While we may never fully understand the affinity for school girls or peace signs, no one can deny being fascinated by Japanese culture. Why does Sailor Moon have those circular hair accessories? Are water dragons real (if yes, are they friendly)? These captivating nuances extend into the country’s confections, as the Land of the Rising Sun has produced some of the strangest candy in the world.
As you prepare for Easter this year, kick the annual egg hunt up a notch by tossing some Asian candy into the mix! Your kids will enjoy trying something new, and you won’t have to hear them complain about how they prefer dark chocolate to milk next year, because they’ll still be haunted by eating fish-flavored treats. Give that big bunny something special to deliver with one of these weird Japanese candies:
1. Takoyaki Gummies
Who doesn’t love a piping hot octopus fritter? Now, you too can enjoy these snacks on the go. Evil geniuses in Japan took it upon themselves to transfer the taste of warm octopus, green onions, bread crumbs, ginger, and mayo into candy form. Word on the web is that it doesn’t taste too fishy, so die-hard seafood fans will need to find another outlet—tuna-salad popsicles, anyone?
2. Kit Kat®
You grew up munching on these chocolate-covered wafers, but did you know Japan offers them in a variety of questionable flavors? Baked potato, soybean, cherry blossom, macha tea, pumpkin, French salt, and many more can be yours for the tasting. Just don’t write home to gramps about it, he’s still a fan of the classic.
3. Popin’ Cookin’ DIY Sushi Candy
Not a fan of fish? Skip out on the barely dead fishy friends you’ll find in Japanese restaurants, and opt to make your own sugary sashimi. True, it’s not very traditional, but you’ll feel happy as a clam—a live clam. These saccharine treats are also interactive, so your little one can go crazy building innovative (albeit imaginary) rolls that would make even the most seasoned sushi chef tear up with joy.
4. Gummy Collagen Candy
Botox is for the birds. This is one treat you’re going to want to steal from little Mary Sue’s basket. Besides, her skin is still incredibly youthful looking—she is 4 after all. Stuff your mouth with collagen candy so that doctors don’t have to inject it into your face. Alright, so it won’t drastically alter your skin, but it will taste yummy in your tummy! Offering a variety of gummy collagen candy, you can definitely find the flavor that suits your needs. “Vegetable and fruit,” anyone?
5. Crayon Shin-Chan Butt Pudding

Photo attribution: Image courtesy of http://comicsalliance.com/crayon-shin-chan-sexy-pudding-jelly-snack-kit-video/
A scheming little boy who is delighted by mooning people, Crayon Shin-Chan is a manga legend. Now, you can bring the full moon to the comfort of your own kitchen with this weirdly appetizing butt pudding mold. Commenters report it tastes somewhat like vanilla, which begs us to ask the question: How did the manufacturers make the connection between vanilla and hineys?
6. Suplitol Tongkat Ali Sex Gum for Men
Everyone needs a little help downstairs now and then. Why not surprise your special someone by making yourself a little more…robust? The best part is, you won’t even have to get a prescription from your doctor. A word of caution: This gum is for adult use only! Pop a piece in after the kids have gone to bed to celebrate another well executed Easter for the books.
7. CaféCat – Cute Cat Marshmallow Set

Photo attribution: Photo courtesy of http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/adorable-marshmallow-cats-float-inside-coffee-cups
Tired of your little ones crawling around the floor asking for bowls of milk? Before your daughter grows up and turns into a cat lady, appease her with these adorable marshmallow cats. Perfect for cups of cocoa, these feline fancies will keep your kids entertained long after Easter’s over.
8. Moko Moko Candy Toilet Kit
It might come as a surprise that children are willing to sip candy from a toilet, but hey, Johnny’s teacher called to say he was eating paste last week, so what the heck. While drinking fizzy Asian candy from a plastic toilet isn’t quite as jovial as jellybeans, it’s still fun, goshdangit.
9. Hello Kitty® Pocky
Also described as “strawberry biscuit sticks,” these scrumptious snacks are perfect for the Hello Kitty® lover in your life. Essential for dipping into your tea or using to mimic a walrus, pocky is a well-known Asian snack, and as any sane person knows, Sanrio® characters make any treat more appealing.
10. Candy Japan
More than just a piece of awkwardly flavored gelatin, this is the mother lode of Japanese candy. You’ve heard of subscription services that send you makeup, or organically sourced coffee, but did you ever anticipate receiving a box from the Asian equivalent of Willy Wonka? Sign up for Candy Japan and receive a box full of mysterious munchies just in time for Easter, and you can continue the surprises all year long. In all likelihood, you’ll be getting freeze-dried chocolate covered crabs sent to your door, but hey, when have you ever backed down from a challenge? A strange, crustaceous challenge…
We just tried Asian candy for the first time yesterday and made a video. You can see it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siTz8iy_x4Q . we did not like it at all except for the gum. If we had to choose some Asian candy for our Easter basket from above, it would be the Kit Kats and maybe the Toilet Kit but that’s all. Not sure if we could handle the rest.