I spent the day revising my Japanese and watching RAVE at the same time, as well as surfing the net for Japanese goodies! After watching a couple episodes of 元　カレ (I didn't watch this until now 'cause it is far more distracting than RAVE; not that I am saying RAVE is less interesting, but it is just that I had watched the series before XD), which features the food division in a department store, I am sooooo curious about Japanese snacks! Hence, I did some research on these mouth-watering sweets (called おかしい in Japanese; people, please say "o-ka-shii" with me)~ <3

*Note: The information and pictures below are available courtesy of Wikipedia.

Street foods

Korokke (コロッケ)


Originally related to a French dish, croquette. A potato patty fried with bread crumbs and is usually mixed with meat, seafood or vegetables. Usually served with tonkatsu sauce (a condiment eaten together with fried meat cutlets) and shredded cabbage. Also can be taken together with bread, in which the dish becomes korokke pan.

Where to find this yummy snack in Singapore: Corochan's Corokke in Bugis Junction and Bishan Junction 8

Takoyaki (たこ焼き)


Originated in Osaka. Batter balls which contain diced octopus, tempura scraps, pickled ginger, konjac and green onion, topped with okonomiyaki sauce (a condiment served with fried pan-fried batter cakes popular in Japan, green laver (edible seaweed), mayonnaise and katsuobushi (fish shavings dried, fermented and smoked prior to consumption). Takoyaki has evolved over time to suit modern tastes, available in new flavours such as cheese and chicken ham.

Where to find this yummy snack in Singapore: Takopachi at Takashimaya, Bugis Junction and Bishan Junction 8, as well as in many food courts

Nikuman (肉まん)


Similar to the Chinese's baozi (包子). Made from flour dough and filled with cooked ground pork or other ingredients such as azuki beans (anman; あんまん), curry-flavoured meat (kareman; カレーまん) and pizza condiments (pizza-man; ピザまん). In the Kansai region, nikuman is termed as butaman (豚まん).

Where to find this yummy snack in Singapore: Currently there is no specific brand merchandising this snack; however, this snack is available during occasional Japanese cuisine food festivals

Taiyaki (鯛焼き)


A Japanese cake that contain various fillings including red bean paste, custard, chocolate and cheese. At some shops in Japan, taiyaki is also available with okonomiyaki or a sausage. Usually comes in the shape of a fish, otherwise in a round shape (in which the name imagawayaki, 今川焼き is given).

Where to find this yummy snack in Singapore: A food stall located in Takashimaya Food Hall sells taiyaki in both traditional and refreshing flavours; in the marketplace of Isetan Scotts, a similar waffle can be found


Ice cream snacks

Green tea ice cream (抹茶アイスクリーム)


Originated from Japan and has since then been extremely popular in East Asia. Usually served as a stand-alone dish or together with other desserts, such as monaka (最中; please refer below for more information on this snack). Green tea ice cream can also be homemade.

Where to find this yummy snack in Singapore: Available in many renowned ice cream parlors, restaurants and cafes, as well as in all major supermarkets

Kakigori (かき氷)


Similar to the local ice kachang and Taiwan's chhoah-peng (剉冰). This dish consist of shaved ice flavoured with sweet syrup such as strawberry, lemon, green tea, grape and/or lemon. Condensed milk is often poured onto the dessert to sweeten it. Unlike the electric shavers vendors in Singapore commonly use to make the similar ice kachang, some vendors in Japan still employ the traditional hand-cranked machines to produce kakigori.

Where to find this yummy snack in Singapore: As it is similar to ice kachang, patronise Japanese cuisine-based restaurants such as Shokudo Japanese Pasta & Pizza to taste the authentic snack

Monaka (最中)


A Japanese sweet that is made of azuki bean fillings sandwiched between two crisp wafers created from mochi. Available in many shapes such as cherry blossoms (桜) and chrysanthemums. Usually served with ice cream.

Where to find this yummy snack in Singapore: So far, only cafes serve this snack; try Sushi Tei or Sun With Moon Japanese Dining & Cafe located in Wheelock Place


Azuki bean paste (red bean paste) snacks

Anmitsu (あんみつ)


A traditional dessert widely popular in Japan. Consist of small agar cubes, sweet azuki bean paste, boiled peas and fruit slices such as peach, pineapple, cherries and mikan (蜜柑; seedless mandarin orange). Usually topped with sweetened black syrup before consumption.

Where to find this yummy snack in Singapore: in Shimbashi Soba, Cream Anmitsu is one of its signature dishes

Anpan (あんパン)


A sweet bun filled with azuki bean paste and is originated from Japan since the Meiji era. There are many types of anpan, such as goma-an, shiro-an, uguisu-an, and kuri-an. Anpan's popularity in Japan is obvious as an anime featuring it had even been created (Anpanman, アンパンマン, 1988 to present).

Where to find this yummy snack in Singapore: Various bakeries such as Breadtalk offer this snack

Daifuku (大福餅)


A Japanese confection symbolising "great luck" and consists of a small round mochi, stuffed with sweetened azuki bean fillings, and sometimes fruit, anko or crushed melon paste. Commonly available in two sizes; one about as large as a half-dollar coin, the other huge enough to fit a palm.

Where to find this yummy snack in Singapore: Minamoto Kitchoan at Takashimaya Food Hall

Dorayaki (銅鑼焼き)


A flat pancake made from kasutera (castella; a Japanese sponge cake) and filled with sweet azuki bean paste. Dora refers to a "gong", which the confection highly resembles. In the Kansai region, it is known as mikasa (三笠).

Where to find this yummy snack in Singapore: Waraku at The Central; alternatively, you can purchase this snack at supermarkets

Uiro (外郎)


A traditional chewy steamed cake made of rice flour and sugar. Available in azuki bean paste, green tea, yuzu (柚子), strawberry and chestnut flavours. Nagoya is particularly famous for producing this delicious snack.

Where to find this yummy snack in Singapore: Not yet available in Singapore (or maybe it is out of my effective radar XD)

Yokan (羊羹)


A thick block of jellied dessert made of azuki bean paste, agar and sugar. There are two main types of yokan; neri-yokan and mitsu-yokan. Mitsu means "water", and indicates that it is made with more water than usual. Mitsu-yokan is often chilled and eaten in summer.

Where to find this yummy snack in Singapore: Currently unavailable in Singapore (or I just don't know where XD)


Rice-based snacks

Agemochi (揚げ餅)


A popular home-made snack in Japan made from fried mochi and sticky rice. It comes in various flavours, such as salted and shichimi (a common Japanese spice) seasoning.

Where to find this yummy snack in Singapore: Botan Japanese Restaurant at Far East Square

Arare (あられ)


Bite-sized crackers made from glutinous rice flavoured with soy sauce. Similar to senbei and is distinguished by size (in which senbei is bigger). Usually consumed with Japanese beer and during the Doll Festival (Hinamatsuri, 雛祭り, on March 3; coincides with Girls' Day in Japan).

Where to find this yummy snack in Singapore: MEIDI-YA Supermarket located at Liang Court

Dango (団子)


Dumplings made from rice flour and usually consumed with green tea. In different parts of Japan, different varieties of dango can be found. Also, according to the various seasons, different flavoured dango is eaten. Japanese popular culture is influenced by this snack as well; in many series of anime such as Sailor Moon, Fullmetal Alchemist, D.Gray-man and Fruits Basket, characters have been seen consuming dango or have it as a favourite.

Where to find this yummy snack in Singapore: At Japanese food fairs; if you don't wanna wait that long, you can head to Food Republic at Wisma Atria or Sun With Moon Dining & Cafe

Onigiri (おにぎり)


Japanese rice balls wrapped in nori (海苔; edible seaweed). Traditionally, onigiri is filled with umeboshi (梅干; pickled plum), salted salmon, katsuobushi or any other salty or sour ingredient. Nowadays, various flavours are available, such as fish, seafood and miso.

Where to find this yummy snack in Singapore: Basically at any sushi food stalls

Senbei (煎餅)


Rice crackers served as a casual snack, together with green tea. Senbei are usually cooked by being baked or grilled, traditionally over charcoal. While being prepared they may be brushed with a flavoring sauce, often one made of soy sauce and rice wine. They may then be wrapped with a layer of nori. Alternatively they may be flavored with salt. Senbei is also available in other parts of the world, for example, China.

Where to find this yummy snack in Singapore: At all major supermarkets; for variety, try the marketplace at Isetan Scotts


That's about it! If I found more savoury Japanese snacks, I will upload them as soon as possible. For now, enjoy~ ^^