Oh, Japan.
Where do we begin with this quirky marvel of a country? Besides robotic toilets, awesome arcades and all things Kawaii, there’s a common appreciation out there among snack enthusiasts that Japan has really got things figured out.
I mean after all, this IS the birthplace of Pocky we’re talking about.
So, without further ado, here’s an ode to the wonders of Japan, alongside five ways it’s absolutely slaying the worldwide snack game.
1. They rock variety.
Visitors to Japan will often go ballistic at the sight of quirky flavours that are absolutely unheard of in North America. Best of all, they’re often for brands we know and love. Think cheesecake Kit Kat, salty watermelon Pepsi, clam chowder Pringles and countless more. In Japan, variety is clearly the spice of life, which is why many big companies will produce limited edition flavours each season just for fans to try out.
2. They’re not afraid to get experimental.
In a country where raw horse meat ice cream and eel soda are both legit things that people consume, you best believe that there’s something for even the most adventurous of tastebuds. If you’re a foodie daredevil who’s game for trying anything, Japan’s the place for you… and for meaty ice cream flavours, apparently.
3. Their take DIY to a whole new level.
Assembling tiny DIY versions of full-sized foods is one of those oddly therapeutic pastimes you never knew you needed. Imagine crafting tiny burgers, candy sushi and even soft serve ice cream out of convenient boxed kits… yep, that’s one of the best snack trends that Japan has to offer. Might we recommend this soft serve kit (complete with tiny wafer cones)? It’s almost like magic.
4. They up the cute on street food.
If there’s one thing that Japan has covered, it’s the art of being ridiculously adorable… especially when it comes to food. And while you may feel like a monster chowing down on a Hello Kitty bento box or a perfectly shaped fish waffle, too cute to eat still doesn’t apply, because everything tastes good too.
… Although admittedly, I’d have a tough time biting into this adorable donut:
5. They have the most epic vending machines.
The next time you struggle for a Snickers at the office vending machine, let your daydreams drift off to Japan, where you can diversify your loot with things like bread in a can, sake, hot meals and more. Check out our roundup of crazy things you can get from Japanese vending machines here.
Here’s to you, Japan – king of snacks! You can browse Munchpak’s huge selection of Japanese snacks here.