Punktaku’s adventures in Samurai Kid dagashi

[Punktaku]

So I got this most awesome of gifts this Yakmas, so I figured I’d do something waaaaay off topic and explore its contents. I’m trying to learn Japanese, but I suck at it, so maybe some of our Japan based Yaks can chime in with some translations or backstories.

Dagashi translates into “cheap sweets,” so it’s a massive bag of Japanese snacks!

 

[Punktaku]

My Yakwife got tired of waiting for me to open the bag (once you break the seal, it’s all over) so she picked the first one.

It’s called “Black Thunder” according to a friend who is more experienced In Japanese snacks than I am. I’m fairly sure the kanji in red literally says minibar. It’s pretty good. Reminds me of an Oreo cookie bar, but with dark chocolate.
Edit: 4 Zim’s

This second one had its description printed in English, but I don’t know it’s name.

it’s hard to see at the bottom there, but these are honey soy rice puffs. Sounds kinda weird, but it’s actually pretty tasty. It’s got that sweet yet savory thing going for it, and they’re nicely crunchy.
EDIT: these are Kameda Kotsubukko fried rice crackers.
Edit: 4 Zim’s

I tried those first two yesterday. I gave this one a shot today. Just reached into the bag and pulled one out. I recognize the Doremon character, but that’s about it

This was a weird one. I’m pretty sure it was supposed to be a bunch of long,thin crisps. Kinda like Andy Capp Pub Fries. The texture is very similar, but it had taken some damage being tossed around, so there were large chunks and lots of crumbles. The flavor was…unusual. I think I can taste a hint of mustard? And there’s a pig-shaped flying saucer on the packaging, so maybe it’s “hot dog with mustard” flavored?
EDIT: This is Yaokin Umai Bar: Pork Cutlet Flavor
EDIT: 2 Zim’s

Disclaimer: there’s no real point to this thread. It’s all for fun. Feel free to add any “weird” snacks or local delicacies you like.

 

[Punktaku]

Todays blind grab was this: New Mochi Taro fried mochi snacks. They look like Captain Crunch cereal, and are just as crunchy. But they’re slightly salted and have a toasty flavor.

EDIT: 2 Zim’s

 

[Stoof]

The long thin crisp things - were they a bit like Pocky? That was popular in the UK for a little bit years ago.

 

[CaptainDangerous]

All the greatest food reviewers give a score out 5!
Might I suggest you use the humble zim!?
E.g. 3 zims out of 5

 

[Punktaku]

The long thin crisp things - were they a bit like Pocky? That was popular in the UK for a little bit years ago.

Not at all. Pocky has the firm cracker/stick. These were more like pork rinds, or Funyuns. If you squeeze them they crumble almost to dust.

 

[Punktaku]

Pretty self explanatory. It’s a chocolate chip cookie. Tastes exactly like western mass-produced “soft” chocolate chip cookies. 3 Zims.

 

[Resmire]

The long thin crisp things - were they a bit like Pocky? That was popular in the UK for a little bit years ago.

They're closer to giant wotsits.

 

[Punktaku]

Todays selection is a mini bourbon Baum roll. It’s quite good! Has a faint lemon flavor and a buttery texture.

I’d give it 4 Zim’s!

 

[Punktaku]

Blind grabs sometimes leave a bit to be desired. It’s a chocolate cookie with chocolate chips. No different from the western style ones. Ah well.

Edit: 3 Zim’s

 

[Punktaku]

Todays grab is Ninjin (“carrot”) and you can see why. It’s actually puffed rice. It looks just like Rice Krispies cereal, but is smoother, softer, and sweeter.

Edit: 3 Zim’s!

 

[CaptainDangerous]

No zims no likes!

 

[Punktaku]

Oops!

 

[Punktaku]

There’s a few of these Doraemon snacks in the bag. This one came out in one piece! Apparently this is what they’re all supposed to look like. This one is “cheddar cheese.” It tastes like a cheeto puff. I give it 3 Zim’s.

 

[Heart of Storm]

I've done a few of the Tokyo Treat boxes before, and my partner once bought me a bag of assorted kit-kats (Japan is obsessed with Kit-Kats and has a crazy amount of varieties) I definitely recognise the Doraemon corn stick thing.

I find Japanese sweets mostly fall into the "its ok, id never buy this again" category, with the occasional gem. Japanese crisps (chips for you transatlantic English-language-butchering types) tend to be very good, i once got a pack of O'Zack Sesame Oil flavoured crisps in a Tokyo Treat box, sounded terrible but my god if they weren't the most amazing crisps I've ever eaten. Dammed if I've ever been able to find them again.

 

[Punktaku]

That’s always the way, isn’t it?

 

[Punktaku]

Fujiya Home Pie. Look like croutons, but they’re sweet butter cookies. Like the ones that come in tins that everyone seems to keep to store buttons in. 3 Zim’s.

 

[SuboptimusPrime]

Fun fact about Pocky that I myself did not realize for a long time: The stuff sold by Mondelez as Mikado is not only similar to Pocky, it literally is Pocky, repacked under a different brand name.

Granted, you can't get the crazy variety of flavors in Europe, but with the exception of the strawberry stuff you can buy around here once every blue moon, dark and milk chocolate are the best flavors anyway, which is a hill I am not only ready to die on, but have fortified beforehand.

 

[Punktaku]

Today’s grab is another Doraemon stick.

This one is Mentaiko flavor. Mentaiko is “spiced cod roe” so spicy fish eggs…. It’s definitely spicy/salty, but the cod roe flavor is very subtle.
I give this 2 Zim’s.

 

[Punktaku]

@SuboptimusPrime i can get chocolate and strawberry pocky in the local grocery store. My kids love them. I’ve gotten other flavors at Cons, like Tomato Soup.