Asian snacks are some of the most popular types of cuisine in the world. Whether you are looking for something sweet or a little bit salty, the best Asian snacks will have you craving for more. Below are some of the best Asian snacks you might want to sample soon:
1. Boba Tea
Boba tea is believed to have originated from Taiwan in the 1980s. By the 1990s, it had become a common global feature at dining tables in restaurants and at homes. Although Boba Tea comes in different variations, it’s unmistakable by its colourful, large, tapioca balls you will find floating in your tea. In fact, the term “boba” refers to the delicious, chewable tiny pearls. You can drink it in the form of juice or tea and is variously referred to as pearl milk tea, boba tea, or bubble tea.
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2. Hello Panda
This snack was all the rage in the 1990s and became one of the best Asian snacks among kids. The snack is manufactured by Meiji, the same manufacturers of Yan Yan. This is perhaps the reason the cream and the biscuit have an almost similar taste. While you may not find a perfectly printed Panda on the actual snack as the one on the package, they are highly delicious nonetheless.
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3. Pocky
These magical delicious biscuit sticks feature a thin creamy layer of your favourite flavour. Whatever your preference, be it chocolate or strawberry, you will find a pocky snack your taste buds will love. Part of this biscuit, about an inch of it, does not have any cream, ostensibly to make sure it does not melt in your hand as you munch at it. This ingenuity is attributed to its inventor, Glico.
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4. Yan Yan
Yan Yan comes in strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla flavours. It is a crunchy, biscuit stick that comes with delicious cream. To make sure each biscuit stick gets to dip into the cream, make sure you do not scoop more than a quarter teaspoon of it at a time. Strawberry, vanilla and chocolate are some of the most popular flavours. Add to this the delicious creamy taste, and you have a biscuit stick like no other.
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5. Salmon Skin Crackers
If you are looking for a snack that is healthier than potato chips, these fish skin snacks from Thailand will definitely bless your taste buds. The snack comes in two flavours: Wasabi and original. The Wasabi flavour packs quite the punch if you are up to it. It’s so spicy it will numb your tongue, but if you are far less daring, the Original flavour will still do the trick.
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6. Prawn Crackers
These deep-fried chips have a shrimp flavour that is quite the delicacy. The interesting thing about this snack is that the moment you take a bite, you get a tingling sensation accompanied by a distant popping sound that feels like eating pop rocks. They are such a treat for special occasions such as the Chinese New Year.
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7. Thai Cup Noodles
It is said you were never in Thailand if you didn’t bring Thai cup noodles home. They are a perfect antidote for post-vacation withdrawals. You can get your choice of Pad Thai, Basil Stir-Fried Noodles, and Green Curry. If you are Muslim, rest easy because these cup noodles are also halal certified!
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8. Egg Rolls Spiced with Pork Floss
These are some of the most requested Thailand snacks. If you are travelling to Thailand any time soon, you must try out these delicious Asian snacks. They are usually stuffed with pork floss and can also be an ideal snack for special occasions. They are a delight among many people, especially in China during the Chinese New Year. This snack’s kick is in the egg roll’s crunchy outer shell, which, when combined with a generous serving of floss, produces a delicious flavour you cannot resist.
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9. Fishnacks
These chewable, light fishy snacks were an instant hit in Asia. Whether you like or don’t like fishy smells or flavours, you will love the fishy taste of these fishnacks. The taste will take you past the smell and bring you into a snacking world you cannot resist.
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10. Pop Pan
These are scallion-flavoured buttery crackers. If you don’t mind the fat and the sometimes strange aftertaste, Pop Pan crackers still have their place in supermarket shelves as one of the best Asian snacks.
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11. Freeze-dried Fruits
Since bringing home fresh durians from Thailand could be a stretch, why not bring the next best thing; the freeze-dried fruits. These snacks are perfect for your daily consumption, and, besides, they have a pretty long lifespan.
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12. Coconut Tapioca Cookies
These are highly popular miniature cookies known as Khanom Phing. They are similar to the popular Malay cookies such as Kueh Bangkit. Imagine a cookie crispy on the outside but with a soft interior and you have a coconut tapioca cookie your mouth cannot resist. They have a strong coconut flavour.
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13. Fruit Chips
This is a great fruity snack that is as good, if not better, than the freeze-dried fruits discussed above. The thin crisp features a heavier crunch but has a subtler taste than the freeze-dried fruit snacks.
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14. Hi-Chew Candy
This snack is mostly found in Singaporean supermarkets. It is a flavoured, chewable candy that is loved by many. Besides the sweet flavours, this Thailand snack also comes in sour flavours that are just as popular. If you are looking for an irresistible pick-me-up snack, Hi-Chew candy, which is available in both packets and the regular sticks, is a perfect choice.
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