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101 Japanese Kit Kat Candy Bars – A Taste Challenge

Kit Kat candy bars; everybody has had one, right? These chocolate-covered wafers will tickle anyone’s sweet tooth, but in Japan they have taken Kit Kats to a whole new level.

Ten years ago, the Japanese began to expand on the traditional Kit Kat bar and opened up a whole new era of tastes. To begin with, in the mid-1990s, they tried out a bitter chocolate, and by the end of the 90s they had added strawberry to the mix. These new Japanese Kit Kat flavors were a hit, and after that they came up with new flavors every year.

Japanese Kit Kat Flavors That Will Surprise You

For the first few years the Japanese Kit Kat flavors stayed rather predictable and, dare I say, normal? There were various types of chocolate, including a white chocolate, strawberry, banana, and mixed berry. However, the taste adventure really took off in 2004 when they introduced lemon cheesecake and green tea. From that time on, they kept getting more and more exploratory, trying to highlight unique Japanese tastes and finally going into local specialties.

Some of what I consider the more adventurous tastes Japanese Kit Kats have been: white maple syrup, apple, water melon, sweet potato, soy sauce, vinegar, ginger ale, and the list goes on and on. You should check out the full list of Japanese Kit Kat flavors, it’s pretty impressive.

Maybe Not Quite 101 Japanese Kit Kat Candy Bars

As foodies and knowing we had a Japan trip in the making, we implored Devon to start collecting the various flavors that she would come across. She did a fantastic job and collected plenty of flavors for us to try. Some we were really looking forward to and others we thought there was no way we would like them, but hey let’s try it anyway. To be frank, we were surprised by all the flavors. Take a look at our Japanese Kit Kat taste challenge video, and tell us what you think.

If Kit Kats aren’t really your thing you might enjoying finding out about a curious Japanese New Year’s tradition, some crazy themed restaurants, a few outrageous animal cafes, the surprising puppet theater, or discover the best way to enjoy cherry blossom season! All of these things make Japan a little geeky, but so cool!

Apple pie Kit Kat bars.
Strawberry Kit Kat bars.
Lemon Kit Kat bars.

If you enjoy unique things you can only do in Japan, check out this podcast!

Have you tried any other Japanese Kit Kat flavors in your travels?

Author Bio: Corinne Vail is a travel photographer, food lover, and a perpetual traveler who has been travel writing for over 14 years. For many years she lived overseas in Germany, Japan, Turkey, South Korea, and the Netherlands teaching the children of the US. military. She’s visited over 90 countries, and she’s not stopping anytime soon.

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101 Japanese Kit Kat Candy Bars - A Taste Challenge *Video*

zoe marshall

Sunday 24th of February 2019

I tried Tokyo banana x kit kat and it was pretty good! A bit unusual but nice

Corinne Vail

Sunday 24th of February 2019

Zoe, That sounds like an apt description for most of their flavored Kit Kats.

JERNY

Wednesday 27th of April 2016

I love your video! When I was in Japan, I have only tasted a few flavors. When I go back, I'll try this too and record ourselves! XD

Corinne Vail

Thursday 28th of April 2016

Jerny, Well, thanks! It was so much fun to do! I love Kit Kats.

Alouis

Friday 8th of April 2016

I was in Tokyo last month and got to try a few like the green tea, strawberry, red bean, rum raisin (that one was really good), and sweet potato. Funny enough the sweet potato one translated on my phone as pear, and then balcony, and then a bunch of other words, so I really didn't know what it was until my friend (who's been to Japan) told me it was sweet potato.

Jim Vail

Saturday 9th of April 2016

Alouis, What did you think of the sweet potato..wasn't bad.

Lisa

Friday 8th of April 2016

Love, love, love your video! Oh...what I wouldn't do for a squid Kit Kat!

Jim Vail

Saturday 9th of April 2016

Lisa, I know. We would love to try that one!

businesstravelerswife

Thursday 7th of April 2016

I can't believe that there are so many Kitkat flavors!! It's funny that you're eating them like Jelly Beans. My favorite is green tea flavor but then again, I haven't tried most of the flavors!

Jim Vail

Friday 8th of April 2016

We had a lot of fun with this, but we couldn't really eat the whole candy bar, that would have been too much! Would you believe I just saw an article about seafood kit kats?