Growing up with a Filipino mother, our family was no stranger to Asian markets. On a near-weekly basis, we would spend an hour stocking up on all the necessary ingredients you’d only find at Asian marts: lumpia wrappers, cheap produce, and — our favorite as kids — Asian candies and snacks. And, yes, that includes Pocky sticks. But what many might not realize is Pocky and their chocolate-coated biscuit sticks are far from the only tasty Asian snacks worth trying.
Take another stroll through your nearby Asian market, and you’ll notice a slew of delicious snacks. In the chips aisle, get adventurous and pick up that bag of shrimp chips you’ve been eyeing. They’re a delicious, shrimp-subtle, salty snack you’ll devour in one sitting (really!). Head over to the bakery, and order yourself a matcha roll; we guarantee the green tea baked good will become an instant favorite.
And we’ve only grazed the surface. Ahead, we’ve gathered the 12 best Asian snacks you’ll wish you tried sooner.
Our mission at SheKnows is to empower and inspire women, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.
Seaweed Snacks
Salty, crunch perfection: Seaweed snacks are one of the most popular Japanese snacks that you can’t eat on its own or use to make your own homemade mini sushis. One of our favorite brands? Kwangcheonkim, and they’re available on Amazon for a steal.
Yan Yan
Mmmm, crunchy cracker sticks dipped in a creamy, sweet dip: You really can’t go wrong with Yan Yan. And on Amazon, you can pick up an eight-pack featuring four different dip flavors (chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, and double creme) for just $15.
Mochi
Sure, you’d heard of mochi, and you’ve likely had the frozen, ice cream version of this popular Asian treat. But the real deal mochi is found in the snack aisle (not the frozen food aisle!). These traditional Japanese rice cakes are filled with the sweet filling of your choice, from green tea and lychee to taro and red bean.
Pretz
Pretz snacks are essentially just the savory version of Pocky sticks. Crispy, crunchy bread sticks, Pretz is available in a variety of flavors, from salad (my favorite) to pizza (everyone else’s favorite).
Hello Panda
Hello Panda snacks not only taste great, but they’re so much fun for kids to play with. Stamped with cute designs of pandas playing various sports, these cookie snacks are filled with either a strawberry, vanilla, caramel, matcha green tea, or chocolate creme.
Yakult
A leading probiotic drink that helps with digestion, Yakult boasts billions of live and active probiotics. But more than that, they are delicious and make for a tasty, anytime snack.
Pukupuku-Tai
These airy wafer treats are filled with a sweet mousse. But what really sets Pukupuku-Tai apart is the shape: It’s shaped like a Taiyaki, a traditional Japanese fish-shaped cake.
Shrimp Chips
Shrimp chips are crunchy, boast an irresistible shrimp flavor, and are straight-up addicting.
Ppushu Ppushu Noodle Snack
Love ramen? Then you’ll love this noodle snack that’s as fun to prepare as it is to eat. Simply smash the noodles, sprinkle the spices, shake and eat!
Green Tea Rolls
Inside 99 Ranch Market, an Asian grocery store, I frequently stop at the bakery and cafe inside to pick up a a green tea and a soft, buttery-smooth matcha roll. Green tea is a common ingredient used in Japanese desserts, and Swiss rolls are no exception. They’re easy to make, too, particularly if you follow Rasa Malaysia’s Matcha Roll recipe.
Get the full Matcha Roll recipe at Rasa Malaysia.
Turon
A popular Filipino snack, Turon are plantain bananas rolled in brown sugar, wrapped in a lumpia wrapper, and fried ’til crispy. It’s a treat my mom would often make us growing up, and trust me when I say they’re delicious.
Get the recipe at Foxy Folksy.
Chicharon
Chicharon, or more commonly known as pork rinds, are another popular Asian snack. Growing up, my Filipino mom loved to drizzle vinegar atop her pork rinds. And ever since, chicharons have become an Asian store run essential.
Leave a Comment