Sweet, sour, salty, and umami flavors make the Iconic Asian Snacks a must-try. Like other countries cuisine and delicacies, Asian munchies offer a unique taste; nothing can compare. They have a special place on my belly. As Asia’s influence goes global, from music and dramas to food and drinks, the demand for their products soar. People continually seek to try different types of Asian munchies and delicacies from all over the world.
These are perfect for when you’re bored and want to try something new, when you’re studying and want to munch on something every now and then, or when you’re enjoying a movie that popcorn can’t pair up with.
If you have run out of munchies or nibbles for your movie nights, here is an Asian snack list you can try on your next snackventure.
10 Iconic Asian Snacks
1. Rice Crackers
Crunchy and light, these crackers are usually individually packed with two crackers in each pack. The rice crackers have a mixed taste of sweet and salty, and they are finely sprinkled with seasoning.
These individually wrapped rice crackers are perfect for sharing with your family and friends or for just eating as a snack on the go.
2. Haw Flakes
Made with Chinese Hawthorn, these dry fruit disc candies taste like cranberries. They have the perfectly balanced taste of sweet and sour stacked in one roll.
Their previously bright red color toned down a notch lighter, but the taste of this candy has remained to light up like fireworks in your mouth.
3. White Rabbit
If you’re Asian, then this candy is a staple for you. They look like tootsie rolls but are made of milk rather than chocolate. A not-so-secret tip from the Asians is that you don’t try to get or remove the thin translucent layer of rice paper covering the candy itself as it is edible.
Yes, you most definitely can eat the rice paper, and Asians swear by this sweet candy that melts in your mouth.
4. Pocky
These Japanese sticks are covered in different but enticing flavors of chocolate, strawberry, matcha green tea, chocolate banana, and cookies and cream, leaving an inch of biscuit to be held.
Some say that the cookies and cream, chocolate banana, and matcha have an inferior taste, but others think they’re equally deliciously sweet. In reality, the taste is subjective, so try to see for yourself.
Pocky fact: In Japan, they dedicate November 11 to celebrating National Pocky Day.
5. Dried Squid
Ever tried biting on beef jerky? Well, this dried squid is just the shredded version with a tang of seafood. The pungent smell of seafood puts off some people, but the chewy texture and addicting flavor entice seafood lovers.
The dried squid comes in different flavors spicy, peppered, and smoked. They may be one of the Asian snacks you need while you enjoy a relaxing night in front of the TV.
6. Yakult
If you’ve watched the movie To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, you might have seen this little liquid drink of goodness. Perfect with a snack or after you’ve had a heavy BBQ meal, Yakult is a probiotic drink that’s supposed to aid digestion and immunity.
This product offers a tangy taste of sweet yogurt. Because of its delicious taste, one shot-sized bottle is not enough to quench your thirst for sweet liquid. You can now get it in larger bottles and try the different flavors you might want to add to the snacks you need.
7. Hello Panda
If you’re a fan of a surprise-filled snack, you will want to try Hello Panda. After you’ve bitten the biscuit, the flavored cream inside is one you will like and get the hang of.
This brand of Japanese biscuit consists of a small hollow shortbread layer filled with vanilla, strawberry, double chocolate, matcha green tea, or chocolate cream filling.
8. Yan Yan
Produced from the same company as Hello Panda, Yan Yan comes in a package with two compartments. One side has the biscuit sticks or the cracker sticks, and the other side has the cream for dipping.
The cream comes in different flavors like chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, or yogurt-flavored frosting. This gives the consumer the enjoyment of dipping the sticks with the flavored cream as much as they want.
The Pro-insider tip is to try not to go crazy when dipping the biscuit, as this can leave you with more biscuits and little to no dip.
9. Choco Pie
This round cake has two small cake layers with marshmallow filling and chocolate covering. This is Korea’s version of the American moon pie. These chocolatey treats of goodness get crumbly, but the satisfaction you feel after you’ve eaten is incomparable.
10. Bungeoppang / Taiyaki
Korea calls it “bungeoppang” in Korea, and Japan calls it “taiyaki”, but most people call it the “fish with red beans in it.” Nonetheless, this fish has made its way to people’s hearts. They even created a take-home ice cream version in Korea that comes in different creams.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do Asians snack on?
Asians like to snack on nibbles with different textures, tastes, and flavors. It all depends on their mood and preference, but the staples are chips, candies, chocolates, and ice cream, which comes in sandwiches, popsicles, or even yogurt drinks. If you want to try and experience them, you can find them in various markets offering Asia’s products.
What snack/s to buy in China?
The country produces some of the best munchies you can find in Asia. The rice crackers, Hawflakes, dried-up squid, and White rabbit cream candies are just a few of a long list of nibbles you can try from China. Many people like these snacks and recommend them to others to try.
What are the most popular food for snacking?
As every country’s food culture is different, their hunt for flavor varies as well. America has a different set of popular food for snacking, like Oreos, Kitkats, Lay’s chips, Ritz, M&m’s, and such. The popularity of food or a snack depends on where you want your snack.
What snack/s to get in Japan?
Famous for gracing the world with the addictive matcha and wasabi flavor, Japan offers many more flavor combinations in its recipes. In Japan, you can find and get Pocky, Yan Yan, Yakult, and Taiyaki. In Japan, you can also find nibbles like mochi, dried mini fish, dried seaweed, and a lot more to try.