12 Japanese Snacks I Tried From a Local Japanese Market (Honest Review)

Walking through a Japanese market feels like a treasure hunt—colorful packaging, unique flavors, and snacks you rarely see in regular grocery stores. I picked up 12 Japanese snacks and candies to try, from matcha treats to fruity gummies and crunchy rice crackers. Here are my favorites, which ones I’d buy again, and the most unique finds from the haul.

See My Favorites

JAPANESE SNACK

1. Strawberry Pocky

What It Tastes Like

Sweet strawberry flavor with a crunchy biscuit stick center. The strawberry coating is sweet but not overwhelming, making it an easy snack to reach for throughout the day.

Texture

Crunchy biscuit sticks coated in a smooth strawberry cream.

My Rating

Sweetness: 8/10
Texture: 9/10
Would Buy Again? Yes
Kid Friendly? Yes
Most Unique? No

BEST FOR:

People who enjoy classic Japanese snacks, strawberry desserts, or an easy snack to share with kids.

JAPANESE SNACK

2. Caplico

What It Tastes Like

Caplico reminded me of eating milk chocolate and white chocolate air. The chocolate is light and creamy rather than rich or heavy, making it a fun treat that’s easy to finish.

Texture

Light, airy, and melt-in-your-mouth with a texture similar to whipped chocolate.

My Rating

Sweetness: 8/10
Texture: 10/10
Would Buy Again? Yes
Kid Friendly? Yes
Most Unique? Yes

BEST FOR

People who enjoy light chocolate treats, fun shapes, or cute snacks that are easy to share with kids.

JAPANESE SNACK

3. Puccho Uji Matcha Candy

What It Tastes Like

Puccho Uji Matcha Candy has a sweet yet earthy flavor that captures the taste of matcha surprisingly well. The combination is interesting and different from most candies I normally eat.

Texture

Soft, chewy candy with a smooth texture that lasts longer than a typical hard candy.

My Rating

Sweetness: 6/10
Texture: 8/10
Would Buy Again? No
Kid Friendly? Maybe
Most Unique? Yes

BEST FOR

Matcha lovers or anyone curious about trying a candy with a sweet yet earthy green tea flavor.

JAPANESE SNACK

4. Jagarico

What It Tastes Like

Jagarico tastes like crunchy salted potato sticks. The flavor is simple but satisfying, making it easy to keep reaching for another handful.

Texture

Extra crunchy with a light, crisp texture that stays crunchy from start to finish.

My Rating

Sweetness: 1/10
Texture: 9/10
Would Buy Again? Yes
Kid Friendly? Yes
Most Unique? No

BEST FOR

Anyone who enjoys savory snacks, crunchy potato sticks, or an easy snack to keep on hand throughout the day.

JAPANESE SNACK

5. Muscat Gummies

What It Tastes Like

These Muscat Gummies taste remarkably close to real muscat grapes. The flavor is sweet, juicy, and refreshing, with a grape taste that feels more natural and sophisticated than typical grape candy.

Texture

Soft and chewy with a smooth jelly-like center that makes each piece fun to eat.

My Rating

Sweetness: 8/10
Texture: 9/10
Would Buy Again? Definitely
Kid Friendly? Yes
Most Unique? Yes

BEST FOR

People who enjoy fruit gummies, unique Japanese snacks, or anyone curious about the famous muscat grape flavor.

JAPANESE SNACK

6. Hi-Chew

What It Tastes Like

Hi-Chew Kiwi has a sweet, juicy kiwi flavor that’s harder to find in candy than common fruit flavors like strawberry or grape. The flavor is bright and fruity, making it easy to keep reaching for another piece.

Texture

Very chewy and soft with a texture that lasts longer than a typical gummy candy.

My Rating

Sweetness: 8/10
Texture: 9/10
Would Buy Again? Yes
Kid Friendly? Very
Most Unique? Yes

BEST FOR

Kiwi lovers, fans of chewy fruit candy, or anyone looking for a unique flavor that’s harder to find than typical strawberry or grape candies.

JAPANESE SNACK

7. Matcha Kit Kats

What It Tastes Like

Matcha Kit Kats balance sweet white chocolate with earthy matcha flavor. The matcha is noticeable but not overpowering, making them an easy introduction for anyone curious about matcha desserts.

Texture

Crispy wafer layers covered in smooth chocolate. The small individual pieces make them easy to enjoy one at a time.

My Rating

Sweetness: 7/10
Texture: 9/10
Would Buy Again? Definitely
Kid Friendly? Maybe
Most Unique? Yes

BEST for

Matcha lovers, Kit Kat fans, or anyone looking for a sweet treat with a balanced mix of chocolate and matcha flavor.

JAPANESE SNACK

8. Ramune Grape & Shuwa Candy

What It Tastes Like

Tiny grape-flavored candies with a light fizzy sensation that mimics Japanese Ramune soda. The flavor was pleasant, but the adorable bottle-shaped packaging was what made this one stand out.

Texture

Crunchy tablet candy that dissolves quickly with a light fizzy sensation.

My Rating

Sweetness: 7/10
Texture: 9/10
Would Buy Again? Maybe
Kid Friendly? Yes
Most Unique? Yes

best for

Kids, fans of Japanese novelty candy, or anyone who enjoys fun packaging. The tiny bottle-shaped container was the highlight for me and made this candy much more memorable than the flavor alone.

JAPANESE SNACK

9. Milk Matcha Candy

What It Tastes Like

This candy combines creamy milk flavor with earthy matcha in a way that works surprisingly well. I wasn’t sure I would enjoy milk and matcha together in a hard candy, but the combination is smooth, balanced, and much more enjoyable than expected.

Texture

Smooth hard candy that slowly melts in your mouth, allowing the creamy matcha flavor to develop over time.

My Rating

Sweetness: 6/10
Texture: 9/10
Would Buy Again? Yes
Kid Friendly? Maybe
Most Unique? Yes

best for

Matcha lovers, tea fans, or anyone curious about Japanese candy flavors. This is a great choice for people who want something different from typical fruit-flavored candies.

JAPANESE SNACK

10. Rice Crackers

What It Tastes Like

These rice crackers have a savory soy sauce flavor with just the right amount of saltiness. They’re simple, crunchy, and incredibly addictive—it’s hard to stop after eating just one.

Texture

Super crunchy and crisp with a satisfying crunch in every bite.

My Rating

Sweetness: 1/10
Texture: 9/10
Would Buy Again? Yes
Kid Friendly? Yes
Most Unique? Maybe

best for

Anyone who prefers savory snacks over sweets. These are perfect for snacking, sharing, or keeping on hand when you’re craving something crunchy and satisfying.

JAPANESE SNACK

11. Sweet Rice Cake (Daifuku)

What It Tastes Like

This sweet rice cake reminded me of mochi ice cream. The flavor was mild and lightly sweet. While I enjoyed trying it, it wasn’t something I’d go out of my way to buy again.

Texture

The chewy outer layer was the highlight. It had a soft, mochi-like texture that made it fun to eat and gave it a unique feel compared to most snacks.

My Rating

Sweetness: 5/10
Texture: 9/10
Would Buy Again? No
Kid Friendly? Yes
Most Unique? Yes

best for

Anyone curious about traditional Japanese sweets or who enjoys soft, chewy textures. The texture is the standout feature and makes this snack worth trying at least once.

JAPANESE SNACK

12. Yokan (Sweet Bean Jelly)

What It Tastes Like

I bought this because it looked unique and different from anything I’d seen before. The flavor reminded me of a warm sweet bean jelly. It wasn’t bad, but the taste and sticky texture weren’t something I would want to eat regularly.

Texture

Very soft, smooth, and jelly-like, but also quite sticky. The texture is unusual and may be an acquired taste if you’re not familiar with traditional Japanese sweets.

My Rating

Sweetness: 4/10
Texture: 7/10
Would Buy Again? No
Kid Friendly? Maybe
Most Unique? Yes

best for

Anyone interested in trying traditional Japanese desserts or unique snacks they can’t easily find elsewhere. It’s worth trying once for the experience, especially if you’re curious about bean-based sweets.

My Top 5 Japanese Snack Favorites

After trying everything, these were the snacks I’d happily buy again. They offered the best combination of flavor, texture, and overall enjoyment.

• Matcha Milk Candy
• Matcha Kit Kats
• Rice Crackers
• Kiwi Hi-Chew
• Muscat Grape Candy

Most Surprising Find

Matcha Milk Candy

I wasn’t expecting to like this at all. Milk and matcha sounded like an unusual combination for a hard candy, but it ended up being one of my favorites from the entire haul.

Most Unique Snack

Yokan (Sweet Bean Jelly)

It was unlike anything I’d tried before. While I wouldn’t buy it again, I’m glad I tried it because it offered a glimpse into a traditional Japanese dessert that feels very different from Western sweets.

Best Packaging

Ramune/Grape Candy Bottle

The tiny bottle-shaped container was adorable and easily had the cutest packaging of the haul. The candy itself was good, but the packaging was what made it memorable.

Final Thoughts

Exploring Japanese snacks felt like a treasure hunt. Some became new favorites, while others were interesting one-time experiences.

The Matcha Milk Candy, Matcha Kit Kats, and Rice Crackers were the clear winners for me, and I’d happily buy them again. Even the more unusual items, like the Yokan, made the trip worthwhile because they gave me a chance to try something completely different.

I’ll definitely be back for another Japanese snack haul soon.

More International Finds

Looking for more international grocery store finds? Check out my 10 H Mart Snacks Worth Buying (Under $40) article for Korean snack and frozen food recommendations.