japanese (359)
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Inaba Irodori Mix: A mix of classic senbei glazed rice crackers, including irregularly-shaped, textured shoyu nuggets; glazed sweet and savory crunchy balls embedded with strips of nori, each surrounding a single peanut; airy crisps resembling puffed shrimp crackers; and a surprising addition of dried anchovies, providing a concentrated salinity that balances some of the sweeter bites. Contained five individual-sized packs portioned well to be satisfying snack for grown ups. Purchased from Tokyo Fish Market in... (read more) 3.5/5.0

recommended japanese tokyofishmarket ricecrackers nuts inaba irodori mix 3.5
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Marukyo Black Sesame Funwariyaki Dorayaki: Dorayaki is a delicious filled pancake dessert from Japan that has no equivalent in American pastry (as far as I know). The closest likeness I can think of is the Whoopie Pie, though dorayaki has a bean paste filling rather than cream, and the ratio of cake to filling is slimmer. Berkeley Bowl sells an assortment of refrigerated cakes in their Asian grocery aisle, though I have normally been wary of these silica-packet-filled packaged snacks. I was intrigued, though, by this black sesame ... (read more) 3.5/5.0

recommended berkeleybowl japanese blacksesame marukyo black sesame funwariyaki dorayaki 3.5
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Yaokin Takoyaki Umaibo: Continuing my quest to try every flavor of Umaibo (a challenge I don’t think will ever end), I tried the takoyaki flavored corn snack. For those who haven’t had takoyaki before, takoyaki is a Japanese street snack consisting of battered octopus balls topped with shaved bonito flakes and a kewpie mayo drizzle. This snack version of a snack had a very smoky seafood flavor, savory and sweet like a deep brown gravy (Worcestershire-like). It isn’t one of my favorite Umaibo as I found the flavor b... (read more) 3.0/5.0

japanese yaokin takoyaki umaibo 3.0
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Minamoto Kitchoan Senbei: Crispy Japanese rice crackers from confectionary store Minamoto Kitchoan. First time I've ever had a snack that has a deep umami flavor but is not at all salty (some may even say underseasoned). An interesting one, but not a snack I would purchase. 3.0/5.0

ricecrackers japanese minamotokitchoan senbei 3.0
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Calbee Yuzu and black pepper shrimp chips: I grew up eating MSG-laden Calbee shrimp crackers, so it was neat to see they are celebrating 50 years. This is the first time I tried anything outside their original flavor. The crispy crackers had a tangy slightly sour seasoning that was more interesting than tasty. Still, adding a yuzu flavor to their line seems appropriate and on trend; maybe this will help them reach 50 more years. 3.0/5.0

japanese calbee yuzu black pepper shrimp chips 3.0
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Furuta Green Tea Cookies: I was lucky to find these crumbly green tea sandwich cookies at Niniya Market for a very reasonable price just over $3. The biscuits are lightly sweetened and more substantial than normal Oreo-like sandwich cookies, and the cream filling has a much more natural matcha flavor than most packaged snacks I’ve had. Great value and taste! 3.5/5.0

recommended japanese matcha nijiya furuta green tea cookies 3.5