Let's Try: Japanese Candy

Hi guys!

We are back after the long break for examinations and we're sorry to have kept you waiting (okay we kid). We can't wait to officially start our blog off with some product reviews and so on!

So a few days ago, Ruth and I were at the bustling Bugis Street with two other friends and we chanced across a little shop selling Japanese snacks and candy. Now most of you may be familiar with Japanese snack brands, such as Meiji, which is well known for their chocolates, and Glico, which is the creator of the famous Pocky biscuits.

However, Ruth and I noticed a few unknown brands, and we decided to do a product review! Japan is famous for their oddity, especially when it comes to their candy. Bust-increasing gum, various fruit-flavoured Kit Kats, chocolates shaped like insects and amphibians, jellyfish caramels...all in brightly coloured packaging with interesting cartoons. What's new? Well to be fair, the candy we bought were not that weird, but we put them to the test!


1. Sakuma Classic Drops In Can Candy

Hard candy flavoured with real fruit juice that comes in a tin can with a tin pull cap. We were pleasantly surprised by the wide range of flavours available such as strawberry, apple, grape, pineapple, lime, chocolate (one of the best flavours) and so on! Sakuma Drops are most well-known in the 1988 anime film Grave Of The Fireflies. Commemorative tins resembling the one depicted in the film and featuring an image of the character Setsuko has been released several times. Addictive and fruity. Definitely a must-buy!

2. Fujiya Milky Candy 7's

Came in pretty pastel-coloured wrappers. A typical malty milk candy with a creamy texture, similiar to that of the popular White Rabbit candy. It's pretty normal, but it got overwhelming sweet towards the end. An ideal candy for those who like their candy chewy and milky. 

3. Meiji Gummy Chocolate

We were fooled by the pretty and cheery exterior, only to feel disappointed by the tiny egg-shaped chocolates, which comes in strawberry, cola and grape. We were also put off by the strong taste of the sweet slightly powdery chocolate coating, which melted away to reveal the surprisingly nice gummy interior. We don't recommend this, but go for it if you are somehow into gummy chocolate. 

4. Glico Pop Stick Candy

Basically cute soda and grape-flavoured Mickey-shaped lollipops. We only managed to try the soda one, unfortunately. It had a unique albeit weird taste, a little like 100-Plus mixed with lemon juice. The sweetness pretty much overpowered the lemon soda fizz. Perfect for Disney lovers who have a sweet tooth. Best of all, you don't have to go to Disney Land to buy it!

5. Nobel Super Lemon Candy 

To sum it all up, it's sour lemon sweets. Besides the creative newspaper article cum vintage comic art packaging, the candy itself is fairly interesting too. Each sweet has three layers: a sour lemon taste powder coating followed by mild lemon candy and finally, a core of super lemon candy. These work just like typical sour candy, with the powder coating being the most sour. I personally love this candy, but Ruth doesn't. It all depends if you're a sucker for sour stuff! Give some to your friends and watch their expressions. 

6. Tohato Caramel Corn (Salty Vanilla Ice Cream)

Finally, something you're aware of. Everyone has been to Daiso and snagged up packets of this popular caramel corn. It's creamy, crunchy and addictive. However, most Daiso outlets only stock up on the common Milk, Peanut and Almond-flavoured ones. We were very excited to see this. An odd but delicious combo of crunchy corn curls doused in vanilla ice cream flavouring and salt. We noticed a slight tinge of coconut and milk, with a creamier texture than the normal ones. Get a packet, or five. 

So that's all for now. Japanese candy may be odd, but most are pretty good! Leave us a comment suggesting what else we should review. We'll try everything and anything. 

-Christabel