Love Japanese food and snacks? Try out these best Japanese rice crackers – one of the most beloved snacks in Japan. There are different kinds of rice crackers – sweet or salty and light and airy to crunchy and hard.
These best Japanese rice crackers also make great souvenirs for you to take back from Japan. Or you could even gift someone who loves Japanese food a pack of these Japanese rice crackers (or two)!
- Related: Best Japanese Snacks You Have To Try!
- Related: Best Japanese Instant Ramen
- Related: Best Japanese Candy
Types of Japanese Rice Crackers
Japanese rice crackers in Japan are called ‘Okaki’. This snack is loved for its simple yet delicious flavors. Japanese rice crackers are simple snacks cause they’re just made with two main ingredients and that’s rice and salt. But there are three different types of rice crackers based on the size and ingredients of the rice crackers:
Okaki
Okaki is made from glutinous rice called Mochi-Gome that is sweet/sticky. Okaki are chunkier pieces that are in reality cut, dried and fried mochi cakes.
Arare
Arare and Okaki are basically same cause mochigome is used to make arare too. Essentially, the only difference between Okaki and Arare is that Arare are smaller and shaped like small cylinders or spheres
Senbei
Senbei is the most popular type of rice cracker in Japan. It’s flat, round, and baked. And made from non glutinous rice called uruchimai, unlike Okaki. Senbei, traditionally, is seasoned with salt or soy sauce. But today you get Senbei with many different seasonings.
Japanese Rice Crackers Buying Guide
Here are some things you should look out for when buying the best Japanese rice crackers –
- Flavor
This goes without saying, but when buying those packets of rice crackers, keep in mind the flavor you love and will enjoy. You may want to decide on whether you want rice crackers that have a sweet-salty flavor, seaweed flavor, or those with hints of herbs, spice, or sesame. If you are buying for children, go for flavors like salt or shrimp – kids love those. If you are getting these for yourself, go on a little adventure and try out new flavors.
- Texture
Do you want to experience the crunch or do you want crackers that deliciously melt in your mouth? This is what you need to decide next. Hard rice crackers give your jaw satisfaction with each crunch. This type is perfect for people who are on a diet as it does not take a lot of these to fill your stomach.
- Salad-type / fried rice crackers have a soft texture.
- Moist-type rice crackers are fluffy and chewy; it is great for those who cannot chew their food well.
- Packaging
Most of us cringe at the thought of individually wrapped crackers because of all the plastic that is being used. However, if you are constantly on the go and need something light and small to fit into their bags, the individually packed crackers are a boon. They are easy to carry around. However, if you do not have any storage or portability issues, there are crackers that come in one big bag as well.
- Expiration
We are often so enthralled with the beauty of the flavors that we forget to check the expiration date. We do not want something that has already expired or is on its way to going bad, do we? Always check the product descriptions and look for the expiry date so you can enjoy your delicacies in your own sweet time.
Health Benefits of Japanese Rice Crackers
- They’re low in calories and make a perfect snack for anyone who is health-conscious
- Rice crackers contain carbohydrates and a small amount of protein.
- They’re packaged in small sizes that help in portion control
- Rice crackers are light but filling and will not bloat you
Rice crackers help you in taking fiber which is why they’re easily digestible.
Best Japanese Rice Crackers: Quick Summary
| Best Japanese Rice Crackers | Texture | Flavor Profile |
| Kameda Seika Happy Turn Rice Crackers – Best Japanese Rice Crackers | Light, Crispy | Sweet, Salty |
| Amonaya Kabuki age Rice Cracker | Soft, Crunchy | Sweet, Salty |
| Kameda no Kakinotane Rice Crackers with Peanuts | Crunchy | Soy sauce, Mildly spicy |
| Sanko Yuki no Rice Crackers | Soft, Crunchy | Sweet, Salty |
| Kuriyama Beika Bakauke Rice Cracker Assortment | Soft, Crunchy | Mixed |
| Shirakiku Nori maki Mate Rice cracker with Seaweed | Soft, Crunchy | Seaweed |
| Kameda Seika soft Salad Rice Cracker | Crunchy, Soft | Salty |
| Ichigoseika Funwari Meijin Fluffy KinakoMochi Rice Cracker | Soft | Sweet-ish |
| Age-Ichiban Rice Crackers | Crunchy, Crispy | Salty, sweet |
| Shirariku Assorted Rice Crackers | Crispy | Mixed |
The best part is that these best Japanese rice crackers taste absolutely amazing AND it’s healthy, making it the best alternative for otherwise not-so-healthy options like biscuits, sweets, or chocolate.
Which is the best Japanese rice cracker?
We tried 30+ rice crackers and rated them on the basis of their taste, texture, flavour and packaging. We found Kameda Seika Happy Turn Rice Crackers to be the best Japanese rice crackers.
Kameda Seika Happy Turn rice crackers are not the traditional ones, but they are absolutely delicious and addictive. Light and crispy, these little delights are the perfect balance of sweet and salty. It’s low in calories, have protein and carbohydrates. It’s available on Amazon for sale.
Here are some of the best Japanese rice crackers you must definitely try in Japan or buy on Amazon!
Kameda Seika Happy Turn
Best Japanese Rice Crackers
This is probably the best Japanese rice crackers. These rice crackers are not the traditional ones, but they are absolutely delicious and addictive. Light and crispy, these little delights are the perfect balance of sweet and salty. This is perfect as snacks for those sudden short hunger pangs that all of us face.
I love Kameda Seika Japanese rice crackers because they’re extremely healthy and light. The sweet and salty taste is perfect to balance out your sugar craving after my diet meal. It’s also priced decently, I’d advise you to buy the pack of 30-40 together to save money.
Key Features
- Texture: Light and Crispy
- Flavor Profile: Sweet and Salty
Ratings:
- Taste: 9.5/10
- Texture: 8.5/10
- Packaging: 10/10
Amonaya Kabuki Age
The Kabuki age rice crackers have a subtle, sweet, and salty soy sauce flavor that is mouth-smackingly delicious. If you go by the looks, you may think these crackers are hard and tough, but it is quite the opposite.
These best Japanese rice crackers are, in fact, pretty soft but crunchy, and also addictive. You will never be able to stop at just a couple of them. It’s one of the best rice cracker snacks I’ve had in sweet and salty flavour.
Each of the rice crackers is individually packed. There was once a time, I used to have this every day because of its lovely flavor. I also like the crumbly texture that just goes very well in the mouth.
Key Features
- Texture: Soft and crunchy
- Flavor Profile: Sweet and salty
Ratings:
- Taste: 9/10
- Texture: 8/10
- Packaging: 9.5/10
Kameda no Kakinotane
Kameda no Kakinotane is a popular and famous rice cracker that is enjoyed by the Japanese with peanuts that are included in each of the packs. A snack is a popular item to go along with alcohol. These best Japanese rice crackers are crunchy and give your tastebuds a burst of roasted soy sauce flavor.
My all-time favorite snack is Kameda which goes well with my favorite beer. I love it because of the mild spice it adds to the rice crackers. It goes well with my diet plan as well as has a crunchy texture.
This is then followed by a hint of spice. But if you are a little wary about the spice kicking in, make use of the peanuts. The peanuts help cut out some of that spice. But if you are allergic to peanuts, there are packages available without peanuts too. It’s one of the best rice crackers in Japan.
Key Features
- Texture: Crunchy
- Flavor Profile: soy sauce, mildly spicy
Ratings:
- Taste: 10/10
- Texture: 9/10
- Packaging: 10/10
Sanko Yuki no Yado
Yuki no Yado is a delicious rice cracker that is a perfect balance of sweet and salty. These best Japanese rice crackers are drizzled with a sweet whipped cream sauce that is made from Hokkaido milk. These snacks are more sweet than salty, and so if you have a sweet tooth, they are perfect for you. The size of the crackers is relatively large, which is great because it is as fulfilling as it is delicious.
Key Features
- Texture: Soft and crunchy
- Flavor Profile: Sweet and salty
Kuriyama Beika Bakauke
The assorted Bakauke rice crackers have the most delicious flavors packed inside its packet. This bag of best Japanese rice crackers contains five different types of rice crackers – cream of corn soup, seaweed and soy sauce, sesame and soy sauce, cheese, and mild curry. These flavors are coated well and evenly to give you a burst of flavors with every bite.
Key Features
- Texture: Soft, crunchy
- Flavor Profile: Mixed
Shirakiku Nori maki Mate
Nori Maki is a traditional Japanese rice cracker that is wrapped in seaweed. The bag has individually sized packages that are perfect for you to grab and carry with your lunch or as your snack, making it a travel-friendly snack. This also ensures you carry the right size with you, thus preventing over-snacking. The snacks are delicious and the seaweed adds in that extra punch of flavor. This is the best Japanese rice crackers with seaweed – you have to try this!
Key Features
- Texture: Soft and crunchy
- Flavor Profile: Seaweed
Kameda Seika
The soft salad rice cracker is crispy but has a very soft texture. It has a salty flavor that plays with your taste buds with every crunchy bite that you take. The uniqueness of this rice cracker comes from the Shimamasu salt from Okinawa. The rice cracker pairs up really well with Japanese tea – it tastes like a match made in heaven. But take note, these best Japanese rice crackers can be very addictive.
Key Features
- Texture: Crunchy and soft
- Flavor Profile: Salty
Ichigoseika Funwari Meijin Fluffy Kinako Mochi
The fluffy rice crackers are so soft they melt in your mouth. While the crispy ones are not suitable for babies, these soft rice crackers can be enjoyed by your little ones too. These best Japanese rice crackers are covered in roasted soybean flour; the flour is made using beans from the Hokkaido region of Japan.
Key Features
- Texture: Soft
- Flavor Profile: Sweetish
Age Ichiban
The crunchy and crispy texture of Age Ichiban rice crackers will blow you over and make you fall in love with it. These crackers are flavorsome, thanks to the generous coating of soy sauce and honey. It has a sweet and salty taste that perfectly complements the crispy texture. Each of these best Japanese rice crackers is individually packed making it the perfect snack to carry around with you.
Key Features
- Texture: Crunchy, crispy
- Flavor Profile: Salty and sweet
Shirariku Assorted
These rice crackers are a favorite of many. This delicious assorted pack of best Japanese rice crackers has an excellent variety that is going to make your snack time all the more enjoyable. The pack contains individual-sized packs that are great to carry with you in your bag.
Key Features
- Texture: Crispy
- Flavor Profile: Mixed
Best Japanese Rice Crackers: FAQs
Are Japanese rice crackers healthy?
Yes, Japanese rice crackers are healthy snacks as they’re low in calories, have protein and carbohydrates. They are available in various flavours of seafood, seaweed, peanuts etc. that provide nutritional benefits.
What are Japanese rice crackers called?
Japanese rice crackers are called Senbei that come in various sizes, shapes, and flavours like seaweed, peanut etc. They can be sweet or savoury depending on the flavour and are eaten as refreshments.
Do the Japanese eat rice crackers?
Japanese eat rice crackers of different flavours, sweet and savoury that can be brought from convenience stores or departmental stores. It’s the nation’s favourite and usually is eaten as snack.
Why are rice crackers so good?
Rice crackers are so good because they’re really tasty and healthy. They contain a small bit of protein, and carbohydrates and are low in calories.
What do Senbei rice crackers taste like?
Senbei rice crackers are really yummy as it’s sweet and savoury. The base of the cracker is salty with a topping of sweetness that goes really well. It’s a light snack that can be enjoyed by kids as well as adults.
What do you eat with Japanese rice crackers?
Japanese rice crackers can be eaten with different things like soy sauce, tea, pickle, tuna salad, nut butter, yoghurt and berries etc.
Can I eat Japanese rice crackers in my weight loss journey?
Japanese rice crackers can be eaten during the weight loss journey but the key is portion control. Make sure you don’t overeat them. It has the necessary protein, fibers, and carbs to aid the weight loss process.
Are Japanese rice crackers and Senbei the same?
Japanese rice crackers are called Senbei and come in various flavours, sizes, and shapes. They’re mostly savory but also come in sweet flavors.
Bite into deliciousness!
We have now come to an end to our delicious journey into the world of the best Japanese rice crackers. The list contained different types and flavors that are sure to spark excitement in your taste buds. We hope you found the rice crackers that complement your taste in this list. Happy munching on these little beauties!
Also Read:
Erika is the main author of the website. She is obsessed with Japanese products and always looks for an opportunity to share her love for Japanese products with everybody around her! She combined her love for writing, research and testing products to create Best Japanese Products. When she’s not reviewing latest Japanese products, you’ll find her pampering her cats. Erika is the definition of ‘The Crazy Cat Lady’.