JAPANESE SNACK GUIDE
A Guide to Japanese Matcha Snacks
Japanese matcha snacks come in everything from chocolates and candies to mochi and biscuit treats. I tried a mix of them to find the ones actually worth buying. Some were familiar, some completely surprised me, and a few have already become repeat favorites.
Matcha Kit Kats
First Impression
These tasted very much like what I expected from a matcha Kit Kat—crispy wafers with a sweet, creamy coating and a noticeable matcha flavor. I enjoyed them, although the flavor wasn’t dramatically different from other matcha Kit Kats I’ve tried.
My Notes
- Sweetness: 7/10
- Matcha Flavor: 7/10
- Texture: 9/10
- Would Buy Again: Definitely
- Kid Friendly: Yes
Wander Living Take
Among the Japanese matcha snacks I tried, this was one of the more familiar finds—but still a very good one. I love the contrast between the crisp wafer and smooth coating, and there is enough matcha flavor to make it interesting without overwhelming the Kit Kat itself. It’s an easy one for me to enjoy and something I would definitely buy again.
Wander Living Verdict
Puccho Uji Matcha Soft Candy
First Impression
Anoticeable and has an earthy taste that makes this feel very different from more familiar chocolate-based matcha treats.
My Notes
- Sweetness: 6/10
- Matcha Flavor: 8/10
- Texture: 8/10
- Would Buy Again: No
- Kid Friendly: Maybe
Wander Living Take
The matcha flavor is definitely the star here. I liked the soft, chewy texture and enjoyed trying something that tasted so distinctly of green tea, but the matcha was a little stronger than I personally prefer in a candy. I’m glad I tried it, although it probably isn’t one I’d reach for again.
Wander Living Verdict
UHA Tokuno 8.2 Matcha Milk Candy
First Impression
I wasn’t sure what to expect from a matcha milk hard candy, but I liked this much more than I thought I would. It’s creamy and milky at first, with the matcha coming through without tasting overly earthy or bitter. The combination works surprisingly well.
My Notes
- Sweetness: 6/10
- Matcha Flavor: 7/10
- Texture: 9/10
- Would Buy Again: Yes
- Kid Friendly: Maybe
Wander Living Take
This is the kind of candy I could easily keep in my bag for a small treat. The creamy flavor makes the matcha approachable, while still giving it enough green tea flavor to feel distinctly Japanese. It isn’t the most adventurous matcha snack I tried, but it’s simple, satisfying, and one I’d happily buy again.
Wander Living Verdict
Bourbon Mini Matcha Crunch Rolls
First Impression
This was one of the biggest surprises in the collection. I expected a soft milk candy, but instead found a light, crunchy snack coated in creamy matcha. The texture is unlike most candies I’ve tried and was the highlight for me.
My Notes
- Sweetness: 7/10
- Matcha Flavor: 7/10
- Texture: 10/10
- Would Buy Again: Yes
- Kid Friendly: Yes
Wander Living Take
This was one of my favorite Japanese matcha snacks in the guide. The crunchy texture completely caught me off guard—in the best way. It reminded me of thin, crispy cracker-like layers rolled tightly together and coated in smooth matcha. The combination of the light crunch and mellow matcha flavor makes it incredibly satisfying, and I would definitely buy this one again.
Wander Living Verdict
Matcha Latte Kit Kats
First Impression
These were good, but at first bite they didn’t taste dramatically different from the regular Matcha Kit Kats. The latte version feels a little creamier and softer in flavor, while still keeping the familiar crisp wafer texture I like.
My Notes
- Sweetness: 6/10
- Matcha Flavor: 7/10
- Texture: 9/10
- Would Buy Again: Yes
- Kid Friendly: Maybe
Wander Living Take
I enjoyed these, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to choose them over the regular Matcha Kit Kats. The latte flavor adds a slightly creamier, mellower finish, but the difference is subtle. If you already love Matcha Kit Kats, they’re fun to try; if I were choosing just one bag, I’d probably pick the regular matcha version.
Wander Living Verdict
Matcha Pocky
First Impression
These were an instant favorite. The biscuit is crisp and light, while the matcha coating is smooth and pleasantly sweet. The matcha flavor comes through clearly without tasting too bitter or intense.
My Notes
- Sweetness: 6/10
- Matcha Flavor: 8/10
- Texture: 10/10
- Would Buy Again: Yes
- Kid Friendly: Yes
Wander Living Take
One of my favorite Japanese matcha snacks in this collection. I love the contrast between the crisp biscuit and smooth matcha coating, and the light sweetness makes it incredibly easy to snack on. The portion feels just right for a small treat, and this is one I would happily keep buying. If I were recommending just a few matcha snacks from this guide, Matcha Pocky would be near the top of the list.
Wander Living Verdict
Matcha Jelly Chocolate
First Impression
I expected this to be a simple matcha chocolate, so the jelly center was a complete surprise. The outside is smooth and creamy with a noticeable matcha flavor, while the soft, chewy center gives it a completely different texture. It’s definitely on the sweeter side, but the combination really works.
My Notes
- Sweetness: 8/10
- Matcha Flavor: 7/10
- Texture: 9/10
- Would Buy Again: Yes
- Kid Friendly: Yes
Wander Living Take
This was another unexpected favorite. I loved the contrast between the creamy matcha chocolate and the chewy jelly center, and the sweeter flavor somehow made the whole thing even more satisfying. I found these near the checkout at H Mart, and I’d absolutely pick up another bag.
Wander Living Verdict
Fujiya LOOK Japanese tea chocolates
First Impression
I bought this box because I was intrigued by the three different Japanese tea varieties and wasn’t quite sure what to expect inside. Opening it was part of the fun—the chocolates aren’t just different colors, but each has its own distinct flavor. I expected to have an obvious favorite, but after trying all three, I honestly couldn’t choose.
My Notes
- Sweetness: 7/10
- Matcha Flavor: 10/10
- Texture: 9/10
- Would Buy Again: Definitely
- Kid Friendly: Yes
I particularly like Variety: 10/10 here because it tells the reader why this box is special.
Wander Living Take
This was one of the most fun finds in my matcha snack tasting. The box includes three Japanese tea chocolates—Uji matcha, hojicha, and Japanese black tea—and each one tastes noticeably different. I kept going back and forth trying to choose a favorite, but I genuinely couldn’t. The matcha is earthy and creamy, the hojicha has a warmer roasted flavor, and the black tea chocolate is completely different again. I found these at H Mart, and I’d absolutely buy the box again, especially because you get to try three flavors instead of committing to just one.
Wander Living Verdict
Uji Matcha Mochi
First Impression
As a big mochi fan, I was excited to try these, although my first impression wasn’t especially promising. The mochi didn’t look quite as appealing once I took it out of the wrapper, and the texture wasn’t what I expected. But after tasting it, I completely changed my mind. It has a pleasant matcha flavor and isn’t overly sweet.
My Notes
- Sweetness: 6/10
- Matcha Flavor: 8/10
- Texture: 8/10
- Would Buy Again: Yes
- Kid Friendly: Yes
Wander Living Take
Don’t let the appearance fool you—this tasted much better than I expected. Unlike some mochi that can feel very soft, sticky, or almost gooey, this one has a firmer texture that reminded me more of a gummy candy. I really liked that. The matcha flavor comes through nicely without being bitter, and the sweetness is fairly restrained. The pieces are also surprisingly large, so one feels like a substantial little treat. As a mochi lover, I would happily buy these again.
Wander Living Verdict
UHA Tokuno 8.2 Rich Matcha Milk Candy
First Impression
I bought this because I had liked another UHA matcha milk candy so much, so my expectations were already pretty high. This one was also very good, with a smooth, creamy matcha flavor and a pleasant hard-candy texture. It felt a little less milky than the previous version, but still balanced and easy to enjoy.
My Notes
- Sweetness: 6/10
- Matcha Flavor: 7/10
- Texture: 9/10
- Would Buy Again: Yes
- Kid Friendly: Maybe
Wander Living Take
UHA has now impressed me twice. I really enjoyed this candy, although I still prefer the other matcha milk version because it had an even creamier, milkier flavor. This one has a slightly stronger matcha presence, but it’s still smooth and approachable rather than bitter. After trying two very good candies from this brand, I’d absolutely be interested in picking up more UHA products when I see them.
Wander Living Verdict
