Here are the best Japanese candies I ate…so far:
1. Dagashi
Think of Dagashi as the Japanese version of penny candies. These super cheap, small, and often strange candies are a nostalgic part of Japanese life. They come in a variety of shapes and flavors like Shimi Choco corn, Botan Rice candy and an international hit - candy cigarettes. With rainbow wrappers, prizes and mascots, its almost too easy to spend more than a few pennies.
2. Konpeito
Konpeito are the closest you will get to a REAL Everlasting Gobstopper as you can probably get and with their colorful, bumpy, sugar crusted clusters. They actually look like they might be made of plastic at first, but these sugar bombs are nothing new to Japan. Native Japanese people have been eating Konpeito since the 16th century and even today it is the official “welcome gift” of the Japanese Imperial Family.
3. Kasugai gummy candy
Kasugai gummies are the Rolls Royce of gummy candy. Let me gush: first, they smell so good. As soon as you open the bag, it's like cutting into a mango or a lemon. They don't just have all the flavors you know and love, but new flavors like kiwi and lychee that we just don't get anywhere else. Don't get me wrong, I would eat candy that was mostly plastic anyway, but these are actually made of fruit and you can tell the difference. But you don't have to fly all the way to Japan, you can get them on Amazon and send a few packs to my house, thanks.
4. Kohakutou
Kohautou are confusing. Are they candy? Are they crystals? Are they both? No, they're not both, they are just candy, but the process of making these treats are somewhat scientific. After making the gummies, the pieces are cut into the shape of crystals or torn into rocks and left out to dry for a few days. Yes, they sit out in the air getting crusty and stale on the outside, but stay soft and delicious on the inside. But trust me, this process does not work for all candy.
5. Umeboshi Candy
Umeboshi are pickled plums, and umeboshi candy captures their sweet, sour, and salty flavor profile in a small, hard candy form. It's a unique taste experience that many people enjoy, and that's the nice way of putting it. Some people are a bit thrown off by the saltiness, so my advice? Just try it. But have a piece of Konpeito nearby as a chaser.
Xoxo,
Maria