Amazing 18 Japanese Snacks 2024 You Have To Try!

by Takashi Nomoni
best japanes snacks

I love Japanese snacks! And here’s a list of my absolute favorite best Japanese snacks from yummy potato chips to rice crackers for you to try the next time you visit Japan!

Indulge in a delightful journey through Japan’s unique snack culture with our exploration of amazing Japanese snacks. From savory treats to sweet delights, these snacks are a testament to Japan’s creativity and culinary innovation.

Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with the fascinating flavors that make Japanese snacking a truly extraordinary experience.

Amazing Japanese snacks to try:

Best Japanese Snacks Type and Flavor Profile
Puré Fruits GummyCandy, Sweet or Sour
Meiji Macadamia ChocolateChocolate
Morinaga CaramelCaramel, Sweet
Matcha KitKatChocolate Wafers
Meiji Kinoko no YamaChocolate
Meiji Takenoko no SatoChocolate
Calbee Seaweed Salt ChipsPotato Chips, Savoury, Seaweed
Calbee Jagariko SticksSalad Potato Sticks, Carrot and Parsley
Calbee Jagabee FriesPotato Sticks, Salty
Almonds and Dried FishDried Sardines
Seaweed StripsSeaweed, salty
Hoshiume Dried PlumsDried fruit, sweet
Kameda Soft Senbei Japanese Rice CrackersRice Crackers, Salty, Crispy
Himemaru Rice CrackersRice Crackers, Salty, Crispy
Kaki No Tane Rice Amanoya HimemaruRice Crackers, Salty, Crispy
Apollo Strawberry ChocolateSweet
Pocky StrawberrySweet, slighlty salty
Tohato Caramel Corn ChipsSweet, Caramel

Top Japanese Snacks

Without further ado, here are the best Japanese snacks for you to try!

Puré Fruits Gummy

Best Japanese Candy

best japanese snacks

I love keeping a small sweet treats around to have after my meals. And these candy treats are my absolute favorite to just pop in when I don’t feel having a full-blown dessert but just a little something to refresh my taste buds.

On Amazon, you can get a pack of 6 with assorted flavors. My favorite flavors are lemon and strawberry! Try all the flavors and see which ones you like the best!

Key features:

  • Type: Candy
  • Flavor: Sweet or Sour

Meiji Macademia Chocolate

Best Japanese Chocolate Snack

top Japanese snacks

Okay, I think I’m seriously addicted to these cause I can’t stop at just one. These Macadamia nuts covered in milk chocolates are definitely one of the best Japanese snacks to have! It costs about $8.00 for a pack of 12 of these. And they are absolutely delish!

See also  15 Types of Japanese Fruits | Guide To Native Japanese Fruits

Key Features:

  • Type: Chocolate
  • Flavor: Sweet, chocolate

Related: Now bake your favorite Japanese dessert with these baking tools from Japan. Check it out!

Best Sweet Japanese Snacks

Caramel is my favorite; this western treat offers a chewy delight that is unmatched for. It first came to Japan in the late 19th century and was first sold by the Moringa company in 1913. The candies come in a recognizable yellow box and are all individually packed.

Today, it is one of the most popular brands of candies in Japan. Despite Moringa releasing several variants of the candy including, Red Bean and Matcha, these chewy delights still remain the most popular amongst the people. This one is considered one of the best Japanese snacks here in Japan!

Best japanese snacks

Key Features:

  • Type: Candy
  • Flavor: Sweet, Caramel

Related: Love Japanese food? Check out these rice brands from Japan to make authentic Japanese food at home!

Matcha KitKat – Best KitKat Flavor In Japan

Best Japanese Snacks To Buy As Souvenir

Nestle has produced about 300 different flavors of KitKat for the Japanese market, and the Matcha one is by far the most popular and probably, according to me, the most delicious. It takes a few bites to forget the chocolatey taste of KitKat and get used to the subtle taste of Matcha, but trust me, once your taste buds adjust to this, you will be asking for more.

The Matcha KitKat combines the subtle taste of Matcha with the delicate sweetness to create this gem. This is definitely the best KitKat flavors in Japan and one of the best Japanese snacks to buy online!

Best japanese snacks 2020

Key Features:

  • Type: Wafer, chocolate
  • Flavor: Matcha

Related: Your Japanese dish is incomplete with these spices and herbs. Check it out!

Meiji Kinoko no Yama – Best Japanese Chocolate Candy

Best Japanese Snacks On Amazon To Buy

Have you ever tried chocolate-covered biscuits? The Kinoko no Yama takes this concept to a whole new level. What this company has done is, it has taken mushrooms and converted them into delectable snacks. The mushroom-shaped treat comes with a smooth stem and chocolate-covered cap. You can enjoy the biscuit and the chocolate top together, or separately. Use whatever method you love. Doesn’t this Japanese snack deserve to be in the best Japanese snacks list?

Best place to buy japanese snacks in Tokyo

Key Features

  • Type: Chocolate covered biscuits
  • Flavor: Sweet, Chocolate

Meiji Takenoko no Sato

Most Popular Japanese Candy

Takenoko no Sato is the rival of Kinoko no Yama. If you try the mushroom-shaped snacks, you must give a try to this snack as well. The bamboo shoot snacks are generously covered in chocolate. Unlike Kinoko no Yama, there is no option of enjoying the cookie and the chocolate separately. 

Japanese savoury snacks

Want to find out the difference between the two yourself? Get this sweet Japanese snack souvenir during your visit to Japan!

Key Features

  • Type: Chocolate covered biscuit
  • Flavor: Sweet, Chocolate

Calbee Seaweed Salt Chips

Best Japanese Chips Snacks

The combination of seaweed and salt is probably one of the most popular in Japan. The Seaweed & Salt chips from Calbee is Japan’s number one snack option. Each crisp is coated with salt and seaweed flakes to give it the distinct taste that it is known for. Mind you, these chips taste so good you can get addicted! Definitely, one of the best Japanese snacks to bring back with from Japan!

Best japanese chips

Key Features

  • Type: Potato Chips
  • Flavor: Savoury, Salty, Seaweed

Calbee Jagariko Sticks

Best Japanese Snacks By Calbee

Jagariko Sticks come in a colorful cup sealed with a foil lid. This snack is going to be your favorite munching item. The potato sticks are crunchy on the outside and soft on the core. Jagariko Sticks are available in seasonal limited-edition flavors as well. Make sure you buy plenty of these when you get your hands on them ’cause you’ll be surprised at how quickly they can get over! Because this best Japanese snack is so yummy!

Salty japanese snacks

Key Features:

  • Type: Salad Potato Sticks
  • Flavor: Carrot and Parsley

Calbee Jagabee Fries

Best Japanese Savoury Snacks

Jagabee fries or Potato Sticks is another popular potato snack by Calbee. However, the texture of Jagabee Potato Sticks completely differs from the Jagariko potato sticks. The Jagabee Potato Sticks resemble fries and are crunchy both on the outside and the inside. Definitely one of my favorite and best Japanese snacks!

Best Japanese Snacks

Key Features

  • Type: Potato Sticks
  • Flavor: Savoury

Almonds and Dried Fish

Best Healthy Japanese Snacks

The Almonds and Dried Fish may not be what you would think of grabbing when you want to munch on something. The dried sardines mixed with almonds create a peculiar taste that you get used to after the first few bites. Coated in sesame seeds, this healthy Japanese snack is slightly sweet in taste. The almond fish, as it is commonly called in Japan, serves as a great snack to go with alcohol. 

Wagashi japanese snacks

Key Features

  • Type: Seafood
  • Flavor: Dried Sardines

Seaweed Strips

Top Japanese Healthy Snacks

Seaweed is used extensively in Japanese cuisine, but one popular form is the dried salty seaweed. The dried seaweed sheets are a healthy snacking option instead of potato chips.

Japanese traditional snacks

Key Feature:

  • Type: Seaweed strips, crispy
  • Flavor: Seaweed, salty

Hoshiume Dried Plums

Best Japanese Snacks For Kids

Dried plums or apricots are quite sour as fruit need to be processed before consumption. One common way of eating plum is in the form of a pickle. But Hoshiume dried plums are sweeter in taste and are seedless. It is a healthy snacking option that also comes in a resealable bag so you can munch on the go.

Best kit kat flavors Japan

Kameda Soft Senbei Japanese Rice Crackers

Best Japanese Senbei Snacks

Senbei, or hard rice crackers, are popular street snacks enjoyed by Japanese people right off the grill at roadside stands. But they are hard. The Soft Senbei is a popular snacking option. Unlike traditional Senbei, the soft one is easier to eat. The crackers break apart with ease and have a light flavor. They are seasoned with oil and salt. You have to take these best Japanese snacks back home from Japan so your friends and family can try too!

New kit kat flavors Japan 2020

Key Features

  • Type: Rice Crackers, Crispy
  • Flavor: Salty

Looking for more Japanese rice crackers? Check out this list of best Japanese rice crackers for a tasty yet healthy snacking option!

Himemaru Rice Crackers

Best Japanese Mochi Crackers Snacks

Himemaru Rice Crackers are unlike the traditional hard rice crackers. They are deep-fried, crunchy, and have a rich coating of soy sauce. They are very delicious and are great snacks to go with alcohol. I bet you, you won’t stop munching on these! They are one of my absolute favorites to have and definitely one of the best Japanese snacks you could take back home from Japan!

Hokkaido kitkat
  • Type: Rice Crackers, Crispy
  • Flavor: Salty

Kaki No Tane Rice Cracker

Best Japanese Snacks With Alcohol

Kaki no Tane Rice cracker is a simple snack with a blast of bold flavors. The packet of crescent-shaped rice crackers also has almonds for added crunchiness with each bite. You will find a perfect blend of textures and seasonings that can be enjoyed with alcohol. It’s one of the favorite Japanese snacks amongst the Japanese. It has a lot of flavors in it and is just fun to munch on which is why it’s in this list of best Japanese snacks!

Alfort matcha

Key Features

  • Type: Crispy
  • Flavor: Salty, almond

Apollo Strawberry Chocolate

Best Japanese Snacks 2020

The strawberry chocolates are a classic Japanese treat that combines the delicious flavors of chocolate and strawberry. Your favorites come together as one conical treat. The design of the quirky box takes you back to the 1960s. The name, Apollo, and the cone-shaped chocolates give a Space Age vibe. These delicious snacks are my personal favorite and one of the best Japanese snacks you’ll taste. They’re absolutely tasty and satisfy your sweet tooth!

Alfort matcha

Key Features

  • Type: Chocolate
  • Flavor: Strawberry. Chocolate

Pocky Strawberry 

Best sweet Japanese snacks

best Japanese snacks

Pocky is literally the best Japanese snack that’s popular worldwide. There are numerous flavours of pocky like matcha, chocolate etc. and they have been in the market for about 45 years now. The strawberry one came out after 10 years but still is a popular flavour. 

See also  18 Best Japanese Potato Chips 2024

The savoury biscuit-like taste goes along very well with the sweetness of strawberry flavour. Trust me, this is the most addictive Japanese snack I’ve ever tasted.

Tohato Caramel Corn Chips

Japanese snacks to try

Tohato Caramel Corn is one of the best Japanese snacks if you want something sweet to devour. It has a crunchy caramel flavour and tastes delicious. It’s toasted caramel corn with peanuts. 

Tohato Caramel Corn chips are gluten free so if you’re avoiding gluten and want a perfect snack for yourself, don’t think twice about getting this one. They’re quite addictive.

Best Japanese Snacks: FAQs

What Is The Most Popular Snack In Japan?

The most popular snacks in Japan are: Matcha KitKat, Jagariko Potato Sticks, Jagabee Fries Calbee, Kaki No Tane Rice Crackers, and Apollo Strawberry Chocolate.

What is the best Japanese candy?

The best Japanese candy is the apollo strawberry chocolate. It’s a mix of strawberry flavor and chocolate. It’s delicious chocolate favored by many in Japan!

What is a good Japanese snack?

Pocky is a great Japanese snack and is famous worldwide. The crunchy biscuit sticks dipped in sweet different kinds of flavour are lovely to have. They are available in various flavours like chocolate, matcha, honey etc.

How many Japanese snacks are there?

There are more than 2000 original Japanese snacks. The different types of Japanese snacks include seaweed chips, pocky, kitkat, gummy etc.

Why are Japanese snacks popular?

Japanese snacks are popular because they include all types of tastes and seasonings like spicy, nutty, savoury and sweet.

Are Japanese snacks healthy?

Japanese snacks are both healthy and unhealthy depending on what and how much you’re consuming. However, Japanese snacks are healthier compared to other snacks because of less preservatives and beneficial ingredients.

Ready to delve into the deliciousness of the best Japanese snacks?

These were some of the best Japanese snacks that you can easily find online. I have most of these snacks lying around to satisfy my sudden cravings. Out of the whole lot, I have a few biased preferences. I would recommend the almond fish for its unique taste.

The dried sardines taste amazing. You must definitely stock up on the Matcha KitKat, which is not just a healthier alternative but is also delicious. The Jagariko potato sticks are also a great option to carry around for times when you crave something savoury.

These were some of the best Japanese snacks that you can buy on Amazon). Get them, and let me know which is your favorite from the list in the comment section down below!

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