Senbei

Japan is a land that thinks of rice as a sacred gift from the Gods, and senbei is a manifestation of the same. Available in a plethora of shapes and sizes – from round to square, and mini to massive, this snack is ridiculously addictive. While it is essentially a savoury rice cracker, it also comes in sweet variants. Often topped with generous amounts of soy sauce, the first bite of senbei can be quite pungent, but once you get used to it, you will keep going back for seconds and thirds.

Coated in every imaginable flavor, ranging from wasabi to chocolate, and fish to Korean kimchi, this snack is relished by locals and travellers in equal measures. In fact, Japanese people often offer senbei as a form of refreshment to their guests, along with cups of green tea. If you are the adventurous kind, some of these baked and grilled crackers come wrapped in Nori seaweed. Interestingly, the many deer dotting the temples of Nara and Nikko seem to love this snack, and if you are an animal lover, buy a packet and feed these friendly creatures a senbei or two. Moreover, expect to carry several packets of these delicacies back home.
Where to buy: most supermarkets and convenience stores across Japan stock up on a variety of senbei. You could buy the more authentic ones, albeit expensive, from souvenir shops.