Reviewed by
Mary
Bokksu is the only Japanese snack box that sources directly from snack makers in Japan, so many of our artisanal products cannot be found anywhere else. Start your cultural journey through Japan by subscribing to Bokksu and receiving a curated box of premium Japanese snacks and teas delivered to your door every month.
They have two levels of subscription: the Tasting, which is smaller, and the one I have received, The Classic. Subscriptions are prepaid for one, three, six, or twelve months. For the Classic box they work out at $39 (around £30), $37, $35 , and $33 per month. As usual, they are priced in dollars, so GBP conversion is according to today’s exchange rate. Obviously this will vary, but it gives you some idea of cost.
For November, Bokksu is taking us on a tour across Japan, taking in flavours from all the different prefectures.
The enclosed menu booklet gives you lots of information about each snack, which includes a useful allergy guide, plus cultural information about the country and its customs and specialties.
Kisaru Blueberry Gummy, Mike Popcorn Yuzu Pepper, & Karitto Crunchy Jaga Curry
Gummies are a favourite Japanese candy and come in many flavours. There are made with juice from blueberries grown in Kisaru, a specialty of the area.
Mike was the first Japanese brand of popcorn, and they make many different varieties, often featuring classic Japanese flavours. These feature Yuzu, a Japanese citrus fruit, combined with chilli and pepper for a slightly spicy, sour-savory taste.
Curry can be found all over Japan, and it’s wonderful flavours of cumin & black pepper are perfectly added to these crispy potato chips.
Muskmelon Bouchee, Yuzu Souffle, & Bennimo Purple Yam Pie
Muskmelon is another name for cantaloupe, and the juice is mixed into the cream filling of this delicious soft pastry bun.
Another snack featuring yuzu, the souffle name refers to the incredible lightness of this cake, and the citrus taste of the yuzu gives a wonderful edge to the sweetness.
Purple yams, similar to a sweet potato, are often used in sweet pastries. The crust of this little pie is light and flaky, and the filling is made with purple yams that are the specialty of Okinawa.
Shinsu No Kobito & Yuzu salt Koji Arare Rice Cracker
Nagano Prefecture, previously called Shinsu, is very famous for its apples, and Takachiho created this wonderful snack using them. They are made to be a souvenir of the region, taste like a crunchy bite of autumn.
Yuzu is in another savoury form here, this time in a crunchy rice cracker which is also flavoured with koji – fermented rice seasoning which gives it a beautiful umami taste.
Matcha Azuki Crunch, Dried Persimmon Mochi, & Black Sesame Soft Candy
Azuki is red bean paste often used in traditional Japanese pastry cooking. This snack is a crispy rice bar with azuki and matcha tea, which is a fantastic flavour combination.
Persimmon is a beautiful fruit which tastes a little like apricot. They’re often seen in Japan drying in the autumn sun, and they have been used can be used to create these delicious mochi for hundreds of years. A real traditional treat!
These little chewy sweets incorporate the nutty flavour of black sesame, which pairs wonderfully with the creamy texture. This candy also uses milk from Hokkaido, which is famous for its dairy products.
Uji Senja & Funwari Meijin Mochi Puffs: Gomadare Mochi
This delicious green tea comes from Kyoto tealeaves, where they are a specialty of the region. It has a slightly grassy flavour but is very refreshing, plus it has lovel seasonal autumn packaging!
Mochi puffs are incredibly rice cakes – rather then being chewy, they are incredibly crisp and light, and made using a secret process to produce this texture. This is a flavour I haven’t see before, sweet black sesame, and they are incredibly delicous.
