. Sakura Mochi KitKat features a creamy coating that combines the floral notes of cherry blossom with a soft, chewy texture, reminiscent of the traditional Japanese rice cake.
(7) Summer: Salt Lychee
Salt Lychee
Using lychee powder, and salt made from the Seto Inland Sea as an accent, this sweet and salty KitKat presents a perfectly refreshing taste for summer!
(8) Summer: Mint
Mint
The light and invigorating mint flavour adds a nice contrast to the classic chocolate, especially popular during summer.
(9) Fall: Mont Blanc
Mont Blanc
Just like the classic chestnut dessert, this KitKat contains hints of chestnut and white chocolate!
(10) Fall: Apple Pie
Apple Pie
Capturing the flavours of a classic apple pie combined with cream and white chocolate, this is a perfect festive treat during Halloween!
(11) Fall: Pistachio
Pistachio
This is another popular seasonal special- milk chocolate with a subtle fragrance of pistachios, encasing roasted pistachio paste infused cream sandwich on a wafer.
(12) Winter: Strawberry Gateau Chocolate
Strawberry Gateau Chocolate
This tastes like a rich dessert with flavours of sweet and sour strawberries, and a hint of rum.
Gotochi KitKat
Gotochi KitKat refers to the regional flavours of KitKat available in Japan, each representing different areas and their unique ingredients. These limited-edition flavours are often inspired by local specialties, seasonal ingredients, and traditional sweets.
(13) Hokkaido: Azuki & Strawberry
Hokkaido Azuki & Strawberry
The earthy sweetness of azuki (red bean) and the bright, fruity taste of strawberry are incorporated in 100% Hokkaido azuki bean paste powder and cream mixed with strawberry juice powder.
Crispy wafers are wrapped in azuki and strawberry flavoured chocolate.
(14) Yokohama: Strawberry Cheesecake
Yokohama Strawberry Cheesecake
This KitKat represents the signature dessert of exotic port city of Yokohama: cheesecake. Cheese cream is sandwiched between fragrant wafers , and wrapped in strawberry cheese flavoured chocolate.
(15) Hiroshima: Takatsudo Original Momiji Manju
Hiroshima Takatsudo Original Momiji Manju
In partnership with Hiroshima’s famous momiji manju specialist, Takatsudo, this delectable KitKat is created! Cream mixed with bean paste powder is sandwiched between wafers and wrapped in
Momiji Manju flavoured chocolate.
(16) Okinawa: Sweet Potato
Okinawa Sweet Potato
Enjoy the refined flavour and taste of beni-imo in the luscious cream flavoured with beni-imo powder.
Alcoholic KitKat
These limited-edition KitKat incorporate alcoholic ingredients such as sake and shochu. They have a lower alcohol content and are designed to highlight the flavours of the drinks rather than provide a strong alcoholic kick.
(17) Umeshu Sake
Umeshu Sake
Savour the subtle sweetness and deep flavour of ripe plums.
*0.2% alcohol content
(18) Masuizumi Sake
Masuizumi Sake
Made using powdered "Masuizumi," a famous sake from Toyama Prefecture, this unique KitKat offers a mellow, rich, and crisp flavour.
*0.4% alcohol content
Where to get Japanese KitKat?
If you are not travelling to Japan anytime soon, you can also find these glorious chocolate bars In Singapore- at Japanese supermarkets such as Don Don Donki and Meidiya. You can also shop online on Japanese snacks stores such as Sugoi Mart, purchase snack boxes and even monthly subscription snack boxes from Tokyo Treat, Japan Crate and more, just to try out all the latest seasonal snacks directly shipped from Japan.
If you wish to take your Japanese KitKat game further, visit Nestlé Japan’s KitKat Chocolatory stores in bustling locations such as Tokyo and Rinku Premium Outlets (near Kansai International Airport). In addition to permanent stores, there are often limited-time pop-up locations in various department stores and shopping centres across Japan, especially during holiday seasons or special events. Enjoy exploring exclusive flavours and customising your own KitKat bars and shopping for beautifully packaged KitKat gifts!
^Photo source: Nestle KitKat Japan Website and Instagram
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Look forward to a delightful outlet-exclusive menu (available from 8 November 2024) featuring signature sweets alongside innovative new offerings such as 3-piece Warabimochi Hot Matcha Set (for dine-in only), earthy Kuromitsu Soft Serve and three new warabimochi drinks.