Morinaga Choco Monaka Jumbo: First introduced in 1972, this iconic ice cream sandwich comes in a huge bar (especially as far as Japanese desserts go); its grid-like pattern is meant to make it easier to break off and share pieces with others. It features a thin crispy wafer-like exterior, vanilla ice cream, and a shard of chocolate at its center. The wafer is what makes it feel particularly Japanese, as many snacks like cookies or Taiyaki feature the same texture (it's mostly flavorless, acting largely as a protective... (read more) 3.0/5.0
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Lotte Gateau Fromage Petite Choco Pies: I was amused by the "coffee & something" tagline of Morihico, the coffee chain whose "gateau fromage" (cheesecake) is the featured flavor of this limited edition Choco Pie. The petite Choco Pies are pocket-sized and good for snacking, but I typically eat two which may defeat the purpose. Each individually-wrapped pie consists of two layers of cake with a cream filling the color of egg custard, all covered with a thin layer of milk chocolate. The cheesecake filling tasted like it was seasone... (read more) 3.0/5.0
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Akai Bonshi Coconut Choco Sand Cookies: When I first came to Japan, I was surprised to always see the word "Sand" on cookie products but realized that "sand cookies" are a basic type of thin cookie somewhere between shortbread and sugar. This bag contained three varieties of sandwich cookies: pineapple, mango, and banana, which have different creme fillings. They're all pleasantly tropical and are equally sweet and rich, with a toasted coconut coating. Purchased at Queens Isetan grocery store in Tokyo. 3.5/5.0
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Lotte Chocolate Caramel Choco Pie in Ginza : The iconic snack Choco Pie from Korean brand Lotte is available in most places shops in Japan. This particular Ginza chocolate caramel cake flavor is part of a special edition "around the world" series which takes iconic desserts from various cities around the world. For example, it previously featured the NYC cheesecake. I've never actually heard of a Tokyo-specific chocolate caramel cake (and a quick Google Search comes up empty). This is a very decadent Choco Pie, with chocolate cake i... (read more) 3.0/5.0
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Lotte Kancho Choco Biscuit: Like Koala March or Hello Panda, Kancho Choc Biscuits are bite-sized biscuits with a mostly solid chocolate filling. Unlike Koala March or Hello Panda, the snacks are identically shaped, like little pebbles; cartoon characters are printed on the surface. The wheat-based cookies have a softer, more crumbly texture than their animal-shaped competitors. Lacks the cute-factor of the koalas or pandas and does not taste particularly good. 2.5/5.0
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Nature's Path Envirokidz peanut butter choco crispy rice bars: This organic snack is like a less sugary Rice Krispie treat made with brown rice, flavored with roasted peanuts, and topped with a drizzle of chocolate. It's surprisingly filling and substantial for what it is, not a miniature snack bar like kids products tend to be. The brown rice has its characteristically strong flavor, which may be a surprise for those expecting a more neutral taste. 3.0/5.0
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