Japan has some of the most creative and surprising snacks in the world, and the good news is that you no longer have to book a flight to try them. More UK shops and online retailers are stocking a brilliant range of Japanese treats that are unlike anything you will find in your average supermarket.
From strange flavour combos to satisfying textures you never knew you needed, these snacks are worth exploring. Whether you are a curious foodie or just fancy something different, this list has something to surprise you.
1. Calbee Shrimp Flavour Crisps (Kappa Ebisen)
Shrimp-flavoured crisps might sound bold, but Kappa Ebisen have been winning fans in Japan since 1964. These light, crunchy sticks taste surprisingly mild and a little salty, making them seriously hard to stop eating.
You can find them in Asian supermarkets across the UK and some specialist snack shops. They pair brilliantly with a cold drink on a warm afternoon.
Once you try them, plain crisps might start to feel a little boring by comparison.
2. Pocky Matcha Green Tea Sticks
Pocky is already a well-known name in Japanese snacking, but the matcha version takes things to another level. The earthy, slightly bitter flavour of real green tea coats a thin, crispy biscuit stick in the most satisfying way.
Matcha Pocky is widely available in UK Asian grocery stores and online. It makes a great gift for someone who enjoys trying new flavours.
The balance between sweet biscuit and bitter tea coating is genuinely clever and very moreish.
3. Meiji Kinoko no Yama Mushroom Chocolate
Shaped like tiny mushrooms, these little bites have a chocolate cap sitting on top of a short crunchy biscuit stem. They look almost too cute to eat, which makes them a favourite for sharing and gifting.
The chocolate used is smooth and not overly sweet, which balances the crunch of the biscuit base nicely. Kids and adults both tend to love them.
Look for them in Japanese or Asian grocery stores around the UK for a genuinely fun snacking experience.
4. Umaibo Corn Puff Sticks
At just a few pence each in Japan, Umaibo are one of the most beloved budget snacks around. These cylindrical corn puffs come in wild flavours like takoyaki, mentaiko, and salami, making every packet a little adventure.
They are light and airy with a satisfying crunch, and the flavours are bolder than you might expect from something so small. UK Japanese snack shops and online retailers often stock a variety of flavours.
Trying a few different ones in one sitting is highly recommended.
5. Hi-Chew Fruit Chews
Hi-Chew is the Japanese answer to chewy sweets, and it is genuinely in a league of its own. The texture is softer and more satisfying than most Western gummy sweets, and the fruit flavours taste surprisingly real rather than artificial.
Popular flavours include strawberry, mango, and grape, though seasonal varieties pop up regularly. You can find Hi-Chew in many UK Asian supermarkets and sweet shops.
Once you try one, it is difficult to go back to regular chewy sweets without feeling a little disappointed.
6. Sapporo Ichiban Cup Noodles Miso Flavour
Cup noodles are everywhere, but the miso flavour from Sapporo Ichiban is a step above the average instant meal. The broth has a rich, savoury depth that feels warming and comforting rather than just salty.
Miso is a traditional Japanese ingredient made from fermented soybeans, and it gives this noodle cup a genuinely authentic taste. You can grab these from Asian grocery stores or online retailers in the UK.
On a cold evening, this is one of the most satisfying quick snacks you can find.
7. Morinaga Ramune Candy
Ramune candy comes in a tiny bottle shaped just like the famous Japanese ramune soda, and the contents are just as fun as the packaging. These little fizzy tablets dissolve on your tongue with a citrusy, slightly tart pop that is oddly addictive.
Kids absolutely love them, and adults tend to get a hit of nostalgia with every piece. The strawberry and grape flavours are especially popular.
Find them in Japanese sweet shops and online UK retailers for a genuinely playful snacking moment.
8. Yan Yan Dipping Snack
Yan Yan turns snacking into an activity, which is part of its charm. The box comes with crunchy biscuit sticks and a separate compartment of thick chocolate or strawberry cream for dipping, making every bite interactive and fun.
Little stamped animals on each stick add a playful touch that makes the whole experience feel like a treat rather than just a snack. These are easy to find in Asian grocery stores across the UK.
Perfect for sharing, though you might not want to.
9. Nori Seaweed Crisps
Seaweed might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of crisps, but nori snacks are genuinely addictive. They are paper-thin, lightly salted, and have a savoury umami flavour that keeps you reaching into the packet.
Brands like GimMe and Tao Kae Noi are popular options available in UK health food shops and Asian supermarkets. They are also surprisingly low in calories, which makes them a guilt-free snacking option.
Once you get used to the taste, regular crisps can feel a bit plain.
10. Glico Pretz Roast Flavour Sticks
Pretz are the savoury cousin of Pocky, and the roast flavour is one of the most satisfying versions to try. These thin baked sticks have a subtle meaty, smoky flavour with just the right amount of salt to keep things interesting.
Unlike many snacks, Pretz are not overpoweringly flavoured, which makes them easy to snack on for a long time without getting tired of them. You can find them in UK Asian grocery stores and Japanese snack subscription boxes.
A solid choice for anyone who prefers savoury over sweet.
11. Kasugai Gummy Candies
Kasugai gummies are famous for their unusually soft, almost creamy texture that sets them apart from typical gummy sweets. Flavours like lychee, muscat grape, and white peach are delicate and floral in a way that feels genuinely sophisticated.
Each sweet is individually wrapped, which makes them great for sharing or popping in a bag for later. They are widely available in UK Asian supermarkets and online sweet shops.
Trying the lychee flavour for the first time is a memorable experience that most people do not forget quickly.
12. Calbee Jagabee Potato Sticks
Somewhere between a chip and a French fry, Jagabee potato sticks have a thick, hearty crunch that feels more substantial than your average crisp. They are made with real potato and have a clean, buttery flavour that is genuinely hard to resist.
The portion comes in a handy cup format, making them easy to snack on without getting your fingers too greasy. Find them in UK Asian grocery stores and specialist snack retailers.
They are the kind of snack that disappears before you realise how many you have eaten.
13. Meiji Meltykiss Chocolate
Meltykiss chocolates live up to their name in a very satisfying way. These small, dusted cubes of premium chocolate have an almost mousse-like centre that dissolves on your tongue within seconds of popping one in your mouth.
They are traditionally a winter seasonal snack in Japan because heat affects the delicate texture, so catching them in UK shops during cooler months is a real treat. The matcha and strawberry flavours are especially popular.
One box rarely lasts very long once it is opened.
14. Bourbon Alfort Chocolate Biscuits
Bourbon Alfort biscuits are a classic Japanese treat with a charming detail that sets them apart. Each square biscuit is topped with a layer of rich chocolate stamped with a tiny sailing ship design, giving them an almost collectible feel.
The biscuit base is crisp and buttery, and the chocolate layer is thick enough to give real flavour with every bite. They are available in UK Asian supermarkets and online.
Milk chocolate and dark chocolate versions are both worth trying if you spot them on the shelf.
15. Senbei Rice Crackers with Soy Sauce
Senbei rice crackers have been a staple Japanese snack for centuries, and the soy sauce variety is one of the most traditional and beloved. They are hard, crunchy, and carry a deep savoury flavour that comes from being baked and glazed with real soy sauce.
The texture is completely different from Western crackers, with a satisfying snap that feels almost therapeutic. UK Asian supermarkets stock a wide range of senbei brands and styles.
They pair well with green tea and make an excellent alternative to standard salted crackers at a gathering.
16. Matcha Kit Kat
Japan is famous for producing Kit Kat flavours that the rest of the world can only dream about, and the matcha version is the one that started it all for most people outside Japan. The pale green chocolate has a genuine earthy bitterness that balances the sweetness of the wafer beautifully.
You can now find matcha Kit Kats in many UK Asian supermarkets and Japanese snack shops without needing to import them yourself. They also make excellent gifts for chocolate lovers who are ready for something a little unexpected and sophisticated.