Snack Food

America doesn't have a monopoly on junk food; Japan has more than their fair share, but like everything in Japan it's (wait for it...) just a little different.

I can remember shopping for chips in America walking by all the various flavors; bar-b-q, honey bar-b-q, hickory smoked bar-b-q, mesquite bar-b-q (man, they love barbecue in the US!) but I wanted something totally different and unique - here comes Japan, stepping in with exactly what I am craving.

Now Japan has all the flavors and brands of potato chips that America has, but then they add their own: ume pickle (you know those little pink slivers of sour pickle you get with sushi? Yeah, they put that on a chip), soy sauce and mayo, KFC chicken (seriously, America doesn't have this, why???) tuna and mayo (it tastes like tuna fish on toast!) and way too many more to even get into. Keep in mind that mayo in Japan is totally better than anything you can get in America, shout out to Kewpie Mayo!

Not only that but Japan has so many flavors of potato sticks that Andy Capp is rolling over in his grave (just a figure of speech). They even have snacks that are totally Japanese, like takoyaki balls.

What the heck is takoyaki? I'm glad you asked. Takoyaki is breaded octopus rolled into a ball and cooked in a pan. Then they cover it in takoyaki sauce which is a mix of Worcestershire sauce and mayo. mmmmmmm... Anyway they have a potato ball shaped snack that tastes just like real takoyaki.

There is such a surprising variety of snack food available in Japan, that should totally be available in the US, but I guess that the Home of the Brave, isn't brave enough for these awesome, x-treme, in-your-face flavors!

If variety is the spice of life, then Japan is the equivalent of Frank's RedHot sauce.

"I put that s*** on everything!"