Japanese Snack Box in the UAE: What to Look For

Japanese snacks are easy to like and hard to shop for in one go. A good Japanese snack box gives you the range in one parcel: something crisp, something sweet, something chewy and something you cannot identify until you read the packet.

This guide covers what to look for in a Japanese snack box in the UAE, and what ours held.

What a good Japanese snack box includes

• A mix of textures. Crisps, biscuit sticks, wafers, jelly and chocolate each do something different.
• Brands you can name. You should be able to see what each snack is before you pay.
• Allergen information. Wheat, milk and soy turn up in many Japanese snacks. Check the list per item.
• A guide. Packets are in Japanese, so a card that explains them matters. Our guide to reading a Japanese snack packet is a start.

What was in Omiyage: Japan

Our first box, Omiyage: Japan, included Chip Star crisps, Baby Star noodle snacks, a strawberry Kit Kat, wafer rolls, matcha chocolate and rice crackers.

Why Japanese snacks suit a box

Japan has a gift-giving habit built around snacks, called omiyage. It means a snack you bring back for people when you travel. We explain why it is not a souvenir. A box of snacks suits that idea well, because each piece is meant to be shared.

For the details, from the shapes to the flavours, see A Japanese Kit Kat Is a Japanese Snack and Why Snacks Come in Such Strange Shapes.

Where to find Japanese snacks now

The Japan box has finished. A few favourites are on The Shelf, where you can buy them one at a time. The current box is Korea, the Korean Snack Box. Each month's box is a one-time purchase and is on sale for that month only.

Not sure which country to start with? Our snack box guide compares the types.

Questions about Japanese snack boxes in the UAE

Can I buy a Japanese snack box in Dubai? Our Japan box has finished, and a few favourites are on The Shelf.

What is omiyage? A gift snack you bring back for people after a trip. It is a Japanese tradition.

Are Japanese snacks vegetarian? It depends on the snack. Read the ingredients on each pack.

Do you deliver across the UAE? Yes, free.

One packet at a time, with the guide open.