The 17 best japanese sweet brands
Meiji, Clearspring and Glico lead our ranking of 17 japanese sweet brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.
Japanese Sweet brands, ranked
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1
Meiji
Meiji develops food and pharmaceutical products. The company believes in offering edible products to improve health and help consumers eat more healthily. Meiji has two major segments- food and pharmaceuticals. The food segment has all the products, from dairy and nutrition to beverage and ice creams. Meiji also develops and supplies medicines and commercial products to help people make better choices and improve the quality of their life.
Website: meiji.com |Brands like Meiji
Popularity 10.0/10
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2
Clearspring
Clearspring is a leading Organic foods company in the UK selling authentic Japanese foods and Mirobiotic organic foods. Their ingredients are sourced from farmers and food producers and are entirely vegan. The brand's goal is to make organic food more accessible to people in current times and help improve their health. The food is made with traditional methods and recipes to provide a unique flavor. They also do not use any additives or sugars.
Website: clearspring.co.uk |Brands like Clearspring
Popularity 8.8/10
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3
Glico
Glico, with its long years of experience in building trust among consumers is committed to bring the best of taste and nutrition through its wide range of products. From confectionery to dairy products, soft drinks and baby formula, theirs is a huge range to choose from and a host of global stores to shop at. Strict quality checks to maintain the highest standards are guaranteed.
Website: glico.com |Brands like Glico
Popularity 8.3/10
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4
Morinaga
Morinaga is a Japanese company that has been producing confectionaries and desserts. They are best known for their candies, and their goal is to provide everyone with tasty and healthy treats. They are primarily known for their sweets loved by people and sold across the country. The company is one of the biggest names in the market, and its products are available in the majority of retail stores and even online.
Website: morinaga.co.jp |Brands like Morinaga
Popularity 8.3/10
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5
Bourbon
Bourbon and honey is a blog handled by Kristen Olsen, a food editor. This is a place where one is sure to find convenient, delicious, and nutritious recipes that are incredible for parties and simple enough for a weeknight. The blog is advertised on several social media websites and happens to have a long list of followers who have praised the tasty recipes.
Website: bourbonandhoney.com |Brands like Bourbon
Popularity 7.8/10
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6
Calbee
Snacks are the main requirement for people. Most of them eat a snack while doing many tasks. Calbee is an Australian company that provides all kinds of chips and crips to their customers. They offer many different flavors in this packet. They had a tie-up with many brands which produce these chips. Calbee sells these brands’ products to customers. They also provide many different recipes for several dishes to their customers. Customer will find their store in many malls in Australia and New Zealand.
Website: calbee.com.au |Brands like Calbee
Popularity 6.2/10
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7
LOTTE
Hydrated and glowing skin is not treasured by whom? Acknowledging the love for healthy skin, Lotte Naturals brings nature close to the sapiens by creating instinctive products which are liberated from toxins, chemicals, and artificial ingredients and are vegan friendly. Lotte Naturals believes in quality and not quantity; they sell out the only refined quality products ranging from Facial masks, scrubs, toners, cream, and baby cream to accessories.
Website: lottenaturals.com |Brands like LOTTE
Popularity 5.5/10
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8
Nissin
Nissin is a multinational corporation that creates and distributes instant noodles, snacks, and other culinary items to clients worldwide. The passion and dedication of our staff, who are determined to translate Japanese ingenuity to life, has helped us establish a reputation for reliability. Nissin creates wonder-inducing instant noodles. They have always been devoted to developing delectable and easy culinary products. Nissin is happy to be one of the top suppliers of tasty meals that encourage humans to stay more healthy and fulfilling lives.
Website: nissin.com |Brands like Nissin
Popularity 4.8/10
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9
Kracie
Kracie produces the highest quality toiletries and cosmetics, medications, and meals. With the best-selling Ichikami smoothing shampoo, even if your hair is prone to tangling and stiffness, the "smoothing" line will make it smooth enough to run your fingers. It...
Website: kracie.co.jp |Brands like Kracie
Popularity 4.8/10
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10
ORIHIRO
Orihiro group is a producer and developer of products and technologies based on a healthy lifestyle through food. It is a leading industry in the machinery trade for packaging systems. This business contributes to a prosperous and fruitful life. It...
Website: orihiro.vn |Brands like ORIHIRO
Popularity 4.8/10
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11
Daiso
Daiso is a Japanese retailer that sells a wide range of merchandise. They prioritize providing an elevated product at an affordable price. They offer customers various options available, including online shopping and physical retail locations, for their favorite products. With...
Website: daisojapan.com |Brands like Daiso
Popularity 3.9/10
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12
Marukome
Established in 1854, Marukome has been serving the world for more than 150 years. Marukome is now a well-known brand in the food industry, mainly known for manufacturing products made with Miso. Marukome main focus is to use the health...
Website: marukomeusa.com |Brands like Marukome
Popularity 3.9/10
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13
Nestlé
The enormous food corporation in the world is Nestlé. They have more than 2000 brands, including pet care, bottled water, frozen foods, coffee and tea, confectionery and chocolate, cereal and baby nutrition, snacks, and prepared meals, ranging from worldwide icons...
Website: nestle.com |Brands like Nestlé
Popularity 3.9/10
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14
Natori
Finding the right lingerie can be difficult. If you are looking for high-quality yet stylish and comfortable underwear, look no further than Natori. Founded by Josie Natori, Natori is a New York-based company offering premium lingerie, nightwear, intimates, and high-end...
Website: natori.com |Brands like Natori
Popularity 2.8/10
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15
Orion
Orion, the company, not the constellation, was established relatively recently, in 2014. They sell IT products to the customers. The brand has a set of rules that they adhere to. All the best products are reserved for the customers, and...
Website: orioncomputer.ca |Brands like Orion
Popularity 2.8/10
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16
Lipton
Lipton is focused on becoming your tea partner. Whether it's a hot cup of tea, a quiet break with friends or family, an energetic workout, or even helping you keep active at work. Their tea is meticulously blended with the...
Website: lipton.com |Brands like Lipton
Popularity 2.8/10
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17
Twinings
Twinings is a pioneer in the tea industry, delivering outstanding tea. Their black tea is a strong, aromatic, and full-bodied tea that can be used to start your day with English breakfast, add some zing with lady grey, and revitalize...
Website: twinings.co.uk |Brands like Twinings
Popularity 2.8/10
Official websites and social accounts
| Brand | Website | X / Twitter | YouTube | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meiji | meiji.com | – | – | – | – |
| Clearspring | clearspring.co.uk | /ClearspringUK | ClearspringUK | @ClearspringUK | – |
| Glico | glico.com | /PockyUSA | pockyusa | @pockyusa | GlicoUSA |
| Morinaga | morinaga.co.jp | – | – | – | – |
| Bourbon | bourbonandhoney.com | /BourbonandHoney | bourbonandhoney | @BourbonAndHoney | Bourbon and Honey |
| Calbee | calbee.com.au | /calbeeharvestsnapsanz | goldenchipeesanz | – | – |
| LOTTE | lottenaturals.com | /wix | – | @Wix | – |
| Nissin | nissin.com | – | – | – | – |
| Kracie | kracie.co.jp | – | – | @Kracie_foods | クラシエ （Kracie） 【公式】 |
| ORIHIRO | orihiro.vn | /Orihirovietnamofficial | – | – | – |
Japanese Sweets Buying Guide
Japan is known for its exquisite sweets or wagashi. These traditional confections are unique in taste, presentation, and history. They are often served with tea to signify a peaceful moment of relaxation, called ichi-go ichi-e, which means "one time, one meeting." If you are planning a trip to Japan, a great way to experience its culture is through its sweets. In this guide, we will introduce some of the best Japanese sweets and what to look for when purchasing them.
Types of Japanese Sweets
Japan has various types of sweets, each with their own unique flavors and textures. Here are some of the most popular ones:
Mochi
Mochi is a type of rice cake made from glutinous rice pounded into a sticky paste. It is often filled with sweet bean paste or fresh fruit. Mochi is eaten all year round but especially during New Year's celebrations when it is used to make a traditional soup called ozoni.
Dorayaki
Dorayaki is a pancake-like confection consisting of two small cakes filled with sweet bean paste. It is often seen as a symbol of good luck and is popular with children.
Manju
Manju is a type of traditional Japanese sweet made from flour, rice powder, and sweet bean paste. It can be steamed or baked and often comes in various shapes, including balls, cubes, and discs.
Daifuku
Daifuku is a mochi-based sweet filled with sweet bean paste or fresh fruit. It is often topped with a dusting of rice flour to prevent sticking.
Warabi mochi
Warabi mochi is a jelly-like sweet made from bracken starch topped with kinako or roasted soybean powder. It is often served cold and is a refreshing summer treat.
Castella
Castella is a sponge cake that originated in Portugal but became popular in Japan during the Edo period. It is made from flour, sugar, eggs, and honey and is often flavored with green tea or honey.
What to Look for When Purchasing Japanese Sweets
There are certain things you should keep in mind when buying Japanese sweets:
Seasonal Availability
Many Japanese sweets are only available during certain seasons due to the use of seasonal ingredients. For example, sakura mochi, a rice cake filled with sweet bean paste and wrapped in cherry blossom leaves, is only available in the spring when cherry blossoms are in bloom. Make sure to check what sweets are in season before purchasing them.
Freshness
Japanese sweets are often made fresh daily, so it is important to check the expiration date to ensure freshness. Sweets that have a short shelf life, such as daifuku, should be eaten within a few days of purchase for optimal flavor.
Quality
When selecting Japanese sweets, it is important to look for those made with high-quality ingredients. Most sweets are made with sweet bean paste, so look for ones made with red beans, azuki or white beans, shiroan, for a better taste experience.
Packaging
Japanese sweets are often carefully packaged with beautiful designs, especially if they are a gift. You can select one that comes in a gift box for your friends, family, or colleagues. Limited-edition packaging releases offer a great option regardless of whether they like sweets or not.
Where to Buy Japanese Sweets
You can buy Japanese sweets almost anywhere in Japan, from convenience stores and supermarkets to specialty shops and department stores. Here are some recommended places to buy Japanese sweets:
Tokyo Station
There are several sweets shops located in Tokyo Station, making it a convenient place to buy souvenirs before leaving Tokyo. The shops sell a variety of traditional Japanese sweets, including dorayaki, manju, and mochi.
Ginza
Ginza is a trendy shopping district that is famous for its high-end stores and restaurants. It is also a great place to find Japanese sweets, including those made with high-quality ingredients.
Asakusa
Asakusa is a historic district in Tokyo known for its famous Sensoji Temple. It also has many shops that sell traditional Japanese sweets, such as ningyo-yaki, a small cake filled with sweet bean paste in the shape of a doll or animal.
Kyoto
Kyoto is known for its traditional architecture and is a great place to find traditional Japanese sweets. One of the most famous sweet shops in Kyoto is Malebranche, which sells its original sweet, maccha no kanten, a sweet jelly made with green tea, milk, and red beans.
Conclusion
Japanese sweets are a delicious and unique way to experience Japan's rich culture. By keeping in mind the seasonality, freshness, quality of ingredients, and packaging, you will be sure to find souvenirs that will delight and impress your friends and family. When planning your trip to Japan, make sure to include a visit to some of these recommended places to buy Japanese sweets.
