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.
Bokksu is embracing the approaching Autumn this month, with tastes of seasonal goodies and festivals in Kansai Autumn. Kansai is a region that contains some of Japan’s busiest cities including Kyoto and Osaka.
The booklet gives you lots of interesting cultural information, including a profile of one of this month’s artisan creators. There’s also a full list of contents, which includes an allergen list.
Yaki-Ima Manju & Milk Manju
Manju is a traditional Japanese sweet that is enjoyed at this time of year. It contains a filling which is contained in a kneaded wheat shall, rather like a pastry. The milk manjo has a delicious sweet creamy filling, and the other contains delicious roasted sweet potato. This vegetable is very popular in Japan during fall and winter, and there are many treats that include it as an ingredient.
Bisco Soy Biscuit: Milk and Kinako & Narawa Langue de Chat Matcha Cookie
The Bisco cookies have been around since the 30s! A favourite across the generations, it’s a sandwich cookie with the biscuit part flavoured with delicious nutty kinako (roasted soy flour) and has a wonderful sweet and creamy filling.
Langue de Chat are traditionally French, but the Japanese have made it their own. They have been transformed into thin sandwich cookies, with a light and crispy outer butter cookie and this version has a matcha filling, which contrasts beautifully with the sweetness of the cookies.
Otona No Curry Senbei & Mini Awa Okoshi
Senbei are little crispy rice crackers that come in a multitude of flavours. This one is flavoured with traditional Japanese curry for a savory crunch. Otona means ‘adult’ but anyone who likes a little spicy warmth will enjoy these.
Okishi are another very old treat made from sweet puffed rice and flavoured with sesame and ginger. This snack has a sweet warmth from the ginger, making it perfect for a chilly fall day!
Umaiwa: Takoyaki Corn Puff & Setouchi Heart-Shaped Lemon Mini Pies
Takoyaki is a favourite Japanese street food, fried octopus balls with a savory sauce. These crunchy corn puff snacks are flavoured exactly like the dish itself.
Setouchi is a type of lemon that are only grown in Japan. Sweeter than regular lemons, they are frequently used for baking and desserts. These lovely crispy pastries rather resemble the French palmier pastries, and have the incredible citrus flavour of the setouchi lemons.
Kyoto Matcha Waffle Sandwich & Uji Matcha Cappuccino
Waffle cookies are crisp and buttery delight, and here you have two of them sandwiched with matcha white chocolate. The chocolate takes the edge off the bitterness of the matcha, which keeps the chocolate itself from becoming too sweet.
The little tea package contains the perfect single serve milky matcha drink. You can make it either hot or cold, and either way it’s a lovely drink that will pair beautifully with any of the snacks in this month’s box.
Kijo Scallion Arare Rice Crackers, Golden Financier, and Handmade Fig Candy
The arare are the perfect little savory bites to enjoy with a glass of wine or beer, and though they’re simple they pack a great flavour punch from the scallions.
Financier cakes are another French favourite in Japan. They are incredibly moist and are made with almond flour and browned butter so they are both rich and light.
Figs grow in Japan but candy made from them is very unusual. These candies have been specially created for Bokksu from by an artisan candy maker in Kyoto from locally grown figs, and not only to they taste exactly of fig, they have even been made to look like the colours of the real thing!
