One way to conquer the fear of eating foreign food is to begin with candy.
Below are some of my Japanese favorites. Start with these chocolate, convini-treats and you’ll be trying sushi in no time.
Pocky
U.S. Equilavent: Oreo
Super Power: Ubiquity
Attitude: Classic gateway candy. They are everywhere. Dare I say they hold the same place as our
beloved sandwich cookie.
Meltyblend
U.S. Equivalent: Hershey Kiss
Super Power: Making Hershey kisses taste like chalk—hard to
say but true.
Attitude: Cool, chocolate ice cube sliding
across your tongue
Green Tea Kit Kat
U.S. Equivalent: Hershey’s
Cookies ‘n’ Cream
Super Power: Being
green and not tasting gross at the same time
Attitude: The Tea Ceremony version of Original Kit Kat—simple
and refined
Chocolate Covered
Almonds
U.S. Equivalent:
There is none
Super Power: Textural dominance
Attitude: U.S. chocolate covered almonds wouldn’t even make
the list. But these are nuggets of
multi-textured crunch with the slightest hint of coffee in the background.
Only to be bested by
Crispy Chocolate
Covered Almonds
U.S. Equivalent: We
can only dream
Super Power: Master of Textural Dominance
Attitude: Three different textured crunches: Almond,
Rice Crispy, and chocolate happening in your mouth at the same time—each
distinct and harmonious in Seiji Ozawa-like concert.
Honorable Mention must go to Hi-Chew.
These creamy Starburst cousins are not chocolate, but they are slowly
invading the American convenience store.
Keep your eye out.
Where to buy Asian candy
Hit up your local Asian neighborhood grocer. Be it Japanese, Chinese or Korean, most
stores carry candy from several countries.
No Asian Supermarkets
Near By?
Try: http://www.asianfoodgrocer.com
What do Japanese People Eat?
What is Japanese Chocolate?
What is Japanese Convenience
Store Food?
Who makes Japanese Chocolate?
How to eat foreign food
