Wasabi Kit Kats, Tuna Doritos, and 10 more weird snacks you can only find in Japan
Japan is the de facto world capital of odd flavors for popular American snacks. From 'salty watermelon' to 'clam chowder' here are 12 flavors of Pepsi, Doritos, and more too wacky to dream up if you tried.
Japan offers a variety of interesting Kit Kat flavors, including wasabi, purple sweet potato, and cheese.
The Hershey Company/PRNewsFoto
Wasabi Kit Kats? Tuna Mayonnaise Doritos? Cucumber Pepsi? No, these aren't the results of听听(we think). These Franken-snacks actually exist (or have existed) for public consumption in Japan. Although other countries in Asia, like听, have their own interpretations of Western-style snack foods, the听de facto听world capital of odd flavors is considered to be the Land of the Rising Sun.
But what's the deal with Japan's fascination with novelty, especially when it comes to food? As听罢滨惭贰听explains, the听听鈥� something that's apparent in its听. On the other hand, Japanese tastes are very fickle, which leads to companies testing the limits when it comes to introducing new and unusual treats to the market. Sometimes, these odd flavors stick around or become an annual tradition; often, they vanish, only to live on in the "craziest snack food" lists that populate the Internet. (Hey...just like this one!)
Below, we've rounded up an assortment of familiar Western-style foods with a Japanese twist. They'll either have you scratching your head in bemusement or wondering how you can procure these goodies for yourself. (Unfortunately, several of these items may have been discontinued.)
Kit Kat
Kit Kats are a popular treat among the Japanese, mainly because the name of the snack听听in their native tongue. Unlike here in the States, the choice of Kit Kat flavors extends well beyond plain ol' chocolate. Behold some of Japan's more unorthodox Kit Kat offerings:
What is it?听Wasabi Kit Kat
Isn't wasabi the green stuff that accompanies sushi?听驰别蝉
What's it taste like?听This one I've personally tried. It's not spicy, but rather refreshing, almost minty. I brought several packs home from Japan for friends and family to try; most of them were pleasantly surprised by the flavor.
What is it?听Beni-Imo Kit Kat
What is that in English?听Purple Sweet Potato Kit Kat
What's it taste like?听According to听, his tasting notes were as follows: "Too sweet. Lingers far too long. Must drink to cleanse palate. WILL NOT GO AWAY."
What is this?听Petit Cheese Kit Kat
Is this still considered candy?听I suppose so?!
What's it taste like?听笔别谤听: "The cheese taste is a little milder than you鈥檙e expecting, but the scent of it is still incredibly strong." Despite the smell, says the review, the primary flavor is that of a sweet white chocolate.
Doritos
Another American-born snack food that the Japanese enjoy is Doritos. Much like Kit Kats, these corn chips have been flavored in ways that no one stateside could have ever imagined. Of particular interest is the Gourmet Doritos (?) line, which has produced these fine variations:
What is it?听Tuna Mayonnaise Doritos
What's it taste like?听As intimidating as it may seem at first,听听says it's nothing out of the ordinary: "...aside from a slight mayonnaise-y aftertaste, they tasted pretty much like your ordinary corn chips. I couldn鈥檛 even taste the tuna flavor at all."
What is it?听Wasabi Mayonnaise Doritos
惭补测辞苍苍补颈蝉别听again? Is mayo a thing in Japan?听.
What's it taste like?听This听听shows that while they look like your ordinary corn chips, they also pack a bit of a spicy kick, especially if you eat more than one at a time.
What is it?听Clam Chowder Doritos
Does it have mayonnaise in it?听As far as I am aware, no
What's it taste like?听Despite a "fishfoody" smell upon opening the bag,听听claims that the seafood taste of the chips is more subtle and "surprisingly authentic."
Pepsi
Who remembers the long-extinct Pepsi Kona? How about brief 90s sensation Crystal Pepsi? Those are a couple of the soft drink manufacturer's more ambitious endeavors here in America. Not to be outdone, Suntory (which distributes Pepsi in Japan) has dressed this soft drink up in a wide array of flavors, such as the following:
What is it?听Ice Cucumber Pepsi
This really exists?听Existed, as it was a limited edition flavor in 2007
What's it taste like?听听has tried it and is听not听a fan: "This was, in my opinion, a truly horrid drink that didn't taste like cucumbers, but tasted like awful."听seems to echo that sentiment.
What is it?听Salty Watermelon Pepsi
Salt on watermelon? Really?听It's quite tasty, and听
What's it taste like?听"A refreshing taste of summer," boasts the label.听听describes it as a drink "with the fragrance of melted Jolly Ranchers but a muted, herbal taste that seemed to call out for alcohol."
What is it?听Pepsi Pink
Is "Pink" code for something?听Strawberry Milk
What's it taste like?听Well...like a carbonated take on strawberry milk?! In her video review,听听says it tastes more like strawberry candy.
Starbucks
In the States,听听and other establishments celebrate the coming of autumn by pumpkin-izing everything (). In Japan, spring is synonymous with听sakura听(cherry blossoms). It's a sure sign that pink blooms are looming when听Sutaba听locations across Japan start peddling cherry-flavored treats. Below are this year's Starbucks springtime specials:
What are they?听Caramelly Sakura Chocolate Frappuccino and Caramelly Sakura Chocolate Latte
Do these have actual cherry blossoms in them?听The caramel sauce is made from sakura petals
What do they taste like?听听says both drinks are creamy and sweet. For a more potent cherry flavor, opt for the Frappuccino.
What is it?听Sakura Chiffon Cake
Do these have actual cherry blossoms in them?听The sponge and cream are made of pedals and leaves; the bud on top is real
What's it taste like?听This light and airy cake, explains听, has a "subtle cherry blossom flavor." How about the bud on top? "It鈥檚 delightfully salty, with a strong and intense cherry blossom flavor."
Want to Try Japanese Snacks at Home?
For those in America who are curious to try some of the more unusually-flavored Japanese snacks and soft drinks, there's good news: finding these items isn't terribly difficult, depending on what you'd like to buy.
Should you not live in the vicinity of an international food market, you can purchase the latest-and-greatest treats from Japan online through sites such as听听and听. If you like surprises, consider subscribing to听, a monthly service that serves up boxes chock-full of sweet and savory snacks straight from Japan.
So, have we piqued your curiosity? Which of the above delicacies would you dare to try? Better yet,have听you tried any them 鈥� or other fun-flavored foods that weren't present on this list? Share your tasty tales with us in the comments section. Don't be shy!