The Best Japanese Candy for Halloween
Candy corn is the worst. Instead, try some of these sweet treats recommended by industry expert Danny Taing
What's your favorite Halloween candy?
Masafumi_Nakanishi
Words by JoySauce
Halloween is upon us, and that means candy! And while those of us who grew up in the U.S. are still perfectly happy indulging in those fun-size Snickers and tiny bags of M&Ms that remind us of trick-or-treating days past, it’s also undeniable that in the world of sweet treats, American candy can leave a lot to be desired.
Enter Danny Taing, founder of Bokksu, a monthly subscription box company specializing in Japanese snacks, and our ambassador to all of Japan’s weird and wonderful candy options. Bokksu works with small family businesses throughout Japan for its products, creating sustainable and equitable partnerships to ensure traditional Japanese snack makers can continue their craft for generations to come.
Danny Taing.
Courtesy of Bokksu
In his research for Bokksu, Taing has tasted more than 1,000 snacks; we asked him to share a few of his favorite seasonal Japanese treats with us, so we can fill our own buckets with candy this Halloween:
“Now a popular flavor from Japan, these Kit Kats have a subtle matcha (or green tea) taste that’s mixed with white chocolate. If I got these when trick or treating as a kid, they would’ve been in my ‘Do Not Trade’ pile.”
Fujiya Anpanman Chocolate Lollipop (1 piece)
“Based on characters from a Japanese children’s book, these lollipops are seriously adorable! Plus, each features combinations of milk, white, and strawberry chocolate, so they all taste different.”
Lotte Pokemon Crunky: Cookies & Cream with Collectible Designs
“Growing up, I was obsessed with Pokémon, so I already love the design of these limited edition candy bars. And better yet, these cookies and cream bars taste amazing!”
Funwari Meijin Mochi Puffs: Rich Black Sesame
“The first time I tried these mochi puffs, I was surprised by their texture and deep black sesame flavor. It’s easy to snack on these while watching a scary movie.”
Glico Pocky: Halloween Chocolate (9-pack)
“Another nostalgic snack that I love. And in the Halloween spirit, these chocolate-dipped Pocky are packaged with a vampire-themed wrapper—spooky!”
“These monster-themed gumballs are definitely one of the wild cards of the bunch! Among the three gumballs in one pack, there’s always a super sour one that terrifies my tastebuds.”
Published on October 26, 2023
Words by JoySauce