10 Best Japanese Sweets UK 2022 | Hi-Chew, Koala's March and More

1. Pick Between Traditional Or More Contemporary Sweets
2. Consider Whether You Want A Sweet With A Familiar Or Unique Flavour 
3. Seek Out Gelatin Free Options If You Are Vegetarian 

 To help you decide, think about whether you want to try traditional or contemporary Japanese sweets. For example, some of the most traditional sweets eaten throughout Japan's history include candied fruits, soft jellies and sweet mochi. 

• Mochi: Considered the first Japanese sweet, mochi is an important part of Japanese's food history. For those who are unfamiliar, mochi is a small cake made from glutinous rice, water, sugar and cornstarch. It has a soft and chewy texture and is often filled with different sweet fillings. 
  
  
• Biscuits, Chocolate and Gummies: Many Japanese sweets are modelled after Western confectioneries such as biscuits and gummy sweets. These contemporary treats may be better suited to those who are not use to Japanese cuisine since they have a more familiar texture and taste. What makes stand out, however, are the unique flavours like matcha and yuzu, which aren't as common in the UK. 
  
  
• Candy DIY Kits: Novelty sweets are also popular in Japan and a great choice for kids. In particular, candy DIY kits and sweets which include games and free gifts offer an extra layer of fun. Notably, these sweets have traditional roots, being modelled after dagashi (駄菓子) which are cheap candies with fun packaging specifically made for children to enjoy. 

Click here to learn more about traditional and popular Japanese snacks!

What makes Japanese sweets so popular around the world is that they come in both familiar and unique flavours. Fruits are often used either as a filling or coating on many sweets. Yet, there are many exciting flavours to try. Here are some of the most common:

• Strawberry: One of Japan's most loved fruits. Strawberry is used in a wide range of Japanese sweets including hard candy, soft chews, biscuits and chocolate.

• Orange: Mikans are the most popular type of orange in Japan. Since they are super juicy and sweet, they make a great flavour for hard candies. Other citrus fruits like yuzu are also commonly used to flavour sweets due to their sweet yet slightly tangy taste. 

• Grape: This is another popular fruit in Japan, with the Kyoho grape being the most commonly found in confectionary. Grapes are used to flavour many different gummies and soft chews. 

• Ramune: Comparable to lemonade or club soda, Ramune is a Japanese carbonated drink which has a citrusy and slightly sweet taste. Because of its refreshing flavour and popularity with kids, it's a commonly used in novelty sweets. 

• Brown Sugar: Okinawan brown sugar is famous for its deep flavour. It's made by slowly cooking the sugarcane and can be used to flavour both savoury and sweet dishes, as well as for making hard sugar candy. 

• Warabiko: Otherwise known as bracken, warabiko is a type of fern. The starch which comes from the stem is used to create warabi mochi, which many describe as being flavourless, while having a texture comparable to that of tapioca.

Gummies and chewy sweets are extremely popular in Japan, with some of the most famous being Hi-Chew and Mikakuto gummies. However, these types of sweets tend to include gelatin in order to create texture. Given that gelatin is derived from animals, it is therefore unsuitable for vegetarians and vegans. 

That said, there are some sweets which are made with a gelling agent called pectin that's derived solely from plants. Another gelatin substitute commonly used in a variety of Asian desserts is agar, a jelly-like substance made from red algae and other vegetables. You can even use agar to make traditional Japanese jellies and raindrop cakes. 

While there are plenty of vegan-friendly Japanese sweets, certain varieties can be harder to find. Sadly, most biscuits and chocolates in Japan contain eggs or milk powder. That's why it's important to check the ingredients list if you have specific dietary requirements or allergies.

To add a finishing touch, why not pair your chosen sweet with a Japanese tea?

For those after a quick look, here is our Top 5:

1. Morinaga - Hi Chew Green Apple for £1.65
2. Lotte - Koala's March Strawberry Flavoured Biscuits for £12.00 
3. Shindo Shigeharu - Candied Amanatsu Citrus Peel for £4.25
4. Fujiya - Pop Candy for £6.25
5. Yaokin - Ramune Tablet Candy for £1.35

For a more in-depth look at the comprehensive top 10 selection, make sure to read on to learn more about the different types of Japanese sweets available and understand how our ranking was determined.

This article's chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.

This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.

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Written and researched by Jane Pipkin