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.
I’m really excited about this month’s theme – Mochi Madness!
Mochi are one of my favourite Japanese treats. Made from pounded rice, they come in all kinds of varieties, though the best know are these sweet, squashy morsels, rather like a cross between a gummy and a marshmallow.
The Bokksu menu booklet is a treat in itself. You get full details on all the contents, including an allergy list. There’s also lots of interesting things about Japanese culture, language, and food. You can happily sit and leaf through it while you’re tasting your goodies!
This is a Pon De Ring Mochi Donut – Sweet Time. It’s a donut rather than an actual mochi, but the actual texture is sweet and chewy, rather like an actual mochi. It’s also divided into round segments that look like little round mochi.
The first actual mochi here, a couple of Mikan Mochi. Mikan is a sweet citrus fruit, a little like an orange, and it’s combined with a little iyokan, a slightly sour citrus, to give the perfect balance of flavours.
This Cocoa Funwari Mana Chocolate Ganache Mochi is one of the richest things I’ve tried! It’s a chocolate mochi with an intense chocolate ganache filling, and it’s seriousy rich. The flavour is so intense you could easily share it, though not if you don’t want to!
One Bite Wagashi Matcha Marabi Mochi is an interesting variety of mochi. It’s made from warabi and konyakku to give a chewy jelly texture, and this one is an earthy matcha flavour.
These amazing mochi are Funwari Meijin Mochi Puffs: Amazake. Unlike traditional chewy mochi, these are incredibly light, crispy, and melting puffs. Various flavours have featured in Bokksu in the past, and this is a new variety flavoured with Amazake, a fermented rice drink. They really are one of the most unusual and delicious things that Bokksu features.
Puru Mocchi: Yogury Flavour is just as it sounds, a mochi gummy. The little chewy cubes have a slightly tangy creamy flavour from the yogurt coating, and are very yummy indeed.
Biscuits are always nice to have around, and these Coconut Sable Mini: 4 Grains are delicious bitesize coconut cookies made with higher start grains. Great with a cup of tea!
If you’re a peach fan, these Fujiya Nectar Peach Mochi are perfect. These mochi contain real fruit juice and pulp, and consist of a mochi outer, a layer of marshmallow, and a peach jelly center, to give you a great combination of texture and rich fruity taste.
Dango are a dumpling made from mochi flour, and a traditional Japanese sweet. These Kinako Dango are coated in kinako flour, which is roasted soybean and has the most incredible sweet savory, slightly nutty flavour.
Along with the sweets it’s great to have something savory, and these Curry Cashew Nuts are the perfect spicy mouthful to go with a cold beer!
Another savory item, this time Fried Kakinotane: Hakata Karashi Mentai Mayo Flavour. These are tiny fried crescent rice crackers, which are often served with peanuts. This version is just the crackers, flavoured with spicky pollack roe and mayonnaise, a popular flavour combination.
These Bokksu-exclusive Ajimai Senbei are flat deep fried crunchy senbei or rice cakes, and the bag includes a variety of traditional flavours and colours, including nori, chili, and sesame. A great combination of tastes!
Finally, this month’s tea variety is Uji Matcha Au Lait. This is a mixture of matcha and milk powder for and instant matcha latte! Even better, you can drink it hot or cold, whether you want warmth or refreshing chill.
