Asian snacks are more popular than ever thanks to their unique flavor profile and fun design. From savory umami favorites to sweet, sticky treats, a huge range of addictive Asian snacks are now readily accessible so you don’t need to travel the world to enjoy new flavors.
If you are feeling adventurous and want to shake up your usual snack time rotation, here are our top 10 picks for the best Asian snacks available.
1. Pocky
Pocky cream-covered sticks are so popular in Japan that they even dedicated a national holiday to these crunchy Japanese snacks. National Pocky Day falls on November 11, and people who observe this delicious, fun-filled festival give each other bags of pocky because they resemble the number one.
Crisp, sweet, and light, the cracker-style sticks are covered in flavored-cream with about an inch left at the end to stop your fingers from becoming a sticky mess. Chocolate and strawberry are the two traditional flavors, but you can now find a huge range of options from match a green tea to cookies and cream.
2. Mochi
Originating in Japan, and adopted by countries all over Asia, mochi is one of the best Japanese snacks available and has a dedicated following of fans who love the sweet sticky chew of these filled rice treats.
The sweet glutinous rice cakes are often filled with fruit jelly or flavored cream and are the perfect complement to a glass of iced boba tea. Traditional flavors include red beans, green tea, and black sesame paste, but you can also find chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla varieties.
3. Choco Pie
For people who love Moon Pies, Korean Choco Pie is a real treat. These popular Korean snacks consist of a crumbly chocolate or vanilla cookie sandwich filled with fluffy marshmallow and covered in rich dark chocolate.
If you want a unique twist on the classic, try banana or strawberry-flavored versions. Enjoy a Choco Pie with a tall glass of ice-cold milk or with your afternoon coffee.
4. Hello Panda Bites
Kids growing up in the ‘90s remember these cute Panda-shaped Asian snacks produced by the legendary Japanese snack company, Meiji. Filled with chocolate, strawberry, or green tea cream, these tiny cookies are printed with adorable pictures of a little cartoon panda.
Ideal for a sweet pick-me-up in the afternoon or for a novel addition to your kid’s lunchbox, Hello Panda are a crunchy, creamy snack perfect for sharing.
5. Shrimp Chips
Shrimp chips evolved from prawn crackers, a popular Indonesian and Filipino snack, to become one of the most beloved savory goodies consumed across Asia. These french-fry shaped snacks have a light, crisp, and savory wheat puff with a mild shrimp flavor that you can’t stop eating.
Available in four different flavors including original, wasabi, pepper and yuzu, and hot garlic, these crunchy puffs are the ultimate umami snack and great to serve with drinks.
6. Haw Flakes
Combining traditional Chinese medicine with a sweet treat, Haw Flakes are made from the hawthorn fruit and formed into hard discs that have the texture of a fruit roll-up crossed with a wafer.
These weird Chinese snacks were traditionally used as a digestive aid and given to kids as a reward for taking their vitamins. The fun comes not only from the fruity cranberry-esque flavor but also from the fun packaging, which resembles a roll of quarters.
Peel back the packaging slowly and pop them one-by-one or stack them to enjoy the bizarre textural combination of chewy and crumbly that will keep you coming back for more.
7. Melona Ice Cream Bars
Perfect for the hot, humid climate of South Korea, Melona ice pops are a refreshing treat and a beloved snack all over Asia.
With a pleasantly mild milky taste that is not too sweet, these icy treats have a texture similar to soft serve that is both satisfying and fresh. The original flavor is honeydew melon, but you can also find banana, strawberry, and milk flavors.
8. Yan Yan
Another favorite produced by Meiji is Yan Yan dippers. This interactive snack combines everything you love about Pocky with the nostalgic fun of Dunkaroos.
On one side of the snack pack are crispy breadsticks, which have a mild sweetness if eaten on their own and feature a cute animal picture. They taste better when combined with the creamy dip served on the other side of the pack which is available in chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavors.
For those people who can’t decide which flavor they love best, you can also get double cream which gives you both strawberry and chocolate dips for a heavenly mix.
9. Ppushu Ppushu Noodles
A fun, crunchy alternative to popcorn or potato chips, Ppushu Ppushu Noodles are a flavorful mix of crispy wheat noodles and seasoning and are one of the best Korean snacks for enjoying at the movies or packed in a lunchbox.
Part of the enduring appeal of Ppushu Ppushu Noodles is the preparation. You need to break up the noodle brick in the bag, add the seasoning and shake to coat. It’s a great novelty snack that also tastes amazing.
They come in a huge range of delicious flavors from chili cheese to bulgogi. If you are feeling adventurous try the honey butter flavor, which strikes the perfect balance of salty and sweet.
10. White Rabbit
When it comes to Chinese snacks and candy, White Rabbit is at the top of everyone’s list of nostalgic favorites. First appearing on the scene in China in 1940, this iconic candy is now enjoyed worldwide for its mild sweetness and satisfying texture.
This semi-hard milk-flavored candy is wrapped in rice paper that slowly dissolves in your mouth. The candy has the texture of slightly-hard taffy, but be warned, these candies are for sucking, not biting. Risk chomping down on one of these candies and you’re likely to lose a tooth.
The Last Word
Asian snacks have developed a following worldwide for their unexpected flavor and texture combinations that excite your taste buds. You can find many of these tasty treats inside MunchPak subscription boxes and enjoy them at home.
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