Best Japanese Snacks: Chocolates, Cookies, Ramen & More!

Looking for the tastiest Japanese snacks? This guide covers must-buy chocolates, cookies, potato chips, ramen, and more. Find unique local flavors and popular candies. Plan your shopping with our duty-free tips and enjoy the best of Japan's snack culture.

• Best Japanese Snacks
  • Chocolates
  • Cookies
  • Potato Chips
  • Gummies & Lozenges
  • Instant Noodles
  • Other Snacks
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Best Japanese Snacks

Chocolates

Alfort Chocolate Biscuits

Alfort Chocolate Biscuits are renowned for their unique sailboat design and dual-layer texture: the top layer is rich and smooth chocolate, while the bottom is a crisp and delicious biscuit. This combination makes each bite surprising and delivers a superbly sweet but not overwhelming experience. Alfort is an indispensable snack for many Japanese netizens, who often say it's a favorite from childhood to adulthood. Whether you're watching TV at home or heading out on a picnic, Alfort adds a touch of sweetness to everyday life. The unique sailboat design adds a little luxury feel. Alfort is not only delicious but also lets you experience a hint of indulgence!

Meiji Kinoko no Yama & Takenoko no Sato Chocolates

Meiji's Kinoko no Yama (Mushroom Mountain) and Takenoko no Sato (Bamboo Shoot Village) chocolates are classic snacks in Japan's snack scene. Kinoko no Yama, shaped like tiny mushrooms, features rich chocolate on top and crispy biscuits on the bottom, offering a fun and rich texture; Takenoko no Sato mimics the shape of bamboo shoots, similarly combining chocolate with biscuits, allowing each bite to deliver the biscuit's crispness with the chocolate's rich aroma. They are nostalgic snacks for many Japanese people, from childhood to adulthood. Their unique shapes and classic combinations make them suitable for any occasion. Whether paired with tea or coffee, or savored alone, they are snacks that both children and adults love!

KitKat Uji Matcha Chocolate

KitKat has utilized high-quality Uji matcha to bring a perfect blend of rich tea aroma and smooth chocolate. The unique tea fragrance along with the signature crispy wafer makes every bite mesmerizing. It's a must-try for matcha lovers. Upon opening the package, the intense matcha aroma is instantly noticeable. The flavor isn't overly sweet, keeping you reaching for more. Whether for personal use or sharing with friends, a small KitKat can make afternoon tea time particularly satisfying. If you adore matcha, this KitKat is definitely worth trying!

Glico Pocky Strawberry Chocolate Sticks with Bits

Pocky has been a snack companion for many from childhood, carving out a niche in the global food scene with its numerous classic flavors. Japanese Pocky has embraced localization with various and super-rich flavors. Among them, this Strawberry Chocolate Stick, adorned with fresh strawberry bits, stands out. Its cute, heart-shaped design not only looks good but tastes great! The sweet and sour strawberry perfectly intertwines with the rich chocolate on your tongue, allowing the real texture of the strawberry bits to be felt. Suitable as a small afternoon tea treat or for sharing at gatherings.

Biscuits

Calbee Jagariko Butter Cod Roe Flavor

Calbee, the major player in Japan's snack industry, is known for its star product, Jagariko. Among its many flavors, the Butter Cod Roe flavor is particularly recommended. With a golden crispy appearance and a rich buttery aroma, these fries deliver a delightful crunch complemented by the unique taste of cod roe. The salty and savory flavors are perfectly balanced, making them a must-try if you come across them in Japan!

Pretz Kinki Limited Takoyaki Flavor

Pretz is a classic snack brand under Glico, and this Kinki limited Takoyaki flavor Pretz condenses the essence of Osaka's iconic street food into each little biscuit stick. The slightly salty taste and crispy texture complement each other perfectly, capturing the charm of Japanese street snacks! Besides the takoyaki flavor, you can also find local specialty flavors throughout Japan, making the small box ideal as a souvenir gift.

LOTTE Pie no Mi Chocolate Millefeuille

LOTTE's Pie no Mi Chocolate Millefeuille is a masterpiece dessert that captivates many sweets lovers with its layered texture and rich chocolate flavor. Each small pie is coated with fragrant chocolate, with a crispy millefeuille structure inside. When bitten, the crispy texture and the smoothness of the chocolate almost melt simultaneously in the mouth, providing a dual taste pleasure. Many dessert enthusiasts love to pair this snack with coffee or tea during afternoon tea time. The millefeuille pastry interlaces with the rich chocolate aroma, satisfying the cravings for sweets, even with just a small piece. Its portability makes it perfect for sharing, and many netizens also consider Pie no Mi as an essential travel snack!

MOS Burger French Fry Snacks Teriyaki Burger Flavor 50g

Japan-exclusive MOS Burger French Fry Snacks feature a Teriyaki Burger flavor. These fries have a crispy texture and a rich teriyaki burger taste, which is super satisfying! It's hard not to finish the entire bag in one go. There are also options for Cheese Teriyaki and Hokkaido Cheese Teriyaki Burger flavors!

Potato Chips

Koikeya Kara-Mucho Snack Sticks

Koikeya is a longstanding snack brand in Japan, famed for its innovative flavors and high-quality potato chips. The Kara-Mucho sticks are one of their standout products, featuring a golden and crispy appearance, with a full-bodied spicy taste that invigorates the taste buds. The intense seasoning sets these chips apart from others of a similar kind, offering a thick and addictive texture. They're an excellent choice for snack enthusiasts seeking bold flavors. Perfect for relaxing at home or sharing with friends, this is a flavor not to be missed.

Koikeya Suppa Mucho Ume Flavor Chips

Koikeya's sister brand Suppa Mucho offers a refreshing Ume (plum) flavor potato chip, made from high-quality plums grown in Kishu. The unique sweet and sour taste is perfect for those who don't enjoy spicy foods, providing a new and refreshing option.

Calbee Kyushu Soy Sauce Flavor Chips

Calbee is known for their wide range of flavors, and the Kyushu Soy Sauce is particularly distinctive. This brand prides itself on exploring local Japanese tastes, incorporating the unique flavor of Kyushu's soy sauce into their chips. Each chip displays a subtle caramel color and carries a unique soy sauce aroma. The crispy texture combined with the harmonious sweet and salty soy sauce makes each bite layered and satisfying, making them a snack you can't resist eating piece after piece.

Calbee Classic Lightly Salted Potato Chips

Calbee's Classic Lightly Salted Potato Chips have always been a staple in the snack world. This classic lightly salted flavor shows off an enticing golden appearance, lightly sprinkled with just the right amount of salt. The thick-cut design provides a crunchy texture and a subtle saltiness that is irresistible—a must-try for those who appreciate simple, natural flavors in their potato chips.

Gummies and Lozenges

Pure Muscat Grape Gummies

Pure Gummies are well-known for their sweet and sour fruit aroma and chewy texture. Each gummy is delicately heart-shaped, infused with a subtle muscat grape fragrance. Widely available, they are often cheaper to buy in Japan, so fans may want to stock up!

UHA Mikakuto Vitamin D Gummies

UHA Mikakuto is known for making nutritious and tasty candies, and these Vitamin D Gummies are a delightful combination of health and flavor. With a small, bright appearance and an inviting fruity scent, their chewy texture quickly captures your taste buds, while the Vitamin D content caters to your daily nutritional needs. This product is an essential choice for health-oriented snack enthusiasts!

Ryukakusan Direct Throat Lozenges 100g

Ryukakusan throat lozenges sell extremely well! They are a great choice for those who find the powder form of Ryukakusan inconvenient or need to keep their mouth moist on airplanes. Available in various flavors, including Blackcurrant Blueberry, Honey Lemon, Matcha Vanilla (lozenge), and Vanilla Milk, they satisfy varied preferences.

Mintia Breeze Cooling Candy Calpis Flavor

An essential for fresh breath anytime, Mintia has been a bestseller in Japan for over 20 years! Mintia cooling candy offers varying coolness levels with REGULAR, BREEZE, and EXCARE options and has developed a broad range of innovative flavors. The Calpis flavor is particularly popular, also containing Vitamin C. Other popular flavors include Berry Strawberry and Shiny Pink Mint, both top sellers!

Instant Noodles

Toyo Suisan MARUCHAN Large Yakisoba Sauce Flavor

Toyo Suisan's MARUCHAN Large Instant Noodles are designed for hearty portions! The Large Yakisoba features noodles weighing 130g, combined with classic Japanese yakisoba sauce and Kewpie mustard mayonnaise, making it an exceptionally good value among Japanese yakisoba instant noodles.

Nissin RAOH Tonkotsu Shoyu Ramen

Nissin's RAOH Ramen, introduced in 1992, is a classic series renowned for its noodles, featuring Nissin's unique non-fried noodles that have been continually improved to replicate the texture of fresh noodles! The broth harmoniously combines the flavors of dried seafood with the umami of pork and chicken, crafting a rich tonkotsu shoyu flavor. The noodles are bouncy and chewy, perfectly complemented by a rich and flavorful broth, allowing you to easily enjoy authentic Japanese ramen at home.

Nissin Donbei Kitsune Udon West

Nissin's Donbei series is a beloved choice for classic udon noodles, famous for its distinctive springy and smooth texture. This udon is specially formulated for the western Japan market, blended with kombu and bonito broth, creating a harmonious and refined flavor. The broth is rich, filled with umami, leaving a lasting impression. Each serving includes a generous piece of fried tofu that integrates perfectly with the hearty broth. The noodles are thick and chewy, with the broth being light yet full, possessing a slightly sweet taste that adds unique charm.

Other Snacks

ORIHIRO Low-Calorie Konjac Jelly Apple + Grape Combo

ORIHIRO's low-calorie konjac jelly is a delight for health-conscious snack lovers, offering dual satisfaction with apple and grape flavors. Each pack of jelly emits a fresh fruit aroma and is extremely low in calories, making it the ideal choice for those managing their diet or seeking healthy snacks. The jelly's chewy texture and fruitiness unfold in your mouth, providing a pleasant experience whether enjoyed as an afternoon snack or a post-workout treat. The simple and convenient packaging makes it easy to carry and enjoy anytime, anywhere.

i-factory Umeboshi Plums

The texture of these Umeboshi plum slices is simply unmatched. Each slice is thin but packed with flavor, combining the sour and salty taste of the plums with a hint of umami, making them truly irresistible. Perfect for satisfying your craving, or as a delightful snack while watching movies or catching up on TV shows!

NATORI Bar Snack Grilled Salted Scallop

Making the most of the natural taste and texture of the ingredients, the NATORI series offers authentic "bar snacks" with preserved side dishes. These scallops, sourced from Mutsu Bay in Aomori Prefecture, are seasoned with natural salt from Akashi, and grilled for a rich flavor, making them an excellent choice as a bar snack or side dish.