Imported Food Part 1: Pocky & Yan-Yan
The beginning of a short new segment I will do about different foods as I find and try them. Most of these I had before (from various travels, since I have a had a bunch of exotic dishes) and some are totally new to me; so they won't always be from Japan, but all over the world. Today, I will introduce you to something light and two snacks you are probably familiar with: Pocky & Yan-Yan.
A fair amount of animelovers and fans know what Pocky is. However, I recently came across something new in the store called Yan-Yan and decided to try it out to see how it compares. I can't for sure say they are personal new to me, but something I would never imagine finding in my local store (expect for a chain store like Wal-mart).
Just to give a short sound-byte, Yan-Yan is another Japanese snack made by the Meji Seika company. They specialize in different candies and confectioneries like the Yan-Yan that comes with it's own dipping flavor frosting and biscuits. I have the strawberry variety, however their are others. Often they are sometime referred to as Cracker Sticks by some westerners like myself.
Personally, I prefer the Pocky over the Yan-Yan due to the frosting already infused on the stick and has lighter coating than the Yan-Yan with frosting feeling more heavier. Regardless, the Yan-Yan is still a nice snack in it's own right and something for the average person without knowledge of foreign food to try if they like quick and easy sweet snacks.
A box of strawberry and Chocolate side by side. My local store should be getting more soon flavors soon.
I hope you enjoyed part one of my Imported Food post. Next time, I will take a look at some candy this time, but one variety that you will most likely find it's roots in the Europe. Till next time, like it, see it, buy it, and eat it. [Both of the snacks together. Looking yummy the second. Making you want some Pocky or Yan-Yan?]
