We all love snacks — salty, crispy, unhealthy, delicious tidbits that they are, but the Japanese have taken a delightfully quirky direction with their own snack foods. Although they are made from the same basic ingredients as American and Filipino snack foods — corn, wheat flour, and potatoes, their use of local flavors have given these snacks a uniquely Japanese twist.

Here are our five favorites from local Japanese groceries and specialty shops.

Umaibo / Umaiwa

Umaibo and Umaiwa are literally the same product in different forms: “umai” is Japanese for “good” or “delicious”, while “bo” is stick and “wa” is ring — so you get “delicious stick” or “delicious ring” depending on which product you bought (ooookay that sounds kinda obscene in English, but let’s move on~). Umaibo / Umaiwa is a kind of puffy corn snack flavored with cheese, onions, and our favorite — mentaiko (or salted fish roe). Mundane and exotic at the same time, it’s a quirky little Japanese treat that will find a place in your heart.

Lays Takoyaki Balls

Takoyaki (or octopus balls) now come in a pack! Lays makes two kinds of takoyaki-flavored snacks — classic and mayonnaise, and both are equally delicious. They both have the full, savory flavor of real takoyaki, and perhaps the only difference is that there are basically corn balls and not grilled wheat batter with octopus bits. These are great for those time when you are craving takoyaki but can’t find any — yummy!

Pretz

Salty, savory and crunchy are the three things I love about pretzels. Pretz does it one better by coming up with a myriad of other flavors (not just salt!), such as pizza, roast, and beer nuts. I think I love them all. And the best thing about Pretz? Unlike the other snacks on this list that can only be sourced at specialty Japanese food outlets, Pretz is easily available at local supermarkets and convenience stores 😀

Tyrant Habanero Chips

These little packets of hellfire take a little getting used to, but once you’re over the initial bout of fieriness you discover that they are quite savory and very addictive. I got one of my office mates hooked on them after one bag, saying that she loved the plain-pleasure of going through it (which kinda reminds me of eating Singapore curry lahksa — but that’s another story). These chips come in two variants: chili and wasabi. Pick your poison and have fun!

Calbee Edamame Crisps

Edamame are like the Japanese equivalent of beer nuts — people always order them with a pint of beer. But what they really are is steamed and ice-cooled green beans served in their pods — you pop them out of their shells and into your mouth in between sips. Calbee has turned that very same edamame into a savory bean snack that you can enjoy even without beer, and it’s every bit as tasty as the original thing. They’re even shaped liked beans — what’s not to like?! 😀

Special thanks to Kaoko of Kitchen Cow for providing the photo for this post.