What are Japanese Fish Snacks and Why You Should Try Them
Check out the amazing world of Japanese fish snacks! When you’re traveling to Japan, besides shopping for cosmetics and electronics, seafood snacks are absolutely treasures you can’t miss! Whether you’re looking for drinking snacks or healthy little treats, Japanese fish snacks (Fish Snacks) always bring you unique ocean flavors. I highly recommend these 15 super popular fish snack varieties that you can easily find in supermarkets and convenience stores, so you can shop confidently without any regrets!
🌟 Must-Buy Classics: Supermarket/Drugstore Shopping List (10 Items)
1. Fujisawa Almond Dried Fish / 藤沢商事アーモンド小魚
- Main Ingredients: Dried fish (sprats) and almond slices
- Texture/Features: Crispy and sweet, fish is rich in calcium, and almonds are incredibly fragrant.
- Why I Recommend: The crowd favorite! Many Japanese elementary schools even use this for nutrition lunch, healthy and delicious, perfect for the whole family.
You’ll find these little almond fish snacks absolutely addictive! I actually bought several bags during my last trip to Japan because they’re such a perfect combination of fishy goodness and nutty flavor.
2. Ogiyaya Cod Cheese Sticks / 扇屋チーズおやつ
- Main Ingredients: Cod and cheese
- Texture/Features: Fish strips wrapped in rich cheese, soft and chewy texture with perfectly balanced salty and savory flavors.
- Why I Recommend: Izakaya classic! Perfect drinking snacks, individually packaged for easy carrying.
This cod and cheese sticks are incredible! You can find them in most convenience stores, and they’re absolutely perfect for evening snacks while exploring Japanese nightlife.
3. MARUESU Grilled Spanish Mackerel / マルエスこだわり焼き小あじ
- Main Ingredients: Spanish mackerel (small chub mackerel)
- Texture/Features: Grilled to perfection, firm fish meat with natural fish aroma and slight saltiness, ready-to-eat.
- Why I Recommend: Natural flavors! Simply seasoned to maximize the natural deliciousness of the fish meat.
I love how these retain the authentic taste of the ocean! The grilling process brings out incredible flavors that remind you of fresh fish from the sea.
4. Izumiya Sesame Dried Fish / 泉屋ごまいりこ
- Main Ingredients: Dried fish and sesame seeds
- Texture/Features: Dried fish sprinkled with sesame, usually with slightly sweet soy sauce or mirin flavor, crispy and delicious.
- Why I Recommend: Calcium boost! Sesame adds flavor and nutrition, healthy snacks perfect for the whole family.
These sesame fish snacks are absolutely gorgeous! The combination of fish and sesame creates such a satisfying flavor profile that you won’t be able to stop eating.
5. MARUTOMO Ready-to-Eat Dried Sardines / 丸友そのまま食べるしらす
- Main Ingredients: Dried sardines (shirasu)
- Texture/Features: Complete small dried sardines, usually unseasoned or lightly seasoned.
- Why I Recommend: Versatile! Both snacks and ingredients, can be mixed with rice or served as a side dish, experiencing the original freshness of sea fish.
When I visited Japan, I discovered that these sardines are not just snacks but also fantastic additions to rice bowls. The natural fish flavor is simply amazing!
6. OKABE Seto Inland Sea Dried Fish / 岡部瀬戸内小魚
- Main Ingredients: Dried fish (sardines)
- Texture/Features: Made from small fish caught in the Seto Inland Sea, crispy texture with delicious flavor.
- Why I Recommend: Direct from source! High-quality dried fish from Japan’s famous fishing grounds, pure flavor.
The quality of these fish snacks is incredible! The Seto Inland Sea is known for its pristine waters, and you can taste that quality in every bite.
7. Inoue Food Soft Grilled Horse Mackerel / 井上食品やわらか焼あじ
- Main Ingredients: Horse mackerel
- Texture/Features: Soft-grilled processed, fish meat is tender and easy to chew.
- Why I Recommend: Soft and tender! Perfect for elderly people or kids with sensitive teeth, enjoying grilled fish aroma and tender texture.
I actually bought these for my elderly parents during my Japan trip, and they loved how soft and flavorful they were. The gentle grilling process makes them much easier to eat than regular fish jerky.
8. Japanese Grilled Cod Flakes/Strips (Various Brands) / たら or タラ
- Main Ingredients: Cod
- Texture/Features: Seasoned and baked thin flakes or strips, chewy texture with balanced sweet and salty flavors.
- Why I Recommend: Classic chewy! Traditional Japanese ocean flavor snacks, essential treats for watching TV or chatting.
These cod strips are absolutely fantastic! I remember spending hours in my hotel room munching on these while planning the next day’s adventures. They’re so satisfying and filling.
9. Grilled Cod Sticks / 焼たらのしい
- Main Ingredients: Cod
- Texture/Features: Rolled into stick shapes, easy to hold, thicker texture with more chew.
- Why I Recommend: Strong chew factor! More satisfying than regular cod strips, the first choice for people who love chewy textures.
You’re gonna love these if you’re a texture lover! The rolled shape creates a more substantial bite that’s incredibly satisfying. I always pack a few of these for long train rides in Japan.
10. Ikaten Daio Plum and Bonito Flavor / マルエスかつお節（梅味）
- Main Ingredients: Skipjack tuna and plums
- Texture/Features: Katsuobushi (similar to bonito flakes) seasoned with plums, sweet and sour appetizing flavor.
- Why I Recommend: Unique flavor! Combines fish umami and the refreshing sourness of plums, very Japanese特色.
This was such an incredible discovery during my Japan trip! The fusion of savory fish and tangy plum creates a flavor profile that’s uniquely Japanese and absolutely delicious.
🏪 Convenience Store Purchase List (5 Items)
You can easily find these snacks at any 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, or Lawson throughout Japan.
11. Ogiyaya Cod Cheese Sticks (Small Package) / 扇屋チーズおやつ（個包装）
- Main Ingredients: Cod meat and processed cheese
- Texture/Features: The chewiness of dried fish perfectly combines with rich cheesy aroma, individually small packages.
- Why I Recommend: Convenience store gem! Available in almost all convenience stores, perfect small portions for satisfying cravings.
These individually wrapped cheese sticks are absolutely perfect for quick snacking! I always grab a few when exploring busy Tokyo areas where finding seating can be difficult.
12. Japanese Vinegar Squid/Calamari Strips (Various Brands) / 酢いか
- Main Ingredients: Squid
- Texture/Features: Strong vinegar sourness combined with seafood saltiness, very chewy texture.
- Why I Recommend: Refreshing and tangy! Unique vinegar flavor is very appetizing, classic Japanese “strong flavor” drinking snacks that pair perfectly with beer.
If you’re a fan of bold flavors, these vinegar squid strips are amazing! The tangy acidity cuts through rich flavors and creates an incredibly refreshing snack experience.
13. 7-11 Grilled Squid Strips / コンビニPB 炙りいか
- Main Ingredients: Squid
- Texture/Features: Grilled with charcoal aroma, texture is soft and firm with the more you chew, becoming more fragrant.
- Why I Recommend: Great value! 7-Eleven and other convenience store private brand products have high quality and reasonable prices, available anytime.
The grilled aroma of these squid strips is absolutely incredible! What’s amazing is that the private label versions are often just as good as name brands but at much better prices.
14. 7-11 Smoked/Seasoned Salmon Jerky (Various Brands) / スモークサーモン or 鮭とば
- Main Ingredients: Salmon
- Texture/Features: Salmon meat sliced or in strips, smoked or seasoned, firm texture with rich flavor.
- Why I Recommend: Meaty! A more “hardcore” fish jerky, premium side dishes that pair perfectly with spirits or sake.
These salmon jerky pieces are absolutely substantial! If you’re looking for something more filling and protein-rich, these are perfect. The smoky flavor is incredible and pairs wonderfully with Japanese drinks.
15. 7-11 Almond Dried Fish (Private Brand) / コンビニPB アーモンド小魚
- Main Ingredients: Dried fish and almonds
- Texture/Features: Small portion packaging, crispy and delicious, slightly sweet or salty flavor, healthy and low burden.
- Why I Recommend: Light and convenient! Perfect as healthy snacks or treats during travel, easy to carry, calcium boost anytime.
These convenient almond fish snacks are perfect for travelers! I actually bought several small packages to distribute to friends and family as light snacks during long train journeys.
🛒 Shopping Guide and Practical Tips
Want to quickly find your favorite fish snacks and buy them more affordably? Remember these points!
🛍️ Best Shopping Locations
- Large Supermarkets: My top recommendation! Prices are usually more affordable than convenience stores and drugstores, especially for large packages or sale items. I highly recommend Aeon, Life, Ito-Yokado, etc.
- Drugstores: Wide variety of snacks, frequent promotional activities, but prices may be slightly higher than supermarkets.
- Convenience Stores: Perfect for emergency purchases and small quantity needs. Items are carefully selected classics, but prices are highest.
When I’m in Japan, I always start my fish snack shopping at Aeon or other large supermarkets because the savings really add up, especially if you’re buying multiple varieties.
📍 How to Find Them?
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Section Identification: In supermarkets or convenience stores, fish snacks are usually placed in these two areas:
- Snack Section (お菓子コーナー): Along with chips, cookies, etc.
- Drinking Snacks Section (おつまみコーナー): Near beer, sake and other alcoholic beverages. This area will have more grilled squid strips, cod snacks, etc.
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Look for Private Brands (PB): Pay attention to products with convenience store Logos, such as 7-Premium, FamilyMart Collection, Lawson Select. These private brands are usually manufactured by major companies, quality is stable, and prices are more competitive.
💡 Practical Tips
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Reading Japanese Labels:
- おつまみ (Otsumami): Means “drinking snacks,” these usually have stronger, saltier flavors perfect for beer pairing.
- やわらか (Yawaraka): Means “soft,” texture will be softer and easier on teeth.
- 個包装 (Kobetsu Hōsō): Means “individually packaged,” perfect for distributing to friends and family as souvenirs.
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Check Expiration Dates: Although fish snacks are dried goods, their shelf life isn’t as long as cookies. When buying in bulk, be sure to check the date on the package (賞味期限).
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Repackaging for Travel: If you bought large packages of fish snacks, I recommend bringing sealable bags to make it convenient to repackage and store during your trip.
I hope these suggestions make your Japanese seafood snack journey smoother and more enjoyable! Have a great trip and enjoy your meals!