Japan is a country nobody can ignore. It’s loud, robust, and so much fun. But while you can rightfully assume that Japan is entertaining and beautiful, it also has some of the best junk food in the world. That’s right — we’re talking Japanese junk foods.
While most countries already have snacks shipped from Japan, like Green Tea Kit-Kats, Pocky, and Ramune soda bottles, the majority of us have to travel across the world to get our hands on some of the strangest and tastiest foods that they wouldn’t dare sell in other parts of the world. Think: blueberry-flavored potato chips, avocado crackers, and candy-shaped toilets. Plus, the majority of their snacks pack a lot of flavor and they’re super cute (aka kawaii).
Unfortunately, not everyone can just book a trip to the best snack country in the world. That’s why we’re bringing the snacks to you (well, sort of). We rounded up the 15 best Japanese junk food the rest of the world urgently needs, from panda-shaped cookies to savory corn-flavored pretzels sticks. While you might not be able to get your hands on these junk foods just yet, we suggest for you to bookmark this list for when it’s time to go. You can thank us later.
1. Arare
Can’t argue with this classic snack.
This snack is made with rice flour and flavored with soy sauce. While some are wrapped in crispy nori seaweed, arare is sometimes packed with peanuts and wasabi peas. And because this is probably the most famous snack in this lineup, you can find this junk food in most supermarkets in Japan.
2. Melonpan
No, it’s not made with melon.
It’s hard on the outside and soft on the inside. Melonpan is basically a tough, fluffy cloud that is made with an enriched dough that’s covered with a thin layer of crisp cookie dough and filled with syrup, whipped cream. or custard. Plus, it can be flavored with chocolate, caramel, or maple syrup. So you know it’s good.
3. Dorayaki
Looks like pancakes, tastes like heaven.
A sweet red bean paste that’s sandwiched between two pancakes might not sound tasty, but it’s an extremely popular snack in Japan. They’re very convenient to eat on the go and are considered one of the most famous Japanese treats you can purchase. Just One Cookbook adds, “If you are familiar with Japanese cartoons from the ’70s, you probably know this dessert from the anime character Doraemon, who is crazy about this snack and falls for any trap involving them.”
4. Dango
Sweet and tasty.
This is another convenient snack that you can easily eat on the go. Dangos are Japanese dumplings that are made from “mochiko” (aka rice flour) and can come in various flavors, such as soy sauce, green tea, and red bean paste. While this snack is served all year round, they’re known to be a favorite at festivals.
5. Pretz
Looks like a pretzel, tastes like pizza.
While this snack is designed similarly to pretzel, it comes in an array of flavors, such as corn, pizza, and tomato. They’re savory, crunchy, and can be found at any convenience store in Japan. Plus, Pretz releases certain flavors for only a limited time, so make sure to get them while they’re hot.
6. Umaibo
Crunchy and cheesy.
Individually wrapped, Umaibo (which means delicious stick) is a corn snack that comes in a cylindrical form. They’re basically corn puffs (aka Cheetos), and come in an array of sweet and savory flavors. Think: chocolate, caramel, teriyaki, and, you guessed it, cheese. Chester Cheeto could clearly learn a thing or two from this snack.
7. Anpan
Bread for the win.
While this snack is very similar to its friend, dorayaki, the red bean or white bean paste is completely surrounded by soft, sweet bread, instead of just being sandwiched in between. Normally, it’s topped with sesame seeds, but it can be shaped into kawaii forms, like bears or flowers. Cute and delicious!
8. Kinoko No Yama
Mushrooms? Interesting.
This cute little snack may look like mushrooms, but it tastes nothing like them. While this might be misleading to most people, Japanese candy companies do this all the time. Kinoko No Yama is basically cookies shaped into mushrooms that can come in a slew of flavors like chocolate, cream, and strawberry.
9. Yukimi Daifuku
Kawaii at its finest.
Even though this packaging is too cute for words, this snack is too good not to eat. Yukimi Daifuku (which roughly translates to a “snow-viewing rice cake filled with sweets“) is an ice cream product that’s wrapped in mochi. It was released in 1981. The package comes with nine balls that are placed in individual trays and provides a mini fork to help you eat. Sounds delicious.
10. Konpeito
A Japanese classic.
This sugary treat is almost too cute to eat. They come in a variety of colors and flavors, and have the same consistency as gummy bears, but taste similar to rock candy. They’re made from pure sugar and shaped like little stars. Basically, they’re the perfect souvenir to bring home to your loved ones.
11. Every Burger
Tiny burgers? Count us in.
Let’s get straight to the point: This is a burger-shaped chocolate cookie. There’s chocolate for the “patty,” yellow icing cream for the “cheese,” and biscuit cookies for the “buns,” and it comes in this kawaii packaging with a hamburger man on it. Good news is, you can buy this snack on Amazon. So get to it.
12. Kororo Fruit Gummy
Gummies to-go.
Available in many different flavors — mango, melon, peach, red grape, etc. — this sweet treat is soft and tastes almost like the fruit they’re flavored after because the company uses concentrated pure fruit juices. They’re found in almost all convenience stores and come in brightly colored packages, making them hard to miss.
13. Tohato Caramel Corn
Yum!
Not only is this packaging super cute, but this snack comes in a slew of different flavors — seriously. There’s chocolate with peanuts, lemon pie, fruit parfait, and salty lychee. And that’s just to name a few. However, don’t assume this is your normal popcorn treat. The shape of this snack resembles more of a Cheeto than a popcorn kernel.
14. Ichigo Ame
A Japanese version of candied apples.
Honestly, what’s not to love about this snack? These candy-covered strawberries can be found at festivals and street vendors across Japan, especially during peak strawberry season. They are as big as plums and come in pairs, so you can share with your loved one… or not. You can watch how the tasty treat is made right here.
15. Senbei
Crispy and delicious.
If sweet snacks aren’t your thang, then senbei will be perfect for you. They’re Japanese rice crackers that come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and are available in hundreds of flavors. This snack has been enjoyed for centuries, so you can bet it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. Plus, who wouldn’t want to try the many delicious flavors that are out there?
