19 Iconic KitKat Flavors You Need To Try In Japan
Japan is one of the biggest food capitals in the world, so it makes sense that they'd have over 300 varieties of KitKats sold in stores across the country.
I know that choosing from 300 different flavors might sound a bit overwhelming, so I've tried my best to narrow it down for you. As someone who has tried dozens of KitKat flavors, here are my recommendations for the 19 you need to try at least once:
1.Otona no Amasa
It felt necessary to start this list by mentioning that Japan has a line of KitKats that is catered to the mature palettes of grownups. Otona no Amasa literally translates to "sweetness for adults," and it's basically a lower sugar version of the classic KitKats. What's unique about this collection is there are several flavors offered, including dark chocolate, strawberry, matcha, white chocolate, raspberry, and caramel, so if you're not a fan of super sweet chocolates, look no further.
2.Strawberry
If you love sweet, fruity candies, you'll love these KitKats. The strawberry flavor tastes exactly like the bits you would find in a cereal like Cap'n Crunch's Crunch Berries. The photo above is part of the Otona no Amasa collection so it's a less sweet version, but the classic strawberry flavor is sold in most stores across the country.
3.Sake
I'll admit I was a little hesitant to try sake-flavored KitKats, but they were surprisingly pretty good. The taste of sake is present yet subtle, so even those who don't like the distinct flavor of the rice wine would enjoy it. Plus, the uniqueness of this flavor makes for a great gift to bring back to your friends.
4.Gold
Gold KitKats are a combination of the original milk chocolate and caramel-flavored KitKats. Both flavors are already good on their own, but something truly magical happens when you eat the two of them together.
5.Strawberry Short Cake
Fun fact: Strawberry short cake is a really popular dessert in Japan because it's red and white, like the Japanese flag. Interesting, right?
These KitKats are made of white chocolate swirled with freeze-dried strawberry bits, sandwiched in between wafers and a layer of sweet cream. Compared to the classic strawberry-flavored KitKats, they're a little more tart (from the freeze-dried strawberry pieces). But don't worry, the tartness balances out perfectly from the sweetness of the white chocolate.
6.Chocolate Orange
Whoever invented chocolate orange-flavored KitKats needs an immediate raise because these are delicious. I was honestly a little shocked at how much I liked these; chocolate and oranges don't really sound like the best combination. But apparently, these KitKats taste like Terry's chocolate orange candies that are sold in the UK, although I've never tried those, so I can't confirm or deny.
7.Cookies & Cream
If you've ever tried a Hershey's Cookies 'n' Creme Bar, you'll know how delicious the flavors of white chocolate and cookies can be. Now, imagine that with an added wafer in the middle, and you have a Cookies & Cream KitKat. Definitely a must-try for those who love chocolates on the sweeter side.
8.Ume
Ume-flavored KitKats are a seasonal spring treat. If you aren't familiar with Ume, it's a Japanese plum that's usually pickled, dried, or fermented before eating. I'll admit, I wasn't exactly sure what to expect when I tried these for the first time, but they had an interesting flavor for sure. They're sweet, tangy, and just one of those weird flavors you have to try at least once.
9.Apple Pie
Another seasonal flavor that's only available in the fall is apple pie. Think of the dessert's cinnamon-y sweetness, and now imagine that in chocolate form. It's amazing.
10.Café Latte
If you used to be obsessed with mocha Frappucinos like I was, you have to try these.
11.Lucky Red & White
Lucky Red & Whites are a combination of white chocolate and milk chocolate KitKats. While that might not sound super exciting or relevant to their name, here's a quick ✨sociology lesson✨:
In the late '90s, KitKat Japan gained popularity with students after branding themselves as the "antidote" to stress and anxiety during final exam season. So, from a consumer perspective, these little chocolates have been associated with good luck for a long time. Plus, the Japanese pronunciation of KitKat (Kittokatto) sounds almost identical to a Kyushu dialect term, Kittokatsutoo, meaning "you will definitely win."
These things prompted KitKat to come out with the Lucky Red & White KitKats. There's a little red and white knot symbol on its packaging, which symbolizes good luck in Japanese culture.
Each of these individually wrapped KitKats have a different good luck omen on them, so they make for a special snack.
12.Hojicha Tea
If you love the taste of Matcha KitKats, I would highly recommend giving the Hojicha-flavored ones a try. Hojicha and matcha are both green teas, but their preparation styles are different, which gives them their own distinct flavors. Hojicha tastes a lot nuttier, so it tastes really nice as a KitKat.
13.Wasabi
Wasabi-flavored KitKats might not be the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to dessert, but — as the saying goes — don't knock it 'til you try it. The spiciness of the Wasabi is only subtle and definitely not potent enough to clear your sinuses.
14.Matcha Tiramisu
I've personally never actually tried this flavor, but I have no doubts that this KitKat would heal something in me. The description calls out the perfectly balanced flavors of mascarpone cheese and bittersweet matcha, which sounds amazing.
BRB, filing this under my list of reasons I need to go to Japan this summer.
15.Rum Raisin
Like Rum Raisin ice cream, but in chocolate form.
16.Whole Wheat Biscuit
If you take anything away from this list, let it be about how underrated this flavor is. Whole Wheat Biscuit KitKats are inspired by the taste of English digestive biscuits, and they're coated with a sweet white chocolate. The wafers are made from whole wheat flour and toasted grains. What's interesting is this flavor was created to encourage more healthy grains into people's diets.
17.Milk Tea
Another British-inspired flavor, Milk Tea KitKats are the perfect dessert to bring to your next tea party. The black tea extract and white chocolate really balance each other out, so you get a nice, subtle tea flavor.
18.Sweet Potato
These KitKats are inspired by Yaki-imo (roasted sweet potato), which is a pretty common snack in Japan. They kind of remind me of the taste of roasted chestnuts; they're a little nutty yet still pretty sweet. Definitely worth a try.
19.And finally, Umeshu (Plum Wine)
Last but not least, we have Umeshu, or plum wine. Yes, they're a little similar to the Ume KitKats mentioned earlier, but the plum flavor is more mellow in this. Both flavors are good, but this one is better for those who aren't fans of strong fruity flavors.
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