Glico Pretz – Cheddar

The cheddar flavored pretzel sticks by Glico is one of my more preferred Pretz. It contains 6% cheddar, which doesn’t seem like a lot compared to the cheesy aroma that fills your nostrils when opening a bag for the first time, but it’s enough to leave you satisfied. It also contains pepper and is mildly salty. If you prefer less salt, I recommend the direct Japanese import of the snack, as oppose to the one marketed for the west. It suppose to be less salty, but it cost a little more and comes in smaller portions. The cheddar flavored Pretz can found at local asian market for $1.50 – 3.00.

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Glico Pocky – Choco Banana

The Choco Banana Pocky is a limited edition flavor, at least here in the States. Each biscuit stick is covered with banana flavor milk cream and swirls of chocolate. It has a very rich banana aroma that is a bit overwhelming. It’s very sweet, just like other Pocky flavors, but the mixture of banana cream and chocolate did not tickle my fancy and I did not enjoy this flavor as much as I do other Pocky flavors.

The Choco Banana flavored Pocky is a definite pass, but if you want to go against my recommendation and give it try, you can find it at local Japanese Supermarkets or for order online. They range from $2-6, depending on the size of the package.

Mt Fuji IMOCHI

Mt Fuji’s IMOCHI is one of the best mochi ice creams, they are also referred to as Jpanese ice cream bonbons. They can be found in Japanese/Asian grocery stores and in the dessert portion of some Japanese restaurant’s menus. In grocery stores, they come in a disposal ice bag and can be had in green tea, sesame, or in an assorted offering (2x green tea, sesame, strawberry, and vanilla) for $4.50-5.99USD. I like the assorted pack, it provides a good variety of favors, it’s especially good for newbies of this delicious treat. My favorite is the sesame, but you really can’t go wrong with any of the flavors. The mochi is soft, the ice cream is flavorful and when combined it provides a pleasurable texture and flavor in every bite. Be warned, these things are addictive, you can find yourself finishing an entire bag in a matter of minutes.

Glico Pretz – Pumpkin

Pretz is a thin and crunchy Japanese cookie snack that is shaped like a stick. The pumpkin flavored Pretz tries to mimics the flavor of a Japanese pumpkin, also known as kabocha squash, not the pumpkin that many westerners are familiar with. It’s lightly sweeten, a little bitter, but lacks any strong kabocha flavoring. I like kabocha dishes in Japanese restaurants, but didn’t like the kabocha flavored Pretz.

The Pumpkin Pretz usually come in 1.48oz packages and can be found in most local Japanese markets or online. I bought mines at the NJ Mitsuwa Marketplace. They retail for $1.49 to 2.50 per pack.

Glico Pretz – Honey Butter

Honey Butter Pretz is your “round of the mill” Japanese stick biscuit that is not very different from their roast flavor. It has a smooth texture and is pleasantly sweet with a harmonious hint of butter. I found it to be very light and satisfying with a cup of tea. It’s imported from Japan and can be purchased at most local asian markets or online. Prices range from $1.5 to 3 for 1.09oz box.

Calbee Sapporo Potato Vegetable Cracker

This is a Japanese vegetable flavored potato chip that is no different from any other vegetable flavored potato chip on the market. It doesn’t taste like a real vegetable, but it does taste like a vegetable flavored chip. If you’ve had a veggie chip before, you know what I’m talking about. It has a strong oil flavor that’s not over powering and a unique tastes that’s difficult to describe. From the package alone it seems as though this is a health snack, but in fact it’s the opposite. It’s heavy on the carbs and fat, which is no different from any other Japanese chips on the market. It’s worth trying if you’ve never had a veggie chip before. You can find a pack at your local Japanese/Asian Market.

Calbee Grill-A Corn

Calbee Grill-A Corn (BBQ Corn) or Yakimorokoshi Koubashi as they like to call it in Japan is a baked corn snack that is similar to a doodle snack here in the States. It has a crunchy and crisp texture that is roasted in signature flavors. They come in original, hot & spicy (not hot at all), garlic toast, cheese bacon, and soy sauce (shoyu aji). My favorite is the shoyu aji flavor, which has a charcoal aroma and a very unique taste. You can find these snacks at your local Asian Markets (flavors available may vary). If you’re in NYC there are number of markets that should have these in stock.