The Best Japanese Snacks

Lausac Japanese Assorted Candy and Snacks

Snack attack

Go on a snack adventure and try new things with this excellent assortment.

Best Overall

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When you are ready to try new things and widen your taste buds’ horizons, what better place to start than with a tasty sampler? This sampler provides a variety of popular snacks so you can explore the different textures and flavor combinations of Japanese sweets. The Lausac Japanese Assorted Candy and Snacks will give you a taste of Japan at an affordable price.

This sampler comes with 32 individually wrapped snacks. The fun part is that you truly never know what you will end up with. The assortment is different every time you order, although you can always count on a well-balanced variety. There are always sweet candies, savory snacks, chocolates, and jellies. Yum.

Pros:

• The assortment changes, so you can order it multiple times and get different stuff each time
• You get a large selection for a good price
• There are always 32 pieces guaranteed, each of which is individually wrapped for freshness and safety. Because of this, you can eat everything as quickly or as slowly as you’d like
• This bag makes a great gift for kids, teenagers, and anyone who appreciates Japanese culture

Cons:

• You can’t choose what is included, so if you find something you love, you can’t be sure to get it again

Tonosama Candy Assortment

Variety is the spice of life

It will seem like this box is endless as you try new things and enjoy new flavors.

Best Variety

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If you want to try a few snacks at a discount price, then you need to look for a good assortment. In general, these packages contain a mix of several snacks and candies from Japan that give you a good idea of what flavors and textures are popular there. The Tonosama Candy Assortment is one example of one of these fun grab-bag style snack samplers.

This 30-piece assortment is full of new and interesting flavors for you and your family to try. Kids are always a fan of the jellies and cakes, while adults like the crispy pieces. We really love how every time you order this box you get a new mix of flavors and experiences. It really gives you the chance to explore new cultural foods without the expenses of traveling.

Pros:

• With 30 pieces, you are sure to find something you love
• It opens up your palate and introduces you to new flavors
• This assortment is super affordable
• By getting this assorted grab-bag, you save yourself the time, money, and effort it would take to get everything individually
• Kids tend to find it fun to taste test everything

Cons:

• Because everything is assorted, sometimes you get duplicates or more of one type of snack than another

Snackscribe Ramune Soda Variety Pack

An experience in a bottle

These sodas are more than just a drink; they are a fun experience.

Best Drink

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Ramune is a wildly popular soda in Japan. Because it is also a favorite of Japanese-Americans, it can often be found in Japanese grocery stores and specialty markets. The problem is that not many communities have Japanese-specific stores, so it can be tough to get Ramune in the US and other countries. That is why we turn to the Snackscribe Ramune Soda Variety Pack.

Ramune is a tasty soda with a fun bottle design that relies on a marble to keep it airtight. This pack includes 5 bottles, each one a different flavor. If you’re curious, those flavors are orange, melon, blueberry, strawberry, and original. Original is a lemon-lime soda flavor and tends to be a crowd favorite, so we are sure you will love it, too.

Pros:

• This soda is fun to open because you have to pop the marble into the bottle using a special tool
• The variety allows you to taste all of the most popular flavors
• It is super fizzy and fun to drink
• A unique bottle-neck shape prevents the marble from falling into the rest of the bottle
• This soda assortment goes amazingly well with a snack sampler box

Cons:

• It is a bit costly for only 5 sodas

Pocky 6-Flavor Variety Pack

A fan favorite

Everyone loves Pocky, and if you don't, you will.

Best Pocky

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If you haven’t heard of Pocky, which are sweet and crunchy biscuits that are then coated with different flavors, then consider this something new you’ve learned today. They are very popular in Japan and abroad, and not just for the taste. You will find that they are easy to eat, portable, and don’t leave a big mess behind them. To experience the love of Pocky for yourself, you need to get the Pocky 6-Flavor Variety Pack.

This variety pack comes with all of the most popular flavors, including chocolate, strawberry, milk chocolate, chocolate banana, matcha, and cookies and cream. The biscuit handle keeps your hands clean, making it an ideal snack for kids on the go. We really love that this pack comes with several flavors, especially for those who are still trying to find their favorite. They make great party snacks, as well.

Pros:

• They are easy to eat and serve excellently as on-the-go snacks for both adults and kids
• You don’t make a big mess eating them
• The flavors that are included are all known for being popular and well-liked
• They are affordably priced
• Everyone loves the crunchy snap, and it adds to the overall experience

Cons:

• If you live in a hot climate and don’t refrigerate them, they may melt together

Daifuku Fruity Strawberry Rice Cakes

The price is right

Soft as marshmallow, sweet as honey, and cheap as dirt. Almost, at least.

Best On A Budget

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Daifuku is a delicately sweet, stuffed mochi ball. They are often made with a bean paste; however, many people prefer the strawberry version, which is why we think you will love these Daifuku Fruity Strawberry Rice Cakes.

These little, pastel pink mochi balls are slightly sweet, although most of the sweetness comes from the strawberry jam inside. We really like that the entire thing has been made to flow well together aesthetically because it really makes them look delicate. You could easily add them to an array of snacks at a formal party and they would fit right in. They are squishy and fun to eat, much like a marshmallow. If you have never had Daifuku, you need to try it, and what better time will there be than the present?

Pros:

• They look beautiful, which makes them perfect for parties and dinners
• Your kids will love them because of the sweet strawberry taste and fun textures
• These are the perfect choice when you want to try more traditional Japanese candies and snacks
• There is a coating that prevents them from sticking to each other
• The price is very affordable

Cons:

• They only come in one flavor

Frequently Asked Questions

What is dagashi?

Dagashi is the word used to describe cheap candies and snack foods. For example, in Japan, many of our snack cakes, small chip bags, and cheap candies would be referred to as dagashi. These kinds of snacks are popular because they’re affordable and there is such a variety that it’s easy to get lots of different little things to try.

What do you mean by “mochi ball”?

Mochi is made of glutinous rice and it generally refers to a rice dough ball. It is soft and squishy, with a texture resembling that of a dense marshmallow. Mochi alone is not very sweet; however, it is often stuffed with bean paste, fruit jams, jellies, or even actual pieces of fruit. It is a traditional food that’s very popular, often found at Japanese celebrations and parties.