My friend is visiting Japan tomorrow, and she's been asking me for tips for months. Today, she asked about recommendations for "treats." I decided to write up way too much, so I'm just gonna share that with you now. I don't live in Japan right now, so I'm sure I'm forgetting a number of things I loved to eat. Anyway.
I don't have the biggest sweet tooth, but! I probably like Japanese sweets more. I mostly like chocolate, ice cream, and doughnuts. I'll eat anything matcha flavored, though. Absolutely love it.
Let's go down a list.
Sweet
Dorayaki
Two castella pancakes with anko and usually whipped cream between them. Very tasty.
Melon pan
It doesn't taste like melon. It's a sweet bread with a thick consistency. Usually, there's visible sugar on top. Sometimes, you can find them stuffed with cream, and those are great.
Daifuku
Mochi with sweet fillings. Mm. Traditional flavor.
Kit Kats!
In Japan, Kit Kats get tons of crazy flavors, so just buy anything you see that sounds good. haha. The matcha ones are good, but you can get those in America. I have a friend who's made a list of all the flavors he's tried, and he ranks them. I think he's done over 50! I've probably had 20 or so? No clue. The wasabi ones are terrible.
Tokyo Banana
Usually sold in points of departure (airports, Tokyo station) in Tokyo. Delicious. They're like Japanese, higher quality twinkies. Original is okay, but the pudding one, I think? Is very good. These are popular souvenirs among Japanese people when they visit Tokyo.
Takinoko no Sato/Kinoko no Yama
It's all personal preference which you like (both are pictured below), based on the ratio of ingredients, but I think these are pretty much just superior pocky. They have different flavors, so pick 'em up if you fancy. I recall participating in a Splatoon 1 event in which people were competing to decide which was superior. I go back and forth, personally, so I'm a traitor.
Crepes
Huh? That's not Japanese!!! Yeah, but in some parts of Tokyo, they're pretty common. Prices in Shibuya (especially Harajuku) are insane, so maybe avoid buying them there. They're not worth it in that area, in my experience.
Ice Cream
31 (called Baskin-Robbins in the states) is pretty popular in Japan, but I really like the seasonal Häagen-Dazs ice cream flavors you can get at grocery stores and convenience stores. The matcha one is one of my favorite desserts of all time. I used to buy one with my weekly groceries, because I have no restraint. The shell is made of chocolate/matcha, and it has a really thick matcha flavor. I love how intense it is. Delicious. There are local ice cream shops, like anywhere, so try some weird, local flavors!
Savory
Takoyaki
You're already aware of this, but best to get these at a place in Osaka. If you're in a not-too-touristy area, and you see people lined up at a stall, get in line. It's probably great.
Umaibo
Kinda sweet and kinda savory. An oldschool Japanese treat. Cheap as fuck. I never buy them, but when Japanese friends offered them to me, I couldn't resist. The texture is kinda like a giant cheeto? They have various flavors.
Chips
Japanese chips kinda suck, unless you like chips with subtle flavor. I like like these stinky pizza chips that I only buy when I hate myself. Y'know what? Just eat better stuff.
Japanese bakeries are truly your best bet whenever you want a snack. There's amazing stuff to find here:
Curry Pan (bread)
Deep fried bread with Japanese-style curry inside. Fried things hurt my stomach, but I still eat these...
Korokke (croquette)
Deep fried with potato and sometimes meat inside. These can typically be found at convenience stores, too.
Yakisoba Pan
Why is there an eldritch creature in my sandwich? Well, it's actually not bad!
What Japanese snacks do you like, Era?
Edit: If you say konbini oden, we're not friends.
I don't have the biggest sweet tooth, but! I probably like Japanese sweets more. I mostly like chocolate, ice cream, and doughnuts. I'll eat anything matcha flavored, though. Absolutely love it.
Let's go down a list.
Sweet
Dorayaki
Two castella pancakes with anko and usually whipped cream between them. Very tasty.
Melon pan
It doesn't taste like melon. It's a sweet bread with a thick consistency. Usually, there's visible sugar on top. Sometimes, you can find them stuffed with cream, and those are great.
Daifuku
Mochi with sweet fillings. Mm. Traditional flavor.
Kit Kats!
In Japan, Kit Kats get tons of crazy flavors, so just buy anything you see that sounds good. haha. The matcha ones are good, but you can get those in America. I have a friend who's made a list of all the flavors he's tried, and he ranks them. I think he's done over 50! I've probably had 20 or so? No clue. The wasabi ones are terrible.
Tokyo Banana
Usually sold in points of departure (airports, Tokyo station) in Tokyo. Delicious. They're like Japanese, higher quality twinkies. Original is okay, but the pudding one, I think? Is very good. These are popular souvenirs among Japanese people when they visit Tokyo.
Takinoko no Sato/Kinoko no Yama
It's all personal preference which you like (both are pictured below), based on the ratio of ingredients, but I think these are pretty much just superior pocky. They have different flavors, so pick 'em up if you fancy. I recall participating in a Splatoon 1 event in which people were competing to decide which was superior. I go back and forth, personally, so I'm a traitor.
Crepes
Huh? That's not Japanese!!! Yeah, but in some parts of Tokyo, they're pretty common. Prices in Shibuya (especially Harajuku) are insane, so maybe avoid buying them there. They're not worth it in that area, in my experience.
Ice Cream
31 (called Baskin-Robbins in the states) is pretty popular in Japan, but I really like the seasonal Häagen-Dazs ice cream flavors you can get at grocery stores and convenience stores. The matcha one is one of my favorite desserts of all time. I used to buy one with my weekly groceries, because I have no restraint. The shell is made of chocolate/matcha, and it has a really thick matcha flavor. I love how intense it is. Delicious. There are local ice cream shops, like anywhere, so try some weird, local flavors!
Savory
Takoyaki
You're already aware of this, but best to get these at a place in Osaka. If you're in a not-too-touristy area, and you see people lined up at a stall, get in line. It's probably great.
Umaibo
Kinda sweet and kinda savory. An oldschool Japanese treat. Cheap as fuck. I never buy them, but when Japanese friends offered them to me, I couldn't resist. The texture is kinda like a giant cheeto? They have various flavors.
Chips
Japanese chips kinda suck, unless you like chips with subtle flavor. I like like these stinky pizza chips that I only buy when I hate myself. Y'know what? Just eat better stuff.
Japanese bakeries are truly your best bet whenever you want a snack. There's amazing stuff to find here:
Curry Pan (bread)
Deep fried bread with Japanese-style curry inside. Fried things hurt my stomach, but I still eat these...
Korokke (croquette)
Deep fried with potato and sometimes meat inside. These can typically be found at convenience stores, too.
Yakisoba Pan
Why is there an eldritch creature in my sandwich? Well, it's actually not bad!
What Japanese snacks do you like, Era?
Edit: If you say konbini oden, we're not friends.
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