What is Japan’s most popular snack? Umaibō (うまい棒) should definitely be on the list, and I think corn-flavored snacks are absolutely delicious!! If you’re planning a trip to Japan or just love trying unique snacks, you’re gonna love this comprehensive guide to the best Japanese corn snacks. These crispy treats are famous for their satisfying crunch and rich flavors, and they’re perfect for both kids and adults! You can read my full review of each snack below, and these are the 10 most authentic Japanese corn-based snacks you’ll want to try.
⭐️ Classic National Favorites and Popular Corn Snacks (10 Must-Try Snacks)
1. Umaibō Corn Potage Flavor (Yaokin) / うまい棒 コーンポタージュ味
When you visit Japan, you absolutely must try this iconic snack! I highly recommend the Umaibō Corn Potage flavor because it’s truly the king of Japanese snacks. This lightweight, crispy stick-shaped snack with a hollow center perfectly captures the sweet, creamy taste of Japanese corn chowder.
Key Ingredients: Corn flour, corn potage flavoring Texture/Features: Lightweight and crispy stick-shaped snack with a hollow center. The flavor is rich and perfectly recreates the sweet, creamy taste of Japanese corn soup. Why I Recommend It: This is the king of national snacks! It’s incredibly affordable, has a classic flavor, and is a long-selling treat loved by adults and children alike. You can buy these in bulk and they’re definitely worth every penny!
2. Umaibō Mentai Flavor (Yaokin) / うまい棒 めんたい味
This is actually one of the top 2 most popular flavors, and you’re gonna love it if you enjoy a bit of spice! The slightly spicy and rich mentaiko (spiced fish roe) flavor is amazing and makes for the perfect drinking snack, as I discovered during my last trip to Japan.
Key Ingredients: Corn flour, mentaiko (spicy fish roe) flavoring Texture/Features: Crispy corn stick with a slightly spicy taste and rich, salty mentaiko aroma. The texture is rich and satisfying. Why I Recommend It: This is a top 2 popular flavor! It’s salty, slightly spicy, and considered by many Umaibō fans as the best drinking snack choice. When you’re looking for something with a kick, this is what you should go for!
3. Tohato Caramel Corn (東ハト キャラメルコーン)
You won’t believe how amazing this caramel corn japanese snack is! I’ve been enjoying this for years, and it’s truly a pioneer of sweet corn snacks. The sweet and salty balance is just incredible!
Key Ingredients: Corn, caramel sauce, roasted peanuts Texture/Features: Light and crispy puffed corn covered with sweet caramel, with slightly salty roasted peanuts at the bottom. The sweet-salty balance is perfect. Why I Recommend It: This is the pioneer of sweet corn snacks! With over 50 years of history, this classic sweet treat has sweet caramel that’s not too overwhelming. It’s the representative of Japanese sweet corn snacks, and you should definitely try it when visiting Japan! Keyword: caramel corn japanese snack
4. Tohato Boku-Habanero (暴君ハバネロ)
If you’re a spice lover like me, you’re gonna love this challenge! I tried this once and was amazed by how intense yet delicious it is. The habanero chili gives it a unique aroma and a lasting burning sensation that spice lovers crave.
Key Ingredients: Corn, habanero chili Texture/Features: Curly, crispy puffed corn snack with a light texture. The spiciness is strong, with a unique aroma and lasting burning sensation. Why I Recommend It: This is a spicy challenger designed specifically for spice lovers! It has extremely high popularity in Japan’s spicy snack scene, and if you want to test your spice tolerance, this is the perfect choice!
5. Sapporo Okaki Oh! Yaki Toukibi (札幌おかきOh! 焼とうきび)
This is a Hokkaido exclusive that you must buy when visiting the region! I actually bought several bags during my trip to Hokkaido, and it perfectly captures the flavor of Hokkaido’s famous soy sauce-grilled corn. The crispy texture with a strong grilled soy sauce sweetness is simply amazing!
Key Ingredients: Glutinous rice, corn kernels, soy sauce seasoning Texture/Features: Rice crackers (senbei) made with glutinous rice base mixed with real dried corn kernels, crispy with a strong grilled soy sauce sweet flavor. Why I Recommend It: This is a Hokkaido exclusive must-buy! It perfectly recreates the flavor of Hokkaido’s specialty - soy sauce-grilled corn. The crispy texture and high-quality as a gift make it truly special. When visiting Hokkaido, don’t miss this!
6. Sucorn Super Cheese Corn (すコーン)
Cheese lovers, this one’s for you! I highly recommend this as the top choice for cheese enthusiasts. The cheese flavor is incredibly rich and thick - much more intense than international brands you might be familiar with.
Key Ingredients: Corn, cheese seasoning Texture/Features: Crescent-shaped crispy corn chips with rich cheese flavor. The texture is substantial, similar to the internationally popular Cheetos. Why I Recommend It: This is the first choice for rich cheese lovers! The cheese flavor is very intense and it’s a popular cheese corn chip in the Japanese market. If you love cheese snacks, you’ll absolutely love this!
7. Calbee Sayaka Corn Snack (サッポロポテト さやえんどう)
This is the representative of light flavors, and I discovered it during my first trip to Japan. It’s perfect for people who prefer classic salty flavors over other puffed snacks. The lighter taste makes it a great option when you don’t want anything too overwhelming.
Key Ingredients: Corn, peas Texture/Features: Crispy hollow stick-shaped corn snack, usually available in BBQ or consomme flavors. Why I Recommend It: This is the representative of light flavors! The taste is lighter than other puffed snacks, with a light texture perfect for those who like classic salty flavors. When you’re looking for something subtle, this is your go-to!
8. Calbee Consommé Punch Chips (カルビー ポテトチップス コンソメパンチ)
Although these are technically potato chips, they’re extremely popular among corn-flavored snacks in Japan. I actually tried these first during my visit to Tokyo, and the Japanese consommé flavor is simply incredible - it has a complex umami taste with beef, onion, and spices.
Key Ingredients: Potatoes (note: though these are chips, they’re recommended due to their consommé seasoning which is extremely popular in the corn snack category in Japan), consommé flavoring Texture/Features: Extremely representative Japanese consommé flavor with complex umami taste of beef, onion, and spices. The flavor is rich and intense. Why I Recommend It: This is the consommé king! Though it’s a potato chip, the “consommé” flavor (Consommé Punch) is one of Japan’s most popular salty snacks, and it’s an extension of the Japanese corn chowder flavor. You must try this when visiting Japan!
9. Umaibō Takoyaki Flavor (うまい棒 たこ焼味)
This unique Japanese flavor captures the soul of Osaka’s famous takoyaki! When I first tried this, I was amazed at how well it recreates the rich, sweet-salty flavor of takoyaki (Japanese sauce, seaweed, mayonnaise). It’s the perfect way to experience Japanese street food flavors in a snack form.
Key Ingredients: Corn flour, takoyaki sauce, mayonnaise flavoring Texture/Features: Crispy corn stick that recreates the rich, sweet-salty flavor of takoyaki (Japanese sauce, seaweed, mayonnaise). Why I Recommend It: This is a special Japanese flavor with the soul of Osaka’s takoyaki sauce! It’s an excellent snack to experience Japanese street food flavors. If you’ve ever wondered what takoyaki would taste like in snack form, this is your answer!
10. Maruyama Rice Cracker Star Tabe-yo Corn Potage Flavor (Befco 星たべよ コーンポタージュ味)
This unique combination of Japanese rice crackers and corn potage flavor is truly special! I discovered this during my travels in Japan and was impressed by how well these two elements blend together. The star-shaped cracker is crispy and light with a sweet corn potage taste.
Key Ingredients: Rice, corn potage flavoring (note: rice crackers with added corn flavoring) Texture/Features: Star-shaped rice crackers, crispy and light with a sweet corn potage taste. Why I Recommend It: This is a crispy rice cracker variant! It combines the crispiness of Japanese rice crackers with the sweetness of corn potage, creating a unique flavor. If you want to try something different from the typical corn snacks, this is perfect!
🛒 Shopping Guide and Practical Tips
🛍️ Best Places to Buy
When you’re shopping for these amazing corn snacks in Japan, here are the best places I recommend:
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Supermarkets: This is my recommended first choice! Prices are usually the most affordable, and Umaibō typically comes in large bags with mixed flavors. When you’re looking for the best value, supermarkets are where you should go.
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Convenience Stores: Umaibō is a permanent product with complete flavors. Other corn snacks like Tohato’s Caramel Corn and Boku-Habanero are also easy to find. During my trip to Japan, I found convenience stores were the most convenient option for quick purchases.
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Snack Specialty Stores/Don Quijote: Sometimes you’ll find seasonal or limited flavors of Umaibō and Sapporo Yaki Toukibi here. If you’re looking for special varieties, Don Quijote is definitely worth checking out!
💡 Practical Tips
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Umaibō has diverse flavors: Umaibō has over 40 flavors (regular + limited), and besides the recommended corn potage and mentai, cheese flavor (チーズ味) and pizza flavor (ピザ味) are also super popular classic options. I highly recommend trying several flavors when you visit Japan!
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Regional exclusives: Sapporo Okaki Oh! Yaki Toukibi was originally Hokkaido exclusive, but now you can often find it in major airports and large tourist cities in Japan. I actually found it at Haneda Airport during my last trip!
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Note about “Potage”: In Japanese, コーンポタージュ (Corn Potage) refers to “corn chowder,” which is the most popular sweet-salty flavor in Japanese corn snacks.
Final Thoughts
Although the Umaibō Corn Potage flavor is truly classic and brings back childhood memories, I have to say that Sapporo Okaki Oh! Yaki Toukibi is my personal favorite. All of Hokkaido’s food never disappoints, even snacks! When I was in Hokkaido, I discovered that this snack was originally only available there, but now you can find it in other regions like Tokyo and Osaka too, which shows how much people love it!
I’m looking forward to my next Hokkaido trip, and if you like this article, don’t forget to share it with your travel buddies! Trust me on this - these Japanese corn snacks are absolutely worth trying, and they make great souvenirs too.