Japanese Candies
Briana Zavala
There are thousands of sugary treats in the world. Humans have been trying to perfect the flavor of candies forever. Japan, though, has a unique take on candy, from their colorful packaging, to the funny art with Japanese characters. Here are some of the more interesting and unique examples from Japan.
Kit Kat
This tasty treat that is common in America is offered in at least 400 flavors in Japan. Some of the most popular flavors are green tea, matcha, wasabi, and strawberry are only found in almost anywhere in Japan such as souvenir shops in the Kanto region.
Kinoko No Yama
Translation: "mushroom mountains" These biscuits with chocolate tops take after a mushroom’s stem and its cap. There are many other flavors that you could get around Japan, but the chocolate flavor is the most popular one, these can also be found in the United States, but they’re known as “chocorooms,’ here.
Every Burger
Cookies designed to look like sesame buns, milk chocolate to look like the patty, and white chocolate to resemble the cheese like effect of a classic cheeseburger. This cute candy is popular in all of Asia. Some have claimed it tastes like the other Japanese candy “pocky,” others have claimed not to like it as much because they think it’s too bland. This can be found in almost any store’s candy or cookie aisle.
HI-CHEW
Even though this candy can be found in America at your local grocery store, this is a very popular candy in Japan. With over 170 flavors, Hi-chews made a name for themselves after the original creator, Taichiro Morinaga, wanted to find an alternative to avoid taking out the piece of gum from his mouth once finished or at dinner, to stay polite. From their classic flavors like green apple, grape, and strawberry, this candy has made its way throughout Japan and is still one of the best selling candies around despite being first sold in 1975.
Ramune Soda Candy
This particular candy comes in a bottle, it is lemon lime flavor inspired by Japan’s oldest soft drink, many people say it leaves a fizzy taste to your mouth and the packaging is fun to many people who consume this product. This was created back in 1876 and caused a frenzy. America doesn’t have many candies like this either, although this isn’t one of the most popular candies on this list it still wins for creativity.
Pocky
Another one of the many candies that made its way to America, Pocky is one of the most popular treats on this list. With many different flavors this has outsold loads of different candies, as for the original with chocolate and a biscuit sticking, you could find this in your local grocery store as well. (Maybe less selection though than the Japanese enjoy.)
Popin Cookin
This is pretty popular now abroad thanks to some viral Youtube videos. This is one of the many DIY candies you can find in Japan. You can make sushis and more from this creative candy, you just you have to put your mind to it. I have no clue if you can find this anywhere in America, perhaps a Japanese themed store or in Little Tokyo, but it is one of the candies to find in Japan that you might find fun while eating.
In conclusion, Japan has made loads of progress and money selling ingenious candy. It's odd to think about how foreign it is to us with its colorful packaging and different take. However, while researching, I found more that are common here in America than I thought I would so maybe one day we'll be able to enjoy every item on this list.