Want to relive your childhood or try out Asian snacks for the first time? We offer a variety of awesome childhood Asian snacks to cater to every taste bud. Shop our store for a wide collection of tasty treats!
31 Must-Try Childhood Asian Snacks
Asia boasts a variety of snacks, each offering a unique taste experience. Whether you enjoy sweet and savory treats, spicy snacks, or salty ones, there's an Asian snack guaranteed to excite your taste buds.
In this blog post, we'll take a trip down memory lane, exploring 31 of the best childhood Asian snacks you’ll absolutely love!
Diverse Flavors of Asian Snacks: Sweet, Savory, and Spicy
Shopping for snacks to take you back to the good old days of your childhood or dipping your toes into the delectable world of Asian snacks for the first time?
Whether you grew up eating Asian snacks or want to try them for the first time, here are 31 iconic childhood Asian snacks you must try.
Li Hing Mui Mango
Li Hing Mui Mango is a beloved childhood snack that perfectly balances sweet and tangy flavors with a hint of saltiness. Made by dusting dried mango slices with Li Hing Mui powder. Li Hing Mui Mango is a popular snack in Asian households. The red powder adds a unique twist to the already delicious dried mango, making it a must-try for anyone looking to experience the nostalgic taste of childhood Asian snacks.
Haw Flakes
Haw flakes are flat, disc-shaped, pink sweets made from the berries of the hawthorn tree. They have a sweet and tangy taste that's reminiscent of cranberries. If you have a sweet tooth, you will almost certainly enjoy haw flakes.
Japanese Lychee Candy
Lychee candy was one of our favorite childhood treats! With its sweet, fruity flavor, this candy is sure to delight anyone with a love for unique and refreshing snacks. Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth anytime you need a quick, tasty pick-me-up.
Marukawa Tattoo Bubble Gum
Marukawa Tattoo Bubble Gum is a timeless candy. Made by the Marukawa Confectionery Company, which has been making candy for over a century, the gum has a soft and chewy texture. It comes in various tasty flavors, including grape, strawberry, and apple.
Mix Mochi Balls
A true childhood favorite, Enjoy Premium Mix Mochi Balls offers a delightful blend of soft, chewy rice cakes in a variety of flavors. From the classic sweetness of chocolate to the nutty taste of sesame, this mix brings together some of the most beloved mochi flavors, making it a must-try for anyone who grew up enjoying Asian snacks. These mochi balls are sure to take you on a nostalgic journey.
Japanese Konpeito Hard Candy
Konpeito is a timeless snack that's a huge favorite in Japan. If you love sugary treats, you can't go wrong with Konpeito. It's a crunchy hard candy with a simple sugar flavor and offers delight with every bite.
Sweet Whole Plums
Sweet whole plums are a perfect snack if you want to indulge in a healthy treat to satiate your sweet cravings. Unlike many sugary treats, sweet whole plums contain minimal sugar and no artificial flavors or preservatives. They're also rich in fiber, which aids digestion.
Shrimp Chips
Shrimp chips are savory, crunchy snack that are popular in Japan. Best of all, they're baked, so they probably won't harm your waistline if you dig in too much. A word of caution, though. They can be incredibly addictive!
Toasted Coconut Toffee
Toasted coconut toffee is made with natural coconut milk cooked with caramelized cane sugar, resulting in a delectable treat. Try it out if you want to indulge in a sweet Asian snack.
Fish Jerky
Fish jerky is a unique treat that's both savory and satisfying. Made from dried and seasoned fish, it offers a chewy texture and rich umami flavor that makes it hard to resist. Whether enjoyed as a quick snack or shared with friends, fish jerky is a must-try for anyone looking to experience the diverse tastes of Asian childhood snacks.
Li Hing Mui Drops
Li Hing Mui Drops are a nostalgic treat that will transport you back to your childhood. These candies feature a hard, colorful shell with a Li Hing Mui (plum) center, offering a burst of tangy, salty, and sweet flavors. Perfect for those who enjoy a bold, tangy treat with a touch of sweetness.
Pineapple Rings
Pineapple rings are tasty treats with a sweet, tangy flavor and chewy texture. They're bite-sized and a great standalone treat, making them a perfect to-go snack.
Mixed Chips
Taro chips taste great. But if you want a unique tasting experience, you should try mixed chips. In addition to taro chips, mixed chips contain sweet potato chips. This results in a harmonious mix of earthy and sweet flavors, sure to surprise and tantalize your taste buds.
Melon Hard Candy
Looking for a tasty Asian snack to refresh your taste buds instantly? You can't go wrong with melon hard candy. It's a bite-sized snack with a delightfully sweet and juicy taste that will transport your taste buds to tropical paradise.
Li Hing Mui Gummi Bears
Li Hing Mui Gummi Bears offer a unique twist on the classic gummy treat. Unlike traditional gummy bears, these are infused with Li Hing Mui flavor, which gives them a distinctive sweet, tangy, and slightly salty taste. Enjoy these for a refreshing and unconventional alternative to standard gummy bears.
Gummi Sour Apple
A tangy twist on a classic treat, sour apple gummies bring a burst of fruity flavor that takes us back to childhood. These chewy candies are coated in a sour sugar that intensifies their crisp apple taste, making them a fun and refreshing snack. Perfect for those who love a sweet and sour combination, these gummies offer a nostalgic taste of playful snacking from our younger years.
Lemon Strips
Lemon strips are tasty treats made with sugar, salt, licorice, and other natural ingredients, resulting in a sweet, sour, and slightly salty flavor. Enjoy them as a standalone snack, or add them to your favorite gummy candies for a mouthwatering experience.
Arare Rice Crackers
Arare is a unique Japanese rice cracker made from glutinous rice and seasoned with soy sauce. If you want a bite-sized alternative to popcorn to snack on during movie nights, arare is an excellent option.
Ginger Chews
Want the warmth of a steaming cup of ginger tea but don't have the time to prepare tea? Then, ginger chews can come in handy! Ginger chews are made from real ginger, cane sugar, and tapioca starch, so they're a natural way to satisfy your cravings. Best of all, they're gluten-free, vegan, and contain zero artificial ingredients, so they're a guilt-free snack.
Dried Mango
Don't want to wait for mango season to roll around to indulge in mangoes? Then, you might want to try dried mango. Sure, it isn't as succulent as fresh mango, but it's a sugary treat that will tantalize your taste buds.
Pro tip: Add dried mango to your cereal, yogurt, or smoothies to give them more character.
Taro Chips
Taro chips are a delicious Asian snack and a healthier alternative to potato chips. Made from the taro root vegetable that's widely cultivated in many Southeast Asian countries, taro chips are rich in dietary fiber and low in calories. Best of all, they're dairy and gluten-free, making them suitable for people with gluten or dairy allergies.
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Jumbo Hot Kakinotane
Jumbo Hot Kakinotane is a delightful snack features an assortment of flavored rice crackers, each in a fun shape that adds to the enjoyment. With its crunchy texture and a bold, spicy kick, these crackers are perfect for satisfying your snack cravings. Jumbo Hot Kakinotane is not just a tasty treat but also a must-have party snack. Its unique combination of flavors and crunch makes it a cherished part of many childhood snack memories.
Wasabi Green Peas
Looking for a spicy Asian snack? Then, wasabi green peas will ignite your taste buds. Wasabi, or Japanese horseradish, is a hot Japanese root often added to sushi to give it a peppery taste. We recommend snacking on this crunchy and fiery treat with a sweet drink to temper the wasabi heat.
Dried Shredded Squid
Dried shredded squid is dehydrated squid or cuttlefish with a texture similar to beef jerky. Initially used to add flavor to soups and stews, dried squid became a popular ready-to-eat snack in Hong Kong during the 1970s and later the rest of Asia. It has a strong umami flavor, but there are also spicy variants.
Wasabi Coated Peanuts
Tired of the same old, boring peanuts? Try Wasabi Coated Peanuts. They're peanuts with a crunchy texture and spicy flavor, giving them more oomph than regular peanuts.
Salted Tamarind
Salted tamarind is made from tamarind, a tart fruit common in many Asian cuisines. If you enjoy treats with a tangy and slightly salty taste, you can't go wrong with salted tamarind.
Pro tip: Add salted tamarind to your salads or cocktails to give them a richer taste.
Pickled Mango
Pickled mango is another tasty Asian snack you'll enjoy if you love mangoes. It's made from sour mangoes that are pickled to perfection, resulting in a harmonious blend of sweet and tart flavors that will delight your taste buds.
Dried Peanuts
For those who enjoy crunchy snacks, dried peanuts are a fantastic choice. These peanuts are roasted to perfection, offering a crisp and crunchy texture that makes them hard to put down. Many brands offer dried peanuts with no preservatives, additives, or artificial flavors, making them a healthier alternative to other snacks. Always check the label to ensure they meet your dietary preferences.
Sour Watermelon Gummies
Sour watermelon gummies have a harmonious combination of sweet and juicy flavors, with a zesty punch. Try them out if you enjoy refreshing candy with a slightly tart aftertaste.
Sweet Crystallized Ginger
Sweet crystallized ginger is a delectable Asian snack made from fresh ginger root cooked in sugar syrup until it becomes soft. This results in a tasty snack with a harmonious combination of sweet and spicy flavors sure to delight your palate.
Grab Bag
This list wouldn't be complete without a grab bag. Because why settle for one treat when you can have several, right? Our grab bag has assorted treats like Japanese Rice Crackers, candies, cookies, and more. So, if you want to indulge in sweet, tangy, and salty snacks all at once, it's the perfect choice.
FAQs
What Are Some Popular Asian Candies?
Some popular Asian candies you must try include Japanese Rice Crackers, haw flakes, and dried shredded squid.
Are Asian Snacks Healthier?
While not all Asian snacks are healthier than their Western counterparts, many are healthier because they contain fewer calories, sugar, and sodium. Many Asian snacks also contain zero saturated fat and more fiber, making them a healthier alternative.
Why Are Asian Snacks Individually Wrapped?
Many Asian snacks are individually wrapped — especially those originating from Japan. This is done to enhance hygiene and keep them fresher for longer.
Why Are Asian Snacks Rapidly Gaining Popularity?
Asian snacks have become popular — particularly in the West — as more people seek new and exciting flavors.
How Can I Preserve Asian Snacks?
Generally, most Asian snacks are shelf-stable. However, once opened, store them in airtight containers, ziplock bags, or vacuum sealers to prevent spoilage. Also, store your snacks in a cool, dry place to maintain their freshness.
What Are Some Great Vegan and Gluten-Free Asian Snacks?
Many Asian snacks contain no gluten or dairy, making them great for vegans, lactose-intolerant individuals, and people with gluten allergies. Some great dairy and gluten-free Asian snacks include taro chips, ginger chews, dried peanuts, and toasted coconut toffees.
Where Can I Buy Authentic Asian Snacks Online?
You can buy Asian snacks online from Japanese grocery stores online, Chinese grocery stores online, or other Asian online stores. Check out our store for a wide collection of authentic Asian snacks and candy.