Japanese Snacks

The famous Japanese gyoza are crescent-shaped dumplings that have originated from the traditional Chinese jiaozi dumplings. The recipe was slightly altered to accommodate the Japanese taste, and gyoza soon became one of the favorite Japan... READ MORE

Manjū is a steamed Japanese confectionery product shaped into various forms and incorporating different ingredients and flavors. Usually, there are two main parts of manju, the outer shell, created out of kneaded wheat or rice flour, and the cream... READ MORE

Korokke is a variety of Japanese deep-fried dishes that are a version of the French dish called croquette. It consists of a combination of mashed potatoes and chopped meat, seafood, or vegetables. The combination of those ingredients is s... READ MORE

The Japanese term himono encompasses various types of dried fish products. It is usually prepared with smaller fish varieties such as mackerel or sardines, which are typically butterflied, cleaned, occasionally marinated, and then sun-dri... READ MORE

Similar to an omelet or a pancake, okonomiyaki is an immensely popular Japanese dish. The batter is made with eggs, flour, water, grated yam, and shredded cabbage. Additional ingredients such as fish, seafood, meat, vegetables or cheese are also o... READ MORE

By far one of the most popular wagashi (traditional Japanese confections) types, dorayaki is a delicious snack consisting of a sweet filling sandwiched between two fluffy pancakes. Its name stems from dora, the Japanese ... READ MORE

Thinly sliced Japanese pickles collectively called tsukemono (lit. pickled things) are an indispensable part of almost every washoku, a traditional Japanese meal. Tsukemono can be served as an accompaniment or garnish for meals, but it ca... READ MORE

Senbei are crispy rice crackers from Japan, coming in a wide variety of colors, shapes, and flavors. It is believed that the crackers originated during the Tang Dynasty in 737 AD, when they were made with potatoes, glutinous rice, or whea... READ MORE

A specialty of the Japanese Kantō region known as monjayaki is pan-fried batter, a type of pancake consisting of wheat flour (komugiko) and fish broth (dashi). The pancake is mixed with cabbage, seasonings, and other ingredients,... READ MORE

The small, round takoyaki are one of the most famous Japanese snacks, made with a simple egg batter that is enriched with diced octopus pieces. These tiny balls get their signature shape from the traditional iron pan in which they are grilled. The... READ MORE

Hamamatsu is a popular variety of Japanese gyoza filled with cabbage, onions, pork, and selected seasonings. It is characterized by a unique frying style in which cooks arrange gyoza in a circular pattern (hanetsuke, a technique ... READ MORE

One of the favorite Japanese street food varieties is a serving of tender grilled squid known as ikayaki. It can employ different types of squid in varying sizes. Serving styles usually range from chopped squid rings to skewered whole pieces. Squi... READ MORE

Karē pan is a Japanese delicacy made by stuffing the breaded dough with curry paste and deep-frying the combination in hot oil until it becomes golden brown in color. The dish is also known as curry doughnut, and it is a variety of ok... READ MORE

A tempura variety known as kakiage is distinguished by the use of flour and water, with the occasional addition of egg yolks, which creates a light coating and yields an incredibly crispy snack. Most commonly, it consists of thinly sliced vegetabl... READ MORE

Mame daifuku is a beloved Japanese sweet dating back to the Edo period. The sweet consists of a rice cake filled with anko, soybeans, or azuki beans. Mame daifuku is commonly served at Japanese tea ceremonies, although it can also be served alongs... READ MORE

Sweet roasted potatoes, known as yaki imo in Japanese, are one of the favorite and most comforting winter snacks eaten in the country. Even though different varieties can be employed, yaki imo is usually prepared with traditional Japanese potatoes... READ MORE

Ajitsuke tamago is a traditional dish consisting of soft-boiled eggs that have been soaked in mirin and soy sauce. The egg yolks should be custardy if properly prepared, and the eggs are eaten as a snack, a part of bento, or more commonly, enjoyed... READ MORE

Deep-fried tofu is a traditional delicacy known as aburaage. Tofu is usually fried twice to create a pocket in the middle, so when the piece is cut, it looks similar to pita bread. With a mild flavor, soft and chewy texture, and an incredible abil... READ MORE

As the name states, yakisoba pan is an unusual Japanese combination of stir-fried yakisoba noodles and plain bread rolls. The noodles are first blended with various vegetables and doused in a thick sauce, and the combination is then stuff... READ MORE

Imagawayaki is a Japanese snack that is enjoyed throughout the country and is known under various names. The dish consists of a cake-like sponge that is filled with sweetened anko (red bean) mixture. The thick, egg-based batter is poured in specia... READ MORE

Chikuwa is a Japanese product made with salt, sugar, egg whites, starch, and seasoned, ground meat of fishes such as shark, pollock, or flying fish. The ground meat paste is placed around a bamboo stick, and it is then grilled or steamed. The stic... READ MORE

The crispy daigaku imo are Japanese deep-fried potatoes coated with a sweet sugar glaze. Glossy and crispy from the outside, the potato chunks stay juicy, tender, and soft on the inside. Since the name of this affordable treat translates to un... READ MORE

Nerikiri is a Japanese wagashi that should reflect the season it's being served in. The most popular shape is that of a cherry blossom, called sakura nerikiri, and it can be bought only in spring. Other shapes might include scenery, flowe... READ MORE

Kenpi is a Japanese snack consisting of strips of candied sweet potatoes. Crunchy and sweet, the potato sticks are usually frosted on the exterior, visually reminiscent of french fries. The snack can be easily found in the Kōchi Prefecture, where ... READ MORE

Karintō is a traditional deep-fried snack made from a yeasted dough that is shaped into sticks and then covered in brown sugar. Modern variations often use various flavorings and coat the sticks in peanuts, sesame seeds, or white sugar. The origin... READ MORE

Satsuma-age are Japanese fried fish cakes. They can be prepared with various types of fish such as cod, pollock, sardines, mackerel, or tuna, as well as other seafood additions like squid, octopus, or shrimps. Although it is believed they originat... READ MORE

The round and crispy ganmodoki are traditional Japanese tofu fritters. Originally, the name referred to a combination of stuffed and deep-fried tofu, but today it applies to a delicious combination of mashed tofu and various vegetables. Deep-fried... READ MORE

Okonomiyaki is a traditional dish that consists of batter and shredded cabbage. Two main variations come from Osaka (Kansai-style) and Hiroshima. The Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is not prepared by mixing the ingredients together like the Osaka-sty... READ MORE

Okonomiyaki is a traditional dish that consists of batter and shredded cabbage. Two main variations come from Osaka (also called Kansai-style) and Hiroshima. The Osaka-style okonomiyaki is prepared by mixing the ingredients together – includ... READ MORE

Tofu misozuke is a traditional dish originating from the Fukuoka area. Some people also call it vegan cheese, as its production requires aging in miso from 2 months to 2 years. During that period, the tofu develops a texture of soft and creamy che... READ MORE

Tamago boro is a traditional snack originating from Japan. These cookies are made with a combination of egg yolks, sugar, starch, and milk. The yolks are mixed with sugar, cornstarch, and milk, and the dough is then kneaded until it's smooth. Afte... READ MORE

Karukan is a traditional sweet originating from Kagoshinma. It's made with a combination of rice flour, grated Japanese yam, water, and sugar. The combination is kneaded, then steamed, and the result is a spongy steamed sweet bread known as karuka... READ MORE

Denpun is a dango variety originating from Hokkaido, known for its cold winters. This sweet treat is made with potato flour and boiled sweet beans, and it's typically consumed as a filling snack. It is believed that denpun dango was first prepared... READ MORE

Inago no tsukudani is a traditional dish featuring insects as the key ingredient. It originates from the mountainous regions such as Nagano and Fukushima. The dish is prepared with rice grasshoppers or locusts that are cooked in a combination of s... READ MORE

This unusual Japanese snack consists of senbei rice crackers filled with digger wasps. It was invented in Omachi by the members of a fan club called Omachi Jibachi Aikokai. These elderly wasp hunters, most of them in their 80s, catch the ... READ MORE

Hida beef croquette is a Japanese croquette originating from Gifu prefecture. The croquette is made with a combination of mashed potatoes, Hida beef pieces, vegetables, breadcrumbs, and oil. The mashed potatoes are mixed with Hida beef pieces and ... READ MORE